Who will win the Western Conference?

[mavsfan1000]

Very good analysis and one I'm inclined to agree with although I think the Suns have a slightly better roster through the 6th man. Very slight.

Amare> Dampier
Diaw < Dirk
Marion > Howard (but not by much)
Nash > Terry (Terry could work Nash on defense)
Bell = Harris
Barbosa > Stackhouse (not at the same position so not clear)

But you're right in that the Mavs have bought into playing defense and have better depth overall. It could come down to whether the Sun's three All-Stars are better than Dirk and Howard if they meet in the WCF. Should be a great series to watch.

Of course, crazy things can happen in the playoffs and some other team could make a run, but you have to like these two teams getting there based on form and pedigree.

I go by team needs along with the individual talent on these ratings.

Stoudemire>Dampier
Diaw<<Dirk
Marion=Howard
Bell<Terry
Nash>Harris
Barbosa>Stackhouse
Kurt Thomas<George
Scrubs<Diop

[Texas_Ranger]

Suns.

[Jimcs50]

Mavericks by a mile

AJ will get another ring.

[angel_luv]

Spurs!

[abelle23]

i still love my spurs but i think mavs will win wcf then eventually loose the championship ....i dont want them to win it all

[jeffdrums22]

Well, everyone's automatic answer here is the Mavericks, just like last year it was when asked: Who will win the 2006 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks? Up until midway through the 4th quarter of Game 3, with Mavs leading the series 2-0, everyone thought the Mavs had sailed to their first championship already. But their Finals loss to the Heat has been overlooked and taken too lightly.

Time has apparently healed all su ion as to the championship ability of the Mavs (I don't see how. A couple of months have passed since June, they're still playing the same as they were in the regular season last year, after 48 games last year they were 38-10, right now they are 39-9, big diff. They are just receiving more attention. Regular season success has NEVER been used to predict playoff success). In a non Who's-better-the-Spurs-or-Mavs point of view, they very nearly blew a 20 point lead in Game 7 vs the Spurs last year. As well as they have been playing in the regular season, tight playoff situations are not handled well by the Mavs. I also recall Dirk missing a key free throw in the closing minute of Game 5 on the Finals (whatever game it was, it would have tied or pulled the game closer) also, after pretty much not missing a single free throw throughout the entire regular season and playoffs up until that point.

Sure they have made an impressive regular season run thus far, but that's because there's no pressure. The real test will come starting in April...

So if the Spurs finish in the top 4 seeds, its either the Spurs or Mavs taking the West, Spurs simply have veteran championship experience, regardless of struggles this season. That is how the Heat won their le, veteran experience. All they would have to do is play well for 16 games in the playoffs. And, although the Spurs are struggling against top teams, they've proved more vs the Mavs, Jazz, Lakers than the Suns have vs those same teams.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Suns

[Bookit]

Well, everyone's automatic answer here is the Mavericks, just like last year it was when asked: Who will win the 2006 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks? Up until midway through the 4th quarter of Game 3, with Mavs leading the series 2-0, everyone thought the Mavs had sailed to their first championship already. But their Finals loss to the Heat has been overlooked and taken too lightly.

Time has apparently healed all su ion as to the championship ability of the Mavs (I don't see how. A couple of months have passed since June, they're still playing the same as they were in the regular season last year, after 48 games last year they were 38-10, right now they are 39-9, big diff. They are just receiving more attention. Regular season success has NEVER been used to predict playoff success). In a non Who's-better-the-Spurs-or-Mavs point of view, they very nearly blew a 20 point lead in Game 7 vs the Spurs last year. As well as they have been playing in the regular season, tight playoff situations are not handled well by the Mavs. I also recall Dirk missing a key free throw in the closing minute of Game 5 on the Finals (whatever game it was, it would have tied or pulled the game closer) also, after pretty much not missing a single free throw throughout the entire regular season and playoffs up until that point.

Sure they have made an impressive regular season run thus far, but that's because there's no pressure. The real test will come starting in April...

So if the Spurs finish in the top 4 seeds, its either the Spurs or Mavs taking the West, Spurs simply have veteran championship experience, regardless of struggles this season. That is how the Heat won their le, veteran experience. All they would have to do is play well for 16 games in the playoffs. And, although the Spurs are struggling against top teams, they've proved more vs the Mavs, Jazz, Lakers than the Suns have vs those same teams.

You said it yourself. Dirk made almost every free throw up until that point including a huge free throw to tie up with the Spurs in game 7. So the guy misses a single free throw and that is supposed to mean something? He isn't a 100% free throw shooter you know. Give me a break. BTW this thread is about who is going to win the Western Conference and not the whole thing anyway.

Mavs win the Western Conference.

[cheguevara]

Mavs remind me of last year's Pistons. Killing in the regular season after losing the finals. Finally ran out of steam and choked in the 2nd round. (yes they should have lost to the Cavs, except Cavs choked even more)

[Bookit]

Mavs remind me of last year's Pistons. Killing in the regular season after losing the finals. Finally ran out of steam and choked in the 2nd round. (yes they should have lost to the Cavs, except Cavs choked even more)

Only time will tell. It is funny how ever team "choked" against the Heat last year. Could it be that the Heat just whipped everybody's ass? The Spurs would have "choked" too if they would have made it to the finals.

[Clutch20]

*S*P*U*R*S*

Consider the alternatives.
Which of them recently has defended the WC and brought home
the trophy?

[tlongII]

The Suns will win the NBA le this year easily as long as they are healthy.

[gospursgooo]

I will not vote. Whatever the results of this polling are, it won't change anything. The best team wins it all!

[mabber]

Well, everyone's automatic answer here is the Mavericks, just like last year it was when asked: Who will win the 2006 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks? Up until midway through the 4th quarter of Game 3, with Mavs leading the series 2-0, everyone thought the Mavs had sailed to their first championship already. But their Finals loss to the Heat has been overlooked and taken too lightly.

Time has apparently healed all su ion as to the championship ability of the Mavs (I don't see how. A couple of months have passed since June, they're still playing the same as they were in the regular season last year, after 48 games last year they were 38-10, right now they are 39-9, big diff. They are just receiving more attention. Regular season success has NEVER been used to predict playoff success). In a non Who's-better-the-Spurs-or-Mavs point of view, they very nearly blew a 20 point lead in Game 7 vs the Spurs last year. As well as they have been playing in the regular season, tight playoff situations are not handled well by the Mavs. I also recall Dirk missing a key free throw in the closing minute of Game 5 on the Finals (whatever game it was, it would have tied or pulled the game closer) also, after pretty much not missing a single free throw throughout the entire regular season and playoffs up until that point.

Sure they have made an impressive regular season run thus far, but that's because there's no pressure. The real test will come starting in April...

So if the Spurs finish in the top 4 seeds, its either the Spurs or Mavs taking the West, Spurs simply have veteran championship experience, regardless of struggles this season. That is how the Heat won their le, veteran experience. All they would have to do is play well for 16 games in the playoffs. And, although the Spurs are struggling against top teams, they've proved more vs the Mavs, Jazz, Lakers than the Suns have vs those same teams.

I will only argue the point about how the Mavs are playing during last season's regular season and this season's. They are playing MUCH better this season than last even thought the record is only 1 game better. They've learned how to play lock down defense when it matters this year. Last year, they were still learning Avery's defensive system and played much better D than in the past but it's much better this season even if the stats don't show necessarily show it.

[Trainwreck2100]

Only time will tell. It is funny how ever team "choked" against the Heat last year. Could it be that the Heat just whipped everybody's ass? The Spurs would have "choked" too if they would have made it to the finals.

[Trainwreck2100]

I will only argue the point about how the Mavs are playing during last season's regular season and this season's. They are playing MUCH better this season than last even thought the record is only 1 game better. They've learned how to play lock down defense when it matters this year. Last year, they were still learning Avery's defensive system and played much better D than in the past but it's much better this season even if the stats don't show necessarily show it.

I love it when people say "when it matters." In a game it should always matter.

[romain.star]

Dampier>OBERTO
DirkDUNCAN
Marion>BOWEN
Bell=GINOBILI
Nash>PARKER
Barbosa>FINLEY

GO SPURS GO

[Trainwreck2100]

Dampier>OBERTO
DirkDUNCAN
Marion>BOWEN
Bell=GINOBILI
Nash>PARKER
Barbosa>FINLEY

GO SPURS GO

good thing they aren't on the same team than. And Bell=Ginobili what are you high

[romain.star]

I CONFIRM: bell=ginobili from what I've seen so far this season
oh and.... i feel bad saying it but since 2004: DIRK > DUNCAN
but still GO SPURS GO

[Trainwreck2100]

I CONFIRM: bell=ginobili from what I've seen so far this season
oh and.... i feel bad saying it but since 2004: DIRK > DUNCAN
but still GO SPURS GO

I don't even think a Suns fan would say Bell=Manu

[romain.star]

bell's defense is better
whereas his offence's not
tie

[mavsfan1000]

Well, everyone's automatic answer here is the Mavericks, just like last year it was when asked: Who will win the 2006 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks? Up until midway through the 4th quarter of Game 3, with Mavs leading the series 2-0, everyone thought the Mavs had sailed to their first championship already. But their Finals loss to the Heat has been overlooked and taken too lightly.

