duncan228
02-16-2010, 02:05 AM
Gazing past the stars (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Gazing_past_the_stars.html)
Mike Monroe
All-Star Weekend has come and gone, Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban combining to foster the “Everything Is Bigger in Texas” stereotype.
The record crowd at Cowboys Stadium for Sunday's 59th All-Star Game was the big story. Now that the record is, literally, in the books, Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe looks at some other storylines worth following — for the Spurs and the rest of the league.
A corner worth turning
With a huge victory at Denver to close out the first phase of the rodeo road trip, the Spurs have a chance to build some real momentum for the stretch run. The trip ends with three games against sub-.500 Eastern Conference teams. Win all three, and a Spurs season that has underwhelmed might begin to look promising.
Western Conference rivals aren't fooled.
“They're right there in the top five spots right now and haven't played that great,” said Denver's All-Star guard, Chauncey Billups. “They're always a team that's going to be there at the end of the day, ready and trying to compete for the Finals. They'll be there right where they need to be.”
Deals worth making
The trade deadline arrives Thursday. There are still some potential blockbusters being discussed by powerful teams. Even the league-leading Cavaliers believe they must get better, but many think a much-discussed trade for Amare Stoudemire falls in the “don't fix what isn't broken” bin.
Dallas' new chemistry set
Dealing Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, et al, for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood seems an intent to give the Mavs a better chance of beating the Lakers in the Western finals, but they have to get there first. It will be interesting to watch the Haywood-Erick Dampier dynamic. Haywood once got in a practice punch-up with fellow Wizards center Etan Thomas. Will Mark Cuban have to put a ring next to his team's practice court?
Mike Monroe
All-Star Weekend has come and gone, Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban combining to foster the “Everything Is Bigger in Texas” stereotype.
The record crowd at Cowboys Stadium for Sunday's 59th All-Star Game was the big story. Now that the record is, literally, in the books, Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe looks at some other storylines worth following — for the Spurs and the rest of the league.
A corner worth turning
With a huge victory at Denver to close out the first phase of the rodeo road trip, the Spurs have a chance to build some real momentum for the stretch run. The trip ends with three games against sub-.500 Eastern Conference teams. Win all three, and a Spurs season that has underwhelmed might begin to look promising.
Western Conference rivals aren't fooled.
“They're right there in the top five spots right now and haven't played that great,” said Denver's All-Star guard, Chauncey Billups. “They're always a team that's going to be there at the end of the day, ready and trying to compete for the Finals. They'll be there right where they need to be.”
Deals worth making
The trade deadline arrives Thursday. There are still some potential blockbusters being discussed by powerful teams. Even the league-leading Cavaliers believe they must get better, but many think a much-discussed trade for Amare Stoudemire falls in the “don't fix what isn't broken” bin.
Dallas' new chemistry set
Dealing Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, et al, for Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood seems an intent to give the Mavs a better chance of beating the Lakers in the Western finals, but they have to get there first. It will be interesting to watch the Haywood-Erick Dampier dynamic. Haywood once got in a practice punch-up with fellow Wizards center Etan Thomas. Will Mark Cuban have to put a ring next to his team's practice court?