Mavs - Warriors game 5 blog

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

WTF? Stackhouse just picked up his dribble and ran with the ball four steps. No travel call.

[Cry Havoc]

What The Fuck Is That Kind Of A Call?

[Budkin]

Remember Game 6 of the Finals? Mavs started the same way.

[jaespur21]

score?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Damn, Dirk steals the tip on the jump ball. Golden State getting homered.

[ashbeeigh]

where's GState's defense??? That would be nice to see

In transit still.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Helll Yeahhh!!!!!

[Cry Havoc]

And ONE!!!!

[conversekid]

mavs starting to miss GS needs to start hitting and put the poop streaks in the mavs underwear

[SAtown]

Cuban looking extra psychotic tonight.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

GS will not give up. So the Mavs better not get too cocky. They're getting a lot of no-calls in their favor too.

[Larry89]

Homecourt Advantage(Whistles)

[SpursFanFirst]

31-17, Mavs

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Here comes erica.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Cuban looking extra psychotic tonight.
That's why GS winning will be much sweeter if they do it tonight!

[Larry89]

Dampiers in.... abuse him GS

[Budkin]

I knew this game was going to be a blowout in the Mavs favor. Teams in this position always respond like this.

[dg7md]

Law of averages.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Fuck Yeah

[conversekid]

guess harrington doens't want nellie to go to a 6 man rotation...

[Cry Havoc]

OH MY! Big dunk. Keep missing shots Dallas.

[jackiel1219]

well at least the Mavs are missing some of their shots

[SAtown]

GS hasn't softened up at all. They need to not give Dallas 2nd chance points and play better defense. Dallas can't be shooting this well all night.

[slayermin]

Go City! Just ride out this early emotion and keep it close.

[Chr!s Childs]

Clank Clank

[jaespur21]

thanks for the score my brother is dvr ECW right now so i cant watch till after 10

[Cry Havoc]

San Antonio to Dallas: Transition defense is a good thing. It's not like nocturnal emissions or anything you need to be afraid of.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

WTF? Stackhouse just picked up his dribble and ran with the ball four steps. No travel call.
that pissed me off.

Also he was asking for a foul call in the middle of it. :pctoss.

Cuban at best, bitched to the refs.

[Cry Havoc]

31 - 19

[Amuseddaysleeper]

fuck, mavs missing shots but gs needs to capitalize.

avery is gonna tell them to go back to attacking the paint and shoot another 20 ft's

[Dirk Nowitzki]

:sleep :sleep :sleep Mavs fucking around missed easy shots! We are fine.

[Chr!s Childs]

thanks for the score my brother is dvr ECW right now so i cant watch till after 10

Are u the oldest?

[01Snake]

I knew this game was going to be a blowout in the Mavs favor. Teams in this position always respond like this.

Its the 1st quarter! :lol

[Despot]

Just wait until the crowd starts to chant M-V-P, dirk will dissapear.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I knew this game was going to be a blowout in the Mavs favor. Teams in this position always respond like this.

Lots of time left to be calling this one. You knew Dallas was going to come out with a shit load of emotion tonight.

GS just needs to weather the storm. If Dallas can keep up its 85% shooting, you tip your cap and say good game.

[Cry Havoc]

:sleep :sleep :sleep Mavs fucking around missed easy shots! We are fine.

Missing easy shots equals fine to you? You better hope you don't make it to the WCF. The Spurs would annihilate you.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

BArnes

[Otaku]

Dallas is destroying the Warriors right now... let's see if GS can react and put a bit of pressure on the Mavs. I guess we will see a close game in the end, the Warriors were too nervous in the beginning.

[Cry Havoc]

Matt Barnes. Um. Can we sign him please?

[conversekid]

GS for 3!!!!!!!!!!

[SAtown]

Oh yeah! Pietrus with a triple.

[SpursFanFirst]

pIETRIS' FOOT WAS ON THE LINE, WAS IT NOT?

[MrChug]

Once the Warriors show that they're not scared and won't back down this game the Mavs will stand in AWE of seeing nuts....because they don't have any.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

3!!!!!

[SpursFanFirst]

oops...sorry, all caps.

[Chr!s Childs]

Pietrus!!!!!

