We believe more

Skill will get you here. Heart will get you there.

A fellow Mavs fan carried that sign as we exited the American Airlines Center last night following the Mavs dramatic game five win. Chelsea and I got to go, courtesy of Republic Title. (Have I mentioned how much Chelsea loves her job? Have I mentioned how much I love Chelsea’s job?) It was a nice study break before my first final tomorrow.

When the Mavs were up by 20, Chel turned to me and predicted that the game would get close, but the Mavs would win by 5. Being the loyal fan, I took her prediction as blasphemy against our vaunted Mavs.

Sure enough, the Warriors fought back and ended up taking a nine point lead with about three minutes to play. Then the Mavs took control and won the game by 6 after a 15-0 run. Chel was right. I was sorry.

As we left the building, we got to talking about how the whole NBA playoffs thing might be rigged, a-la professional wrestling. After all, it is to the teams’ and league’s advantage to have long-running, exciting series. Even the elevator guy in the arena agreed that it might be rigged.

“That would break your heart if you found out all this was rigged, wouldn’t it?” Chel asked.

I told her I didn’t think it would. Sports give fans something to believe in. Something to enjoy in the midst of crazy jobs, or stressful finals. Something to show that if you have a good amount of skill, and an even greater amount of heart, you can do great things.

Before this series, the Warriors had 20,000 yellow t-shirts printed up that say “We Believe.” Mavs fans countered that last night with signs that say “We Believe More.” And in the end, it doesn’t matter who wins. The fun is in the believing.