Does Dallas know what it left behind?

Can the Mavs repeat as Western champs?

Does Dallas believe it left its best self out there?

The Mavs cannot possibly think the Celtics are four-games-in-five-tries-better than Dallas. Like the rest of the world did, before the 2024 NBA Finals.

But that’s what the record states, and what appeared obvious from the outset of Game 1. A gentleman’s sweep, Dallas denying its Texans the torture of watching the Celtics celebrate on the Mavericks’ floor, the names of ex-Maverick players slapped on the sideline spotting Jaylen Brown sporting his MVP, Rolando Blackman and Mark Aguirre’s text glowering from their seat on the baseline.