Hey, I thought the Mavs were supposed to be done

Isn't that what everyone was saying last month? A lot of Mav Fans were all doom and gloom, Avery doesn't know what he's doing, Dirk has lost it, etc. etc. Spur Fan was gloating.

Well, until the fluke Kings hit a lot of fluke shots last night, the Mavs were back up to the #1 seed in the West. Their best ball is probably still to come. Maybe Avery can coach a little, after all.

True, they are going to have a giant monkey on their backs in the postseason, but they're still the Spurs' worst matchup. And maybe have learned a couple of new tricks.

i guess they never got the memo

The Kings were just hitting shots they were supposed to hit.

sorry -- when I see the word "fluke" in writing these days, I default to that response.


Anyone who has counted out the Mavericks is a fool, in my book.

That's why I always roll my eyes when spurs fans get ultra cocky, because usually what goes around, comes around.

While we are up by half a game on the mavs, we got hit by the injury bug big time, while the Mavs were reeling off 6 wins in a row.

To think that would be a grave mistake.

Never, ever, underestimate an opponent

Spurs know this by now - or at least they should.

Mavs will likely be the Spurs most formidable threat in the West - again

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

To think that would be a grave mistake.

Never, ever, underestimate an opponent

Spurs know this by now - or at least they should.

Mavs will likely be the Spurs most formidable threat in the West - again

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:tu

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

Mavs will likely be the Spurs most formidable threat in the West - again

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Absolutely. The only Western team that really worries me is Dallas.

Suns are dangerous too, and if Bynum comes back healthy, the Lakers might turn out to be tough. But Dallas is the only team in the past 3 seasons to beat the Spurs in a playoff series.

I always thought they were gonna get over it.

If Udoka is allowed to play the power forward in small ball vs the Mavs, the Spurs can handle the Mavericks.

Sorry if I dont want to cower and hide like everyone else when it comes to the chipmunks of the north.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Sorry if I dont want to cower and hide like everyone else when it comes to the chipmunks of the north.

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http://p.vtourist.com/1171199-Rambo-Penticton.jpg

:lol


shoogar, you need your own show

Mavs are the biggest threat to the Spurs in the West. Houston is never going to put everything together, Phoenix needs to play defense to have a chance, L.A. is off to a hot start and they have arguably the best player in the league but that roster is still thin, Utah and Denver are inconsistent, and the Blazers have no playoff experience.

The Mavs are built to play the Spurs, that's why they are such a tough matchup. But they are not unbeatable by far.

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Originally Posted by T Park

If Udoka is allowed to play the power forward in small ball vs the Mavs, the Spurs can handle the Mavericks.

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Udoka?

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Originally Posted by himat

Mavs are the biggest threat to the Spurs in the West. Houston is never going to put everything together, Phoenix needs to play defense to have a chance, L.A. is off to a hot start and they have arguably the best player in the league but that roster is still thin, Utah and Denver are inconsistent, and the Blazers have no playoff experience.

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How did you leave the Mav killers off the list?

If Mavs draw GS in the first round again, Spurs will never play them.

Ftm

Avery keeps trying to do his best Pop imitation. Doesn't want to burn out the horses before the playoffs this year. During the regular season fans panic way before the players do.



Eventually the Little General is going to get it right.

The combination of Avery tinkering with the lineup and a very tough scheduling, 27 games in 52 days, made for a very mediocre start for the Mavs. In addition to that George was out and Damp was hurt.

Avery has settled on his top 9-10 guys and is settling into a routine rotation. Guys are back from injuries, except Damp he is still ailing a little.

And they have only lost 1 game in the last 8 and are starting to gel a little.

Bottom line it is the Mavs, Spurs and Suns who will via for the top spot in the West.

New Orleans won't play at this high of a level for the whole year and the Lakers are without Bynum for 8 weeks so they will drop down a little.

It looks as though 60 wins will get you the top spot in the West this year? maybe even 58 or 59 wins will???

Anyone who knows basketball knew the Mavs would pick it up eventually.

Whether the Mavs start out the season hot and then cool off, or start out the season crappy before catching on fire, they still choke in the playoffs. So no worries.

Anyone shocked the Lakers are in first in the West?

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Anyone shocked the Lakers are in first in the West?

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I'm not.
I'm in Laker-land, I see and hear and read Lakers daily.
They picked themselves up, crawled out of the slump they were in, and got to the top. Fisher brought them another leader, on and off the court, I think he's been a positive influence on them.
Bynum had a lot to do with it though, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain it with him out 2 months.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Anyone shocked the Lakers are in first in the West?

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* raises hand *


I always figure that any team with Kobe is going to have issues with chemistry, and that lack of cohesion would keep the Lakers from being anything above ordinary.

