Spurs to lose opener!

[mabber]

Functionally, Johnson replaces Harris. Harris becomes the starter (presumably) and the spot that Harris once occupied on the bench will be assumed by Johnson, making Johnson the Harris replacement and not an Armstrong replacement. If the Mavs sign someone to be a 3rd point, that guy will be the Armstrong replacement in my mind.



I don't dispute the truth of any of that. It's like the ridiculous argument that matches up position by position to weigh the strengths of the players and claim that one team is better than another.

In the end, there's a monumental difference between the functional depth of a roster during the regular season and its depth in a playoff setting -- and I think playoff depth becomes largely a matter of flexibility and matchups.

The Spurs were deep enough to win 63 games last regular season, despite their issues with back-to-backs and limiting injuries to Duncan and Ginobili. Parker was a huge part of that, but the Spurs' bench was deep enough to make that happen on most nights. When they got into playoff situations, though, Sacramento and Dallas were able to exploit the weaknesses in the Spurs roster (lack of athleticism without going small and an inability of the small lineup to rebound well) and that doomed the Spurs because they didn't have the flexibility to adjust well to different styles of play.

I think the Spurs are far, far more flexible heading into 2006-07 than they proved to be in 2005-06. I think the Mavs are probably more talented from 1-12, but I think the Spurs are at least as talented as the Mavs from about 1-7 or 1-8 and I think the Spurs are far better situated to deal with the Mavs personnel than they were last year. (I also think the Spurs will still make another move to ensure that is true.)

I really don't know at this point if Harris or JET will be the starting PG. I'm starting to lean toward JET staying at the PG spot with Buckner starting at the 2 cuz that's a better defensive lineup. I would think, however, that Harris & JET will be on the court a lot together so it really doesn't matter. Anyway, that was my thinking in regards to the Johnson signing. That the Mavs now have JET, Harris & Johnson as their 3 PG's compared to JET, Harris & Armstrong last season.

I agree with your roster analysis though. The Mavs are better 1-12 but from 1-8 it's a toss up with the Spurs possibly having the edge if Elson and/or Butler pan out.

[ducks]

it may not matter to you but harris has said publically he liked starting in the playoffs...

[mabber]

it may not matter to you but harris has said publically he liked starting in the playoffs...

Don't most players like to start? :lol

[big3bigD]

Don't most players like to start? :lol

No doubt that most players would prefer to start, but this may be an issue for the Mavs to deal with. Harris not only said that he expects to start next season, but added that "you can only keep someone down for so long". I was very surprised to see these comments comming from him, but he really seems to believe that he is ready for the starting spot. I don't think that he would make any signifigant noise about the issue, but it still surprised me that he even addressed the issue publicly through the media.

The Mavs may have too many players expecting minutes this season. Even Ager believes that he is competing for a starting spot.

[mabber]

No doubt that most players would prefer to start, but this may be an issue for the Mavs to deal with. Harris not only said that he expects to start next season, but added that "you can only keep someone down for so long". I was very surprised to see these comments comming from him, but he really seems to believe that he is ready for the starting spot. I don't think that he would make any signifigant noise about the issue, but it still surprised me that he even addressed the issue publicly through the media.

The Mavs may have too many players expecting minutes this season. Even Ager believes that he is competing for a starting spot.

Competition for minutes is a good thing. If Harris has improved his game this offseason as much as he did the prior offseason then he'll see plenty of time whether or not he starts or comes off the bench. I think he has chance to be a really good player in this league but he has to improve his jumpshot and also learn to finish with his left hand. His defense is good and he can obviously get to the rim on offense even when players are playing off him. He needs to improve his passing a bit as well.

[big3bigD]

Competition for minutes is a good thing. If Harris has improved his game this offseason as much as he did the prior offseason then he'll see plenty of time whether or not he starts or comes off the bench. I think he has chance to be a really good player in this league but he has to improve his jumpshot and also learn to finish with his left hand. His defense is good and he can obviously get to the rim on offense even when players are playing off him. He needs to improve his passing a bit as well.

I don't really agree. Competition for minutes isn't good if it leads to a player being disgruntled. The mavs are deep this year, but there may be too many guys expecting to see court time that will not get it.

I think that Harris is very goos player ans should probably start, but that puts too many guys at the 1 and the 2 trying to start and/or play signifigant minutes.

[phyzik]

blah blah blah thats all i hear....cant ya just get ur point across in a nutshell? :spin


Here.... I'll help..... in a nutshell, you lose. :elephant

[JGrice02]

Today Chuck Cooperstein, the Mavs radio announcer, said the Spurs had a really great offseason considering the circumstances. He echoed similar sentiments about the Mavs even though they missed out on James. In listening to him one would think neither team really separated themselves. Both did a good job in the offseason addressing their needs.

Then Randy Galloway chimed in and said the Mavs need to be wary of one team out West, the Spurs. This was for two reasons: (1) the Spurs made some nice offseason moves and (2) the Mavs barley got by them last year and did nothing to separate themselves this offseason.

Sounds an awful lot like something I would say. Oh wait, I did say that! Should be an entertaining and competitive season. I look forward to next year's WCF.

[mabber]

Today Chuck Cooperstein, the Mavs radio announcer, said the Spurs had a really great offseason considering the circumstances. He echoed similar sentiments about the Mavs even though they missed out on James. In listening to him one would think neither team really separated themselves. Both did a good job in the offseason addressing their needs.

Then Randy Galloway chimed in and said the Mavs need to be wary of one team out West, the Spurs. This was for two reasons: (1) the Spurs made some nice offseason moves and (2) the Mavs barley got by them last year and did nothing to separate themselves this offseason.

Sounds an awful lot like something I would say. Oh wait, I did say that! Should be an entertaining and competitive season. I look forward to next year's WCF.

I agree. I think it will be between the Mavs & Spurs. The Suns have too many questons plus they still don't play any defense which will be their downfall again in the playoffs.

[JGrice02]

I agree. I think it will be between the Mavs & Spurs. The Suns have too many questons plus they still don't play any defense which will be their downfall again in the playoffs.


Agreed. A huge question mark for the Suns will be Stoudamire. He won't recover fully this season, it is simply too early for him, but if he can get back to 85-90% the Suns could be very dangerous. It sounds like we won't know until the following season if Stoudamire will ever be the same player again.

[Gino20]

I agree. I think it will be between the Mavs & Spurs. The Suns have too many questons plus they still don't play any defense which will be their downfall again in the playoffs.

I also agree. The Mavs have had a fair offseason. I think their best off-season acquistion has been A. Johnson. However, it appeared he struggled coming off the bench in Indiana. I dont think to highly about George. The best thing for the Mavs is that they have another year under them.

The Spurs actually have players that can get on the court if they played the Mavs. Which should turn out to be huge. If they can stay healthy, I love their chances. In the end, its going to be tough and it will come down between the two. Does anyone think homecourt will matter?

[mabber]

I also agree. The Mavs have had a fair offseason. I think their best off-season acquistion has been A. Johnson. However, it appeared he struggled coming off the bench in Indiana. I dont think to highly about George. The best thing for the Mavs is that they have another year under them.

The Spurs actually have players that can get on the court if they played the Mavs. Which should turn out to be huge. If they can stay healthy, I love their chances. In the end, its going to be tough and it will come down between the two. Does anyone think homecourt will matter?

I don't think homecourt really matters that much between these two teams.