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May 3, 2007

Sports Column

No Win, No Love

Dallas teams get our hopes up only to dash them

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The Shorthorn: Michael Henderson

If the Dallas Mavericks don’t beat Golden State in the first round of the NBA playoffs, I’m swearing off Dallas sports teams forever.

Go Bulls.

Go Chargers.

Go Yankees.

I realized something after I read Bill ‘The Sports Guy’ Simmons’ column on Tuesday — Dallas teams have been breaking my heart for the last year.

Every time we get close to something special, we’re burned. And it all started with these Mavs.

Last year’s Mavericks team pulled off win after improbable win to advance to the NBA Finals. The team came back to win Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio on the road in overtime and then knocked out the Phoenix Suns in six games. The team jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over Miami before completely collapsing and giving away the title on the home court.

We got over that though, because it finally seemed like the Cowboys were going to do something behind the arm of quarterback Tony Romo. But alas, he couldn’t handle a snap that could have given Dallas its first postseason victory since 1996.

It took a little bit longer to let that one go. I can’t lie — that one hurt.

Then the Stars make the playoffs and force a Game 7 against Vancouver, just to fall apart in the third period.

Dallas fans played that off like most fans — who really cares about hockey?

We just knew the Mavericks were going to come back from that finals meltdown and make some noise this season, and they delivered. The Mavs put together one of the best seasons in league history and demolished all competition that dared to challenge, except the Warriors.

But come on, people thought Golden State won’t make the playoffs. They’ve had a season with a few shining moments, but they can’t possibly win nine of their last 10 games to sneak in.

Of course, never say never. Now, after Dirk Nowitzki finally decided to show up for a game in Tuesday’s must-win victory, the Mavs have to pull out two more wins just to have the privilege of facing either a tough Utah Jazz squad or a determined Houston Rockets team.

Yay.

I can’t take having my heart broken again. It’s like a relationship — Dallas teams have cheated on me in front of my face, but I’ve taken them back because they said they’ve learned from past mistakes and would never do it again. And look what happened.

I miss the good ol’ days when the Mavericks sucked and you bought tickets to see the other teams play — and Michael Finley. The days when no one really cared about the Stars or the Rangers. And when the Cowboys were truly America’s team and they were winning championships.

Yes, it was a simpler time back then.

Now teams get my hopes up so high that you almost have to believe something good will come of it. In what world does a team completely dominate another for two games, then disappear for the next four? I mean, goodness gracious.

Apparently, I’m not over that one.

And if Thursday turns out to be the Mavericks’ last game of the season, I’ll be over more than that.

— Princess McDowell is a journalism junior and editor-in-chief of The Shorthorn