Jason Kidd: 'I think we're pretty close to competing with the Lakers and the elite te

[Clutch City 01]

During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/69822/index.html), Jason Kidd explained again that he decided to stay in Dallas because he thought the Mavs could be contenders.
Of course, an extra $7 million probably had something to do with his decision. But Kidd believes that if the Mavs stay healthy and get some breaks, they'll be in the championship mix.
"I think we're pretty close to competing with the Lakers and the elite teams - Denver - here in the Western Conference," Kidd said. "I thought it was best for me to stay."
On the other hand, Kidd said Ron Artest signing with the Lakers was a move he didn't see coming. And he thinks it's a great move for LA, considering Artest's immense talent and Phil Jackson's track record of getting the most out of, um, unique characters.
So it would seem that, even if the Mavs as expected add Marcin Gortat and Shawn Marion, they've made minimal progress, if any, closing ground on the champs.




http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/07/jason-kidd-i-think-were-pretty-close-to.html

[TheMACHINE]

Spurs and Mavs will be competing for the #2 spot. Good luck to both.

[djohn2oo8]

I didn't know that Shawna Marion can make the Mavs a championship contender

[spurs50_]

Not saying Kidd is on crack, but what he said was crackish.

[spurs50_]

Is that the girl from Saved by the Bell? yum yum

[Spursfan092120]

Spurs and Mavs will be competing for the #2 spot. Good luck to both.
another Laker fan with an ego..what a surprise..

[TheMACHINE]

another Laker fan with an ego..what a surprise..

another Spurs fans that cant accept the truth. Tell me this Spursfan90210, do you think the Spurs will be #1 next year in the west? Honestly.

[Cleveland Steamer]

he's right. if the rest of the league can actually stay healthy this year, the interim-champs are in for a rude awakening.

[Spursfan092120]

another Spurs fans that cant accept the truth. Tell me this Spursfan90210, do you think the Spurs will be #1 next year in the west? Honestly.
I think they have a good shot..yes...there's nothing that tells me that after this offseason there is any team guaranteed to be number 1 in the West...your homerisms might tell you no one has a shot to beat the Lakers, but Dallas and San Antonio might have something different to tell you.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I don't think it's that insane. If they get best case scenarios out of their off season moves (Marion can form the kind of chemistry with Kidd that he had with Nash, Gortat plays like a C worth the MLE, Dampier remembers that he's in a contract year and attempts to play worth a damn, J-Ho stays out of trouble, Dirk and Terry don't drop off, and no one gets hurt) they can contend. I know that seems like a laundry list of things that have to go right but it's not impossible either.

[djohn2oo8]

Is that the girl from Saved by the Bell? yum yum

No, you're thinkin about Lark Voorhees.....Christina Milian is in my sig

[TheMACHINE]

I think they have a good shot..yes...there's nothing that tells me that after this offseason there is any team guaranteed to be number 1 in the West...your homerisms might tell you no one has a shot to beat the Lakers, but Dallas and San Antonio might have something different to tell you.

everyone has a shot, but is it really so far fetched to say that the Champs will be number 1 next year and is still a favorite? I dont call that homerism or even having an ego. I call it common sense. Maybe your "hater" mentality and insecurity is getting the best of you. Que the "im not a hater" speech.

[mavsfan1000]

No one is close to competing with the Lakers. Kidd is just delirious.

[Leetonidas]

Of course the Spurs won't be number 1 in the west next year. They've won titles without it.

[TheMACHINE]

Of course the Spurs won't be number 1 in the west next year. They've won titles without it.

According to Spursfan90210 its homerish to say other teams will be #1, even if that team is the defending champs . :rolleyes

[fitzgerald]

With San Antonio getting McDyess they definitely look a lot better to me. It has been a long time that Duncan has had someone to help him. I think McDyess can contribute still. I personally did not want that pickup to happen but all this Laker confidence is sickening. Lakers might have Kobe but they also have a lot of questions. Artest can derail plans very easily. He is isn't the most stable minded player. I would have much rather kept Ariza. If Odom leaves then I think it is up for grabs. Losing Odom would be huge. Don't count your chickens.

