(2) Mavericks Vs. (7) Spurs

[jonthefon]

FG*(&*YH(DH($@NFSFO%#_

Not that the Mavs threw this game away - the Spurs played better. Richard Jefferson's corpse showed up, which blows my mind. Dirk got one-on-one coverage and had the same good looks but didn't make them. That's a once-in-a-series thing, and something tells me if the Spurs keep doing it, it's going to burn them like Game 1.

The thing I'm really fucking pissed off about is the Mavs and their complete lack of homecourt advantage. They were mediocre at the AAC for playoff-team standards (28-13, failed to cover the spread time and time again and let crappy teams hang around). A few years ago, the place was what somewhere like Portland or Utah is now, even for regular season games. Now it's a cock-pit of lifelessness. Sure, the atmosphere tunes up come playoff time but surely there's not much of an aura created when during the regular season, about half the visible seats on the lower-bowl seem to be empty until the fourth quarter, every basket before clutch time is greeted with a sort of scattered clapping and people barely gear up outside of games against big-wig teams.

I still like the Mavs' chances, only because they were the best road team in the league and they somehow seem more focused on the road. Hopefully they won't keep shooting in the 30s.

Also, if the Spurs win this series, I might have to drown myself in a river to avoid John Hollinger's superdickery. I bet he keeps defending his system if the Mavs win four games by narrow margins and the Spurs roll in two or three victories.

[hova-]

The Mavs were just shooting awfully. Bricking open shots and taking bad shots. I mean, Dirk was forcing it but his shot just would not fall. Terry cooled off when it counted most. But I think the Mavs can steal at least one game at San Antonio. And end the series in Dallas.

[NovU]

Spurs is a tougher team when playing at home. Mavericks will need luck on their side.

I'm just loving this series. Match ups are fun to watch, and two great yet different styled teams going at each other. I'm still giving an edge to the Spurs for being fundamentally strong.

[hova-]

That means the Mavs are not fundamentally strong? What's "fundamentally strong" anyway? Is it just TD being the "big fundamental" or what do you mean? Are Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki not fundamentally strong?

The Mavs have the better players individually, but none of them is really consistent so far. They need consisten performances from Kidd, Marion and Dirk for sure.

[NovU]

TD of course being the "big fundamental" and him being the backbone of the team. Also the team being good at every aspects of the game, defense, offense, rebounding, half court basketball, etc. The Spurs I don't think is particularly great at one aspect of the game.

Dallas of course is good at what they do, and loaded at each position, but as I stated above, I think the Spurs are just as good, if they're healthy and motivated.

[jonthefon]

The Mavs have no problems with winning in San Antonio. 'Fundamentals'-wise, it's the same every game for them: on offense, get out on the break and in the half-court, avoid turnovers and either get it to Dirk in his spots or move it around for a good outside (jumpshot looks for Butler and Terry, open threes by Kidd and Terry) and inside (Marion and Haywood) looks. On defense, protect the paint with Haywood/Damp, mix Marion/Butler on the best perimeter player, rebound and throw in some zone looks. They do that, they're scoring 100 pretty easily unless the game completely slows down. Unfortunately, the offensive execution isn't there on every given night, even during the playoffs.

The Mavs had good looks tonight. There were some bad shots, but not enough to warrant shooting 36% from the field. As I said, if they keep letting McDyess, Bonner, Bogans guard DIrk 1-on-1 throughout, I really can't see how Dirk doesn't average 30+ any given night while in "usual" shooting form (i.e. in-between Game 1 and Game 2).

This could end a reverse of 2006, only I hope the Mavs pull out a possible Game 7 at the AAC.

[NovU]

The Mavs had good looks tonight. There were some bad shots, but not enough to warrant shooting 36% from the field. As I said, if they keep letting McDyess, Bonner, Bogans guard DIrk 1-on-1 throughout, I really can't see how Dirk doesn't average 30+ any given night while in "usual" shooting form (i.e. in-between Game 1 and Game 2).

This could end a reverse of 2006, only I hope the Mavs pull out a possible Game 7 at the AAC.

