Local opinion as I've been getting it is near-unanimous that the Mavs are a gutless bunch who stabbed their coach in the back by reverting to Nelly Ball when crunch time came. To those who haven't followed the team all season and seen the difference (and the difference in tangible results) between Nelly Ball and Avery Ball, this might seem like so much whining, but believe me (or not) when I tell you that this wasn't just a case of inexperience or anything like that. Thses guys had proclaimed all season long that Avery Ball was the way to go, and the results proved them right. Then, when it came time to make the point once and for all, they backed off the committment for 3 7/8 consecutive games.
Backstabbing cowards, that's what they proved to be. Unless and until they can prove otherwise, that's how me and a lot of other locals are looking at them.
Big Al excepted, of course.