J.J. Barea and Dirk Nowitzki share a fun moment with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who has a tight grip on the championship trophy. Nowitzki is craddling his Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy. Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

After the Finals Game 1 win by Miami, everyone was writing off the chances of the Mavs. It was Sir Charles Barkley who correctly called it, “I see Dallas winning it in 6.” Everyone who listens to the Chuckster knows that he always makes wild predictions. But this time he hit the nail on the head when no one else dared do it. The other analyst, Greg Anthony voiced the opinion of most NBA observers in picking the Miami Heat.

Charles Barkley (center) was in Saturday Night Live 35 airing in JACK TV in the Phil. SNL 35 regular cast mates from left is Kenan Thompson and Andy Samberg.

Mark Cuban shakes the hand of Donald Carter

I’m not going into the play by play of Game 6 the way I usually do because, everyone can get it in a lot of other sites. What I’d like to get into is why I believe the championship is so special. One of the first and most important is that no one thought they could do it. During the regular season the Spurs had the best record. The Lakers was in position to give Phil Jackson a championship send off. OKC had a lot of bright young stars. No one picked the Mavs. In fact Rick Kamla quoted Coach George Karl as wanting to meet Dallas in the playoffs, believing they would be easier to eliminate. In every series they had, their opponents were always favored to win against them.

from left current Mavs owner Cuban (w cap) insisted Dallas Mavericks founder Donald Carter recieves the trophy from NBA Commissioner David Stern w mic

During the ceremony, one thing that made me admire owner Mark Cuban was his requirement to involve the original owner and founder of the Mavericks Donald Carter in it. Mark Cuban asked David Stern to hand the Larry O’Brien trophy to Carter.

Savvy veterans Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd pose with the most coveted hardware in the NBA. Nowitzki shows off his Finals MVP trophy, and Kidd holds the Larry O'Brien championship trophy. Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

Kidd explained his experience in his rookie years with Dallas, “This is huge for the Carter family. For the down years that Dallas had to still be a part of it once Cuban bought the team. Just to see this day come, they’re on cloud nine. We’re so happy for them and what they’ve done for the franchise.Dallasbefore only won 27 games, once Cuban took over he set the bar high of winning 50 games. To finally cross the line of the marathon in first place is huge.”

J.J. Barea, who came up big with 15 points in Game 6, enjoys a close encounter with the championship trophy. Ronald Martinez/NBAE/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

Cuban was always known as being outspoken sometimes overly criticizing playoff rivals or his perceived bad calls. He imposed an unlikely ban on himself since the beginning of the Lakers series to let his players and coach ‘do the talking.’ On the Heat side GM Pat Riley also showed a lot of class by personally going down to congratulate Rick Carlisle and Cuban.

Members of the Heat and Mavs get into a skirmish at halfcourt as a timeout is called. Marc Serota/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

An interesting graphic that was displayed during the post game press cons and analysis was the number of Mavs players with 10 or more seasons WITHOUT winning a championship. It was clear to me that this was Jason Kidd’s 17^thseason and was the only time he won a championship which alone made it special. A total of 9 Mavs included Dirk with 13 seasons. Magic Johnson won his first cup in his rookie year, Jordan took five seasons.

List of Mavs players who logged in 10 seasons or more without winning a championship

Jason Terry smiles at the Podium

Jason Terry honored his idols from Gary Payton to Dr. J, “For me I just think about where I come from that’s the inner city ofSeattle, growin up many nights on the playground. Emulating the greats Isaiah Thomas, even my hometown hero like Slick Watts, Downtown Freddie Brown, Magic, now I’m in the same breath as those guys. They’re champions. Dr. J text me before game 6, he said hey son it’s your time. I responded to him, I want to be a champion, just like you and now I am.”

Shawn 'The Matrix' Marion hugs former team mate Dwyane Wade

Veteran Brian Cardinal, a.k.a. "The Janitor" and a key role player, gets his turn with the championship trophy. Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

The perception was that the Mavericks were a whole team working together battling the Miami Heat’s three superstars. An indicator is bench production: scoring 43-20 in Game 6. The bench was there for the Mavs not just in game 6 but in almost every game they won. Jason Terry is just one of them. JJ Barea ofPuerto Ricowas instrumental especially in game 6 when he broke down the defense with his penetrations and timely treys. Ian Mahinmi made the last second shot to end the first quarter. Both Mahinimi and Brian Cardinal, would most probably not even play if Brendan Haywood wasn’t injured.

