10 reasons you should still care about the Dallas Mavericks

Playoffs? Playoffs.

Michael Ainsworth

Don't look so sad, Dirk. You've still got a lot of games left.

DALLAS — Salvaging the 2012/2013 Dallas Mavericks season may be impossible. With no major moves before the trade deadline and a few tough losses to follow such disappointment, the Mavs now sit further away from .500, much less a playoff spot.

The current season looks about as hopeful as that foreign film Amour — you know, the one that just won an Academy Award and is about the old folks who die. But even though the Mavericks may not make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, the season is not over yet.

There are plenty of reasons to care about your hometown team.

10. They won a championship.

Say all you want to say about the Mavs this season, but remember that two years ago, they won a world title. In fact, let’s ride that championship until, I don’t know, the Charlotte Bobcats win the Eastern Conference finals.

9. You live in Dallas.

Dallas sports fans are often fickle. Support your city — and, in turn, your Mavs.

8. They rock cool beards.

AP photo/Tony Gutierrez

Vince Carter's got it going on this season.

The players made a pact to go Grizzly Adams until getting back to .500. Not only does it show their sense of urgency, but it also shows their sense of manhood. And, it’s fun for photos.

7. Vince Carter looks young again.

If he didn’t look old as dirt, Carter might just convince you that he’s a whole decade younger. The man has been paramount to what little success the Mavs have had this year.

6. We can trust Mark Cuban.

Cuban can do more than stir the pot or call out ESPN commentator Skip Bayless: He can run a basketball program. He’s been called one of the best owners in the league by Fox Sports and Dime Magazine.

5. They could still possibly make the playoffs.

As bleak as the season may seem, there’s still the small chance they could go on a winning streak and get to that 8th seed. Sure, the odds are against them with a tough road schedule ahead, but they do have more than 25 games left.

4. Rick Carlisle is a top-tier coach.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Carrey -- we mean, Rick Carlisle -- is a great coach.

Today, the Mavs may not have the right players to contend for another title, but at least they have the right coach. Mean and foul-mouthed as all get out, Carlisle is easily a top five head coach in the NBA. He gets bonus points for looking like Jim Carrey.

3. There is hope for the future.

Yes. There is optimism in the present darkness. This summer, the franchise will have plenty of cash flow — enough to maybe, just maybe, land Dwight Howard and, if not him, other key pieces. Or they might just sign a whole slew of expiring contracts again and hold out another season. Either way, there’s hope.

2. Dirk is here and here to stay.

Nowitzki will, without a doubt, go down as a legend, not just for being one of the greatest shooters to play the game but also for his humility and charm. He just confirmed that he’d be a Mav until 2016. Take dat wit chew!

1. Did I mention that they won a championship?

Remember sweeping the Lakers? Remember upsetting OKC? Remember the fall of the Big Three (the Heat)? Remember that crazy parade downtown? Remember Dirk singing horrendously? Enough said.