The First Had More Hair For All!

Opening Night in Dallas Texas is now in the books. A part of me was being sentimental especially on the heels of rock band The Eagles peforming at the American Airlines Center a few weeks back.

You see, it was back on July 28th of 2001 that the Eagles played the first ever event/concert at the AAC as we like to call the arena here in Dallas.

That week alone Cal Ripken was doing his retirement tour through Arlington. Yours truly was barely four months acclimated into life in the Southwest.

The thought of going outdoors in 100 degree heat seemed crazy to me. Oh yeah...I also drove a Nissan Maxima without air conditioning. The button broke on me...

When I walked by that which we now call Victory Plaza was still putting up streetlights and such all around Houston and Victory Ave. It wouldn't be until October 30th of 2001 attended my first Maverick game inside this palace of an arena.

The irony of all this: In almost 13 years of attending Mavericks and Dallas Stars sports I have only attended two rock conncerts. Metalica 2009 and Avenged Sevenfold two weeks ago.

Its always a source of pride to be able to provide remnants of trivia for the sake of looking back and remembering. Few of my comrades remembered that this night was the 12 year anniversary of the 1st Mavericks game against the Detroit Pistons at the AAC. 

Rick Carlisle was the Piston coach. I later learned that the game was his first as a coach in the NBA! The Mavericks win that night 94-87 with players like Dirk, Steve Nash, Danny Manning, Greg Buckner, and Tim Hardaway. Jerry Stackhouse was a part of that Piston team. Also a future Maverick.

The energy inside the AAC was electric. The court was surrounded by police and firmemen on the heels of 9-11-01. Tim Hardaway and Dirk Nowitzki gace two very entertaining speches. My camera kept busy. My ticket was bought at the ticket window a mere 18 rows off the court. This Southwest team had energy and loved to shoot the three ball.

Earlier tonight Dallas took care of the Atlanta Hawks by a 118-109 count. Monta Ellis knocked out 32 points and 8 assists in his Maverick debut. Dirk Nowitzki surpassed 40,000 playing minutes in a regular season. Jose Calderon on his first Maverick steal would reach 500 in his career. Even Vince Carter off the bench would add 21 points for this Opening Night. The 13th in AAC history. 

At this point in middled aged life it amazes me just how fast the time flies. On my Facebook page I was prodded to go throwback with the pictures. So I indeed proceeded to post all pictures taken from Mavericks Opening Night and 2013. 

While regretting not being smart enough to use the autoflash feature 13 years ago two thoughts came to mind this night while preparing to leave the AAC and take the usual walk past Pira and the cigar shop to my car something else came to mind between 2001 and 2013. Likewise for Rick Carlisle.

Where in the hell did all my hair go?

Here's to another season of fun and hijinx with the Dallas Mavericks. And like that team in 2001 we may not have much on defense but boy, will we score a whole lot of points much like Dirk and Nash under Nellie senior.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will