Let the Games Begin

LeBron James and Steve Nash are among several NBA stars set to take center stage in the playoffs, which started on April 21. But, for the next two months, I'll be keeping my eye on another marquee name: Mark Cuban.
The owner of the Dallas Mavericks has been instrumental in the team's turnaround from league laughingstock to championship contender. Ten years ago, mentioning 'Mavericks' and 'NBA Finals' in the same sentence would've been considered an oxymoron. Now that they've compiled a 67-15 record, they're ready to compete for a shot at winning their first title. But, as any sports fan knows, the regular season doesn't mean anything once the playoffs get underway.
The Miami Heat may be focused on defending its basketball crown, but 15 other teams are just as eager to take it away. An athlete's desire to reach the pinnacle of their sport is what drives them to endure countless obstacles. It's not so much about proving the doubters wrong as it is about proving to themselves that they can achieve the ultimate success. That same character trait can be found in businessmen like Cuban.
Through the years, the technology guru has endeared himself to many people because of his entrepreneurial savvy and outspoken persona. Cuban has drawn the ire of NBA commissioner David Stern for his constant criticism of the referees, which has led to fines totaling more than $1 million. (He even spent a day working at Dairy Queen in 2002, after being fined $500,000 for saying the league's director of officials wasn't capable of managing the fast-food restaurant.) He writes off the penalties as "a business expense" by donating matching amounts to various charities.
The only quality that outshines Cuban's willingness to help others is his accessibility to the public. He maintains a blog for admirers -- and detractors -- to contact him, and is just as likely to be seen sitting in the nosebleed seats as he is courtside at American Airlines Center.
Given Cuban's marketing acumen, one can't help but respect a man who's rewriting the rules on how to manage a sports franchise. Instead of being at odds with him, the NBA should follow his lead in making the sport more accessible to the fans. It would be a win-win situation that extends beyond the playoffs.