dallas mavericks

No, it won't be 90,000+ crazed fans in burnt orange and crimson rushing to the venerable Cotton Bowl to watch the Horns and Sooners clash on the field, but the western conference finals promise to be entertaining.  For the first time ever, the NBA will take center stage in one of the most football obsessed parts of the country.

In the latest installment of 'As the Lakers Turn,' the two time defending champions were swept out of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.  Not exactly the Hollywood ending some would have predicted for Phil Jackson.  By this time next week, the Zen Master will be on his ranch in Montana tending to his horses or mending a fence.

Every now and then I make a point on Sportstalk that I would like to further explore and analyze in an online post.  There is a groupthink notion that Dirk Nowitzki is a little soft and shrinks during the physical nature of the playoffs.  Because pro athletes are ultimately judged by their championships, if Dirk never cashes in his greatness may be overlooked.

Brandon Roy's NBA future was bleak in January of 2011.  The former rookie of the year and sixth overall pick by the Blazers in 2006 was facing double knee surgery on two knees that doctors considered to be shot.  The 26 year old shooting guard has knees that resemble a 50 year old ex-NFL running back.  There is no cartilage left, and after the surgery doctors told the Blazers Roy had 1-2 years lef

No, filling out an NBA bracket is not quite as fun as the NCAA Tournament but here it goes!!!