[conversekid]

here come the warriors....

[Cry Havoc]

BIG 3!!!!

Mavs are going to burn themselves out playing so out of control with emotion like this. Watch. They'll be exhausted by the end of 3.

:lmao :lmao :.lmao @ Dirk begging for the foul. MVP says what?

2 on Dirk. He'll sit now. Watch out Dallas.

[SpursFanFirst]

34-24, Mavs

[baseline bum]

Lots of time left to be calling this one. You knew Dallas was going to come out with a shit load of emotion tonight.

GS just needs to weather the storm. If Dallas can keep up its 85% shooting, you tip your cap and say good game.

See game 6, NBA Finals.

[Larry89]

The Key to victory, Defend Terry, Get Diop in foul trouble. Dampier is absolutely horrendous this series as a effectice force in the paint

[SAtown]

:lol @ Dirk trying to get shitty foul calls. What a fucking douche, he can't even get open. Someone tell him he's not Kobe or MJ.

[conversekid]

all that emotion and wild shooting and it's only an 8 point lead

[Deb]

Breaks have all gone Dallas way so far - but gotta turn at some point

[Larry89]

Fuck you Deven Harris you look like a dousch

[ashbeeigh]

Breaks have all gone Dallas way so far - but gotta turn at some point

It's way early. There will be some breaks, book it.

[Cry Havoc]

Foul on Harris. Haha! Way to give them FTs.

Meanwhile... 4 mavs vs. 2 GSW = easy layup/foul for GS. Unreal...

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Okay, I've seen this enough watching Dallas play to call it out. On the last drive where Terry got a layup, Dampier was holding Harrington with both hands.

I think the refs get caught up in watching the ball or something, but Dampier does it a couple of times a game where a guard will drive and he will wrap up the big man from behind so he can't contest the shot.

Total bullshit :pctoss

[conversekid]

free throws... keep them coming

[Larry89]

can the Mavs keep this pace up? With the Warriors?

[Cry Havoc]

YES! Thank you stackhouse!

Ah hell. Don't throw it away!

[kingsfan]

Nice job Al !

[Cry Havoc]

36 - 28 at the moment.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Dallas is having a hell of a first quarter 38 points.

[SAtown]

28 points in 1st quarter aint too shabby.

[dg7md]

10 point lead after one, after that amazing Mavs start? Nice.

[conversekid]

dumb last play... 4 seconds is enough to bring it up and take a decent shot...

[SpursFanFirst]

38-28, Mavs - end of 1

[Amuseddaysleeper]

take out harrington for the love of god

play barnes and davis the full 48 minutes

[Cry Havoc]

Dallas is having a hell of a first quarter 38 points.

When you start 10-12 with a few favorable calls... 38 is almost a letdown.

[ATXSPUR]

gs just wants to stay close. but they need to start playing a bit smarter.

[Deb]

I think GSW is weathering this storm pretty good right now. Look for them to come back BIG

[01Snake]

Good game for GS so far. Mavs came out on fire and the Warriors are right there still.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

10 points is close enough for the Warriors. Their Defense tightened up and that's a good sign. Get that bum harrington out though. Stick with the 6 man lineup

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

gs just wants to stay close. but they need to start playing a bit smarter.
Baron will take control.

[Despot]

GS needs to punk Dirk every chance they can, take it at him hard, make him fold.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Dallas on pace to put up 153.

[slayermin]

gs just wants to stay close. but they need to start playing a bit smarter.


Missed free throws, dumb turnovers and down ten. They should probably be down 20.

[Cry Havoc]

This kind of reminds me of the Spurs game last night. The Nuggets started off really hot, hitting every jumper, and the Spurs just absorbed it, got some easy points, and hung around.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

if you wanna play smarter you take out harrington

dude has the basketball IQ of Dampier

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

take out harrington for the love of god

play barnes and davis the full 48 minutes
Barnes can definitely do it. Harrington should be benched, if GS wants to advance early

He can earn his spot there. Right now is not the time for him to force his game to prove himself.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

This game is over! Up 10 and it will dramatically expand as the game goes on. Golden State wont even come that close to us cuz we will answer every run they make. Put this down as a Mavs win! We just have to wait 2 hours before it is confirmed!

