Can/Will we beat the Mavs or Suns without homecourt?

[dbreiden83080]

Umm, there are a lot of Spurs fans who think the same way as those Mavs fans. Sure you guys have three rings but when we're talking about the Mavs/Spurs last season AND this season, there is really no great gulf which is why watching the matchups is so much fun.

Mavs got a great squad it will probably come down to those 2 again this year as long as both are healthy.

[ponky]

Mavs got a great squad it will probably come down to those 2 again this year as long as both are healthy.

I think so too, I just don't see anyone else upsetting these two teams...but like you said, HEALTH is all important. I, for one, am looking forward to the matchup, the only time my heartrate speeds up, literally.

[phyzik]

I think it will be a tight series and I have to agree fully with FWDT.... Mavs fans have been acting as if they are the Alpha and Omega of basketball now.... despite barely winning a 7 games series in overtime against the Spurs and choking royally on the big stage, then going on to start off this season with 0-4.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know why you'd think the Spurs aren't going to have homecourt against the Suns. The Spurs already beat them once and I believe the teams only play 3 times this year.

As for the Mavericks, I think it would be a long tough series anyway, no matter who has homecourt.

[mavs>spurs2]

Mavs have a bad habit of really outplaying teams to start the game, then choking it away and having a fight on their hands at the end of the game. When that happens, its anyones game. Just look at the Miami series, we were up 2-0 with a big lead in game 3 and let up too soon. When they get that killer instinct and learn to close out teams then they will be really tough to beat.

[phxspurfan]

theyre already learning that. AJ is the catalyst on the bench when they start losing focus. if all players are healthy and played a 7 game series, it will go to a game 7.

[DubMcDub]

Would be a great, close series.

From looking at it on paper the Mavs certainly have a decided advantage in terms of talent from top to bottom. I'll say coaching is probably a wash, though I'm inclined to give the edge to Pop here simply because he's won on the big stage multiple times.

Then you have intangibles. The Spurs play some of the best team basketball you'll ever see. But they're also getting older. The Mavs are much, much more athletic at this point. I also think the Mavs will be hungrier. All of the key players on the Spurs have won a couple les already--whereas Dirk and Jet and the rest were 2 games away and let it slip. I think in a potential playoff series the Mavs would come out wanting it more and take it in 6 games.

Lot of basketball to be played before then, though.

[zero signal]

I don't think homecourt matters either way against the Mavericks. Both teams can win on the other's floor. , the Mavs play better on the Spurs' court then on theirs.

[GrandeDavid]

The Suns don't worry me at all. Last time the Suns tried to run on the Spurs in a playoff series they got ousted 4-1. Plus there are other factors.

Now the Mavs have me concerned. I'm finally admitting that the Spurs beating the Mavs in a playoff series just might be considered a damn upset. Now, having said that, its a long, long season. But the Mavs are well-coached, have great team chemistry, are tough and shoot and drive. They are gonna be tough.

[GrandeDavid]

Having said what I did, I don't think homecourt would really matter. Not only have the Spurs, year after year, proven that they are late season and playoff road warriors, but I don't think coming into the AT&T Center shakes the Mavs in the least bit. In fact, I think the Mavs like playing at AT&T and feel that they can win there on any night.

[GrandeDavid]

I'm constantly amazed by Mavericks fans who insist that there is some great gulf between their team and the Spurs.

The Mavericks might be better -- might. But to act as if that's a no brainer somehow or that the Spurs are essentially without any chance to defeat the Mavericks in a playoff series is the epitome of homerism to me.

I know, its pathetic and sad. And coming from fans of a championshipless franchise who missed a golden opportunity last season. Now the Mavs will face a really juiced up Spurs team out for vengeance, prepared for adversity, not to mention its an odd-numbered year.

I wonder where these fans were during the dark days of the 90s.

[kalikot_boy_kr]

hhahhahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

[LB7]

I know, its pathetic and sad. And coming from fans of a championshipless franchise who missed a golden opportunity last season. Now the Mavs will face a really juiced up Spurs team out for vengeance, prepared for adversity, not to mention its an odd-numbered year.

I wonder where these fans were during the dark days of the 90s.

Probably not posting on message boards because we had Prodigy for internet and we didn't know these things existed. Some of us have been here since the dark days. Have me a Brad Davis autograph, how bout that? Heck, when Michael Finley came to the Mavs, I was so excited. He was my favorite Mav from there on out. Now, I'm only 22 so I didn't really FOLLOW until about 1996 or so but I do remember going to games in the early 90s and late 80s with my Dad and my brother. Back when hustle points were the only thing good about a Mavs game. There are bandwagoners for every team but some of us have been there since those "dark days" and we finally get to brag about our team. