BIG Changes...but a little happiness.

I know. You don't have to tell me. You don't have to comment saying I told you so or an emphatic happy face. I know we lost. I knew we would win the last game, and I knew we would lose this game because of one thing: Avery Johnson's comments. When Johnson said that the Warriors had the pressure, he was as wrong as could be. Why would they have the pressure? They're not the team that's about to get shown up. The Mavs faced the pressure more than any team in these playoffs. This all could've been avoided, as many of you know, had the Mavericks actually beaten the Warriors in the last game of the season. The Mavs rested ALL their starters and let the Warriors easily beat them, giving the Warriors the 8th seed. Had the Mavs won, we wouldn't be sitting here, me typing and you reading. Anyway, here is my rant. There are big changes to come in big D. Mark Cuban is pissed. It's highly likely and plausible that he sells the team this offseason. This loss is easily worse than the loss to the Heat last year. I don't care what you say. Yes, last year was the championship. But at least we showed something last year. What did we show this year? That we have a half-ass MVP, that we can't play defense worth crap, and that our star player thinks the meaning of "drive in the paint" thinks driving in a car through wet paint. Clearly, we had a worse showing this year. Here is what I compare Dirk to: Brad Lidge. For those of you who don't know who he is, go look it up. For those of you who do, you totally understand what I mean. Lidge gave up that HR to Albert Pujols in game 1. Ever since then, he's ever been the same. Last year in the finals, Dirk missed those 2 key free throws in game 3. Ever since then, he hasn't been the same in big game situations. How does the probably MVP shoot 2-13 with 8 points? He had more rebounds (10) than points, after shooting 50% in the regular season. Dirk took so many outside, contested jumpers, something he learned wouldn't work in games 3 and 4. In game 5, he actually drove the lane towards the end, and what happened? We won. He won. This time, he didn't drive the lane until the 3rd quarter! Disgusting. Another thing that pissed me off. In the press conference, Dirk said two things that should get him traded. One, he said that he felt "sorry for the organization". Why? Why does the organization need your sympathy? It's not like they did anything wrong. The players make the organziation. This was your fault. The biggest thing that he said that really got my blood boiling was when one of the reporters questioned Dirk and said "What is the biggest thing the Mavs need?". Dirk responded with "we need a low post presence". A low post presence? Dirk, you stood at the three point line this ENTIRE SERIES! You were supposed to be the low post presence in these games. You were the tallest guy on the court, and you stood around looking to take jumpers, which clearly didn't fall. Shame on you, Dirk. Shame on you.

What other big changes are in store? As I said, a sale is not out of the question. Some trades here and there are bound to happen. I would not be surprised to see the city of Dallas ask Dirk to be traded. MVP? No. Steve Nash is an MVP. Kobe Bryant (as much as I hate to say it) is an MVP. Dirk is NOT an MVP. Jason Terry? I hope he stays. Stack BETTER stay. Howard is a lock to stay. Everyone else on this team is bait, even Devin Harris. I could possibly see Terry being traded, thus allowing Harris to assume the starting role. Harris did show some signs of shooting life towards the end of the game, so thats a good thing. I'm actually kind of scared about this offseason. It's gonna get ugly. Again, shame on you, Dirk. Shame on you.

You have to tip your hats to the Warriors. Baron Davis played a hell of a game after getting injured. Steven Jackson is just sick. Sure, he has an attitude problem, but damn, that kid can ball. Montae Ellis is going to be a star. Matt Barnes, the journey ugly tattoo man is a beast. And how about Don Nelson? Coming back to coach in August, the last coach to lead the Warriors to a playoff win, beats the team he oh so hates. Did you see the hugs that he shared with Davis and Jackson as the game was over? That's how you know you have a good team. Chemistry, happiness, things like that. Shame on you, Dirk.

As for my happiness, that comes from the Red Sox winning again, this time off a Manny HR in the 8th inning. He's so good.

My predictions for the rest of the NBA:

Nets beat the Raptors, Bulls beat the Heat, Nets beat the Cavs, Bulls beat the Nets.

Suns beat the Spurs, Rockets beat the Jazz and the Warriors, Suns beat the Rockets.

Suns beat the Bulls. Nash is Finals MVP.

Shame on you, Dirk Nowitzki. Shame on you.

-Shahnavaz Makhani