they actually deserve it. Even outside of TP's most recent injury bout, the Spurs don't deserve a le. They had a a pretty reasonable chance to be a true contender this year through defense in getting Salmons and Thomas, and they blew it. Not only that, but they trade the only defensive big on the team in Ratilff for nothing at all. To a lesser a degree, the the Spurs had a very minute chance had they actually cared to play and develop Ian all year long, then he'd be ready to actually pay some dividends in the playoffs, but that's all moot now, since a mobile, 7-foot, shot blocking big man who can shoot free throws is so common in the NBA.
Enter the Mavs and Cuban (who I don't like one bit, by the way), but who had the unction and foresight to actually trade away a very valuable piece in Howard, though inconsistent, who if nothing else has killed the Spurs, and let such a player go for a possible larger net value from in coming players, and that's after already landing Marion this past summer (You see, Spurs FO? You can actually make trades in the Summer and at the trade deadline.)
You see that, Spurs FO and fans? That's called courage: something the Spurs FO has never had, otherwise your top ten player of all time in Duncan would have at least 6 rings and one repeat.
Enter Dirk Nowitski, as underrated a player as you're going to find. Let me put it this way: if Kobe Bryant doesn't whine himself into a draft day trade from Charlotte to the Lakers, and Stern and Co don't let Shaq elbow people in face all game and call it "dominance," then Dirk would be the second best player this past decade behind Duncan! Think about that! The whole '06 Finals is overblown, clearly Stern wanted the Wade to shoot 100 free throws, and he did. The next year versus Golden State was also not exactly as it seemed: that Golden State agile defense was swarming over Dirk, and Dirk is not really accustomed to being defended by a player as tough, tall, and long as SJax. On top of that, the only way Dallas could've forced the Warriors to play honest was to hit their jumpers, which they never did. Plus, the Warrior's pace was just to weird for Dallas to get accustomed to: every other team's "dumb shots" were routine for Nellie's squad that year.
The point is, Dirk is a great, great player, and is often treated unfairly by Spurs fans. He's never done anything dirty to the Spurs like Kobe has done numerous times (the "weird follow through" for a bloodied Manu, anyone?), so why the unnecessary hate?
I'll say it again: it's the FO's fault the Spurs are at best first round fodder this year, at worst lottery this year. All the horrible moves: letting SJAx go, not getting SJAx early this past year when he was available, not getting Thomas/Salmons, the list just goes on and on. Being fortunate with Blair falling into their laps, and picking Manu and Parker don't make up for all the other blunders.
Congradulations Dirk and Mavs fans, I wish hope you win the next ten these
, since the Spurs FO isn't interested.
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