Some thoughts from a Spurs fan and a brand new poster...

[SpursRuleTexas]

To Dallas-Mavs.com fans,

Hi, I was born and raised in San Antonio and now stationed (in the Navy) in Corpus Christi, TX. I've been a Spurs fan since 1987 and I always supported my team through the thick and thin of every season. I was in the Hemisfair Arena when Barkley shot the Spurs out of the playoffs. I was in the Alamodome when David Robinson was awarded the MVP award in 1995....only to have Hakeem torch D-Rob and Houston went on to kick the Spurs asses in the WCF. And I was there when, no matter how the Spurs played, they just couldn't beat the Jazz in the playoffs and I wondered if this team could ever get over the hump.


But, I was also there when Sean Elliot hit that off-balanced 3 pointer in the 1999 WCF against Portland. And when the Spurs reached the Finals, I knew it was our time on top. And the greatest feeling was when they won 2 more titles in 2003 and last year. (I was deployed when they won those titles but if I wasn't, I'm sure I would have been there).

You are probably wondering why I'm babbling about the Spurs on a Mavs forum but here's my point. This Mavericks team reminds me of the mid to late 90's Spurs teams. Mostly the late 90's team. You guys just went through a coaching change (for the better I believe) just like the Spurs did in 1997. And now you have a coach "WHO KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES" to win a title with the team that he has. The Mavs are playing great defense with AJ taking over and you are getting great help from the bench. And you guys are having a hell of a year.

But I also believe that AJ needs another year or two to be championship caliber. You guys are right on the edge of the hump but championship teams need to go through the playoffs a couple of times and experience the atmosphere of "this is our year" and have some other team destroy your hopes and dreams. I know it sounds bad now but those years playing the Jazz and losing to them in the playoffs were the best thing to happen to them.

Now you know what it takes to be the best, and one of my favorite quotes of all time and I think I'll use it right now. "To BE the man, you gotta BEAT the man, no matter how large the obstacles may be". One more "tune-up" game on April 7th and hope to see your Mavericks in the playoffs.

P.S. I really HATE Mark Cuban.