The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Brian Richardson, Contributor • March 28, 2024
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Mavs fans continue to dream for playoff spot

The Dallas Mavericks entered Sunday’s games against the Utah Jazz holding their playoff hopes in their hands.

As we know Dallas sports teams always handle their business in situations when they control their own fate…right?

Wrong.

If we have learned anything from Dallas sports since Tony Romo fumbled the suspiciously slick ball in Seattle, it’s that when the chips are down Dallas teams bust.

However, to true Dallas fans, none of those shortcomings matter- they forgive, but they do not forget.

Dallas sports have fallen on hard times, but the diehards cling to any and every sliver of hope that comes along.

Right now the Mavericks are serious contenders for the eight hand final playoff spot and their game against Utah is critical. 

The Mavericks are 14-9 over the past two months and are a better team at home (19-14) than on the road (14-22) which is good because they are in the middle of a six game home stand as the season comes to a close. With 13 games left, eight of them will be at American Airlines Center.

With a win on Sunday the Mavericks will be tied for ninth with the Jazz.

Utah has already beaten the Mavericks twice this year and a win on Sunday would result in a sweep for the season series. 

Both games where in Utah, and Dallas is much better at home against the Jazz- winning four straight and 18 out of 21 games against Utah at the AAC.

With a 33-36 record, the Mavericks are 3 games under .500 but only one and a half games behind the eighth place Lakers

The stage is set; all that remains is for the Mavericks to act. 

There is a little hope for them to steal the eighth seed. That being said, getting in the playoffs and winning a title is something completely different.

If the odds of the Mavericks making the playoffs as an eighth seed are slim, then the odds of them wining as an eighth seed are non-existent- simply because it has never been done.
The lowest seed to win the championship was the sixth seeded, 1995 Rockets out of the Western Conference.

The Closest an eighth seed came to winning it all was the 1999 Kings. Sacramento made it to the finals but lost to the Spurs in five games.

Most will think that if it hasn’t happened yet it never will.
Maverick fans will look at that stat and say it’s bound to happen sometime, why not this team, why not now?

It might be wishful thinking, but I say some hope is better
than none.

So what if the Cowboys rip our hearts apart every season? So what if the Rangers couldn’t seal the deal. So what if the best the Mavericks can do is the lowest seed?

Fans will pray for playoffs. If their prayers are answered then their dreams will be filled with visions of the NBA finals.

It may be futile and foolish to hope for success from the Mavericks and it will most likely end in disappointment.

However, for the next couple of weeks, fans will become more invested with every win.

When the team is finally above .500 again shaving cream sales will increase and we will finally see Dirk Nowitzki’s face again.

More importantly Dallas fans will be filled with hope and I don’t see anything wrong with that.

Disagree? Tell me why
@Demo36 

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