[Cry Havoc]

If GS takes the lead at any point the Dallas crowd is going to start FREAKING out. And this message board will explode.

[FromWayDowntown]

Okay, I've seen this enough watching Dallas play to call it out. On the last drive where Terry got a layup, Dampier was holding Harrington with both hands.

I think the refs get caught up in watching the ball or something, but Dampier does it a couple of times a game where a guard will drive and he will wrap up the big man from behind so he can't contest the shot.

Total bullshit :pctoss

Dampier has been doing that for as long as he's been a Maverick. It's ridiculous that he gets away with it as much as he does. He's been particularly effective at using that move on Duncan. I don't know that I've ever seen him called for it though. Either it's legal (:lol) or officials just choose to ignore it. I'm not sure how you CAN'T call it, but they don't.

[conversekid]

you're funny dirk

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

If GS takes the lead at any point the Dallas crowd is going to start FREAKING out. And this message board will explode.
I knowww man, that's what I'm hoping to see.

[01Snake]

This game is over! Up 10 and it will dramatically expand as the game goes on. Golden State wont even come that close to us cuz we will answer every run they make. Put this down as a Mavs win! We just have to wait 2 hours before it is confirmed!

JESUS CHRIST you are annoying

[Deb]

This game is over! Up 10 and it will dramatically expand as the game goes on. Golden State wont even come that close to us cuz we will answer every run they make. Put this down as a Mavs win! We just have to wait 2 hours before it is confirmed!
:rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes

[Despot]

This game is over! Up 10 and it will dramatically expand as the game goes on. Golden State wont even come that close to us cuz we will answer every run they make. Put this down as a Mavs win! We just have to wait 2 hours before it is confirmed!

Are you really a Mav fan??

[Cry Havoc]

Harris = bitch. You shoved him. Now shut up.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

shut up, ya whiny bitch Harris. You're worse than Duncan.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

STFU Harris

[conversekid]

baron got away wish a push

[FromWayDowntown]

Yeah, it sure looks like Devin Harris has adopted the Tim Duncan face.

Has Harris ever committed a foul that he agrees with?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Devin Harris must hang out with Devean George off the court. George is the only guy I"ve seen whine half as much as Harris.

[SAtown]

Poor shot selection by GS. I still can't believe they're up 3-1

[jaespur21]

Are u the oldest?
yes i am but i dont mind ..im playin gears right now anyways

[conversekid]

GS is killing themself

[Cry Havoc]

Oh My God You Fucking Refs. Fuck You. Call A Fucking Foul.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Harris gets his third :lmao

[SAtown]

Fucking Pietrus can't even make a wide open shot below the basket. 3 fouls on Harris though

[Deb]

Keep on fouling, Harris

[jackiel1219]

Harris with 3 fouls

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Lots of poor shots being put up on both sides.

[Budkin]

GS looks like absolute shit... how can you miss 4 layups in a row?

[Cry Havoc]

WOW how is that not a fucking foul on Damp. He knocked him 90 degrees in the air!

This looks like a classic home-court game where the visitors have no chance.

[conversekid]

dang... GS can't even buy a layup

[Cry Havoc]

GS looks like absolute shit... how can you miss 4 layups in a row?

5.

Horrible. But they're still causing a lot of probs for Dallas.

[Budkin]

Another missed layup... GS is not winning this game, sorry.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

How do you call a team for travelling when neither player has the ball?

[SAtown]

WOW! Another missed layup. GS needs to get their shit together.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Time out GS ask the team what they are doing?

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

GS not executing well.

[conversekid]

note to self: To draw the foul, drive in the lane and yell "ahhhhhh"..

[jaespur21]

^like last night
whats the score?

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Its amazing on whats a foul for dallas isn't for GS.

[SAtown]

Dal 42 -GS 28

[Amuseddaysleeper]

GS needs to pull their heads out of their asses

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Shut up you whiny mav fans

[slayermin]

The fouls are piling up on Dallas.

[Kobulingam]

Dirk is playing like an MVP

[Cry Havoc]

note to self: To draw the foul, drive in the lane and yell "ahhhhhh*"..





