If Dallas Is Going To Take This Series....

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Mavericks' Hollins not thin on attitude
By Eddie Sefco / The Dallas Morning News

The list of physically imposing big men that Ryan Hollins has muscled up to this season now includes Tim Duncan.

Who'd have thought "Thin" would beat Tim?

Hollins, the Mavericks' bounce-off-the-walls backup center who seems to be all arms and legs on the court, was a catalyst at both ends in the second half Saturday.

In 18 minutes, Hollins had eight rebounds, three blocks and a dunk, on which he got called for a technical foul for taunting Duncan.

Small price to pay. The charge he gave the team and the crowd was worth it.

"He oozes energy," coach Rick Carlisle said.

And he does it against anybody, even players who outweigh him by 50 or 100 pounds. He was called on to play Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal late in the season and did so with commendable results.

"We knew coming into this that the way he played Shaq, the way he played Yao in our last regular-season game, the way he played [Orlando's Dwight] Howard down there late in the year, that he was going to be a guy we have to count on for some stretches," Carlisle said. "And he's delivered for us."

Hollins carries 230 pounds on his 7-foot frame, but he also is quicker than all the centers he faces, especially Duncan, who has been fighting balky knees.

"It was a change of pace, and I don't think he was ready for my energy," Hollins said. "He was like, 'Whoa, hold up, young fellow.' So Damp beats him up and I just try to come in and bring that energy and athleticism."

Duncan was complimentary of Hollins' play ("he's very athletic and was all over the place"), but Tony Parker didn't think much of his taunting.

"Young guys," Parker said. "Taunt Tim Duncan? He's got four championships. He doesn't care."

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Originally Posted by BUMP

You've had 2-3 guys contributing in your offense the whole series, its not gonna change all of a sudden. With all those turnovers we still won.

There is a reason the series is 3-1. The Spurs spirit has been deflated and if you think you guys are gonna win 3 in a row out of nowhere then prepare to be disappointed again.

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Actually, this game was the 1st which was drastically paired down to only two of our guys scoring. You guys were at home and couldn't lock things down until under a minute was left even though you'd been outplaying us the entire game.

You inserted Hollins and got an edge, we countered with Hill (from an energy standpoint) and got the game to within 5.

Be cautious my friend.

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Originally Posted by NewJerSpur

It's going to have to be on THEIR court. WHO'S WITH ME!!!

:flag:

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I'm with you.

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Originally Posted by duncan228

And he does it against anybody, even players who outweigh him by 50 or 100 pounds. He was called on to play Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal late in the season and did so with commendable results.

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He has been good this year (great against Yao) but he sucked major ass against Shaq though, for the record.

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"Young guys," Parker said. "Taunt Tim Duncan? He's got four championships. He doesn't care."

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lol even the spurs players throw out the 4 rings, faggot.

But I'd be pissed too if I dropped 43 and still lost.

All the way!

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Originally Posted by NewJerSpur

Actually, this game was the 1st which was drastically paired down to only two of our guys scoring. You guys were at home and couldn't lock things down until under a minute was left even though you'd been outplaying us the entire game.

You inserted Hollins and got an edge, we countered with Hill (from an energy standpoint) and got the game to within 5.

Be cautious my friend.

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We'll see.

If i had to bet, its that u take game 5 barely (i know this team to well they will be complacent), but then we close it out in game 6

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Originally Posted by BUMP

We'll see.

If i had to bet, its that u take game 5 barely (i know this team to well they will be complacent), but then we close it out in game 6

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I'm not trying to look past the Mavs, but more capturing the spirit you claimed was stomped out of our team, which I don't think is true. If our bench shows up with the crowd behind them on our floor we should be able to send it back to Dallas....where you guys would have the challenge of closing a reborn Spurs team out.

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Originally Posted by Rogue

I'm with you.

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:toast