Who Will Win the NBA Finals?

[mavsfan1000]

Western wear
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
September 28, 2006

More Kerr – Eastern Conference preseason rankings

The Mavericks are the defending Western Conference champions, and they have to feel good about finally dethroning their nemesis – San Antonio.

But after blowing a 2-0 Finals lead – and a 13-point, fourth-quarter lead over Miami in Game 3 – the Mavs have plenty to ponder as they enter this season. Did they blow their best chance at a ring? Because making it back to the Finals isn't going to be easy.

The Spurs will be as strong as ever, the Suns and Clippers are poised for a breakthrough, and a host of talented teams throughout the West figure to give Dallas all it can handle in the regular season. In fact, it's easy to make the case that 14 of the conference's 15 teams are good enough to make the playoffs. (Sorry Portland.)

With that in mind, the Mavericks may suffer from an early season hangover as they take on their daunting task. Still, Dallas won the West a year ago with a terrific playoff run and beat the Spurs in San Antonio in Game 7 of the conference semifinals. That alone earns the Mavs the No. 1 spot.

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1. Dallas Mavericks – Avery Johnson instilled a defensive mindset that his team desperately needed. The Mavs' depth and versatility and the brilliant play of Dirk Nowitzki gives them a great chance to get back to the Finals.

2. San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan should be much healthier than last season when he struggled with a foot injury. The Spurs usually bounce back strongly from playoff defeats, and this year should be no exception.

3. Phoenix Suns – Can Amare Stoudemire return to his once-dominant self? If not, Steve Nash will have a big load on his shoulders. Again.

4. Los Angeles Clippers – Elton Brand became a full-fledged star last season. He headlines one of the most talented teams in the league.

5. Los Angeles Lakers – Does Kobe Bryant have enough help? Vladimir Radmanovic will shoot the ball well, but he needs to rebound to help solve L.A.'s interior woes.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Randy Foye and Mike James will add some much needed fire to the Wolves. They could be just what Kevin Garnett needs to help turn around this team's fortunes.

7. Sacramento Kings – Eric Musselman replaces Rick Adelman, and he'll place more emphasis on defense. The Kings will have to replace Bonzi Wells' offense, though.

8. Houston Rockets – Will the Big Two stay healthy? Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady have more help, but it always comes down to their physical status.

9. New Orleans Hornets – An offseason spending spree has Hornets fans buzzing (sorry). Chris Paul will lead an explosive attack.

10. Utah Jazz – The Jazz are slowly building a nice foundation, but Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko must stay healthy.

11. Denver Nuggets – This team was a mess by the end of last season, and George Karl has some issues to deal with. But Carmelo Anthony's performance for Team USA at the world championships bodes well for the Nuggets.

12. Memphis Grizzlies – Pau Gasol's injury changes everything because the Grizzlies run everything through him. They'll have to survive the first few months of the season without him, but by then, it could be too late.

13. Golden State Warriors – Don Nelson is back and Bay Area fans are pumped. But Nellie will have to work some magic because the Warriors' roster hasn't changed from last season's 34-win team.

14. Seattle SuperSonics – The real question isn't whether the Sonics will make the playoffs. It's whether they'll stay in Seattle.

15. Portland Trail Blazers – Brandon Roy is a nice-looking rookie, but he's joining the worst team in the West. The Blazers are still in the dreaded "rebuilding" mode.

Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send Steve a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.





some early poll results:

Question: Of Kerr's top 3, who is the West's best?
Thanks for voting! 1780 votes since Sep 27 2006
Mavs 40% 712 votes
Spurs 30% 542 votes
Suns 30% 526 votes

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[Bruno]

Spurs or Suns, it will depend on who will face who in the playoffs.

[dirk4mvp]

Suns or Mavericks.

[stretch]

It is such a shame the season cant get here soon enough. Who knows what could happen. Last year many saw the Pistons winning 70 games and taking the le back yet they didnt even force a game 7 against the Heat. Then many thought the Mavs would either sweep Miami or beat them in 5-6 games yet that didnt happen. Be confident in the Mavs. They are your team so you should be but to say they will win over the spurs in 5 games easily is just flat out arrogant. Whether or not this team is good enough to win it all, it will take a tough brutal 6-7 game series to eliminate the spurs and it will be anything but easy.

