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If not for a certain scoreboard in Arlington, the new Mavs scoreboard at American Airlines Center would be getting a lot of attention.
October 17th gave me the choice of either the Texas-OU game or the Dallas Mavericks-Cleveland Cavaliers.
I have been to the Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl and faced an ocean of people coming in tidal waves and the bad attitude of cab drivers who refused to take me where I wanted to go. On the other hand, I love my hometown Mavs and I respect the way owner Mark Cuban runs the organization. Since I couldn't go to both, I chose the Mavs for a fun Saturday night in Dallas. I had read in the sports section that it was very unlikely that Cavaliers superstar LeBron James was going to participate in this pre-season affair, but that I should be seeing their other mega-star Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq is my favorite non-Mav in the NBA, so I was OK with that compromise. Imagine my surprise when I arrived to see LeBron James suited up and Shaq in a very expensive suit.
There was a really good crowd, many of whom were still clad in the clothes they wore to the Texas victory over OU. I was really impressed with the upgrades to the experience of going to a Mavs game, from the new HD scoreboard to the the videoboards that now sit on either end above the seats.
At halftime, I headed to the Jack Daniels' Old No. 7 club at halftime to check out the scene. With the weather bordering on perfection, my buddies and I hung outside on the club's patio as I heard several people moaning about the Cavs not playing four of their five starters. I wanted to remind them this was pre-season and Cleveland will be back at American Airlines Center with all of their artillery on December 20.
One very intoxicated lady leaning against the wall behind us was bragging/mumbling to her friends that she had been drinking since seven in the morning and really need to go home. Another group was plotting an evening at a number of new nightclubs, including Thrive, Deux and The Pussycat Lounge on lower Greenvile. Back in the stadium, I took a moment to enjoy the Mavs Dancers on the brand new scoreboard (it would be huge news were it not for that other new scoreboard over in Arlington). Regular season is only a few days away, and a look at these beautiful women made me eager to return.