David Aldridge | Early wipeouts leave NBA playoffs wide open

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, May, 2007 | by David Aldridge Inquirer Columnist

It is the fate of the Dallas Mavericks to now be a verb, a cautionary tale against being unprepared for the NBA's second season.

To Maverick is to spend too much time grinding out every game in the regular season, to play at maximum intensity and focus in January and February, but not have anything left in the tank when the playoffs begin - and then, be incapable of adjusting to the postseason's intensity.

"The first round is always a tough round, 'cause you don't want to be like Dallas," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said the other day. "You don't want to lose. Especially the top seed. They play not to lose instead of playing to win."

That pressure caved in on the Mavericks with every succeeding minute...