The Mavericks won in 7, and very possibly could have won much earlier than that. Now, the Mavs have much more playoff experience, which is something they lacked, and have gotten over the hump of beating the spurs. Avery is already showing that hes a very very good coach, and will only improve after this experience. they have also clearly improved the team through FA. The spurs have not improved their team in any ways. they got a couple centers that havent really done much in the NBA, and no one other than stupid homer spurs fans expect them to be much better than Rasho and Nazr. then they already have an old team, that is only getting older. the only young talent they have is Parker, but his improvement alone isnt going to be enough to match the improvement of Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Dirk, and Diop.

i have nothing but respect for the actual spurs organization. they have been great, and have kept this team at the top of the league for years, and constantly ahead of the Mavericks. however, all good things come to an end, and yall need to accept that the spurs dominance is ending. they have had an incredible run, and won 3 les while doing so. but this has happened to all great teams in all sports, and in the NBA, its the spurs turn next.

[stretch]

The Spurs and the Mavs will almost certainly meet again, and it will probably be as close a series as it was - and it was as close as any series can be. Come on - had Manu not fouled on the final play, the Mavs wouldn't have even made it to the Finals. It came down to LITERALLY one little misstep, one little miscalculation. These teams are very evenly matched, as they are again this year. Neither team lost a single player who contributed to their success in the playoffs last year, and both teams have made some positive additions. No reason to think they won't both be back in the West Finals next year.

Come on - had the refs simply called it when Parker clearly and blatantly grabbed Dirk's jersey, the series could have been over much sooner. either way, im not going to get into detail any more about the officiating since spurs fans refuse to think that the spurs EVER get away with any calls, and that the mavs get away with more calls than any team in the history of the NBA. ill just say this... there were bad calls both ways, for and against both teams. but it came down to execution, and the mavs executed better than the spurs did.

you have got to be nuts to say the spurs seriously made some positive additions. Elson and Butler MAYBE an improvement over Rasho and Nazr, but not very significant. however, Greg Buckner, Deaven George, Austin Croshere, Maurice Ager, and Anthony Johnson are CLEARLY an upgrade over Marquis Daniels, Adrian Griffin, and Darrell Armstrong. to add to it, the mavs still have growing youthful talent, in Harris, Howard, Dirk, and Diop. and so far, reports have been very good on Maurice Ager, and he could make some nice contributions this year as well. also the mavericks are now playoff tested, have had a few years under avery's system and have had time to gel, and have a much larger hunger to win than the Spurs.

[cornbread]

Come on - had the refs simply called it when Parker clearly and blatantly grabbed Dirk's jersey, the series could have been over much sooner. either way, im not going to get into detail any more about the officiating since spurs fans refuse to think that the spurs EVER get away with any calls, and that the mavs get away with more calls than any team in the history of the NBA. ill just say this... there were bad calls both ways, for and against both teams. but it came down to execution, and the mavs executed better than the spurs did.

you have got to be nuts to say the spurs seriously made some positive additions. Elson and Butler MAYBE an improvement over Rasho and Nazr, but not very significant. however, Greg Buckner, Deaven George, Austin Croshere, Maurice Ager, and Anthony Johnson are CLEARLY an upgrade over Marquis Daniels, Adrian Griffin, and Darrell Armstrong. to add to it, the mavs still have growing youthful talent, in Harris, Howard, Dirk, and Diop. and so far, reports have been very good on Maurice Ager, and he could make some nice contributions this year as well. also the mavericks are now playoff tested, have had a few years under avery's system and have had time to gel, and have a much larger hunger to win than the Spurs.

I love it how he says the bad calls went both ways but still has to whine about one that went against the Mavs. Just had to squeeze that one in there, right? Would you care to share anymore examples of how the refs kept the Mavs from closing out the series sooner?

I will always look back and enjoy the calls that went in Wade's favor in the Finals. Irony at its best.

[Rynospursfan]

I voted for the Heat because I think they have the easiest road back to the finals. The Spurs, Mavs and Suns will have to duke it out in the west. Also one addition the Spurs made that should not be overlooked is Matt Bonner. I believe he will add another dimention to this already dangerous Spurs team.

BTW, I think the Clippers, Cavs, Nets and especially the Rockets have no business being in the poll.

[dknights411]

BTW, I think the Clippers, Cavs, Nets and especially the Rockets have no business being in the poll.

Clips and Cavs, maybe.
Rockets, ehhh.
Nets?

[stretch]

I love it how he says the bad calls went both ways but still has to whine about one that went against the Mavs. Just had to squeeze that one in there, right? Would you care to share anymore examples of how the refs kept the Mavs from closing out the series sooner?

