Who can slow Spurs dynasty hopes? - Orlando Sentinel -

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Western Conference preview

Who can slow Spurs dynasty hopes?

Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
October 28, 2007
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,6790453.story

It once happened to guys like Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, great players who never won an NBA Championship because they played in the era of Michael Jordan, who mostly kept the les to himself.

It might be happening now to Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, winners of the last three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, whose potentially crowning moments have been blocked mostly by Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.

Living in the tough Western Conference can get frustrating.

The Spurs will start the NBA season Tuesday night looking for their fifth NBA le in the last 10 years, a dominating run that rivals some of the more acclaimed dynasties in league history.

Nash in Phoenix and Nowitzki in Dallas will be trying again to knock down the door that the Spurs virtually have locked in recent years, except for an earlier run by the Los Angeles Lakers.

For Nash and Nowitzki, it could be another season of being close but without a cigar to light.

Phoenix has won 62, 54 and 61 games, respectively, in each of the last three seasons, but they still haven't reached the NBA Finals. Dallas has won 58, 60 and 67 games in those same three years, but they have only a disappointing loss in the 2006 Finals to show for it.

And those windows of opportunity don't stay open forever.

Nash, MVP in 2005 and '06, is regarded as one of the finest point guards in league history, orchestrating the most entertaining offense in the game today. Yet he will turn 34 before the All-Star break, leaving him on the downside of his career.

Nowitzki, the MVP in 2007, has become one of the most complete players in the league, but he also has been at the heart of the last two playoff failures. He will turn 30 during this season's Finals.

Neither the Mavericks nor the Suns made any major changes during the summer, returning with the same nucleus that left them agonizingly close to the Spurs.

"It can't be, 'this is all a disaster if we don't win the championship,' " said Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni when the Suns opened training camp at the start of the month. "If you want to look at the situation with a cloud over our heads, that's one way. But you don't enjoy the journey that way."

The Suns won 17 consecutive games at one point last season, leaning heavily on their small-ball, frantic style of play that takes advantage of Nash's strengths as a point guard. They might have won their playoff series against San Antonio if Amare Stoudemire had not been suspended for one crucial game because he stepped off the sideline and onto the court during an altercation.

They dumped veteran Kurt Thomas this summer and added veteran Grant Hill, hoping he can stay healthy even though he has been plagued by injuries for many years.

"You don't want to get too old," said Suns guard Raja Bell. "But I think our window is still there. The Spurs are the champions, but I think we've moved on. We're going to be right at the top of the league again, vying for the championship."

The Mavericks dominated everyone -- including San Antonio -- during the last regular season, but they were shocked by lightly-regarded Golden State in the first round of the playoffs. It was one of the biggest upsets in playoff history.

The Dallas guards were abused by the quickness of the Warriors and Nowitzki stumbled badly throughout the series. The rest of the team followed his lead, out of sync and ineffective.

"We've had our successes around here. We've had more successes than failures," said Mavs Coach Avery Johnson. "We've got a pretty good program. We're not going to let some failures of the past stop us from looking at the future goal of still trying to win the championship."

Behind San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas, there are another handful of teams just waiting for their opportunity, too.

The Nuggets might be surprising with veteran Allen Iverson now accustomed to playing alongside Carmelo Anthony. The return of Kenyon Martin and the added year of experience for J.R. Smith should allow them to challenge the top three.

The Houston Rockets, who have struggled to win a playoff series, still believe that the Tracy McGrady/Yao Ming combination is good enough to make them a serious contender. They changed coaches, hoping a faster paced style of play would give McGrady more room to shine.

The Utah Jazz also should be in the top-half mix in the West, putting together a nice nucleus that should continue to improve. Deron Williams has looked like he could grow into the next great point guard. He is surrounded by a talented, versatile lineup that includes Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur.

Yet despite the optimism throughout the West, it's the Spurs who have mastered the art of building toward the playoffs, peaking at just the right time. That comes with the experience of winning so many les.

Only Duncan and Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich have been in San Antonio for each of the four previous les.

