The Mavericks tried to break the mold only to strengthen it

Your heart can be in the right place. It doesn't mean much if you aren't willing to fight.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

The Mavericks and Mark Cuban clearly thought they were doing something brave by deciding not to play the national anthem before games in the preseason. There was a purported purpose to the decision, one that Cuban continues to repeat even while the team has, at league direction, begun playing the anthem again.

But in the s…