I will always look back and enjoy the calls that went in Wade's favor in the Finals. Irony at its best.

well, i agree that the one where dirk stepped on duncans foot was pretty bad as well, although that was a little more excusable, because there were several players around, and there still was some contact. the one where Parker grabbed his jersey is pretty obvious and blatant.

would you care to explain why the spurs lost to the mavericks? without using an excuse as pathetic as officiating?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

if they cannot win it all this year, then I think they may be the most disappointing team in the NBA.

i felt last year was probably their best shot they had. this year there's too many good teams. i'm not doubting my spurs, but it's too soon to tell. anyway, you mavs fans can start donning your blue and green and start saying go mavs in april once the coast is clear. if it clears up for ya'll. VIVA LAS ESPUELAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emily Rose]

The Mavericks won in 7, and very possibly could have won much earlier than that. Now, the Mavs have much more playoff experience, which is something they lacked, and have gotten over the hump of beating the spurs. Avery is already showing that hes a very very good coach, and will only improve after this experience. they have also clearly improved the team through FA. The spurs have not improved their team in any ways. they got a couple centers that havent really done much in the NBA, and no one other than stupid homer spurs fans expect them to be much better than Rasho and Nazr. then they already have an old team, that is only getting older. the only young talent they have is Parker, but his improvement alone isnt going to be enough to match the improvement of Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Dirk, and Diop.

i have nothing but respect for the actual spurs organization. they have been great, and have kept this team at the top of the league for years, and constantly ahead of the Mavericks. however, all good things come to an end, and yall need to accept that the spurs dominance is ending. they have had an incredible run, and won 3 les while doing so. but this has happened to all great teams in all sports, and in the NBA, its the spurs turn next.

Oh shut the up you prick of a mavericks fan. My goodness you didnt even win the ing championship and you sit here running your mouth off like their the defending champs or something. You wanna throw the "should of ended alot sooner" bull around...IF Dirk didnt get away with that bull call in game 4 you can pretty much say the same exact thing . Bull that you have respect for the spurs organization cuz if you did you wouldnt say re ed statements like "the spurs are an easy 5 game series now". I guess the only young guy Miami had was Wade and he kicked your teams ass all over the place pretty much by himself. We have 4-5 years of seriously contending for a ring yet your dumbass thinks the entire team is old outside of Parker.

[SpurForLife]

Oh shut the up you prick of a mavericks fan. My goodness you didnt even win the ing championship and you sit here running your mouth off like their the defending champs or something. You wanna throw the "should of ended alot sooner" bull around...IF Dirk didnt get away with that bull call in game 4 you can pretty much say the same exact thing . Bull that you have respect for the spurs organization cuz if you did you wouldnt say re ed statements like "the spurs are an easy 5 game series now". I guess the only young guy Miami had was Wade and he kicked your teams ass all over the place pretty much by himself. We have 4-5 years of seriously contending for a ring yet your dumbass thinks the entire team is old outside of Parker.

[Obstructed_View]

would you care to explain why the spurs lost to the mavericks? without using an excuse as pathetic as officiating?

Small Ball. Won't ever happen again. Enjoy your one Finals embarassment, because your team is never getting back there again.

It is interesting that Mavs fans cry about the officiating in the Finals at every turn but won't tolerate the Spurs fans daring to breathe a word about the calls the Mavericks might have gotten.

[Obstructed_View]

Proof that Louis is a Mavericks fan: Zero votes for the Rockets.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Has everyone heard the Mavs are younger and deeper this year?

[cornbread]

well, i agree that the one where dirk stepped on duncans foot was pretty bad as well, although that was a little more excusable, because there were several players around, and there still was some contact. the one where Parker grabbed his jersey is pretty obvious and blatant.

would you care to explain why the spurs lost to the mavericks? without using an excuse as pathetic as officiating?

You agree with me about Dirk stepping on Duncan's foot? I don't remember mentioning that in the first place.

Look, I didn't say the Spurs lost because of officiating so don't put words in my mouth. The officiating was some of the worst I've ever seen but it went both ways. I didn't say it decided the series. The Spurs had their chances to finish the series and didn't. The Mavs had their chances and did. That's how the Spurs lost.

You refer to me making "pathetic excuses" right after you complain about some no call on Parker, for the second time?! You might want to save a little bit of that whining for the season. Oh, and thank you for the ironic and hypocritical moment. It made me laugh.

[RC's Boss]

Centers can't guard Dirk. The sooner you realize this the better. You have to play Duncan at center against the mavs and the spurs don't have a worthy power forward to guard Dirk still.