Brendan Haywood celebrates with a championship belt. Victor Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images (Click on pic to buy it)

K Pop star Jay Park(4th from left) is joined by his crew Art of Movement dancers from left: Tony “Dialtone” Orduna, Andrew Baterina, Daniel “Step Roc” Jerome, Felipe “Junior” Orduna, Chase “Cha Cha” Malone and Hep Da Tightest

Text and photos by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

While K Pop Superstar and Hollywood actor Rain is 100% homegrown in Korea the roots of his heir apparent is more mixed. The younger, more boyish Jay Park is considered by a lot of people to follow in the footsteps of Rain who recently held his successful “Intensity” concert here in Manila last September. Jay Park will have a concert together with the Art of Movement produced by Wilbros Inc. at the SMX Center this October 3, 2010, Sunday. An indication of his success is his single “Count On Me” made available as a download on cell phones by texting JP to 5677 which is open to all networks. Smart subscribers have the chance to see Jay Park for free by joining the TST promo. Log on to: http://www.facebook.com/notes/smart-communications-inc/jay-parks-fan-meet-tour-2010/440670203475

Right after the pres con there was an impromptu handstand contest, AOM showed their athleticism

Park’s parents moved to the U.S. and he grew up in Seattle. He initially found fame in Korea as part of the group 2PM. After his departure from the group he went back to his roots in Seattle where he teamed up with a few of the homeboys he grew up with. Their group of friends formed the dance crew Art of Movement. They call themselves a ‘brotherhood’ of dancers, b boys. Incidentally some of his best friends are Filipinos he grew up with in his neighborhood who are now a part of Art of Movement or AOM for short.

He has known, Daniel “Step Roc” Jerome since they were in Pre School. Jerome’s parents are both Filipinos but he has never been to the Philippines himself. Chase “Cha cha” Malone is another friend, his mom is from Cebu and his dad is African American. Park said, “I was able to taste lumpia and adobo because Chase’ mom makes them. I loved them way before I got here to Manila.” His experience is very similar to Adam Lambert who grew up in San Diego with Filipino friends and loved the food. Lambert will have a concert in Mall of Asia slated for October 10.

Choreographer Andrew Baterina who is with them for the concert is also Filipino. Park met him later and admired Baterina’s work. Park explained, “Filipinos are known for their talents in singing and dancing. A lot of choreographers in the U.S. are Filipinos. Now we have Drew choreographing some of our routines.”

Michael Jackson and Usher are two of Park’s main influences in singing and dancing. As a rapper he idolizes Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Naz, Jay Z and Canibus. During the press conference, Park admitted that he would like to collaborate with Charice. And much like Charice, he was able to distinguish himself as a solo performer on You Tube. His self produced video of the Asian version of “Nothing on You” by B.O.B was able to attract 1.5 million views in the span of 24 hours. This has lead to the launch of his EP “Count On Me” through Warner Music Group Asia Pacific.

Seated: K Pop star Jay Park(3rd from left) is joined by his crew Art of Movement dancers from left: Felipe “Junior” Orduna, Andrew Baterina, Glen and Winston Llamas of Wilbros Inc. Daniel “Step Roc” Jerome. Standing from left: Art of Movement B boys Chase “Cha Cha” Malone, Tony “Dialtone” Orduna, Hep Da Tightest and Wilson Llamas of Wilbros Inc.

“Jay Park is definitely an international star that will draw a wide range of fans. We knew there were two Filipinos in AOM but now we’re glad to find out there are actually more of them. Some of the AOM members who weren’t able to make it here are also Filipinos. Jay has strong ties with us that started from his childhood. So the concert at the SMX this Sunday will be very memorable for him and his fans,” said Winston Llamas of Wilbros Inc. promoter of the event.  Park also ended his interview by saying, “Thank you to Filipinos. Mahal kita, peace.”

Jay Park (seated in white tee) horses around w Daniel Jerome a Fil-Am b boy he grew up with.