Bynum changes all of that, however. He gives the Lakers that inside presence they've been missing since Shaq left. If he can keep his ego in check and defer all the glory and keep Kobe's ego properly stroked the Lakers should do fine.

What's that? He's hurt?! Oh well.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Whether the Mavs start out the season hot and then cool off, or start out the season crappy before catching on fire, they still choke in the playoffs. So no worries.

Anyone shocked the Lakers are in first in the West?

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I thot you were banned?? :spin

Yea LA in first is a surprise. Be interesting to see how they do without Bynum.

yeah, Udoka will be the difference vs. mavs :rolleyes

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Anyone shocked the Lakers are in first in the West?

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the way the spurs, suns, pistons and mavs have been losing games lately and so-called experts still waiting on the celtics to play the top teams, someone was bound to take over. it might as well be the lakers.

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Originally Posted by SAGambler

How did you leave the Mav killers off the list?

If Mavs draw GS in the first round again, Spurs will never play them.

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Maybe. The Mavs seem to have figured the Warriors out. 9 months too late, but they have a better handle on them than they did last spring.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Whether the Mavs start out the season hot and then cool off, or start out the season crappy before catching on fire, they still choke in the playoffs. So no worries.

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It seems like the Spurs are the only team that should be worried about the Mavs, because that's the only team that can beat them, and Dallas can't beat anybody else. They were constructed to be a one-trick pony, just like Golden State :lol

If Bynum can come back healthy then the Lakers are definitely a team to watch out for. You don't get a 26-11 record by accident, especially with their brutal schedule. Even though the reports say 8 weeks, the scoop is the kid should be back a lot quicker (4-6 weeks) given his young age and quick healing abilities.

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Originally Posted by DazedAndConfused

Even though the reports say 8 weeks, the scoop is the kid should be back a lot quicker (4-6 weeks) given his young age and quick healing abilities.

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The Lakers would be foolish to rush him.
If he's 100% sooner, fine.
He's too important to their success. He's a big guy, it's his knee. If they bring him back less than ready he could get hurt worse. And he might play hesitant if the knee isn't right.
They should plan for the 2 months without him. If he gets back sooner it's gravy.

I've said all season that the Mavs would be fine...

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Originally Posted by Findog

It seems like the Spurs are the only team that should be worried about the Mavs, because that's the only team that can beat them, and Dallas can't beat anybody else. They were constructed to be a one-trick pony, just like Golden State :lol

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There's actually a lot of truth to that statement. Just like the Spurs were built to beat the Jazz and then re-built to beat the Lakers, the Mavs were built to beat the Spurs.

I think how well the Mavs do will depend on how well Harris and Howard do, it seems like Avery is going for the more team approach, getting some of the load off Dirk (since we know how well he handled it in the playoffs...)

If those two don't really step up and Dirk is what he is in the playoffs then I don't see the Mavs as a big threat.

Again Lakers have played 5 or 6 less WC games than Spurs or Hornets. Stop the parade for the LAL! Talented and becoming stronger but not a true W power.

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Originally Posted by ludda

If those two don't really step up and Dirk is what he is in the playoffs then I don't see the Mavs as a big threat.

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Dirk is what he is in the playoffs? A guy with 8 series wins under his belt?

Dirk career regular season averages: 22 and 8 on 47% shooting

Dirk career playoff averages: 25 and 11 on 45% shooting.

He's actually usually more productive in the money season. Thought a Spurs fan would know that, but guess not. Only the Stockton/Malone Jazz, Shaq/Kobe Lakers and Dirk's Mavs have sent Tim Duncan home.

People act like the 2006 series the Mavs completely dominated the Spurs and beat them convincingly. Perhaps I was watching the wrong series, but what I saw was a series that was pretty even and could have gone either way with one call or another. More so than that, I recall the Spurs being down 3-1 and coming back and winning 2 games and coming down from a 20 point deficit in game 7 to force OT.

I'll agree that the Mavs match up the best to the Spurs, but Mavs fans act like a series between these two in the playoffs will decidely go to the Mavs based on the fact that they beat the Spurs in 2006. 2006 was a different Spurs roster and even then the series was pretty evenly match.

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People act like the 2006 series the Mavs completely dominated the Spurs and beat them convincingly.

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Who said that? Dirk was dominant in that series, while his team was a hair better than the Spurs. Strawman argument.

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I'll agree that the Mavs match up the best to the Spurs, but Mavs fans act like a series between these two in the playoffs will decidely go to the Mavs based on the fact that they beat the Spurs in 2006. 2006 was a different Spurs roster and even then the series was pretty evenly match.

