Maybe the Mavs will start playing like champs now. The NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks will finally receive their championship rings Wednesday night in a brief ceremony before tip-off versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lockout restraints delayed the process, as owner Mark Cuban was unable to speak to his team over the summer. After debating switching up the championship bling with bracelets or iced-out Rick Ross-like faces of each player (ok, I made the second part up), the players overwhelmingly voted for traditional rings.
Cuban reportedly shelled out $1.4 million for the diamond bedazzled jewelry. He probably should’ve sent Nuggets (and St. Louis Rams) owner Stan Kroenke a text to see about getting a Sam’s Club special and saved some of those dollars for Tyson Chandler.
The center, who was the heart and soul of the Mavs championship-winning defense last year, bolted for the bright lights of Madison Square Garden after Cuban refused to offer him a suitable extension.
With an aging roster of stars, Cuban wanted to have cap room available to make a run at young, free-agents-to-be Deron Williams and Dwight Howard after the season. But should they become free agents, those stars can sign with any team in the league. Surely Dallas will be considered, but why gamble on a “maybe” instead of signing the guy who put you over the top?
Regardless, after a horrendous 1-4 start, the Mavs have settled in and playing good basketball, going 10-3 since. Maybe the rings will serve as a reminder of last season and help them perform at a championship level against the leagues top-tier competition.