Time has apparently healed all su ion as to the championship ability of the Mavs (I don't see how. A couple of months have passed since June, they're still playing the same as they were in the regular season last year, after 48 games last year they were 38-10, right now they are 39-9, big diff. They are just receiving more attention. Regular season success has NEVER been used to predict playoff success). In a non Who's-better-the-Spurs-or-Mavs point of view, they very nearly blew a 20 point lead in Game 7 vs the Spurs last year. As well as they have been playing in the regular season, tight playoff situations are not handled well by the Mavs. I also recall Dirk missing a key free throw in the closing minute of Game 5 on the Finals (whatever game it was, it would have tied or pulled the game closer) also, after pretty much not missing a single free throw throughout the entire regular season and playoffs up until that point.

Sure they have made an impressive regular season run thus far, but that's because there's no pressure. The real test will come starting in April...

So if the Spurs finish in the top 4 seeds, its either the Spurs or Mavs taking the West, Spurs simply have veteran championship experience, regardless of struggles this season. That is how the Heat won their le, veteran experience. All they would have to do is play well for 16 games in the playoffs. And, although the Spurs are struggling against top teams, they've proved more vs the Mavs, Jazz, Lakers than the Suns have vs those same teams.

I'm impressed you looked all this info up. The mavs last years had an easy schedule up to that point and than hit a ton of rough games after the all star break. This year the mavs already went through the toughest games in January and still kept winning. This years mavs have definitely been more impressive in my opinion thanks to additions of Buckner and George and the subtraction of Van Horn.

[milkyway21]

a week ago the Sun's future looks brighter than their usual sunshine. But watch out guys, Nash effort to make this team a top contender is taking its toll on his health;

PHOENIX, Feb. 6 (AP) -- All-Star point guard Steve Nash will miss the Phoenix Suns' game at Portland on Tuesday night because of inflammation in his right shoulder.

The NBA's two-time defending MVP didn't play in the second half of the Suns' 113-108 victory in Denver on Monday night.

That didn't stop him from lecturing his teammates after a lethargic first half. The team responded with a strong second half for its 38th victory of the season.

Nash said he first felt soreness in the shoulder when he got out of bed Thursday and it has worsened since.

After Tuesday's game, the Suns don't play again until Friday, when they are home against Atlanta.

Nash is averaging career highs of 19.3 points and an NBA-leading 11.8 assists per game.

and it's what makes a team survive through the rest of the remaining games before playoffs.

knock on wood ***, the Spurs are healthy and what makes this team a team to watch out for after the All-Star games.

[jeffdrums22]

You said it yourself. Dirk made almost every free throw up until that point including a huge free throw to tie up with the Spurs in game 7. So the guy misses a single free throw and that is supposed to mean something? He isn't a 100% free throw shooter you know. Give me a break. BTW this thread is about who is going to win the Western Conference and not the whole thing anyway.

Mavs win the Western Conference.

I've said it so many times before: If the Mavs won 2006 NBA Finals, I'd believe just as much as the next guy that they would win it all this year. I can't help but doubt that they are just the same Mavs team as before: Solid, fast, fold under playoff pressure.

[ponky]

I've said it so many times before: If the Mavs won 2006 NBA Finals, I'd believe just as much as the next guy that they would win it all this year. I can't help but doubt that they are just the same Mavs team as before: Solid, fast, fold under playoff pressure.

Yeah like ten posts ago. Anyway, we didn't expect the Spurs to win the seasons AFTER they won their championships and better still, we didn't discount them the following seasons after they failed to win BTB trophies. A VERY unexperienced Mavs team choked in their first ever finals...there is no reason to believe that it will happen again but of course, you are determined to keep this idea embedded in your mind. I believe the Mavs will win the WCF but if the Mavs don't make it out of the west, then it will be because of the Suns/Spurs. That said, I don't think any team is going to be doing any sweeping in the WC playoffs this year, I think all games will go to at least five.