Nearly two months have passed since we last saw the Stars or Mavericks. It's even longer than that since we last witnessed the Mavs trying to win, according to owner Mark Cuban.
Regardless, you watch the greatest teams in the NBA and NHL battle it out in the finals, and you can't escape the ominous reminders of why the local teams failed this season and seem so far removed from the championship banner crowd.
I'm not talking about former Mav Richard Jefferson scoring seven points off the Cavs' bench. He passed through Dallas two seasons ago, killing time until he found his way to Cleveland to collect a championship ring.