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I believe some people confuse respect with expectations...
I think I'll never see someone saying that Nowitzi's scoring, Kidd's playmaking and Chandler's defense aren't respected, It's just that Mavs' image in the playoffs is really really hurt and few people can see past that.

As for OKC, Durant has earned his spot as a great scorer, just as Nowitzki, but how far has he gone beyond that? Westbrook is a great wingman for Durant, but he's taking too many shots. What about Perkins? I haven't seen him playing anything like he used to since being traded.

OKC can and will earn some respect, but I just can't see them as a more respectful team than the Mavs right now.

Last edited by Welington at 5/15/2011 4:52:45 PM

Couldnt agree more. I have tremendous respect for Dirk, and think that when Terry and Kidd and the whole team play as a team they are tough to beat.

ESPN did a poll just prior to the NBA playoffs asking which west team had the best chance to go to the finals. Lakers came in 1st in the poll, OKC second. Mavs came in 7th of 8 teams. About 100k responses so just a small sample but I think before the playoffs began not too many people outside of Dallas had high expectations of their chances, deserved or not.

This is more about semantics than anything, imo. Dallas is one of those teams, at least in America, that people either love or hate. Alot of that has to do with Cuban I think. As far as respect goes I think anyone who doesnt respect the Mavs or Dirk doesnt know much about basketball. Completely respectworthy.

I guess what I was trying to say is that OKC is the hot and trendy new team to root for and extoll. One of my friends showed up at the roadhouse with his new Durant jersey and rooting for OKC in a wild and loud fashion during the first round. He was so vocal and demonstrative that I started quizzing him about his new passion. I asked him who was the player drafted in front of Durant that season. I asked where Westbrook went to school and what country was Ibaka from. Not only could he not answer anyone of these questions, but he didnt know the name of the coach either. When I mentioned "you know, they used to be the Supersonics" his response was.....Really?

My point is the majority of fans are casual fans who know little more about the game or their team than how exciting it is to watch Kobe, LeBron, Durant or Howard in the highlight reels, and their loyalties and interest follow suit.

Last edited by Heathcoat at 5/15/2011 8:24:03 PM

When I mentioned "you know, they used to be the Supersonics" his response was.....Really?

Ok now that is a bandwagoner!