The Test of Toughness
By Gary Adornato
5/18/03
 
 
Throughout this record-breaking campaign, much has been made in local and
national media of the Maverick's lack of "toughness" - a quality that is
rarely explained, and even more rarely quantified.  Over the course of this
post-season, Dallas has provided a definition of toughness - and a measuring
stick that should stand against any reasonable challenge.
 
For an NBA player, success is based on his ability to perform at the highest
level under the greatest pressure.  Any of us that hang out in a gym now and
then can hit an 18 foot shot. few, if any of us could do so with 20,000 fans
screaming in our ears, with a hostile hand shoved violently in our face, and
our livelihood (and the fortunes of our friends) depending on it.  Those
pressures reach their peak in the playoffs, when failure means eviction, and
success becomes history.
 
Playoff pressures reach critical levels as a game, and ultimately a series,
wind to their close.  Fourth quarter, seventh game. just saying the words
evokes a feeling of almost claustrophobic tightness, a fiery do-or-die
scenario that buckles the knees of even hardened professionals.  Only the
toughest of hoopsters survive that cauldron, even thrive in it.
 
It is here, in the fourth quarters of the two seventh games played by this
season's Dallas Maverick team, that the toughness question is kicked in the
pants, and sent home to its mama.  In those 24 minutes, the four stars of
the Dallas Mavericks have been brilliant.
 
Some numbers:
 
Dirk Nowitzki has tossed in 20 points, shooting 62% on field goals and 60%
on three point shots. he's grabbed 3 rebounds and a steal, and has been
active both inside and on defense.
 
Nick Van Exel has scored 20 points, shooting a remarkable 70% from the field
and 67% from three point range.  he's been an ice-cold killer, adding 4
assists, 3 boards, 2 steals and just 1 turnover.
 
Michael Finley has quietly added 13 points on 57% shooting, 100% on threes.
he's grabbed a pair of rebounds, swiped a pair of steals, and played
big-heart defense in both games.
 
Steve Nash has been spectacular, scoring 18 points on 75% fg shooting,
hitting 100% of his 3 point shots and free throws. but even more impressive
has been his control of the game.  Nash has handled the ball flawlessly,
dishing 6 assists without a single turnover, grabbing a team-leading 5
rebounds and generally taking the game over and turning it his way.
 
In those two games, the Mavericks have outscored their opponents 72-54, with
the four stars combining to score 71 of those points on 66% field goal
shooting, 69% long range bombing and 80% from the line.  Having been
victimized by it, Vlade Divac allowed that the Mavericks "just break you
down" with their efficiency.
 
There is one definition for toughness that works: it is the measure of a
player's ability to perform - and to win - under the greatest pressure.  It
is likely the only test of toughness that really, truly means anything. and
by that definition, this 2003 Dallas Maverick squad may well rank among the
toughest group of players to ever take the court.