UPPER DECK: Yay, Mavs. Woe, Canada.

   Well, in a game that lacked a certain subtlety, our beloved Mavericks triumphed over the meat-eating birds from the evil Communist empire they refer to as Canada. I have to admit I felt a little extra joy over the outcome of this game, since a few months ago Toronto stole my son from me. Well, Toronto and a beautiful young woman named Jess. I don't blame her though, she seems like a good person, and it is not her fault that she lives in the land of frozen tundra and seal bashing.

Seriously though, this season is off to a great start we have already beaten the two representative teams of the evil empires, Canada and Los Angeles. Ronald Reagan would be so proud. I can see it now, "Mr Schwarzenegger tear down that arena, and while you are doing that drop a piano on Kobe's head." It would be magical.

If you think about it Canada and L.A. have a lot in common: they both must want us to make fun of them. In the words of Neil Patrick Harris, Canada puts children playing hockey on their money, California elects the Terminator as governor.

I have to admit Canada did give me one of my favorite television programs as a very young child, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. It was on television for about four years and had a Canadian Mountie battling all kinds of evil-doers like guys that were stealing snow and guys trying to stop Canadians from bashing seals in the head. I mean what is there for bad guys to do in the Yukon, there are not even any streets to jaywalk. The worst you could do is try to rob a penguin, I mean sure they are dressed nice but they don't have any money.

During the game last night I had a lot of time to let my mind wander, but when I was watching the game I was genuinely impressed the Mavs actually looked pretty good. I know there are those who whine about everything and are never happy with a win but most of them are from places where their brains have been frozen over the course of many years like the Yukon and Amarillo.

I have seen enough now to know that you never know what is going to happen six months from now, there are injuries, trades, and a lot of games to go through but right now the Mavs appear to be pretty good. My advice is enjoy it, and try to avoid picking it apart by noting that Chris Bosh did outscore Jason Kidd, of course truthfully so did I, and I wasn't in the game.

Yes, for now the evil Canadians have been routed and sent on their merry way, as the go back to the land of frozen things, I tip my hat to our former friend Antoine Wright, and we hope at some point he gets to come back to the land of sunshine and daffodils and away from the land of Mr. Freeze and frozen-seal pupsickles.