Rise and Fall!

Happy Hump Day! Looks like North Texas will once again prepare to play Jekyll and Hyde with the weather as a cold front is 24 hours away. This could serve as a precursor to what might lie ahead in the 2009-2010 season for the Dallas Mavericks.

Mindful of the fact that Josh Howard is on the mend with ankle surgery, there may be calls for more defense as the Mavericks fell by 11 to the Washington Wizards 102-91. Second straight loss at home on Opening Night (Houston in 2008). Dirk was his usual self scoring 34. Shawn Marion appeared to be out of sorts while he poured in 16. At no time did Dallas appear to get into a rhythm to vie for a lead, much less a win. A 10-2 Wizard run right before halftime gave the Wizards a 59-50 halftime lead they would never relinquish.

Washington was really strong with points off the bench as Andray Blatche and Randy Foye contributed 39 points alongside 29 points and 9 assists for Gilbert Arenas. Caron Butler was on the floor for almost 39 minutes. It seemed like Washington didn't need too many second chance attempts at baskets. Most went in the first time.

Dallas will now go on a quick Western stretch of games with the Lakers and Clippers Friday and Saturday night. Ideally you don't want to start off a ten game stretch 3-6 or 2-7 as you then play catchup. Rick Carlisle has a system in place where you will see a longer leash bequeathed to Jason Kidd as he decides where and when to dish and feed and take the shot. 

The Carlisle Manifesto dictates that if you makes your shots and play good defense then everything else falls into place. Lost in all of this was the fact that Coach Carlisle had a 50th birthday on Tuesday night. not part of the plan.

It's definitely a work in progress, and Dallas should bounce back to their successful ways. Maverick fans only hope it isn't a replay of the past couple of years where slows starts took away from stellar finishes. Friday night 9:30 CST the Lakers and Mavericks tee it up. Plan accordingly.

Stars-Maple Leafs tonight- I AM THERE!

Make it a great day!

Time for firewood and a walk!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will