Victory.

I sit here today, having just finished watching the game on tape delay, emotions surging through me, never so happy to be completely wrong in my prediction. Time and time again this Dallas team showed the relentless focus of a true winner; they weren't flashy, they didn't play with Heat. Instead, it was a cold fury, to match their inviolable resolve. How this Dallas team came together was a perfect storm; every player on that team had demons to overcome, and as a whole, they did this.

But this was more than just a victory of the Dallas Mavericks over the Miami Heat; this is a victory of philosophy. I hinted at this what seems like an age ago, that a team united in purpose and desire, even without as much talent, could succeed where all the stardom in the world couldn't. Then, I was talking about the Hornets, who defeated Miami to stay undefeated, and now, the Dallas Mavericks. However, the message to the NBA is the same; basketball games are not won on talent alone, and a balanced team with chemistry will prevail. So before any more players or GMs hit the panic button and trade away their superstar or demand a trade to join their buddies, they need to consider this:

Less is more; the last thing you want to do is introduce doubt into the minds of your players, but having two players who should be in attack mode, relentlessly dominating on both ends and giving them an excuse to take a back seat. As soon as their is doubt that they are the baddest man on the court, every action is less assured, every play comes with a question mark on whether you should really be the one taking that shot. The beauty of the Mavericks is that every player on that team was limited; even Dirk. But because of those limitations, every player had no choice but to give 100% and knew exactly what their role was. Two players without limits to their abilities cause a mental break in close situations, and place unnecessary pressure on an already daunting situation.

Look at Michael and Pippen; Van Gundy questioned whether Pippen was a superstar, and I agree that he wasn't. He knew his limitations and he gave everything he had within a defined role, which allowed Michael to take the big shots, to be in attack mode for every minute he was on the floor, because there was no question of whether he was being a bad teammate, he was the alpha dog, and the system worked.

Now, I know most of you won't agree with everything I've said here, but for those who don't know I was the biggest doubter of Dallas possible; I couldn't think of a worse matchup in the Finals because I hated the Mavericks only slightly less than I did the Heat. They were weak mentally, talked too much trash and failed to deliver. After tonight, after this season, that same team inspired me and reminded me, but I hope the whole NBA the value of playing with heart and believing.

Had to let this out before this feeling slipped away and I started getting depressed about CBAs and potential lock-outs, but I hope everyone appreciates the good work done by Dallas in possibly getting the mindset of NBA players of this generation back on course after it was derailed by Miami's off-season theatrics. No matter what happens in the next few years, when Miami will likely get a championship sooner or later, this season should demonstrate how a championship should be won.

Thanks for reading.