Tonight should have been the night. The night of game 7 between the Mavs and Spurs. The game would have taken place in Dallas giving the home crowd the opportunity to shout and scream their beloved Mavs into the second round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
Tonight should have been the night. But since Thursday we all know this won’t happen. Instead, the “NBA Playoffs” logos will be removed from the court of American Airlines Center and another long offseason is about to start.
We all know what happened. The Mavs had three chances to win a game in San Antonio this series. All three times, they came up short. Entering the playoffs with high confidence and the faith to finally have what it takes to go all the way, what we’re left with now, is the third first around exit in the past four years. So, I don’t even want to into discussing what went wrong and the ‘coulda-woulda-shoulda’-type of analyzes. It just won’t change anything.
But what I am wondering these days is, looking forward, what will happen in Dallas. The organization is coming off another huge disappointment that caps off a 10-year run of consecutive Playoff showings, including a 2006 trip to the NBA finals. But in the end, there are no rings to show for it. Dirk said he will ‘look at his options’. Sure, it was in the very moment of huge disappointment and shock. But it’s the first time really, that the ‘Big German’ let the option open of possibly leaving Dallas.
Maybe thinking clearly right now is hardly possible. The game 6 loss is still so present it will take some time to get a clear picture. But nontheless, the questions will eventually have to be faced. Dirk can opt out of his contract’s final year by end of June 2010. Will he? I don’t know. He has been a stellar example of loyalty in the past, playing all his 12 years as a pro for the franchise in North Texas. But he’s turning 32 in June.
One thing seems very clear to me at this point already. It will take a huge rebuilding effort around Dirk, to keep him. Without the addition of one, maybe two reliable big-time scorers and an overall consistent supporting cast, Dirk will think very hard, whether to ‘waste’ another year in the pursuit of his dream.
He’s said on multiple occasions that winning a championship with Dallas would mean more to him than winning with another team. Winning, however starts by being convinced that you can win. I’m sure he’ll talk to Mark ‘Cubes’ Cuban about what will happen this summer and what the goal is, as far as what the Mavs’ look will look like come October.
This being said, I think Dirk is most likely to stay with Dallas for at least one more year and fulfill his contract. But he will want Cuban to add more scoring to the team before going into his contract’s final year. So, basically it all comes down to Cuban. Dallas has one of the biggest payrolls of the league and it has been mentioned that the franchise owner has made a loss of 100+ million dollars on the team in the past decade. Is he going to be willing to add even more? It’s in the hands (or better pockets) of Cuban, really.
I have read some comments from Mavs coach Rick Carlisle that he really likes this team. Heck, I love the Mavs. I cannot even imagine a Mavs team without Dirk or JET. But pro basketball is not about whether you just like the team and if you’ve got a good feeling about it. The cold, non-emotional numbers matter. And this one says the team isn’t where it should be. I think a huge rebuild is in order. In which way exactly, I don’t know. If you blow it up completely, I tend to think – even though it is the best for Dallas – it may take too long for Dirk, as rebuilding in a radical way isn’t just a one-year thing.
On the other hand, I hope Carlisle’s comments weren’t to be interpreted that things will continue mostly unchanged. If this would be the case, I’d lose but all hope for the Mavs to win a championship anytime soon. But let’s not jump to too quick conclusions. The tough to swallow loss in the Playoffs is still fresh in our minds. I believe the front office in Dallas will make the right choices to both, keep Dirk, and to give Dirk and all of us Mavs fans real hope again come next season.
