Every championship team has certain qualities that set them apart from the rest of the pack. In order to win it all, especially in a league with great parity, there are a few things a team needs. Every year there are several teams who feel that they were good enough to be champions, but fall short. The Dallas Mavericks have been one of them for a few years now and the most prevalent reason why is the lack of a true closer.

After watching the Mavs lose two heartbreakers in the past week to the teams that are touted as the class of the NBA currently, it became as evident as ever that the Mavericks have a weakness. They showed that they can play with the very best in the league down to the wire, but they have nobody to offset the clutch factor that Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobli bring to San Antonio, or that Kobe Bryant provides the Lakers.

Come playoff time these are the kinds of games that will decide who will emerge from the logjammed Western Conference. These are the kinds of games that led to the sour taste in the mouths of many a Mav fan, player, and owner to this day. Had the Mavs had that clutch performer two years ago, the Mavericks would have been NBA Champions; if the Mavs had a clutch performer they would not have blown a 13 point lead with just over 6 minutes to play in Game 3 of the Finals that would have put them up 3-0 (a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome). If the Mavs had a clutch performer, they would not have missed those free throws in the pivotal game 5 that went to overtime; if only they had a clutch performer, they'd have a banner of their own.

If you don't believe it, think of recent and past champions of every sport. The Spurs have always had guys step up in the clutch, whether it be Big Shot Bob, Tim Duncan, or Manu. The Pistons had Mr. Big Shot, the Heat had Dwyane Wade. Let's not forget the team who won 6 in 8 years (Chicago Bulls) they had quite the late game performer if you ask me. Look beyond the NBA; the image of Eli Manning's drive to beat the Pats still burns in our memory. The names of the greats, Joe Montana, John Elway, and Jim Kelly (JUST KIDDING) are immortalized for fantastic clutch performances. In the Major Leagues you have to think of guys like Derek Jeter, Reggie Jackson, and recently Josh Beckett, who always seem to come with their best stuff in critical post-season games.

The point is this, the Dallas Mavericks are as good talent-wise as anybody in the West, just look to their recent performances (on the road mind you). As good as they are, however, they will need someone to step up this post-season and make it happen. They remind me of the Kings back when Vlade Divac and Co pushed the Lakers to the brink, but could never get over the hump; why was that? Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic (Mr. Airball), and Doug Christie could never deliver in the clutch. The window is closing just as it did on the Kings and the Maloofs...Will someone step up and give Cuban his money's worth? I doubt it after watching them fail for years, but you never know.