[TheMACHINE]

With San Antonio getting McDyess they definitely look a lot better to me. It has been a long time that Duncan has had someone to help him. I think McDyess can contribute still. I personally did not want that pickup to happen but all this Laker confidence is sickening. Lakers might have Kobe but they also have a lot of questions. Artest can derail plans very easily. He is isn't the most stable minded player. I would have much rather kept Ariza. If Odom leaves then I think it is up for grabs. Losing Odom would be huge. Don't count your chickens.

So if the Lakers do get Odom, i guess thier only downfall is waiting for Artest to blow up. If thats teh case, then I like our chances to repeat.

[carrao45]

I think they have a good shot..yes...there's nothing that tells me that after this offseason there is any team guaranteed to be number 1 in the West...your homerisms might tell you no one has a shot to beat the Lakers, but Dallas and San Antonio might have something different to tell you.

considering they coast in the regular season...and turn it on during the playoffs...I'd say they won't get the #1 seed

[Red Hawk #21]

No, you're thinkin about Lark Voorhees.....Christina Milian is in my sig

I see you like Cubanas, you are on the right track, Hermano.:toast

[Trainwreck2100]

I said it before and i'll say it again, thanks to LA's crap division they'll easily get the #1 seed this year

[mingus]

spurs historically don't aim for first and i don't expect them to this year. i expect LA to be dominant from the start while SA gradually gets better and peaks. too many unanswered questions right now to make assumptions about both teams though. Odom may not even return to LA , and the Spurs don't really know what to expect out of their youth.

LA won't win w/o Odom though. They wouldn't even make it to the WCF IMO . he's the one guy that hurts the Spurs. even if they sign him though, SA has more athletes than before to put on him. Spurs had 81 year old Horry trying to guard him in '08, so of course we got burnt big time. :lol

[IMDB Quote Machine]

. Spurs had 81 year old Horry trying to guard him in '08, so of course we got burnt big time. :lol

Clarence: Robert Horry had come out of retirement to defend Lamar Odom and he was seventy six years old. Robert Horry is always lying about his age. He lie about his age all the time. One time Gregg Popovich came in here and sat in this chair. I said Pop 'you hang out with Big Shot Bob, just between me and you, how old is Robert Horry.' You know what Pop told me, he said "Hey, Robert Horry is 137 years old." A hundred and thirty-seven years old!
Saul: Oh. Man, you ain't never meet no Gregg Popovich.
Clarence: Fuck you, fuck you, and fuck you! Who's next?!

[Gino]

I said it before and i'll say it again, thanks to LA's crap division they'll easily get the #1 seed this year

Uhh..this isnt baseball or football.

Teams in each conference play almost the exact same schedule.

Personally I think it would be cool if you played each team in your division 8 times and everyone else twice. And then only let four teams (one wild card) into the playoffs.

Would make the division rivalry thing better.

Of course the owners would never allow it because they would be giving up three-four playoff games which equals LOTS of extra revenue.

[crc21209]

All I gotta say is.....:lmao

[callo1]

Pointless bickering....it will all play out by itself. Opinions will not be a factor in the outcome either way.

[sribb43]

WTF is he supposed to say...were not that good and we hope to get the #2 seed?

[mavsfan1000]

WTF is he supposed to say...were not that good and we hope to get the #2 seed?
He's supposed to not say anything. You don't have to answer every question.

[ginobili's bald spot]

I think they have a good shot..yes...there's nothing that tells me that after this offseason there is any team guaranteed to be number 1 in the West...your homerisms might tell you no one has a shot to beat the Lakers, but Dallas and San Antonio might have something different to tell you.

No offense man but you calling someone else a homer is pretty laughable.

[pauls931]

I think Dallas is significantly better, but LA is ranked #1,#2,#3,#4,#5,#6, then Dallas might be #7 or the Spurs.

[Biernutz]

Competing With the Spurs or the Fakers!!!!!!


http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb270/systime/Gifffs1234/worflaugh.gif

[La Peace]

Jason Kidd, nobody pays you to think

[lefty]

Spurs and Mavs will be competing for the #2 spot. Good luck to both.
If we are healthy, you know you will kick your asses :lmao

You won the title only because SVG was dumb enough to stick with Jameer

[Biernutz]

Mark Cuban is the best judge of talent since since Jerry Jones.