Tim Povtak can be reached at [email protected].

Copyright © 2007, Orlando Sentinel

[biba]

NBA Western Conference Preview 2007-08

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BY MITCH LAWRENCE DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Sunday, October 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

With four les since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs have what now passes for a dynasty.

Just don't tell the Celtics of the '60s, Lakers of the '80s or Bulls of the '90s.

All the talk of San Antonio's "dynasty" would be helped immeasurably if the Spurs could ever win back-to-back les, or even play in consecutive Finals. But for all the winning Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich have done together during the last decade, they have never even reached the championship round the year after winning the le.

In the Spurs' previous three le defenses, they haven't exactly evoked thoughts of Bill Russell's Celtics, Magic Johnson's Lakers or Michael Jordan's Bulls, failing to advance as far as the Western Conference finals. They have been KO'd in the first round (2000), in the second round (2004) and again in the conference semis (2006). So judging them from a purely historical perspective, they clearly don't stack up with other legendary championship teams.

This season, the Spurs' main compe ion will come from the usual places: Dallas and Phoenix. If they can get out of the West, this could be the year when they finally go back-to-back. No matter the era, a dynasty should do nothing less.

PLAYOFF LOCKS

San Antonio SPURS

Last season: Second in Southwest (54-28). Swept Cavs in Finals.

The skinny: Let's see Boston's three big guns measure up to Duncan, 2007 Finals MVP Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, who are 61-29 in the playoffs with three rings over the past five seasons. Duncan's Hall of Fame resume lacks only this line: Repeat champ.

Prediction: Back-to-back les solidify Duncan's and the Spurs' place in history.

Dallas MAVERICKS

Last season: First in Southwest (67-15). Lost to Warriors in first round.

The skinny: Another epic playoff collapse, so how does Mark Cuban react? He goes on "Dancing with the Stars." He won't have happy feet if Avery Johnson, 2-8 in his last 10 postseason games, can't get his team back to the Finals.

Prediction: Dirk Nowitzki's flameout vs. Warriors costs him in this year's MVP race.

Phoenix SUNS

Last season: First in Pacific (61-21). Lost to Spurs in second round.

The skinny: David Stern is the new Public Enemy No. 1 in Phoenix for suspending Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw vs. Spurs. Memo to Steve Nash's teammates: Stay on the bench next spring.

Prediction: The greatest show in the NBA falls short, again.

Utah JAZZ

Last season: First in Northwest (51-31). Lost to Spurs in conference finals.

The skinny: They have another dynamic point guard-power forward duo in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. But Williams took exception to his teammates' lackadaisical approach vs. San Antonio in the Western finals, and Andrei Kirilenko remains unhappy in a support role.

Prediction: Jerry Sloan fails to win Coach of the Year, yet again.


SHAKY BUT PLAYOFF BOUND

Houston ROCKETS

Last season: Third in Southwest (52-30). Lost to Jazz in first round.

The skinny: A second embarrassing Game 7 defeat in three years cost Jeff Van Gundy his job. Former Kings boss Rick Adelman has come in to loosen the reins, but that doesn't guarantee Tracy McGrady getting out of the first round, where he is now 0-for-7. When healthy, Yao Ming has an MVP game. Rockets needed a point guard, but went overboard by signing Steve Francis and Mike James and drafting Aaron Brooks (Oregon).

Prediction: Let's have a parade! T-Mac makes the second round.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...ew_200708.html (if you want to read all this article)

[SpursDynasty]

In my opinion, Dallas and Phoenix aren't losing their chances to the Spurs this decade the way Reggie, Barkley, Ewing, etc. did in the 90's to Jordan. Those teams in the 90's were actual championship contenders. Dallas and Phoenix have never seriously been in the race for a real championship.

Dallas losing to Golden State wasn't a "choke" or "upset". Golden State was 3-0 vs. Dallas in the regular season. Dallas showed no signs of life the entire series, therefore didn't "choke" or get "upset" if they weren't in a position to win the series in the first place.

Over the last three years, Phoenix runs over all East teams and weak West teams in the regular season, gets 62 wins or so, but loses to top defense. They can go 78-4 vs. the rest of the league by run and gun, but against top defensive teams in a playoff setting, plain and simple they're just not a real contender. They were 62-20 going into the '05 playoffs, yet the Spurs nearly swept them, 4-1 in the WCF. Don't let high winning numbers fool you. It's about being able to score IN ADDITION TO playing some decent defense. Phoenix scores better than anyone, but probably plays the worst defense in the league.

Dallas entered the realm of supposedly "championship contender" on a Game 3 Duncan foul-out on a non-foul and no foul-call on Duncan's putback attempt at the end of Game 7, end of story. There's not much else to say about Dallas other than they're no better than any other West who has failed to win a championship. They are probably the league's luckiest team as far as getting bounces to go there way. Dallas losing to Miami in 2006 was not an upset, just a scenario playing out after the wrong team managed to get to the Finals. Phoenix, had they had Amare that year, probably would have won the championship depending on Miami's defense... Phoenix can get by Dallas in the playoffs, as in 2005, but not San Antonio.

[weebo]

In my opinion, Dallas and Phoenix aren't losing their chances to the Spurs this decade the way Reggie, Barkley, Ewing, etc. did in the 90's to Jordan. Those teams in the 90's were actual championship contenders. Dallas and Phoenix have never seriously been in the race for a real championship.

Dallas losing to Golden State wasn't a "choke" or "upset". Golden State was 3-0 vs. Dallas in the regular season. Dallas showed no signs of life the entire series, therefore didn't "choke" or get "upset" if they weren't in a position to win the series in the first place.

Over the last three years, Phoenix runs over all East teams and weak West teams in the regular season, gets 62 wins or so, but loses to top defense. They can go 78-4 vs. the rest of the league by run and gun, but against top defensive teams in a playoff setting, plain and simple they're just not a real contender. They were 62-20 going into the '05 playoffs, yet the Spurs nearly swept them, 4-1 in the WCF. Don't let high winning numbers fool you. It's about being able to score IN ADDITION TO playing some decent defense. Phoenix scores better than anyone, but probably plays the worst defense in the league.

Dallas entered the realm of supposedly "championship contender" on a Game 3 Duncan foul-out on a non-foul and no foul-call on Duncan's putback attempt at the end of Game 7, end of story. There's not much else to say about Dallas other than they're no better than any other West who has failed to win a championship. They are probably the league's luckiest team as far as getting bounces to go there way. Dallas losing to Miami in 2006 was not an upset, just a scenario playing out after the wrong team managed to get to the Finals. Phoenix, had they had Amare that year, probably would have won the championship depending on Miami's defense... Phoenix can get by Dallas in the playoffs, as in 2005, but not San Antonio.

This is the most idiotic post I have ever read!

[SpursDynasty]

How is it idiotic? Just because the Suns and Mavs are supposedly the next best teams after the Spurs doesn't make them championship contenders. The league is seriously lacking in quality championship-level teams this decade. That is why only 4 franchises have gotten the rings since Jordan stopped getting his. Detroit is a contender, Miami is with Wade and Shaq both at 100%.

I'd really like to see Wade/Shaq at 100%, and Detroit not get lazy on defense, so we can get a real NBA Finals going again.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the top three contenders for the championship this year are San Antonio, Miami, and Detroit.

[phxspurfan]

This is the most idiotic post I have ever read!

Agreed.

To completely discount the fact that Dallas was two games from winning the championship is absurd. They are a championship caliber team that can win with offense, and now to some degree, defense.

The Suns, however, need to show some better team defense for me to consider them championship contenders. If they get into the finals against a team like Detroit, we will be hailing the Pistons as champions again because of their ability to win the tough, physical games. Let's not forget that prior to 'Horrygate' (as the Suns are calling it), the Spurs were physically intimidating the Suns. It happens every year in the playoffs -- when the going gets tough, the Suns get softer than Charmin tissue.

[Walter Craparita]

We were KOd in the first round haha. I love how he leaves out the Duncan injury, bull .4 second shot, and Manu foul.

He makes it sound like Spurs are nobodies the year after.

[FromWayDowntown]

Agreed.

To completely discount the fact that Dallas was two games from winning the championship is absurd. They are a championship caliber team that can win with offense, and now to some degree, defense.

You are apparently new to the JeffDrums, er, SpursDynasty Experience.

[ShoogarBear]

This is the most idiotic post I have ever read!

Oh, hang around for a while.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

the sad thing is that after the mavericks improbable loss to the warriors, and the spurs having arguably their most pleasantly surprising playoffs despite the lack of momentum heading into the postseason, I have pretty much avoided saying anything negative to Spurs Dynasty.


wow.

[sprrs]

When I saw the le the first thing I thought was.....impossible! Then I realized this wasn't a thread about Jeffdrums.

[T Park]

The Mavericks loss wasn't a choke or an upset?

Good lord...

[LEONARD]

This is the most idiotic post I have ever read!

Read more SpursDynasty goodness and you'll see some that are even worse...

[SpursDynasty]

Dallas losing 2006 was not an upset -- they weren't supposed to be in the Finals in the first place, they should've felt very fortunate to be there at all -- there were too many critical errors by the officials in the Spurs series, as well as getting to face an Amare-less Suns. Plus, the Heat had Dwayne Wade, the best player from the class of 2003 draftees. You also have Shaq, who, lets face it, whether he puts up as much points as before, his presence on the floor is important. Then we have Alonzo who sent a bunch of Mavs to the floor with his defense.

And the GS-Dallas matchup is more like a 4-5 (When you subtract the horrendous amount of lucky bounces and cir stances the Mavs got, a healthy Warriors for 82 games gets them a #5 seed) seed first round match up, or a second-round matchup. No upset there, considering the Warriors are now 10-3 overall, regular season and playoffs from 2005-2007 vs. Dallas. Remember, all the regular season does is get you homecourt...there are still games to be played, nothing is handed to you.

Think of it this way: Let's say you're building something, or cooking something, then when you're 95% done you realize you didn't follow directions correctly, and whatever you built or cooked turned out wrong. The final result is of no importance since you did it wrong. Just go back and do it again, which is what the Spurs did this year.

Whatever happens to your incorrectly made material (the Mavs) is of no importance once everything was done correctly again (the Spurs).

Bad explanation, but hopefully you all know what I meant now.

[LEONARD]

Dallas losing 2006 was not an upset -- they weren't supposed to be in the Finals in the first place, they should've felt very fortunate to be there at all -- there were too many critical errors by the officials in the Spurs series, as well as getting to face an Amare-less Suns. Plus, the Heat had Dwayne Wade, the best player from the class of 2003 draftees. You also have Shaq, who, lets face it, whether he puts up as much points as before, his presence on the floor is important. Then we have Alonzo who sent a bunch of Mavs to the floor with his defense.

And the GS-Dallas matchup is more like a 4-5 (When you subtract the horrendous amount of lucky bounces and cir stances the Mavs got, a healthy Warriors for 82 games gets them a #5 seed) seed first round match up, or a second-round matchup. No upset there, considering the Warriors are now 10-3 overall, regular season and playoffs from 2005-2007 vs. Dallas. Remember, all the regular season does is get you homecourt...there are still games to be played, nothing is handed to you.

Think of it this way: Let's say you're building something, or cooking something, then when you're 95% done you realize you didn't follow directions correctly, and whatever you built or cooked turned out wrong. The final result is of no importance since you did it wrong. Just go back and do it again, which is what the Spurs did this year.

Whatever happens to your incorrectly made material (the Mavs) is of no importance once everything was done correctly again (the Spurs).

Bad explanation, but hopefully you all know what I meant now.

Not really...you're still a dip and even Spurs fans are annoyed by you...

Hope you know what I meant now...