Uhhh, if you check Tim's stats you would see no one was able to contain him either. That's why they're called SUPERSTARS! Speech should come from your mouth, not your ass.... ASS

[slayermin]

Not that I'm a violent person but it wouldn't suck if TD decided to give Nowitzness a fat lip.

[stretch]

Oh shut the up you prick of a mavericks fan. My goodness you didnt even win the ing championship and you sit here running your mouth off like their the defending champs or something. You wanna throw the "should of ended alot sooner" bull around...IF Dirk didnt get away with that bull call in game 4 you can pretty much say the same exact thing . Bull that you have respect for the spurs organization cuz if you did you wouldnt say re ed statements like "the spurs are an easy 5 game series now". I guess the only young guy Miami had was Wade and he kicked your teams ass all over the place pretty much by himself. We have 4-5 years of seriously contending for a ring yet your dumbass thinks the entire team is old outside of Parker.

blow it out your ass. dont waste my time with your brainless nonsense. talk like a normal human being, and actually read what i type, then we can debate.

[stretch]

Small Ball. Won't ever happen again. Enjoy your one Finals embarassment, because your team is never getting back there again.

It is interesting that Mavs fans cry about the officiating in the Finals at every turn but won't tolerate the Spurs fans daring to breathe a word about the calls the Mavericks might have gotten.

actually, i havent cried about the finals officiating once. i never even mentioned it. the fact is, the mavs didnt make the plays they needed to put away the Heat, and thats ultimately what cost them the series, not the officiating. ive said that at least 10 times on this forum. some mavs fans do cry about the officiating, but im not one of them.

[stretch]

You agree with me about Dirk stepping on Duncan's foot? I don't remember mentioning that in the first place.

Look, I didn't say the Spurs lost because of officiating so don't put words in my mouth. The officiating was some of the worst I've ever seen but it went both ways. I didn't say it decided the series. The Spurs had their chances to finish the series and didn't. The Mavs had their chances and did. That's how the Spurs lost.

You refer to me making "pathetic excuses" right after you complain about some no call on Parker, for the second time?! You might want to save a little bit of that whining for the season. Oh, and thank you for the ironic and hypocritical moment. It made me laugh.

actually, if you read what i said, i never said i agree with you. i just said i agree that the officiating was poor, especially on that particular call, which i simply used as an example, since so many people on this forum are so familiar with it.

and again, i never said you said anything about the spurs losing by officiating. i simply asked to explain why they lost, but not to use poor officiating as an excuse. that is not putting words in your mouth whatsoever.

if spurs fans want to make the ty excuse about Duncan's foot fouling Dirk, then i can use the excuse about Parker grabbing Dirk. the fact is, officiating was poor both ways at different times, but it wasnt one sided the way so many spurs fans want to see it. the fact is, like you said, the spurs had their chances to win, and the mavs had their chances as well. the mavs took advantage of those opportunities, and the spurs did not, and they lost.

i never ONCE have blamed anything on the officials for Mavericks losses, because officiating is not an excuse. was officiating poor in the Mavs-Spurs series? absolutely. was officiating poor in the Mavs-Heat series? anyone that knows a damn about basketball knows it was. all you have to do is watch a game from the World Championships, and you can see that. however, was officiating the reason that the Spurs lost their series, and the Mavs lost theirs? not one bit.

[Emily Rose]

blow it out your ass. dont waste my time with your brainless nonsense. talk like a normal human being, and actually read what i type, then we can debate.

You just contradicted yourself you idiot. You sit here and say "Spurs are an easy 5 game series" which in reality shows stupidity and arrogance on your part then saying that I use "brainless nonsense". You are also a dumbass if you say we are done contending for a le. I guess the same should be said for the Mavs who lost the Finals in the worst possible way by CHOKING! Who knows if they will even recover from that. This is a SPURS message board so if you dont like our "stupid homer" opinions then get the out of here and dont post.

[mavs>spurs2]

You just contradicted yourself you idiot. You sit here and say "Spurs are an easy 5 game series" which in reality shows stupidity and arrogance on your part then saying that I use "brainless nonsense". You are also a dumbass if you say we are done contending for a le. I guess the same should be said for the Mavs who lost the Finals in the worst possible way by CHOKING! Who knows if they will even recover from that. This is a SPURS message board so if you dont like our "stupid homer" opinions then get the out of here and dont post.

Mavericks CHOKED? OMG this is news to me where did you hear this ?

[ScoobyDoo]

da bulls.

[iceman44]

The Spurs barring injuries. I question Dallas will repeat as conference champions.