*only works for players from Dallas

[kingsfan]

^like last night
whats the score?42-28

[conversekid]

come on davis... get hot

[Amuseddaysleeper]

good shot baron

[1SUNSFAN]

GS is getting home courted so bad! I hope they blow Dallas out in game 6.

[jaespur21]

wow that blows cmon gstate

[ATXSPUR]

Another missed layup... GS is not winning this game, sorry.

calm down. this isnt looking nearly as hopeless as it was for us yesterday. atleast they are active. lets see the second half first :fro

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Teddy Davis needs to start taking over.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

the biggest problem for GS isn't missed shots but lack of rebounding

[conversekid]

dang... so many missed layups

[THE SIXTH MAN]

run

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Geez, how many layups has GS missed?

[Cry Havoc]

Dirk: That shot was the ugliest piece of shit outside of a Bieadfjvaevich free throw. Keep shooting, MVP.

[jackiel1219]

damn GS is missing every layup

[THE SIXTH MAN]

monta!!!!

[Cry Havoc]

Wow, what an and 1.

[Kobulingam]

Dirk = Mvp

[SAtown]

What's so hard about calming the fuck down and running a little play. Maybe a pic n roll or something, ANYTHING

[conversekid]

if they don't miss all those layups, it's a 4 point game.

[dg7md]

After ALL of this... it's only an 11 point game, could be 10. Cut it to within 6-8 at halftime and the Warriors can win.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

well despite dallas' crazy play, warriors could trim this to 11


they just need to shore up their interior D and the transition game looks spotty

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Come on GS! the fact that you've blown so many good lay ups and are only down by 12 is a sign that if you start playing your game, Mavs have no chance!

[SAtown]

If GS ends up winning this series somehow, it would be a record for the first series ever won without running an actual offensive play.

[Cry Havoc]

After ALL of this... it's only an 11 point game, could be 10. Cut it to within 6-8 at halftime and the Warriors can win.

Are you kidding? Davis can score 11 points in about 2 minutes. Boy is clutch. If they're within 3 possessions late in the game and Dallas gets sloppy, they're fishing.

[1SUNSFAN]

I wonder if Stackhouse is going to start getting "Jordan treatment" like he did last game?

[conversekid]

If GS ends up winning this series somehow, it would be a record for the first series ever won without running an actual offensive play.

:lol :lol

[Dirk Nowitzki]

After ALL of this... it's only an 11 point game, could be 10. Cut it to within 6-8 at halftime and the Warriors can win.

Oh look the scared Spurs fan is speaking. You ought to go to do something fun cuz we arent losing this game nor this series. You are pissing away a fun tuesday night. Go to a movie or something.

[Despot]

Just saw this on ESPN, Cuban caved in and paid Nellie the 6.6 Million he owed him.

[Kobulingam]

If GS ends up winning this series somehow, it would be a record for the first series ever won without running an actual offensive play.

Bend over CN Tower.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

If GS ends up winning this series somehow, it would be a record for the first series ever won without running an actual offensive play.
This game reminds me of some pick up games down at the gym. :lol

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

well despite dallas' crazy play, warriors could trim this to 11


they just need to shore up their interior D and the transition game looks spotty
Warriors still aren't going to lay down. They just need to calm down a little. They're too eager right now. THey just need to finish the half solidly, at least tie it or possibly make it a five point game... Then Dallas won't know what to do since they've been throwing their best punches.

[Budkin]

Warriors are trying too hard... that's about 10 blown layups now.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

also gs shooting 38% and dallas shooting 53%

hopefully those averages even out down the line

[dg7md]

Are you kidding? Davis can score 11 points in about 2 minutes. Boy is clutch. If they're within 3 possessions late in the game and Dallas gets sloppy, they're fishing.

No doubt, but the crowd is causing problems. I don't see Baron hitting as many shots as the last few games, but I see him producing and assisting a ton of great plays. This is Ellis' game to shine I believe.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Warriors still aren't going to lay down. They just need to calm down a little. They're too eager right now. THey just need to finish the half solidly, at least tie it or possibly make it a five point game... Then Dallas won't know what to do since they've been throwing their best punches.


if anything i'm almost certain gs would take game 6 if it comes down to that

[Vinnie_Johnson]

http://www.pixelmechanic.de/media/sport/dirk_euro2005.jpg
:lol

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

This game reminds me of some pick up games down at the gym. :lol
Seriously..