[21_Blessings]

They can compete with the Spurs. But the Lakers? Heh, no.

Dirk,Kidd, Terry, Howard, Marion would make a pretty fun to watch running team. Except they have the worst coach they could possibly find for that system and Gortat/Dampier.

So instead Dallas will pretend to be some gritty half-court team only with mediocre defense and it will be gloriously painful to watch.

[dallaskd]

WTF is he supposed to say...were not that good and we hope to get the #2 seed?

[Findog]

Mavs had no chance to beat the Lakers in a 7-game series last year. Now? Still unlikely, but an upset would be possible. Mavs have improved, and the Lakers will have to contend with all of the BS that comes with winning a title - the disease of more as Riley calls it.

And the Mavs ran plenty last year and will do even more now that Marion is in the fold.

[Ghazi]

It would take extreme luck... Bynum struggling (not that it stopped them last year in playoffs, but I think it contributed in leaving the door open for the Magic and Denver to win)... Odom coasting after a contract... age catching up to Kobe?... Artest not meshing? injury... improbable not impossible. Even if only one of these things happen it may still not be enough.

That's what's scary about Lakers, they won title w/ Bynum playing that poorly. Does anyone honestly expect it to be replicated like that? That plus they've upgraded their small forward position.

At the same time though Dallas would have to avoid age catching up to them (lots of core guys over 30) and injury themselves.

And it seems its always the same story v the Gasol/Kobe Lakers... play tough for 3 quarters and then they take it to a gear in 4th we can't match... except in that one game where Mavs fell behind by 25 only to lose in crushing fashion by 2 :lol

So on top of the talent gap there may be a mental obstacle as well.

I dunno, I just dunno.

[cobbler]

spurs historically don't aim for first and i don't expect them to this year. i expect LA to be dominant from the start while SA gradually gets better and peaks. too many unanswered questions right now to make assumptions about both teams though. Odom may not even return to LA , and the Spurs don't really know what to expect out of their youth.

LA won't win w/o Odom though. They wouldn't even make it to the WCF IMO . he's the one guy that hurts the Spurs. even if they sign him though, SA has more athletes than before to put on him. Spurs had 81 year old Horry trying to guard him in '08, so of course we got burnt big time. :lol

You might want to take a look back at Kobe's history against your boys. :bang

[carrao45]

If we are healthy, you know you will kick your asses :lmao

You won the title only because SVG was dumb enough to stick with Jameer

A title is a title. But since excuses are what we're using...remember 1999, we all know about that. and 2007 was Suns suspensions.

But i still acknowledge Spurs deserved those titles. You should do the same for the 2009 Champions

[Knoxxx]

It's funny to hear the delusions that Mavs and Lakers fans have over here.

Lakers: Lose Odom and you get worse this offseason, not better.

Mavs: Overpaid Kidd, overpaid a declining Marion, hoping to overpay Gortat. Lost Bass, a great young energy guy. I don't see much improvement here at all, maybe even a wash. And at what cost?

I know, I know, who cares what that dork Cuban does with his money. Who cares (as a fan) if the Lakers and Mavs pay $20 million or more luxury tax. Still, continues to be quite funny to see Cuban bleed that kind of cash for no championship. What a dufus, unlimited budget, then picks the wrong players.

Amongst Spurs fans there was lukewarm interest in Marion at best. Career low numbers in 2008, past his prime. Gortat there was interest, but dreading the price tag at anything near the MLE. Nobody is convinced Gortat has any sort of offensive game, other than the occasional good looking wide open dunk.

I will laugh my ass off if the Spurs win yet another title when spending $20 million less than the chumps managing the Lakers/Mavs front offices. Especially if Artest freaks out along the way.

[Bob Lanier]

remember 1999, we all know about that
About what?

[Ghazi]

It's funny to hear the delusions that Mavs and Lakers fans have over here.

Lakers: Lose Odom and you get worse this offseason, not better.

Mavs: Overpaid Kidd, overpaid a declining Marion, hoping to overpay Gortat. Lost Bass, a great young energy guy. I don't see much improvement here at all, maybe even a wash. And at what cost?

