And the Thunder rolls

Bringin' down the house

Good NBA teams do not necessarily win every game by 20. 

In fact, the test of a true good NBA team is judging them based on the games they probably aren't supposed to win, but do anyway. 

I don't think the Dallas Mavericks have one of these games this year. Simply put, they're not a very good NBA team. Last night was a good sign. 

A team or individual's mettle is truly tested not when they are at top, but when they are near the bottom. 

Getting run out of the building by a Kevin Durant-less Oklahoma City Thunder last night at home is pretty close to the bottom. 

Then Dirk Nowitzki did what he does. I love folks who try to convince me that Nowitzki isn't tough, a leader or someone who nuts up when times are tough. He didn't put the team on his back ... he put the whole franchise (fans, city, arena) on his back and lugged it all the way to China. 

Also, it's worth noting that I root for Oklahoma City. I love the triumvirate of Durant-Russell Westbrook-Jeff Green. But it's not a team that you allow to beat you in your backyard. 

Notes:

1. I realize he hit some big three pointers, but Jason Kidd was awful. 

2. Westbrook and Green combined for 61 points. But they only shot 20-52. The Thunder shot only 40 percent. Still thought Westbrook was getting the best of Kidd. 

3. A Gerald Green sighting!

4. One of the best overall bench performances of the year for the Mavs: 

14-32 FG - 8-10 FT - 25 rebounds - 9 assists - 37 points. 

5. In terms of their final 30, the Mavs are 4-2 overall. Funny thing, considering this game, they should be 3-3 ... or maybe had they showed up in San Antonio they'd be 5-1. Eh.