DALLAS — That glorious dunk deserved a better ending.
The third-quarter display of aerodynamic style and awe-inspiring athleticism from young Anthony Edwards was the kind of play that would have been immortalized if it had been the spark that saved his team’s season.
Alas, such honors are earned and not given. And less than an hour later, after the Dallas Mavericks had put on yet another masterclass in crunchtime to take a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference finals with a 116-107 win, Edwards had been grounded again in the worst kind of ways
As he stood at his locker, talking with veteran point guard Mike Conley and other teammates who would listen just before heading for the showers, there were messages of humble honesty being shared all over the room.
Edwards acknowledged the greatness that was winning on the other side: Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving are proving to be the more potent and experienced shotmakers in this wildly entertaining matchup.
“These (guys) are different,” Edwards had said.
He told Conley that he wouldn’t let these setbacks get him down, showing a determination to lead through positivity no matter how daunting the hoops task might be.
“Time to make history, fellas,” Edwards shouted. “I still don’t feel like they can beat us, bro. We haven’t all been clicking at one time. One game. One game.”
Moments later, he issued a challenge that no team in NBA history has been able to meet.
“Well, we’re here now, fellas,” he said. “What are we gonna do?”
