The last time the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs met in the postseason the audience was captivated by a seven round slugfest. Remember Mavs fans? That was the year Dallas took down the reigning NBA champ Spurs and carried the momentum all the way to game 3 of the 2006 Finals. The two previous playoff meetings of the twenty-first century went the way of the Spurs. In 2001, the Mavs were riding high after winning three straight to take down Utah. However, all hope was quickly smashed as San Antonio won the series 4-1. Much of the same in 2003 when both teams had at least 60 wins in the regular season as the Spurs took the series 4-2.
So, Mavs and Spurs fans enjoy this year and the 2009 opening round matchup in what could be the best Texas rivalry of the last ten years. More importantly it could be the end of an era. Tim Duncan, the two-time MVP continues to get older and it seems to be showing. Dirk Nowitzki isn’t getting any younger either.
An added piece to this series was the deflection of Michael Finley from the Mavs to the Spurs. During the ’06 Western Conference Finals Jason Terry decided he needed to hit Finley below the belt causing anger amongst the clubs. Finley, now 36 with his NBA title should be hanging it up soon. Not to say he will this year, but when he does a portion of the rivalry will be gone. Avery Johnson, a member of both teams during the great games is sitting in a studio now. With his new role as a television analyst he will no doubt distance himself from the competition.
Lastly, although expectations are low this playoff season for the Mavericks, you would have to think Mark Cuban will make off-season changes if it doesn’t end in a championship. Although the rivalry should continue for years to come much of the math adds up to this year being the end of an era in the rivalry.
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