Reigning NBA champions Dallas Mavericks slumped to a 0-3 record after a nailbiting 104-102 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder, but there’s no reason to write off the Texans just yet.
In fact, the narrow defeat to the Thunder showed just why they are in with a shot.
Oklahoma City are one of the big favourites this year in the NBA. Dallas certainly pushed them a long way, but Kevin Durant’s late shot decided it all. It was a tough pill for Dallas to swallow, but one they’ll have to accept.
Mavs guard Jason Terry reflected positively after the loss, stating: “Encouraging, because if you looked at those first two games, that wasn’t the Mavericks at all.” Indeed, Dallas had looked poor in defeats to Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, before this clash.
Terry added: “Tonight, this is the Mavericks – play you tough, get to the fourth quarter and we put ourselves in position to win. And nine times out of 10, we’re going to win that ballgame. Kevin Durant, hell of a job.
“If they’re picked to win the West, we certainly like that. That’s a good sign. We’re not too far away then.”
There has been a turnover of players at Dallas since their title championship and many are claiming that’s too much for them to overcome. Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler both left. Critics state they aren’t realistic title chances this year because of those losses. Perhaps they’re right, but Mavs coach Rick Carlisle insists a side with Dirk Nowitzki, plus newboys Delonte West and Lamar Odom can challenge and won’t be making excuses.imagE
“We have a different team this year. Our owner did the right thing breaking up the team for the franchise,” Carlisle said.
“It’s the right move for the franchise. So the guys that we have have to make this work, and as the coach I’ve got to make sure they’re doing the right things to do that. That’s the cold-blooded truth.”
Nowitzki reiterated that sentiment too after the defeat, with some comments which hint there is something happening with the Mavs which may take time.
“I think we realise as a team that last year is over and we’ve got to build on what we have and the guys that we have, and I think that definitely was a step in the right direction,” he said.
Unfortunately for the Mavs, given the lockout’s effect on the 2011-12 NBA season, they don’t have much time, with fixtures coming thick and fast. But don’t write them off just yet. This team has too much talent and are too well led.