I know, I know, who cares what that dork Cuban does with his money. Who cares (as a fan) if the Lakers and Mavs pay $20 million or more luxury tax. Still, continues to be quite funny to see Cuban bleed that kind of cash for no championship. What a dufus, unlimited budget, then picks the wrong players.

Amongst Spurs fans there was lukewarm interest in Marion at best. Career low numbers in 2008, past his prime. Gortat there was interest, but dreading the price tag at anything near the MLE. Nobody is convinced Gortat has any sort of offensive game, other than the occasional good looking wide open dunk.

I will laugh my ass off if the Spurs win yet another title when spending $20 million less than the chumps managing the Lakers/Mavs front offices. Especially if Artest freaks out along the way.

A lot of undetermined factors and variables that could lead to the Mavs making marginal improvement this year, but only an idiot (like yourself) would consider +Gortat/Marion -Bass a fucking wash.

[Findog]

It's funny to hear the delusions that Mavs and Lakers fans have over here.

Lakers: Lose Odom and you get worse this offseason, not better.

Mavs: Overpaid Kidd, overpaid a declining Marion, hoping to overpay Gortat. Lost Bass, a great young energy guy. I don't see much improvement here at all, maybe even a wash. And at what cost?

I know, I know, who cares what that dork Cuban does with his money. Who cares (as a fan) if the Lakers and Mavs pay $20 million or more luxury tax. Still, continues to be quite funny to see Cuban bleed that kind of cash for no championship. What a dufus, unlimited budget, then picks the wrong players.

Amongst Spurs fans there was lukewarm interest in Marion at best. Career low numbers in 2008, past his prime. Gortat there was interest, but dreading the price tag at anything near the MLE. Nobody is convinced Gortat has any sort of offensive game, other than the occasional good looking wide open dunk.

I will laugh my ass off if the Spurs win yet another title when spending $20 million less than the chumps managing the Lakers/Mavs front offices. Especially if Artest freaks out along the way.

Oh yeah, Kupchak is a real moron. The Lakers are truly an example of how NOT to build a basketball team. And last I checked, the Mavs sent your team home and added Shawn Marion, Gortat and Ross w/o giving up anybody that would've contributed next year. The Mavs are clearly circling the drain too.

Gawd, timvp was right when he said the worst fans on this board are Spurs fans...simply due to the fact that this is a Spurs board and the rest of us get to see the shallow end of your fanbase.

[Culburn369]

"And last I checked, the Mavs sent your team home"

That's true, Knoxxx, the Mavericks did hand you an ass pounding just a few months back.

[Thompson]

Jason Kidd, nobody pays you to think

I sure hope not. He's the guy who went to a bad team and said 'We're going to change this team's direction 360 degrees.'

[pawe]

Yes, the Mavs sent the Spurs fishing last year but you have to realize the fact that they lost Manu for the playoffs and TD wasnt 100%.

[carrao45]

About what?

It was a shortened season.
He had said the Lakers only won the title because Blah Blah Blah...I merely stated that to prove there can be many "they only won because..." statements about each champion, but that each champion deserves to be acknowledged and respected as champions

[IronMexican]

Every time someone leaves the Mavs that guy "Hurt the Spurs" Maybe, they just have the Spurs number.

[Findog]

Yes, the Mavs sent the Spurs fishing last year but you have to realize the fact that they lost Manu for the playoffs and TD wasnt 100%.

The Spurs might finish with a higher seed than the Mavs, but head to head the teams are still pretty even. All of this is useless speculation until next May.

[redzero]

Kidd is going to turn the Mavericks around 360 degrees.

[Stand]

It was a shortened season.
He had said the Lakers only won the title because Blah Blah Blah...I merely stated that to prove there can be many "they only won because..." statements about each champion, but that each champion deserves to be acknowledged and respected as champions

It's funny that the team who gets to carry around a title, that rightfully should belong to the Kings, is going to bring up * titles.

[carrao45]

It's funny that the team who gets to carry around a title, that rightfully should belong to the Kings, is going to bring up * titles.

I didn't assface. I was saying that all champions deserve to be respected as champions, and that they deserve their championships. This includes every championship. God people are stupid

[Culburn369]

It's funny that the team who gets to carry around a title, that rightfully should belong to the Kings, is going to bring up * titles.

