Can the Mavs Stay Focused?

The team says it can, and will not let the Dirk mess cause a distraction: ” As often happens in situations like this, the players said returning to the court was therapeutic. ‘It was the best practice of the year,’ Barea said. ‘We had crazy energy. I’ve never seen us like that. I feel good after this practice. I think we’re happy to be back home.’ That alone may not be enough. Coach Rick Carlisle said the Mavericks aren’t concerned that the Nowitzki situation will linger. ‘When you’re in NBA basketball and professional sports for a lot of years, there are a lot of distractions,’ Carlisle said. ‘If you were in Denver the other night, there’s plenty going on there. We’ll get through it.'”