Whiners, Not Winners

So as I'm writing this Dallas is playing Miami in Game 6 of the Championship. I used to like the Dallas Mavericks, starting from the days of the Three Js; they were somewhat loveable losers at that point, until Nash, Nowitski and Finley changed their team and they began winning. Then Game 5 of the Finals occurred, and I began to seem them as Whiners, rather than Winners.

It all starts at the top, with Mark Cuban, of course. Oh, sometimes his antics are funny, like the Dairy Queen stuff he pulled. But more often than not he gets out of line, getting fined $250,000 (!) for his outbursts after Game 5.

Then we get to "The Little General", Avery Johnson. Boy, this guy's a whiner. Remember after Game 1 of the Dallas-SA, when he complained about Bruce Bowen's defense? I don't think Bowen ever got a fair call from the refs after that. Johnson then hung a reporter--a reporter, mind you, for the Dallas Morning News--out to dry for asking a simple question (pretty much "What did you think of that call on Wade's drive?").

The players? Well, there's Josh Howard, being surly. Dirk's kicking a ball to the stands. Devin Harris is throwing a tantrum on the floor as I watch Game 6, legs flailing like a little boy.

And, of course, the fans. Complaining about the free throw discrepancy (forgetting about the 50-32 FT difference during Game 3 of the Dallas-SA series). Complaining about that ticky-tack foul that resulted in the game-winning free-throws by Wade(forgetting about the ticky-tack foul that resulted in the game-winning free-throws by Dirk in Game 3 of the Dallas-SA series). Complaining about the fact that Wade went to the free-throw line 25 times (forgetting about Dirk's 24 FTs in Game 3 of the Dallas-SA series). Boy, those fans sure have a short memory, don't they?

Whine, whine, whine. Just play already. Dallas may ultimately win, but they would've whined themselves to a championship.

UPDATE: Well, congratulations to Miami. I guess Dallas spent too much time whining that it took their eyes away from the prize.