NBA: Passing of the torch?

By Jared Spinelli Sports Central, e-sports.com Columnist

When the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz in Game Five of the first round, we may have witnessed the passing of the torch from old to new. From Karl Malone and John Stockton to Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki. Whether the Jazz want to admit it or not, they may never be the same after this season. What a comeback it was, Thursday night. The Mavericks came back from being down by fifteen at the end of three quarters. The fourth quarter, however, belonged to them. Finley took over the game, with Steve Nash throwing in a big three towards the end of the game. Nowitzki played much of the second half with five fouls, a gamble by coach Don Nelson that paid off.

The Mavericks are quickly becoming a very talented young team. Their success, while attributed to both coaching and Mark Cuban's deep pockets, is nevertheless impressive. Nelson's brigade of assistant coaches is surely unusual, but you can't say it's a bad thing when the team is moving along to the second round after defeating a major contender in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks got off to a slow start in the 2001 playoffs, dropping two straight to the Jazz. Just when Utah had visions of the second round dancing in their heads, the Mavericks brilliantly won three straight to bring the series to a close. It was a major statement by a young team, a statement that although they are in the same conference as the Lakers and Spurs, they too should be taken seriously.

What does this all mean? Well, for starters, this could or could not be the passing of a torch between two teams. This series could have been the beginning of the end for Utah, and the beginning of the beginning for Dallas. There's no doubt the Mavericks are on the rise, and can continue to be in the years to come. What is up in the air right now is the Utah situation. Malone and Stockton only have so many years left in those legs, legs that are tiring, not getting any younger. With Donyell Marshall aboard, the Jazz are not all that bad off for next season, as long as Stockton and Malone stay with him.

On the other side, you all better start remembering the name "Dirk". It could be a household name in three or four years. Nowitzki reminds me of a young Larry Bird. He's a tall kid who can shoot the lights out, along with the ability to post up on somebody down on the box. If the Mavericks can hold onto the one-two punch of Nowitzki and Finley, they will be well on their way to their quest for the NBA Finals.

How far can the Mavericks go? We shall see in the coming weeks. They certainly have the energy and the desire to make it far into the playoffs. The only thing that may stop them could be some guy called Shaq or some Twin Towers they call Robinson and Duncan. But, if the Mavs play the games of their lives, who knows, they could be Western Conference champions. They have a little thing going for them - its called "underdog."

Article courtesy of Sports Central