Nobody said a word all the years we got hosed on the Celtics behalf. That was just the way it was. So, I have absolutely no pity for the Kings. That is just the way it is.

[Ghazi]

Agree with the principle that all champions should be respected, with exception, of course, to the 2006 Miami Heat. which lacked talent, character, wherewithal, and quite frankly, weren't even actually champions

[Stand]

I didn't assface. I was saying that all champions deserve to be respected as champions, and that they deserve their championships. This includes every championship. God people are stupid

Oh it looks like someone got their little feelings hurt, but anyway.


...But since excuses are what we're using...remember 1999, we all know about that. and 2007 was Suns suspensions...

And indeed you did bring it up.

[Stand]

Nobody said a word all the years we got hosed on the Celtics behalf. That was just the way it was. So, I have absolutely no pity for the Kings. That is just the way it is.

No one said a word and yet here you are crying. Funny how that works out.

[carrao45]

Oh it looks like someone got their little feelings hurt, but anyway.



And indeed you did bring it up.

Don't even have anything to refute my argument, so you talk about my feelings...idiot
Look at the post i quoted dumb shit, he brought it up, and also read what i said after that...God you're fuckin stupid.

[carrao45]

No one said a word and yet here you are crying. Funny how that works out.

He's not crying about it, I can't even believe how stupid you are.

[TDMVPDPOY]

8m a season, he could say whatever he wants

[Stand]

Don't even have anything to refute my argument, so you talk about my feelings...idiot
Look at the post i quoted dumb shit, he brought it up, and also read what i said after that...God you're fuckin stupid.

Refute your argument? lol Adding a caboose to a cheap shot doesn't cancel things out. You said it and so at least have the balls to stand behind it.

[Stand]

He's not crying about it, I can't even believe how stupid you are.

Yes, he is. If he wasn't he wouldn't have felt the need to try and validate your bunk * title. Clearly they don't teach irony in the LA school district.

[carrao45]

Yes, he is. If he wasn't he wouldn't have felt the need to try and validate your bunk * title. Clearly they don't teach irony in the LA school district.

No title deserves an * dumbshit. Not even 1999. Just shut the fuck up

[Rogue]

I didn't know that Shawna Marion can make the Mavs a championship contender
Of course Shawna Marion cannot make the Mavs a contender for championship next season, that's why some further moves are expected. Even though Donnie Nelson has been doing a dumb job as the GM of Mavs, I still hope he can make some more deals this summer to make our team more competitive, as long as Donnie is not as idiotic as you are anyways. :toast

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So if the Lakers do get Odom, i guess thier only downfall is waiting for Artest to blow up. If thats teh case, then I like our chances to repeat.

Even if you get Odom back, you have holes.

PG is a worry for you - Fish will slow down one day very soon given that he's turning 35. Brown is nice, but is he ready to run the team?

Losing Ariza is a blow - he was clutch for you last year, and he was the guy you threw at fast guards like Parker and Paul. Who you gonna throw at them now?

Your bench, besides Odom, is thin.

Kobe has over 1100 games on his legs.

Bynum is yet to come on as expected.

Nothing is a certainty.

Is it any more certain for anyone else? No. But the Spurs just added at least 3 big upgrades (RJ, Dice, Blair) that fit perfectly into holes from last year. The Mavs' pieces look less well suited to each other, but I can see that as a very powerful team if everything clicks at the right time.

IMHO, any of the Lakers, Spurs, or Mavs could be the Wests' representative in the Finals next year. It'll certainly be a closer run thing than this year unless injuries derail these teams.

[Muser]

Lakers are the favourites, but the west is set to be a lot closer than last year.

[djohn2oo8]

Of course Shawna Marion cannot make the Mavs a contender for championship next season, that's why some further moves are expected. Even though Donnie Nelson has been doing a dumb job as the GM of Mavs, I still hope he can make some more deals this summer to make our team more competitive, as long as Donnie is not as idiotic as you are anyways. :toast

Just so you know, this is the last year for the Mavs to make a run at it....B/C they signed Marion to a 5 year deal (:lol) that locks them out having a decent chance at landing a star next season, with them having to resign Dirk and all.