That's probably why I am enjoying this series so much, Dirk holding the key to the next round and it probably is the reason I favor Spurs' chance little more in the series. It took a near perfect game from Dirk to win game 1(+ Spurs' 17 turnovers), but in game 2, they were down 20 points in the second half, and I thought it was inexcusable, even though they made a run and Dirk was bit out of sync. I do think Mavericks need good offense to win this series, while the Spurs need less turnover + solid D on some key players. Scoring more than 100 points against Spurs I don't think will be too easy but the Mavericks have great players and I realize that. I just can't for the next game for now.

[Axel The Great]

These are actually the two teams I was pulling for in the playoffs, since the Rockets didn't make it. I'd like to see San Antonio win, but Dallas has better players. I think what will decide the series is who can win the next 2 games at San Antonio.

[Jackal]

I still think the Spurs will win this series. A jumpshooting Dirk just wont win championships. Even if they beat the Spurs, I doubt they can win it all. I'd say the Nuggets have a better chance at that. (God damn their selfbelief. )

[jonthefon]

I still think the Spurs will win this series. A jumpshooting Dirk just wont win championships. Even if they beat the Spurs, I doubt they can win it all. I'd say the Nuggets have a better chance at that. (God damn their selfbelief. )

...

Hey, remember how "jumpshooting Dirk" took the Mavs to the NBA Finals, made key shots in Game 5 and then lost because Jason Terry did most of the "shooting the Mavs out of the game" in Game 6 (and Wade's free throws, but move past that)? The sports opinion that Dirk doesn't show up in the playoffs is insanely idiotic.

The Spurs might win this series, but it's no way because Dirk shoots jumpers instead of going to the rim. He still took, what, 10+ FT's in game one?

[hova-]

But Jackal is right in one way. The jumpshooting of Dirk is just not enough, and the Mavs never had another high calibre scorer. Yes, their roster may be one of the deepest in the West, but the Mavs are missing a guy who can bring it inside. A big man like Gasol or Bynum or even Boozer, or a SF or SG who likes to attack the basket and draw fouls.

Saying Dirk is not stepping up in the Playoffs is really idiotic. He had monster games in 2003 when he was still young and led them to the Finals appearance in his best days. Last year he was like 35/10 against the Nuggets but it wasn't enough. That's because he has always been the only A or A+ scorer on his team. Since Michael Finley's best days the Mavs do not have a great second option. Terry, Howard, Butler etc. these guys are good, but they are not consistent threats on an All-Star basis if you ask me.

[jonthefon]

I thought Butler would be the guy who brought the inside-outside game to complement Dirk, but he's too fixated on creating his own shot in iso (and plenty of times, it's a very streaky mid-range J).

Dirk's always had the "general" team talent, but he's never had the legitimate second turkey who can either pour it on in bunches, or possess a really well-rounded two-way game.

[NovU]

Another fun thing in this series was Mark Cuban's comment "I hate Spurs.". The Spurs reacted to it with class, I thought. And I also liked Tim Duncan's reaction to the Dirk's awesome game, NOW DO IT AGAIN.

Speaking of Dirk, he always has been great and he I think brought PF like a SG concept to the NBA in successful ways, and opened the door for many other Europeans to be able to play in the NBA, giving hopes to the teams, there could be second Dirk somewhere, ie. was Darko. So comparing him to traditional style PF like TD, Dirk has been totally a different one, so I think what he brings to the game is far from being fundamental, though he can fill up the stats as well. It's proven that he can lead a team to the Finals, but I think this year's team also relies too heavily oh him. I think it's rare for the Mavs to win the game when Dirk is struggling against tougher opponents like SAS.

[franmdq]

san antonio in 6 or 7 games.

go manu!! lets rock!!

[franmdq]

Dirk is a beast
The Matrix is a beast
Kidd was a beast
Terry is a beast

vs.

Tim Duncan is a beast
Tony Parker is a beast

Advantage: Dallas

mmmm..well..

