Preseason can't finish fast enough

Don't get the idea that the Mavericks are bored with the preseason, but they had a quick little dunk contest after shootaround this morning. As the players were starting to change their shoes and head toward the bus, rookie Roddy Beaubois came racing to the paint, lifted off and threw down a one-handed jam that impressed everybody. OK, everybody except Dirk Nowitzki. Always the last one to get off the court, Dirk told the rookie he should get on the bus and said he can top that dunk that Beaubois had just hammered home. Dirk got a head of speed and duplicated the one-handed throw-down, which drew laughter from teammates. After all, a 7-footer should be able to dunk as well as a 6-2 guard. Not to be outdone, Beaubois got off his chair and said, "OK, you don't have this one.'' He drove toward the rim and gave the ball a loop-de-loop motion before jamming it through the hoop with massive amounts of authority. It was a mini version of the old Dominique Wilkins contest winners. Dirk would not give in, however. He got a ball and took off toward the basket and ... Completely whiffed. He threw the ball over the rim and to the other side of the basket. "I lost the ball,'' he said. "Yeah, right,'' Beaubois responded But, again, don't get the idea that they are tired of preseason basketball. --Eddie Sefko