You know, I actually got used to their MO.

Like when they shoot threes, it's like, "hey, if you shoot 100 threes I guess 30 of them will go down, so I can't argue with that. "

[01Snake]

Its a brickfest for both teams.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

I wish it was 11:30 cst already so we can offically mark this down as a Mavs win!! :madrun

[conversekid]

Oh look the scared Spurs fan is speaking. You ought to go to do something fun cuz we arent losing this game nor this series. You are pissing away a fun tuesday night. Go to a movie or something.

and i was actually feeling a little sorry for mav fan, with all the crap this board has been throwing at them.... not any more. it will be fun to rub in.

[Cry Havoc]

If GS ends up winning this series somehow, it would be a record for the first series ever won without running an actual offensive play.

Dude, they totally run a play.

It's called the Don Nelson clusterfuck. :lol

They have another one called the two man pass, then go ape shit on your 4 defenders, and weave.

The only other one that springs to mind is: The 1.1 seconds is more than enough time for B-Diddy play.

[dg7md]

More missed FT's.

Croshere is in, though. Impending Warrior run.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Dirk = Pussy

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

stupid dirk. Falls on his own.

[SAtown]

Fuck. Dirk is the biggest bitch in the world. He just drives and falls. Can't he ever take it strong to the hoop or is he too pussy

[conversekid]

and here come the whistles

[ATXSPUR]

I wish it was 11:30 cst already so we can offically mark this down as a Mavs win!! :madrun

Do you ever shut up?

[Larry89]

wtf

[Deb]

Oh look the scared Spurs fan is speaking. You ought to go to do something fun cuz we arent losing this game nor this series. You are pissing away a fun tuesday night. Go to a movie or something.
Believe the Nonutski Mavs fan might be the one a little scared right now. And, this is fun watching the Mavs sweat the big one.

[Spurologist]

:lol

Miller: "warriors gonna throw the whole kitchen BOOK at Dirkie"

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Oh look the scared Spurs fan is speaking. You ought to go to do something fun cuz we arent losing this game nor this series. You are pissing away a fun tuesday night. Go to a movie or something.

Oh look, the scared Mavs fan with the tiny penis trying to run smack on a Spurs board. You ought to do something fun because you won't be watching your team play after this week. Go get your nails done or something.

[1SUNSFAN]

Dirk just got STUFFED! Stupid David Hasselhoff...

[Cry Havoc]

Dirk falls down more than Arvydas Sabonis in a tranquilizer clinic.

[conversekid]

GS falling apart... nelson needs to call a time out

[Budkin]

The Warriors look like a lottery team.

[Spurologist]

Harrrington fucking blows

[Amuseddaysleeper]

GS has completely fallen apart

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Austin Crapshere with the bitch move on Baron Davis after the timeout is called. Come on Baron, go off mofo!

[Cry Havoc]

The Warriors look like a lottery team.

Dallas has been playing that role for 3 games now. GS decided to be a little silly.

[SAtown]

Dirk falls down more than Arvydus Sabonis in a tranquilizer clinic.

:lmao

[Admidave50]

Mavs really lucky that Warriors play stupid tonight!

[Larry89]

What the fuck happened to Baron Davis, come on you mofo drive!

[1SUNSFAN]

This series is going 7... not because the Mavs are that good, but because the NBA won't bear to have their MVP out of the playoffs when they announce it. Dirk shouldn't win the MVP he is showing how much he doesn't deserve it. Get off the floor MVP!!!

[Cant_Be_Faded]

This game is hopeless, GS taking horrible shots and its caught up with them.

[conversekid]

no one on GS looks like they want to shoot

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

do or die for the warriors now. :lol

[Deb]

Kind of figured GSW would have the big let down tonight - it would have been hard for them to keep playing with that kind of intensity

And, it is do or die for the Mavs (LOL)

[Budkin]

If the Mavs can win huge it will be a huge momentum shift in this series. They are actually playing pretty good D on GS now.

[dg7md]

Concentrate for the real game, game 6.

[Cry Havoc]

If the Mavs can win huge it will be a huge momentum shift in this series. They are actually playing pretty good D on GS now.