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San Antonio is more than capable of sending Dallas fishing. Some Dallas fans think we "own" the Spurs the way the Warriors have owned us, but the more knowledgeable fans know better. Beating San Antonio again will be extremely difficult.

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Originally Posted by Findog

Thought a Spurs fan would know that, but guess not. Only the Stockton/Malone Jazz, Shaq/Kobe Lakers and Dirk's Mavs have sent Tim Duncan home.

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Yeah we will count that more of a fluke much like Magic's 80's lakers losing to a less talented rockets team back in '86.

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

People act like the 2006 series the Mavs completely dominated the Spurs and beat them convincingly. Perhaps I was watching the wrong series, but what I saw was a series that was pretty even and could have gone either way with one call or another. More so than that, I recall the Spurs being down 3-1 and coming back and winning 2 games and coming down from a 20 point deficit in game 7 to force OT.

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EXACTLY.

Also Findog: Dirk did great but his playoff career is overshadowed by his failures against Miami and GS, fair or not that's a huge monkey on his back and the fact that he seems to be rattled by overly aggressive, athletic defenders makes me question how well he will perform in the playoffs, I think he is capable of playing out of his mind like he did for spurts against Spurs and Suns in 06, but it could also go the other way.
That's why IMO the mavs playoff sucess is equally dependent on Dirk playing at a very high level (and not being "soft") AND the improvement of Howard/Harris.

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Originally Posted by daslicer

Yeah we will count that more of a fluke much like Magic's 80's lakers losing to a less talented rockets team back in '86.

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Dallas has won, what, 9 out of the last 14 against San Antonio? The Mavs have just as much, if not, more talent than the Spurs.

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Originally Posted by Rummpd

Again Lakers have played 5 or 6 less WC games than Spurs or Hornets. Stop the parade for the LAL! Talented and becoming stronger but not a true W power.

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They've had one of the hardest schedules of any team to date. I don't know what your talking about. Their record is not a fluke like it was last year, when they played a lot of easy teams @ home.

Tue 30 vs Houston L 93-95
Fri 02 @ Phoenix W 119-98
Sun 04 vs Utah W 119-109
Tue 06 vs New Orleans L 104-118
Tue 13 @ San Antonio L 92-107
Wed 14 @ Houston W 93-90
Fri 16 vs Detroit W 103-91
Fri 23 @ Boston L 94-107
Thu 29 vs Denver W 127-99
Fri 30 @ Utah L 96-120
Sun 02 vs Orlando L 97-104
Wed 05 @ Denver W 111-107
Sun 09 vs Golden State W 123-113
Thu 13 vs San Antonio W 102-97
Fri 14 @ Golden State L 106-108
Tue 25 vs Phoenix W 122-115
Fri 28 vs Utah W 123-109
Sun 30 vs Boston L 91-110
Wed 09 @ New Orleans W 109-80

Their record against top WC teams thus far is:

GSW: 1-1
HOU: 1-1
SAS: 1-1
NOH: 1-1
PHX: 2-0
UTAH: 2-1
DEN: 2-0

10-5 against the top 8 teams in the WC. Pretty decent record IMHO.

The ironic thing is most of the people who said the Mavs are done this season post at MavTalk! :lmao

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

People act like the 2006 series the Mavs completely dominated the Spurs and beat them convincingly. Perhaps I was watching the wrong series, but what I saw was a series that was pretty even and could have gone either way with one call or another. More so than that, I recall the Spurs being down 3-1 and coming back and winning 2 games and coming down from a 20 point deficit in game 7 to force OT.

I'll agree that the Mavs match up the best to the Spurs, but Mavs fans act like a series between these two in the playoffs will decidely go to the Mavs based on the fact that they beat the Spurs in 2006. 2006 was a different Spurs roster and even then the series was pretty evenly match.

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If Terry wasn't suspended, that series would've ended in 6.

It always felt like the Spurs were adjusting to the Mavs in that series and not vice versa.

It would be foolish to underestimate them.

Yeah Ime Udoka.

Heres the reason WHY he matches up well and should be used.

He rebounds well in the small ball line up, and evidenced the other night against Philly, he can guard a variety of players.

Also, he is a good post defender, wich in turn, means he can guard nowitzki well, because in essence you guard Nowitzki on the perimiter like you would a big man.

You body up, you push him out, and force off balance shots.

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If Terry wasn't suspended, that series would've ended in 6.

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Christ, now your pullin shit out of your ass.

How in the world did they somehow beat the vaunted mavericks in game 5 with him!?!? AND Game 1!?!?!!?

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

If Terry wasn't suspended, that series would've ended in 6.

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:toast

Spur fan usually forgets that whenever referencing the Manu foul at the end of Game 7.

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It would be foolish to underestimate them.