Last 10 years

▬SAS 3 NBA championship▬ever in playoffs▬7 conference finals▬the same coach
▬DALLAS▬1 conference finals (i cant remember, but not more)▬lost in the finals against Miami even though they started 2-0▬ in 2007 were eliminated by Golden State, although they had the best record▬ 4 coachs, right ?

but in 4/5 last years

Dallas took the lead on the Spurs, and now deepened their bench with Haywood and Butler. the spurs need Bowen, because they do not have someone capable of scoring Dirk (jefferson ?)

So, i think: Dirk, Dirk is a chest cold... he can´t ever achieved anything, does not play with "eggs" as we say in my country, there is no self-esteem. However, Manu is the opposite, although not the superstar is a leg spurs fundamental, and that it has already demonstrated. Is true that the Spurs are older, but Hill proved to be in good shape. although I do not like RJ, I think in the last match has realized that it is playing in the NBA, and has much more intensity and heart.

is complicated for two teams.

as a fan of manu, GO SPURS GO!




RETARDED FANS!


Manu go to kill...

AND THE BEST

[NovU]

▬SAS 3 NBA championship▬ever in playoffs▬7 conference finals▬the same coach
▬DALLAS▬1 conference finals (i cant remember, but not more)▬lost in the finals against Miami even though they started 2-0▬ in 2007 were eliminated by Golden State, although they had the best record▬ 4 coachs, right ?

A lot has changed since then, especially with Tim Duncan aging and several injuries the Spurs dealt with. Though that considering Timmy is relatively healthy comparing to last year when he was dealing with knee/ankle problem and with Manu and Parker being finally healthy, I don't see why not they could end up to be the dark horse from the West.

[Murat]

RETARDED FANS!


Manu go to kill...

AND THE BEST

[benji]

This thread is like the inverse in quality of the series.

Missed this gem earlier:

(which is why pythag. record isn't entirely accurate; the Mavs are pretty lax in garbage time)

lol.

[deihatein]

So the Spurs is now 2-1. I just hope after this season Rick Carlisle be fired.

[NovU]

What an awesome game. Intense, physical, heroic. Dirk and Manu showed how big of a role they play for their teams respectively. When Manu went to the locker, injured, the team suffered the offense while the Mavericks took the lead, then Manu came back and SAS was able to take the lead back. Dirk on the other hand was a sole bright point. I don't know why Dallas chose to keep Barea in the game for that long. Him of course was great till 3rd, but that took time and rhythm out of other key players. Their offense pretty much was involving only Dirk and Barea in the critical stretch of the game. Rick's faith in Barea I think was the big cause of the loss. The series is still very alive for the Mavericks, but even with Dirk playing this good, it's just a huge let down to lose this way.

[Lamrock]

This has been a fantastic series. I tend to take the average of the team's game and pythag records when measuring how good they were in the season. I do think there are reasons that Dallas has overachieved and San Antonio underachieved. These teams are very close (52 and 52.5) and I would be surprised if it didn't go the distance.

I hate Manu, but I really respect him returning with that broken nose.

[Rip32]

Could Erik Dampier look any worse than he did tonight? ANY? Brendan Haywood should be getting his 30 minutes a night.

I actually think Dallas can win the series with THIS jump shooting Dirk, but that would require production from his fellow starters (who shot a very Miami Heat-like 4/19 FG tonight).

[hova-]

Wow, I could not watch the game but you gotta be kidding me. Jason Kidd 1-6? Caron Butler 1-3? Shawn Marion 3-9? The Mavs just need their core players to step up. As we already said, Dirk can't win it alone, the Spurs are simply too strong. Ginobili is a beast, Duncan plays as well as ever. I hope the Mavs can finally step up and steal one at SA.

[benji]

Could Erik Dampier look any worse than he did tonight? ANY?

Yes, of course.

[hova-]

3 blocks and two offensive boards is not that bad. He only took one shot and had 5 fouls, that's not especially bad for Damp. Still I don't like the Mavs' big men so far in this series. Haywood is also not playing excellent so far. The whole team is not playing excellent and thus they do not deserve to win the series so far, but I hope it will shift in the next game.