You're right.

Huge momentum shift.

Until the Warriors hit their first shot in Game 6 (if necessary :lmao)

[1SUNSFAN]

Yeah... maybe GS should rest their starters for Game 6??? Seemed to work pretty well for Dallas. :)

[Amuseddaysleeper]

i think mavs by 20+


gs is just playing dumb

[Budkin]

Concentrate for the real game, game 6.

The Warriors need to get it close at least though or else they are going to come out scared in game 6.

[TampaDude]

NFW the Mavs lose this game...I'd bet a million bucks that they force a Game 6...GS has got the serious jits and will lose by 20. Book it.

[Cry Havoc]

Yeah... maybe GS should rest their starters for Game 6??? Seemed to work pretty well for Dallas. :)

Steal Cuban's jet for the flight back to Cali. That would be righteous.

[TampaDude]

i think mavs by 20+


gs is just playing dumb

Yup...Mavs by 20 easy.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

It is so hard watching this mavericks team get so excited and pumped up by sinking jump shots and free throws.

[Budkin]

You're right.

Huge momentum shift.

Until the Warriors hit their first shot in Game 6 (if necessary :lmao)

I mean for their confidence. Dallas is looking like they might have figured out how to slow these guys down finally.

[Budkin]

It is so hard watching this mavericks team get so excited and pumped up by sinking jump shots and free throws.

I know what you mean... it makes me sick.

[jaespur21]

score? por favor

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Damn, imagine if the first round was a best of 5 like it used to be? :smokin

[ThomasGranger]

GS needs to close the half with a run and try to get the lead down to single digits or they can call it a night.

[Budkin]

This game is like a Golden State blooper reel.

[Budkin]

score? por favor

Mavs by 18

[Admidave50]

this game is really painful to watch, I guess the Warriors really wanted to win their first playoffs series in front of their fans!!

[Cry Havoc]

I mean for their confidence. Dallas is looking like they might have figured out how to slow these guys down finally.

Yep.

The Official Dallas Mavericks Recipe for Shutting Down GS:

1. Hit 10 of your first 12 shots.

2. Get a huge amount of favorable calls.

3. Have Golden State miss 10+ layups in the first quarter and a half.

4. DIRK. FALL. DOWN. RAAAAR.

5. Profit.

[AFE7FATMAN]

This series is going 7... not because the Mavs are that good, but because the NBA won't bear to have their MVP out of the playoffs when they announce it. Dirk shouldn't win the MVP he is showing how much he doesn't deserve it. Get off the floor MVP!!!



We're headed for the most awkward moment in NBA history within the next 10 days. Here's how it will play out:



(We see Jim Gray, David Stern and Dirk Nowitzki standing awkwardly in front of a single camera at halftime of a Round 2 playoff game.)



--Gray: "I'm here with NBA commissioner David Stern. David--"



--Stern: "Don't talk to me. Seriously. You're lucky I haven't had you killed yet."



--Gray: "Gotcha. Um ... and now to present the 2006-07 Most Valuable Player Award, NBA commissioner David Stern."



--Stern: "Leave."



--Gray: "What?"



--Stern: "Leave. Now."



(Gray slinks off.)



--Stern: "Well, Dirk, maybe the playoffs didn't turn out the way you planned, but for 82 meaningless games during one of the worst seasons of my 23-year tenure, you were the best player in a terrible league. Unfortunately, voting for the award happens right after the regular season, so voters weren't able to factor in your complete meltdown in Round 1 against Golden State. You didn't just fail to step up like an MVP should, you whined and complained the entire series, disgraced your teammates and embarrassed your fans. Not since David Hasselhoff has America been so embarrassed by a German. I don't know whether to hand you this trophy or smash it over your head. Lucky for you, this is being televised, so I can only hand you the trophy and congratulate you on the 2006-07 Most Valuable Player Award. I'm going to leave now so I can throw up."

--Dirk Nowitzki (taking the trophy): "Thank you, Mr. Commissioner."



(Stern waves disgustedly at him and walks away.)



And ... scene!