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And it would also be foolish for Mav fan to think that it's automatic that a rematch would end the same way as last time. Spurs are more than capable of paying Dallas back.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Christ, now your pullin shit out of your ass.

How in the world did they somehow beat the vaunted mavericks in game 5 with him!?!? AND Game 1!?!?!!?

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:)

I don't know, but the fact that Spurs had game 7 at home and still couldn't finish off the mavs, as impressive as coming back from 1-3 down was, still makes me think they are the biggest threat to us in terms of winning a championship.

I think we were more fortunate to see Dallas lose to GS than people on this board realize.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Christ, now your pullin shit out of your ass.

How in the world did they somehow beat the vaunted mavericks in game 5 with him!?!? AND Game 1!?!?!!?

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Game 1 Devin didn't start or play as much as he did later in the series. And the Spurs didn't beat the Mavs in that series at AAC with JET in the lineup. Did you watch Game Six? Spurs packed the lane and let Devin (not a good jumpshooter at the time) have the outside shot. That wouldn't have been possible with JET out there.

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Originally Posted by Findog

Dirk is what he is in the playoffs? A guy with 8 series wins under his belt?

Dirk career regular season averages: 22 and 8 on 47% shooting

Dirk career playoff averages: 25 and 11 on 45% shooting.

He's actually usually more productive in the money season. Thought a Spurs fan would know that, but guess not. Only the Stockton/Malone Jazz, Shaq/Kobe Lakers and Dirk's Mavs have sent Tim Duncan home.

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Though I do not agree that Dirk chokes (as bad as people say), the numbers you posted are extremely misleading.

Nowitzki did not make the playoffs the first two years he was in the league, aka the two least statistically productive years. If you take those years off, he is 24.06/9.3 and 47.4%

Also, his playoff numbers are weighted heavily towards his most productive years, where he played the most playoff series (leads his team to success in his best years, always a good sign).

So you have to look at his numbers on a year to year basis for comparison.

Year Reg PPG RPG FG% PO PPG RPG FG%
2001 21.8 9.2 47.4 23.4 8.1 42.3
2002 23.4 9.9 47.7 28.4 13.1 44.5
2003 25.1 9.9 46.3 25.3 11.5 47.9
2004 21.8 8.7 46.2 26.6 11.8 45.0
2005 26.1 9.7 45.9 23.7 10.1 40.2
2006 26.6 9.0 48.0 27.0 11.7 46.8
2007 24.6 8.9 50.2 19.7 11.3 38.3

By looking at the numbers this way, we can tell that, in 3 out of the 7 years, he had a significant increase in PPG, scored about the same in 2 other years, and had a significant decrease in 2 years. His rebouding numbers have consistently increased quite a bit in the payoffs, while his FG% has been generally lower in the playoffs (not surprising, I think most players get lower FG% in the playoffs).

In conclusion, at least statistically, it doesn't seem like Dirk is particularly clutch or non-clutch.

As I've said before in this thread, much like how Dallas played GS, the minute the "better" team (I'm going according to seeding) adjusts to the underdog, that's when you know you've got issues. The Spurs played up to the Mavs style, and while they went 7 games, anytime a team changes their game plan once the playoffs begin to something the players were never too accustomed to (small ball, which pop has been loving ever since), you are going to have problems.

Adjustments are meant to be made in a playoff series, but for the Spurs to try to play small the whole series, when they aren't built for it, was tough.

I also think the biggest X factor, should the teams meet again, will be Brandon Bass. Our rebounding sucks enough against the Mavs, but for them to have another banger inside isn't helping us much.

However, a lot can happen between now and May, and I look forward to the rest of the regular season matchups to see how these teams look against each other prior to the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

but Mavs fans act like a series between these two in the playoffs will decidely go to the Mavs based on the fact that they beat the Spurs in 2006.

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That's ridiculous...you're talking to the wrong Mavs fans...

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Originally Posted by ambchang

Though I do not agree that Dirk chokes (as bad as people say), the numbers you posted are extremely misleading.

Nowitzki did not make the playoffs the first two years he was in the league, aka the two least statistically productive years. If you take those years off, he is 24.06/9.3 and 47.4%

Also, his playoff numbers are weighted heavily towards his most productive years, where he played the most playoff series (leads his team to success in his best years, always a good sign).

So you have to look at his numbers on a year to year basis for comparison.

Year Reg PPG RPG FG% PO PPG RPG FG%
2001 21.8 9.2 47.4 23.4 8.1 42.3
2002 23.4 9.9 47.7 28.4 13.1 44.5
2003 25.1 9.9 46.3 25.3 11.5 47.9
2004 21.8 8.7 46.2 26.6 11.8 45.0
2005 26.1 9.7 45.9 23.7 10.1 40.2
2006 26.6 9.0 48.0 27.0 11.7 46.8
2007 24.6 8.9 50.2 19.7 11.3 38.3

By looking at the numbers this way, we can tell that, in 3 out of the 7 years, he had a significant increase in PPG, scored about the same in 2 other years, and had a significant decrease in 2 years. His rebouding numbers have consistently increased quite a bit in the payoffs, while his FG% has been generally lower in the playoffs (not surprising, I think most players get lower FG% in the playoffs).

In conclusion, at least statistically, it doesn't seem like Dirk is particularly clutch or non-clutch.

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That's really my only point. Dirk's rep is unfair. Not that I expect opposing fans to lay off or not make fun, that's part of the fun of being a fan, but it's irritating to hear it from the "experts." Really, what active "franchise" players have a better playoff resume than him?

Shaq, Duncan, Kobe, Wade, Billups, Kidd. Am I missing anybody?

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Originally Posted by Findog

It seems like the Spurs are the only team that should be worried about the Mavs, because that's the only team that can beat them, and Dallas can't beat anybody else. They were constructed to be a one-trick pony, just like Golden State :lol

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Really?.........The Mavs playoff records seem to indicate that they have beaten the Suns, Jazz, Kings, Grizz, Rockets, T-Wolves, Portland and yes Spurs in the playoffs over the last 6 seasons.

The only team the Mavs have never beaten in the playoffs that they have actually played in the West is Golden St. And i think we can all see now what a Healthy Dampier means when we play them, 2-0 this year.

There was only 1 team in the West that we did not matchup with last year and we played them in round 1. That's not the case this year.

So i am looking forward to a Mavs v. Spurs matchup in the playoffs this year. Assuming the Spurs don't lose to their nemisis the Lakers first?

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Originally Posted by T Park

Yeah Ime Udoka.

Heres the reason WHY he matches up well and should be used.

He rebounds well in the small ball line up, and evidenced the other night against Philly, he can guard a variety of players.

Also, he is a good post defender, wich in turn, means he can guard nowitzki well, because in essence you guard Nowitzki on the perimiter like you would a big man.

You body up, you push him out, and force off balance shots.

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Agree. But Udoka can't help if he's watching from the bench. It'll be up to Pop to give him some court time.

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Originally Posted by LEONARD

That's ridiculous...you're talking to the wrong Mavs fans...

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I'm talking about the majority of the ones that post here...perhaps u and Findog may be the exception.

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Originally Posted by 1Parker1

People act like the 2006 series the Mavs completely dominated the Spurs and beat them convincingly. Perhaps I was watching the wrong series, but what I saw was a series that was pretty even and could have gone either way with one call or another. More so than that, I recall the Spurs being down 3-1 and coming back and winning 2 games and coming down from a 20 point deficit in game 7 to force OT.

I'll agree that the Mavs match up the best to the Spurs, but Mavs fans act like a series between these two in the playoffs will decidely go to the Mavs based on the fact that they beat the Spurs in 2006. 2006 was a different Spurs roster and even then the series was pretty evenly match.

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There's no doubt that series was one of the greatest 7-game series I've ever seen. The series was even in some respects, but uneven in others.

Consider:
There was only one blow-out game in the entire series - Game 2. That went to the Mavs. Game was over in the 1st quarter.

Consider:
The Spurs rarely, if ever, had the Mavs down by a double-digit lead in any game. Conversely, it was the Mavs who routinely jumped out to the early leads. The Spurs were seemingly playing "catch-up" mode, whether it was going into the 4th quarter, or trying to overcome a series defecit.

Consider:
At times, Pop seemed "stumped" as to how to handle the lineup changes and wrinkles that his protege' (AJ) threw at him. for many of us, that was the first time we'd seen "small ball" for extended periods. AJ forced Pop away from his regular season strategy and he struggled to adjust.

All that said, the series obviously came down to the waning minutes of the 4th quarter. But the mere fact that the Spurs spent most of the series trying to adjust and come back was a relatively new scenario that most of us hadn't seen during the Duncan era.

No matter how they fare against other teams, the Mavs have been and still are the chief rivals to the Spurs supremacy in the West. If it weren't true, the Spurs players would not have been so admittedly "giddy" at the Golden State upset of the Mavs last spring.

lol @ fluke kings..... didnt we beat that shitty team in SA? let me guess, another fluke?

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Originally Posted by T Park

Yeah Ime Udoka.

Heres the reason WHY he matches up well and should be used.

He rebounds well in the small ball line up, and evidenced the other night against Philly, he can guard a variety of players.

Also, he is a good post defender, wich in turn, means he can guard nowitzki well, because in essence you guard Nowitzki on the perimiter like you would a big man.

You body up, you push him out, and force off balance shots.

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We still would lack a size inside and rebounding 2nd option behind Duncan.
It can look fine looking at the permiter defense but Josh dirk and Erik could do some damage when talking about glass.
Maybe Pop will use it in some stretches if Udoka will come up big in the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by Rummpd

Again Lakers have played 5 or 6 less WC games than Spurs or Hornets. Stop the parade for the LAL! Talented and becoming stronger but not a true W power.

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:jack

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Originally Posted by SenorSpur

There's no doubt that series was one of the greatest 7-game series I've ever seen. The series was even in some respects, but uneven in others.

Consider:
There was only one blow-out game in the entire series - Game 2. That went to the Mavs.

Consider:
The Spurs rarely, if ever, had the Mavs down by a double-digit lead in any game. Conversely, it was the Mavs who routinely jumped out to the early leads. The Spurs were seemingly playing "catch-up" mode, whether it was going into the 4th quarter, or trying to overcome a series defecit.

Consider:
At times, Pop seemed "stumped" as to how to handle the lineup changes and wrinkles that his protege' (AJ) threw at him. for many of us, that was the first time we'd seen "small ball" for extended periods. AJ forced Pop went away from whatever his regular season strategy was.

All that said, the series obviously came down to the waning minutes of the 4th quarter. But the mere fact that the Spurs spent most of the series trying to adjust and come back was a relatively new scenario that most of us hadn't seen during the Duncan era.

No matter how they fare against other teams, the Mavs have been and still are the chief rivals to the Spurs supremacy in the West. If it weren't true, the Spurs players would not have been so admittedly "giddy" at the Golden State upset of the Mavs last spring.

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:tu :tu

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Originally Posted by DazedAndConfused

They've had one of the hardest schedules of any team to date. I don't know what your talking about. Their record is not a fluke like it was last year, when they played a lot of easy teams @ home.

Tue 30 vs Houston L 93-95
Fri 02 @ Phoenix W 119-98
Sun 04 vs Utah W 119-109
Tue 06 vs New Orleans L 104-118
Tue 13 @ San Antonio L 92-107
Wed 14 @ Houston W 93-90
Fri 16 vs Detroit W 103-91
Fri 23 @ Boston L 94-107
Thu 29 vs Denver W 127-99
Fri 30 @ Utah L 96-120
Sun 02 vs Orlando L 97-104
Wed 05 @ Denver W 111-107
Sun 09 vs Golden State W 123-113
Thu 13 vs San Antonio W 102-97
Fri 14 @ Golden State L 106-108
Tue 25 vs Phoenix W 122-115
Fri 28 vs Utah W 123-109
Sun 30 vs Boston L 91-110
Wed 09 @ New Orleans W 109-80

Their record against top WC teams thus far is:

GSW: 1-1
HOU: 1-1
SAS: 1-1
NOH: 1-1
PHX: 2-0
UTAH: 2-1
DEN: 2-0

10-5 against the top 8 teams in the WC. Pretty decent record IMHO.

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Yup Lakers have had a very tough schedule so far. But it will get much tougher in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully we can play around .600 ball while Bynum is out.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

Whether the Mavs start out the season hot and then cool off, or start out the season crappy before catching on fire, they still choke in the playoffs. So no worries.

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It might be a worry if they met the Spurs before their choke.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Isn't that what everyone was saying last month? A lot of Mav Fans were all doom and gloom, Avery doesn't know what he's doing, Dirk has lost it, etc. etc. Spur Fan was gloating.

Well, until the fluke Kings hit a lot of fluke shots last night, the Mavs were back up to the #1 seed in the West. Their best ball is probably still to come. Maybe Avery can coach a little, after all.

True, they are going to have a giant monkey on their backs in the postseason, but they're still the Spurs' worst matchup. And maybe have learned a couple of new tricks.

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Uuhhh.......FUCK THE MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :pctoss Nobody gives a fuck about the bitch ass mavs!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by T Park

If Udoka is allowed to play the power forward in small ball vs the Mavs, the Spurs can handle the Mavericks.

Sorry if I dont want to cower and hide like everyone else when it comes to the chipmunks of the north.

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Yeah, Udoka is clearly the key. Just like Elson was the super-secret weapon who was going to "shut down" Dirk last year.

Unless SJax is heading back to SA sometime soon, I don't think the Spurs are going to find any single player that's going to fundamentally alter the Mavs-Spurs matchup. It's going to come down to your top 7-8 vs our top 7-8.

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Originally Posted by T Park

Christ, now your pullin shit out of your ass.

How in the world did they somehow beat the vaunted mavericks in game 5 with him!?!? AND Game 1!?!?!!?

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They beat the Mavs in game 5 by 1 freaking point when Dirk missed a tip-in at the buzzer, in SA.

It's not like the Spurs came out with their backs to the wall down 3-1 and put together a dominating performance. They barely won. And when they won by slightly more in Dallas in Game 6, it was only cause the Mavs' best perimeter threat was suspended.

I don't condone what Terry did, cause it was unbelievably stupid, but if you really think the Mavs wouldn't have won that game with him (especially if you watched how it went down), you're fooling yourself.

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Originally Posted by DubMcDub

Yeah, Udoka is clearly the key. Just like Elson was the super-secret weapon who was going to "shut down" Dirk last year.

Unless SJax is heading back to SA sometime soon, I don't think the Spurs are going to find any single player that's going to fundamentally alter the Mavs-Spurs matchup. It's going to come down to your top 7-8 vs our top 7-8.

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Oh, we know no one on our team can shut down Dirk. I think some of us thought Elson could actually keep up with Dirk and defend him better than the rest of the guys on our team. But that was wishful thinking. Elson is too stupid and a bad defender-not a good combination.

Udoka, on the other hand, I think could be good in a small ball lineup vs. the Mavs. He's not going to shut down Dirk, hell he may not even guard Dirk, but he does rebound ok and he's starting to fit into the Spurs system. Plus he is a good defender. Now, he'd have to get a lot better to make a significant difference. If he just stays like he is now then he won't do much. But as soon as he starts hitting his shots with consistency, I think he will be great for us.

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Originally Posted by DubMcDub

They beat the Mavs in game 5 by 1 freaking point when Dirk missed a tip-in at the buzzer, in SA.

It's not like the Spurs came out with their backs to the wall down 3-1 and put together a dominating performance. They barely won. And when they won by slightly more in Dallas in Game 6, it was only cause the Mavs' best perimeter threat was suspended.

I don't condone what Terry did, cause it was unbelievably stupid, but if you really think the Mavs wouldn't have won that game with him (especially if you watched how it went down), you're fooling yourself.

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Why are we even dwelling on that series? It doesn't matter because the past is the past and right now it's the present.

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Originally Posted by td4mvp21

Oh, we know no one on our team can shut down Dirk. I think some of us thought Elson could actually keep up with Dirk and defend him better than the rest of the guys on our team. But that was wishful thinking. Elson is too stupid and a bad defender-not a good combination.

Udoka, on the other hand, I think could be good in a small ball lineup vs. the Mavs. He's not going to shut down Dirk, hell he may not even guard Dirk, but he does rebound ok and he's starting to fit into the Spurs system. Plus he is a good defender. Now, he'd have to get a lot better to make a significant difference. If he just stays like he is now then he won't do much. But as soon as he starts hitting his shots with consistency, I think he will be great for us.

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I'm not saying he's a bad player. I think he's generally pretty decent. But I do doubt that he'll have that much of an impact in a matchup between two teams like these.

The Mavs and the Spurs are both pretty damn stacked. I don't see many guys outside of the very top of the rotation making much of a difference in a playoff series. Maybe in a regular season game, but I doubt Udoka even gets that much burn in the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by td4mvp21

Why are we even dwelling on that series? It doesn't matter because the past is the past and right now it's the present.

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I agree, I was just responding to his (fairly poorly conceived) point. It's in the past--Spurs have won a title since then and Mavs have, frankly, done jack shit.

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Originally Posted by DubMcDub

I'm not saying he's a bad player. I think he's generally pretty decent. But I do doubt that he'll have that much of an impact in a matchup between two teams like these.

The Mavs and the Spurs are both pretty damn stacked. I don't see many guys outside of the very top of the rotation making much of a difference in a playoff series. Maybe in a regular season game, but I doubt Udoka even gets that much burn in the playoffs.

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True. Like I said, he'd have to make significant improvements in order to make a difference. It's possible. We'll have to find out in April/May. That's assuming the Mavs and Spurs even play each other in the playoffs. With the way we're playing now I doubt we'll get out of the fucking first round.

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Originally Posted by td4mvp21

True. Like I said, he'd have to make significant improvements in order to make a difference. It's possible. We'll have to find out in April/May. That's assuming the Mavs and Spurs even play each other in the playoffs. With the way we're playing now I doubt we'll get out of the fucking first round.

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Spurs will be fine. One of these years, they're actually going to be "done" because they're too old, but it's not this year. The dropoff will be more gradual. No way they're going to go from a championship to a first round exit in 1 year. They're far too consistent.

Wasn't 2006 the year Timmy was dealing with his bum foot?

I think a healthy Duncan would have pushed the Spurs to the finals in 2006.

Oh well, past is the past. I'm looking foward to our run in 2008.

There's no reason to worry about the Spurs until after the RRT. If they're still struggling then, I'd be concerned if I were a Spurs fan.

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Originally Posted by remingtonbo2001

Wasn't 2006 the year Timmy was dealing with his bum foot?

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Yes. He played with Planter Fasciitis the whole '05-'06 season, though we didn't hear about it until a couple of months into the season.

The key to a possible series between Spurs and the Mavs is the respective bench.

Timmy will be unstoppable inside, but Dirk will wreak havoc in the perimeter.

Parker and Harris will possibly tire each other out. Unfortunately for us, Harris, just like their coach, is trying to emulate Parker, even polishing his jump shots now. It seems like Harris is now even trying the occassional 3s and he's making some. He has a long way to practice that before the playoffs starts.

Manu's output will be matched by Howard and streaky Terry. If it all boils down to the closing seconds, the game will be decided by who's smarter at the clutch. Manu has the tendency to make some boneheaded plays at times, trying to be a hero. Both Howard and Terry are not the sharpest of knives either. But any one of the three can put the final nail in the coffin.

Stackhouse, WHEN he plays great, is a pesky player to defend. Coming from the bench, he provides a spark, even when he brickhouse 90% of his shots.

As for the coaching, I guess, in paper Pop should be totally destroying AJ, but as we have always seen, is not the case. AJ is in Pop's head, just as Nellie is in AJs.

The team's bench will probably ultimately decide the contest. How ironic if it will boil down to Horry vs George (former Lakers) who will nail a final jumpshot that may possibly win the possible series.

Of course, this is a total waste of bandwidth should Dallas face the Warriors. :D Seriously, I think if Dallas faces the Warriors again, it will be finished not later than Game 6, this time Dallas winning it.

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Originally Posted by remingtonbo2001

Wasn't 2006 the year Timmy was dealing with his bum foot?

I think a healthy Duncan would have pushed the Spurs to the finals in 2006.

Oh well, past is the past. I'm looking foward to our run in 2008.

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He was fine by the playoffs, though. He put up like 35+ a game against the Mavs. Don't think you can use that as an excuse...

Just saying.

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Originally Posted by Findog

That's really my only point. Dirk's rep is unfair. Not that I expect opposing fans to lay off or not make fun, that's part of the fun of being a fan, but it's irritating to hear it from the "experts." Really, what active "franchise" players have a better playoff resume than him?

Shaq, Duncan, Kobe, Wade, Billups, Kidd. Am I missing anybody?

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Baron Davis? :lol

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Baron Davis? :lol

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:lol

No, don't think so. But he does have a piece of NBA history and lore at Dirk's expense.

I can't read this for 6 more months.

I wish the playoffs started tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by BonnerDynasty

I can't read this for 6 more months.

I wish the playoffs started tomorrow.

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So do I because the Spurs have clearly not "flipped the switch" yet.

The Spurs-Mavs 2006 WCSF was almost certainly in the top 5 NBA Greatest Series Ever. Among the ones I've personally seen it ranks behind only the 1981 Boston-Philly ECF.

The games 4-7 in that were were decided by 2, 2, 2, and 1 point, with the Celtics rallying from a 1-3 deficit.

Spurs-Mavs were decided by 2, 22, 1, 5 (OT), 1, 5, 8 (OT).

Since when did ShoogarBear see the light? I am asking since any sports fan that tries to make an unbiased opinion usually just sides with the Mob but ShoogarBear has lately made some very unbiased and some may say.........pro Maverick type remarks. Is ShoogarBear the new bread of Spurs fan not seen since 1997 or is he really a closet Dallas Maverick fan?

like 25% of you all are deep inside you know you love Avery!

And I welcome you all to share the 2008 NBA Championship trophy they give to Mark Cuban and he will raise it high for all to see as he dances with the stars!..................

:toast

"I love my dead gay son!"

"I love my dead gay Derek Harper!"

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Originally Posted by Steve Perry

Since when did ShoogarBear see the light? I am asking since any sports fan that tries to make an unbiased opinion usually just sides with the Mob but ShoogarBear has lately made some very unbiased and some may say.........pro Maverick type remarks. Is ShoogarBear the new bread of Spurs fan not seen since 1997 or is he really a closet Dallas Maverick fan?

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Or maybe I'm just setting a mousetrap.

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Originally Posted by DubMcDub

It's in the past--Spurs have won a title since then and Mavs have, frankly, done jack shit.

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This sums up this so called rivalry perfectly! :clap

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Or maybe I'm just setting a mousetrap.

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trapping the mouse is not hard, it's getting rid of his offspring that really matters.....what are you using these days?