GAME 77 DIRKIE: Dodo locks it down (77%)

[haveitall]

The Mavs didn't play especially good this game, but they won.  Cleveland is a pretty good team...and will probably get better.  It could have been a trap game.

Luka is pretty damn good.  Some people might think he is a ball hog and show boater, but such is not the case.  He will do what he has to do to help the Mavs win.  In this case he had to take over and carry the team in places.  But Luka likes this.  He is at his best when he can play loose and free, with a fairly heavy load.  This is also the time he best involves the team.  I can remember years ago when I heard about a pro basketball team in Europe that had signed a--youngster--12 or 13, can't remember, but I do remember I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.  Well...maybe somebody knew more than I knew.  Seems to happen a lot as I get older.  

Even a generational talent needs a good team around him.  This is where DFS (and others) comes in.  When I first saw DFS I thought he was a shy, no talent player who would be cut...soon.  He hung on, gradually improved, and is now one of the cornerstones of a Mavs team that shows the toughness we haven't seen in a long time.  These are not the best individual players in the league--except Luka--but they never give up and they work as a great team.  And DFS is one of the leaders of the team.  My Dirkie goes to DFS.

DFS is such a favorite not only because he went undrafted and has a Cindarella story but because now that he is making the big $ and has a solid career its obvious he still is super humble and he appreciates this team.  It feels like he is a fan himself sometimes.  Also he has incredible intangibles, the way he speaks has that extra energy and passion.  Fan favorite for sure.