Has Nowitzki been that bad in the first four games against Golden State? Actually, yeah. You can't kill him for struggling in a playoff series because, admittedly, it happens to the best from time to time. For instance, the Basketball Jesus stunk out the joint against the '85 Lakers and '88 Pistons. MJ submitted a stinkbomb against the '95 Magic. Magic choked in three different losses to the '84 Celtics. Bring up an NBA legend and I could point you to a crummy playoff performance within three seconds.



The difference between Dirk and the others: He's having a complete breakdown as a basketball player. Mentally, he's a mess. You can see it on his face. From a leadership standpoint, he's shown nothing other than a couple of front-running fist pumps and a few "Die Hard" sneers. Every time Dallas needed him to come through in Games 1, 3 and 4, he disappeared. And he made crucial mental mistakes after Game 3 (saying the series hinged on Game 4 for Dallas, which was just dumb) and Game 4 (doing the whole "woe is me, I can't get it going, I'll just have to help us in other ways" routine). For historical purposes, he's edging dangerously close to Karl Malone territory here.

As you know, I didn't have an MVP vote this season because it makes too much sense for the league to give votes to younger writers who obsessively follow the NBA over older writers who secretly despise the league, can't identify with it and would never dream of spending their own money on NBA League Pass. This is how we end up with a system in which Isiah Thomas gets a "Coach of the Year" vote. (By the way, that's a whole other column.) But here's how I explained my decision not to give Dirk the MVP vote that I didn't actually have:



"He can't affect games unless he's scoring, doesn't make his teammates better and plays decent defense at best. If you're giving the MVP to someone because of his offense, he'd better be a killer offensive player. You can't say that about the 2007 Dirk Nowitzki."



One week later, the Golden State series starts. Dirk can't get it going because the Warriors smartly throw Stephen Jackson (a legitimate pit bull) on him -- a smaller player who gets right in his face and keeps trying to poke the ball every time Dirk puts it on the ground. Now, everyone thought Dirk solved the whole "smaller/quicker guys can shut me down" thing against San Antonio and Phoenix last season, but that wasn't necessarily true -- he could shoot over Bruce Bowen and Raja Bell and put the ball on the floor against Shawn Marion. He can't do either of these things against Jackson (or Jason Richardson, for that matter). And if that's not enough, Nellie keeps throwing second guys at him from odd angles, so he never knows when the double team is coming. Believe me, there are legitimate reasons why Nowitzki is struggling against the Warriors. It's not just a shooting slump.



But that's why Dirk shouldn't be the MVP: Take away his scoring and there's not a lot left. Yeah, he'll grab some rebounds and create a couple of easy shots for teammates, but he's not putting his imprint on the game, right? I can see someone winning an MVP award with those limitations, but again, you better be a KILLER offensive player. And he wasn't. As I described his credentials in that MVP column, "(He had a) well-done and thoroughly efficient season. I enjoyed it. He took the Fist Pump/Sneer to new heights. I just don't think he was the MVP."



For example, if you watched T-Mac in Monday night's hard-fought win over the Jazz (16 assists!), that was the quintessential example of a great player beating a good team on a night when his shot wasn't falling. Tim Duncan has those games all the time; he doesn't need to score 25 points to control a game. Same for Jason Kidd. Same for Steve Nash. On the flip side, Kobe needs to score to control games and manages to do it on an astonishingly consistent basis. He's a dominant offensive player, whereas Nowitzki is an efficient offensive player. Big difference. Teams can turn Dirk into a complementary player if they try hard enough. Does that sound like an MVP? Didn't think so. When Kobe's team loses a playoff game, you still know he's there. Same for Nash. Same for Wade. Same for Duncan. Same for LeBron. I thought Nowitzki had reached that point last season -- remember this column?http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060602 -- but now he's taken an enormous step backward and if the Mavs gets knocked out this week (which I think they will) he becomes the worst MVP choice since Karl Malone in 1997.
:clap :clap :clap
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons

[conversekid]

freaking goaltending!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Josh Howard with the offensive goal tend, not called :wtf

[ThomasGranger]

Harrington for three??? Wow, he really pulled that out of his ass.

[Budkin]

That was bullshit by Howard... his hand came up underneath.

[jaespur21]

didnt expect that to happen...thanks

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

:rollin

Even Croshere getting the bailouts by the refs tonight.

