Happy 53rd Birthday, Mr. T!

We should get him a gold fork to complete the set around his neck.

One Angry German

Mark Cuban best beware - he's got one very pissed off German on his hands. In the postgame after the loss last night, Dirk (after making everyone wait an hour) let loose more vociferously than he ever has before on topics ranging from letting Steve Nash walk to Stack not calling a timeout with 5 seconds left in regulation. He didn't go as far as Steve "I don't know what I'm going to wake up for" Francis, but he made his feelings quite clear.

Some of his sentiments:

"Obviously, I thought we had all the right pieces to go all the way, but I just think we weren’t smart enough. Overall our basketball IQ wasn’t great offensively and defensively."

"He played an unbelievable series and showed why he was the MVP. He mad some great plays, not only today to win the game, but in every game they won he was phenomenal. I’ve never seen him play better than this. I think he wanted to show Dallas what we missed and he did that."

"I'm going to be pissed off all summer."

He didn't deflect his own responsibility though, saying, "I was subpar at best in the first round. We came out of it because of Jason." (Although with his lilt it sounded more like "Jazon." I think his accent becomes more pronounced the more pissed off he gets.)

Dirk also said, "I'm going to get in even better shape, if that's possible...I'm going to be even more dedicated, if it's possible."

I still can't believe he threw the towel at poor little JET (Jason Eugene Terry) at the end of regulation. I felt bad for Jason, but Dirk's finally doing what everyone's been telling him to do - step up, be more vocal, assume more of a leadership role. It was also nice to see Dirk get that emotional over the game. I think his outburst and his postgame comment about getting more dedicated if it's possible was a dig at everyone who says he's not really into the game and he's more concerned with winning with his German squad. I admit I questioned his heart at times, but from what I saw in the postgame, he's for real and he's gonna be back with a vengeance next year. Let's hope he brings his European cousin Peja Stojakovic, too.

From Class to Ass(es)

Thursday night started with a show of mutual respect between the Pistons and the Pacers and ended with some Seattle fans out-assholing their team.

After Timmy went down clutching his ankle in the 4th -- a moment that probably made everyone in Texas gasp and drop the hay from their mouths -- people actually started cheering. When he got up and started walking around, they booed him.

Now I realize they lost Vladimir Radmanovic and Rashard Lewis and have been listening to Ray Allen go on and on and on about Bruce-Bowen-this and Bruce-Bowen-that, but honestly. How you gonna boo Tim Duncan of all people, especially when he's down. And you should really think twice before booing someone who plays for a region that boasts such rational luminaries as David Koresh, cow farmers who sue Oprah, and Dubya. Is the cheap thrill of booing someone really worth that cross burning in your yard? Oh I kid the state of Texas. I even went there once...and saw enough confederate flags to ensure I never go back unless the Mavs ever win a championship because you know Mark Cuban would throw the biggest party Texas has seen since Walmart first opened its doors and made the liberal, gay-lovin' Piggly Wiggly obsolete.

A Fitting Farewell

He was drafted to a chorus of boos but left to an arena standing in ovation and appreciation. Much props to the Pistons for ending the year of the brawl with the classiest move in sports in a long time - using their last time out when Reggie left the game to applaud the face of the Pacers for the past 18 years. I almost started crying like Ray Allen. But seriously, anyone who willingly chooses to stay in Indianapolis over LA, New York, etc, out of a sense of loyalty deserves a proper sendoff. I'm glad he got his due. Now enjoy life in Malibu, Reggie.

Good Night, Reggie

Jim Jackson Love

Since I was so vehement in my support for Jim Jackson after the Rockets traded him, I thought it only fitting to show him some love after that ridiculous 15 point outburst in the 4th quarter. Of course I still want the Mavs to win the series. Plus Jimmy's starting to look a little like Jayson Williams. Creepy.

Mavs @ Suns, Game 5

Well, Dirk's face pretty much says it all. The Mavs got smacked in the face. And by Jim Jackson of all people. And on the day when Dirk finally beat out KG for a spot on the All-NBA First Team, he only pulls down 10 boards. 10. Steve Nash even got 13. Earl Boykins is somewhere saying, "I can get 10 on this team and I'm coming off the bench. By the way, I have enough poison in my body to kill an elephant." Random thought: I wonder what Little Earl thinks of that Nike spot comparing him to a little blue frog. On the one hand, he has his own ad, which honestly how many people thought that would happen. But on the other hand, he's getting compared to a little blue frog. Lebron gets to be a lion, Dirk gets to be an eagle, Sheed gets to be fire (I mean honestly, how much cooler can you get than fire)...and he's a frog? I love those spots though. Very well done. But I digress...

Back to the game. Mavs lost it in the first 2 minutes of the 4th quarter. Josh Howard had a shot to be Jannero Pargo at the end of the game, but came up short...very short. One thing I don't understand - Avery keeps talking about how important it is that Erick Dampier stay in the game. So why does he (Damp) keep going home with minutes and 1 or 2 fouls to spare? Let him Yao Ming himself out of every game if he's that important. Don't just leave him on the bench with 4 and then berate him in the post-game for not contributing. If he fouls out with 0 points and less than 10 boards, then by all means rip him a new one. But if he has fouls to spare, he needs to be doing something other than keeping Keith Van Horn company. But who am I to question the Little General and his A Team. That spot from Game 4 was fucking hilarious. For those of you who missed it, TNT did a little A Team parody called "Avery's Team" with Avery as Hannibal, Dirk as Dirty, Darrell Armstrong as D.A., etc. They played the music and everything. I especially loved how they included the clip of Avery's fall in Game 1 when doing his introduction. Was there a better character than B.A. Baracus?? I feel like the relationship between B.A. and Murdock is similar to that of Damp and Dirk. Okay now I'm just rambling. I'm going to stop before I start talking about Swans Crossing.

Eva Longoria and Trophy at Cannes

How much you want to bet that David Stern got a hard on when he saw this picture?? No, no, not because of Eva...but because she's wearing NBA-licensed apparel while promoting the game overseas. She's like the short, slutty, Mexican Yao Ming.

Message to Jerome James

Dear Jerome,

See, it ain't just you. Now shut up!
Love,
Everyone

What to Do

No bball tonight...very sad. I got to open a book and actually read it. Shocking. Okay I lie...the book was Sports Illustrated and the subject Randy Moss. Always interesting.

Did anyone read ESPN the mag from last week (with Rashard Lewis and Shawn Marion on the cover)? Inside there were some tight pictures of Manu Ginobili with him rocking the black pinstripe suit and fedora. You know what always gets me about Manu? (What?) He carries himself with such swagger on the court that you expect him to sound a certain way off the court, like Tony Montana or even Fenster from Usual Suspects. Instead it's well...not. It's like when I heard David Beckham talk in his pipsqueak voice for the first time on Ali G. I was like "Oh, noooo." Manu's not that bad, but it just takes that edge off his swagger a little. Ah well, he's still cool as hell. I'm sure he sounds sexy in spanish...or do they speak argentinian down there? Hmm... Either way, in the immortal words of Charles Barkley, "GINOOOOOBILI!"

He better pick it up tomorrow night though if he wants to put up two fingers! Go baby go!