Should Dirk and Dallas have responded to being “punked’’ with a counter-punk? No less an authority than Magic Johnson thinks Nowitzki should’ve reacted Thursday to what the Warriors did to the Mavs last spring within the parameters of basketball games by stepping outside the parameters of the game.

   He thinks Dirk should’ve opened up Thursday night’s festivities in Oakland by punching a Warriors player.

   Really.

   What in the name of Rudy Tomjanovich is this moron talking about?

    Listen, I’m old and I’m white. Grumpier than Don Shula. I barely know what “punked’’ means. But last year, Golden State didn’t “disrespect’’ Dallas. Golden State didn’t “punk’’ Dallas. Golden State BEAT Dallas.

   Magic, who obviously puts very little effort into his TNT studio gig, is not the most eloquent sportspeaker on TV. (He’s a notch better than Emmitt Smith.) But now we know Magic is also a bottom-feeder in terms of being a deep thinker.

   Happily, the two coaches involved in last night’s game – a 120-115 Mavs victory accomplished without anybody pulling a Kermit Washington – are willing to call Magic on his idiocy.

   From Avery Johnson, trying to be respectful toward the legendary Magic: “Magic, he’s living in our time. You know, we used to do that kind of stuff. This is a different NBA, different culture. Guys aren’t going to do that. I would say in the ’80s, probably, when I came in, it probably would happen. … You know guys are on TV now, guys can say whatever they want. …’’

   But Don Nelson’s answer was more clear and less PC: “First of all, (Magic) would never have done it. And if anybody cold-cocks anybody, they’re out, suspended for a long period of time. You can’t do it. I don’t know if he meant physically punch somebody. … I love Magic Johnson, but that’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.’’

   Indeed. I don’t remember Magic Johnson punching opponents. I remember him kissing them.

   I do remember Stephen Jackson, now a Warriors captain, being involved in one of the ugliest brawls in sports history. I remember that his involvement in that Pacers-Pistons free-for-all essentially cost his team its season.

Now, there are subtle ways to cause embarrassment and even injury to an opponent. (Right, Nasty Nash?)  And there is something to be said for standing up for yourself in the schoolyard. (See Josh Howard vs. Brad Miller. Or from last night, when Dirk and Devin chested-up to the dastardly Matt Barnes.)

   But because you beat me, fair-and-square, in a game last season, I’m supposed to pay you back by punching you?

   The best way to retaliate is to BEAT them in return. Dirk gets eight points in the final quarter. His team scored 120. Their team scored 115. His team beat their team. And his team did it without having to get a Warriors-style felony conviction and without having to follow the advice of Magic Johnson, who needs to get his broadcasting license revoked, his mouth padlocked and his brain taken in for a tune-up.

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