[conversekid]

refs decided this game beforehand

[E20]

Whoooooooooooo Lets Go Mavs. Show Those Fucking Warriors!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Budkin]

How the fuck can you miss a call like that?? NBA refs are fucking horrible.

[SpursDynasty]

We can't have Croshere making those shots. I saw a goal tend there.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Come on Warriors, get it under 10 at half.

[conversekid]

no weakside help defense

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Dallas is playing with fire by going with this tempo.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Buckets!

[Budkin]

GS is on fire...

[Cry Havoc]

WOW! 14 points!

[conversekid]

finally a charge!

[FromWayDowntown]

At this point, the Warriors have to feel like they're as responsible for the Mavs success as the Mavs are. If they get this thing around 10 before the half, they're actually in decent shape.

3 on Dirk.

[Budkin]

LOL 3 on Dirk!!!

[Cry Havoc]

No one responded to my recipe post. I sad.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

:lol

That play was comical. Dirk with a continuous moving screen, then Terry stumbles down the lane without ever dribbling, no call.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

yes, DIrk you deserve that you stupid awkward fuck.

[E20]

Refs have nothing to do with. Warriors have attempted 12 FT's, Mavs have 11.

Mavs have more player fouls and team fouls. Refs havent' done anything yet.

[conversekid]

shutup alien lookin reggie miller

[SAtown]

Come on Warriors.

[J.T.]

If Warriors can cut it to less than 15 at half, they have an outside shot at cooling Dallas off and making a push in the second half, but Dallas is playing really well right now and Warriors are missing shots and turning the ball over too much.

Dallas takes this game, I think. But the real question is, can they win in Oakland, and take the crowd out of the game there? I don't think they can, but we'll see.

[bonesinaz]

Go Warriors!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Dirk needs to stfu. That was the most ridiculous excuse for a moving screen ever out top but the ref had his whistle in his pocket.

[Budkin]

At this point, the Warriors have to feel like they're as responsible for the Mavs success as the Mavs are. If they get this thing around 10 before the half, they're actually in decent shape.

3 on Dirk.

I feel the same... Game 6 is going to be a trip if it goes that far.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I'm sick of Dirk expecting the automatic whistles , just because he trips himself going to the basket.

[conversekid]

the non calls are the killers... but you're right - the missed layups are killing them.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

well even if the guy was in the circle that should make up for the blatant no call on howard's basket interference


the warriors HAVE to get this under 10 by halftime

[Cry Havoc]

Dear Golden State: Make a little run to pull close before halftime, then put them away when they get shaky in the 3rd quarter.

Really, when you're talking about the Warriors, a 10 point lead isn't that much. They play so crazy, they can score at anytime and make big, quick runs.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Up 14 but this game is so in our favor! :clap :clap

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

It's Golden State's game to lose actually.

[conversekid]

no way it's under 10 by half

[Dirk Nowitzki]

Dear Golden State: Make a little run to pull close before halftime, then put them away when they get shaky in the 3rd quarter.

Really, when you're talking about the Warriors, a 10 point lead isn't that much. They play so crazy, they can score at anytime and make big, quick runs.

Not tonight. This game belongs to Dallas!

[bonesinaz]

I'm sick of Dirk expecting the automatic whistles , just because he trips himself going to the basket.

:lol

[Budkin]

If the Warriors can get close in the end Dallas will start to choke.

[BUMP]

the real question is, can they win in Oakland, and take the crowd out of the game there? I don't think they can, but we'll see.

Spur fan must learn that the game isnt over til the final buzzer. its not even half time.

[Cry Havoc]

Refs have nothing to do with. Warriors have attempted 12 FT's, Mavs have 11.

Mavs have more player fouls and team fouls. Refs havent' done anything yet.

= Fts means shit if one team is being mugged consistently. There is contact everywhere, especially from Damp. He should have 4 fouls right now.

[Spurologist]

It's amazing how the warriors are staying out of foul trouble and yet playing some aggressive D especially preventing penetration in the lane. B Diddy fought out of early foul trouble (I think in game 3) to dominate the game late. Now Pietrus has 3 fouls in the half and is still agressive as seen by that dunk off the feed from Ellis