[Shank]

Just so you know, this is the last year for the Mavs to make a run at it....B/C they signed Marion to a 5 year deal (:lol) that locks them out having a decent chance at landing a star next season, with them having to resign Dirk and all.

You should read up. That's not even close to being true.

[MI21]

I really, really like the moves the Spurs have made. I think some opposition fans aren't quite realising the difference McDyess and Jefferson will make. Even when the Spurs were winning championships, they weren't nearly as talented as the other top teams. If they can recapture there defense, this team has potential to be the best Spurs squad yet. Health permitting, there is no way that they bow out like this past season. No team in the league would be able to beat them in 4 or 5 games like this past season. It's going to be a massive task to beat them in the playoffs.

I like the addition of Artest for LA. I take him over Ariza for sure. If Odom comes back then there is no reason to rate them any lower than #1. The lineup they can trot out there to close a game in the playoffs is incredible. Once again, if health permits and if Bynum can become even a decent starting center, LA will be incredibly hard to beat. I have them best in the west. (unless Odom bolts)

I also really like what the Mavs have done. I think there is a bigger chance that the moves they have made don't work to well than there is with the moves LA and SA have made, but if it goes well they will certainly be in the hunt. I think there lineup will be quite unique, and can cause a lot of teams lots of issues. If Dirk doesn't fall off, there is no reason they can't make the finals either. I would rate them behind LA and SA right now, but that could certainly change. I would like to see them with a different coach though.

The battle up top in the west is going to be fantastic. Throw in the improvement of Portland and another year of gelling for Denver and the top 5 teams all look damn good.

I can't wait :tu

[djohn2oo8]

You should read up. That's not even close to being true.

Unless Dirk bolts, which he probably isn't, that's gonna take up alot of resources

[djohn2oo8]

but in any case, dallas will not land any prizes in 2010

[Stand]

No title deserves an * dumbshit. Not even 1999. Just shut the fuck up

Tell that to the Kings.

[Culburn369]

Tell that to the Kings.

Don't walk away from Horry.

[tlongII]

I don't think any team can hold off the Blazers this year. The Lakers have the best chance, but the Blazers have absolutely no fear of them. The Spurs are just too old and too small.

[Basketballgirl25]

In 2007 Kidd also said the NETS team was the best team he ever played on, when Kidd says stuff like this I'd be worried if he was on my team, mavs may have gotten better, but I don't think they are anywhere near as good as Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, and Magic:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast:toast:to ast:toast

hopefully Mavs crash and burn and don't win anything next year along with Celtics, Lakers, and Cavs. I want to see a Spurs vs Magic finals:toast:toast

[Culburn369]

I don't think any team can hold off the Blazers this year. The Lakers have the best chance, but the Blazers have absolutely no fear of them.

Sure. You guys up there always set yer bonnets for the Lakers. Everybody else?...You treat with casual indifference...

"Ohhh, the Lakers are coming to town. ESPN told me to hate them, so I will."

"Ohhh, the Lakers are coming to town. I can condone anything (e.g. Ruben Patterson) but "The Rapist."

"Ohhh, the Lakers are coming to town. I'm stiffer than a preacher's cock, but, I'll show up for this one." - Joel Pryzbilla

"Ohhh, the Lakers are coming to town. Let's say real smart ass things during the telecast and whine about the refs 10 minutes before the game until tomorrow morning after the game and pretend like we don't care when Kobe passes by press row....giggle//giggle//snort//snort, I hate that bastard." - Blazers announcers

"Ohhh, the Lakers are in Portlant tonite. Who gives a fuck, let's see if we can land Pop as Head Ephor (inbred swine) for '300 Part 2'." - Zack Snyder

[MateoNeygro]

WTF is he supposed to say...were not that good and we hope to get the #2 seed?

hahah good point. No reason in not being confident. I like the Mavs chances of competing this year. I like the Spurs and Lakers better but we will see. I know for sure they will once again give the Spurs matchup problems.

[lotr1trekkie]

Our SPURS are in every team's rear view mirror and rightfully so! Two season's ago Manu missed the Lakers series and Joey Crawford was on our case. Lakers get hammered in finals. Last season, Garnett is gone and they get to win an ****marked championship. If Garnett is healthy Kobe is still looking for #4. IF Manu is healthy all year the Spurs will be as good as anyone.

[21_Blessings]

Get out tlong

[Culburn369]

Our SPURS are in every team's rear view mirror and rightfully so! Two season's ago Manu missed the Lakers series and Joey Crawford was on our case. Lakers get hammered in finals. Last season, Garnett is gone and they get to win an ****marked championship. If Garnett is healthy Kobe is still looking for #4. IF Manu is healthy all year the Spurs will be as good as anyone.

"Oh, we're so sensitive. We should get special dispensation because our shit don't stink." - Spurs fans & upper mgmt

"I don't give two shits what that jive ass honkey Bonner says, I'm from this country." - Duncan & Hussein Obama

"We beat the Pistons ass and they really enjoyed it." - Spurs guys on this Board

"Thanks for beating our ass. It was truly enjoyable. If you ever get another hankering stop by in Detroit and beat our ass again. Chow." - Detroit guys on this Board

"I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground, but, it hasn't stopped me from letting my mouth overload that hole in the ground." - DUNCAN

"Oh, Pop, is that cheek 60 or 80 grit? I need to sand down this drill bit." - Pops handyman

[Indazone]

Kidd thinks pretty highly of himself doesn't he? Aging point guard that he is.

[poop]

Marion is synonymous with things like underachieving teams, bloated contracts, and empty stats.

[carrao45]

Even if you get Odom back, you have holes.

PG is a worry for you - Fish will slow down one day very soon given that he's turning 35. Brown is nice, but is he ready to run the team?

Losing Ariza is a blow - he was clutch for you last year, and he was the guy you threw at fast guards like Parker and Paul. Who you gonna throw at them now?

Your bench, besides Odom, is thin.

Kobe has over 1100 games on his legs.

Bynum is yet to come on as expected.

Nothing is a certainty.

Is it any more certain for anyone else? No. But the Spurs just added at least 3 big upgrades (RJ, Dice, Blair) that fit perfectly into holes from last year. The Mavs' pieces look less well suited to each other, but I can see that as a very powerful team if everything clicks at the right time.

IMHO, any of the Lakers, Spurs, or Mavs could be the Wests' representative in the Finals next year. It'll certainly be a closer run thing than this year unless injuries derail these teams.

Fisher already has slowed down. And I, unlike most Laker fans, am not opposed to Farmar starting

[JustBlaze]

Spurs and Mavs will be competing for the #2 spot. Good luck to both.
U mean the 3rd spot. Nugz got the 2nd spot on lock. :king

[iggypop123]

Why does everyone forget about Denver?

they havent done anything. their starters by themselves are already in luxury tax territory. they lost players not gained. i dont think kleiza is coming back either. everyone else is upgrading. they look to be another pretender hornets style, just overacheived

[Trainwreck2100]

Uhh..this isnt baseball or football.

Teams in each conference play almost the exact same schedule.

Personally I think it would be cool if you played each team in your division 8 times and everyone else twice. And then only let four teams (one wild card) into the playoffs.

Would make the division rivalry thing better.

Of course the owners would never allow it because they would be giving up three-four playoff games which equals LOTS of extra revenue.

The Lakers play in their division 4 times while the SW division teams prob. get 3 cracks at team in that crap division, that's a 4+ game advantage the lakers have before the season starts. Add to the fact that the SW division teams will lose to each other when they play while the Lakers themselves only have to play some of the better teams in the conference 3 times and not 4 that give the lakers a big advantage.

[redzero]

The Mavs get 53 wins next year. Book it.

[Culburn369]

Why does everyone forget about Denver?

They're mentally unstable as a rule.

[Stand]

Don't walk away from Horry.

When did Horry become a ref?

[Culburn369]

...When CWEBB walked away from him, started up that lane and that ball came screamin' out to Horry...

Shazzzzammmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!

[mavsfan1000]

Marion is synonymous with things like underachieving teams, bloated contracts, and empty stats.
Same thing with Kidd. He does nothing the whole night and somehow his stats actually look good.

[Stand]

...When CWEBB walked away from him, started up that lane and that ball came screamin' out to Horry...

Shazzzzammmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!

And what does that have to do with refs exactly?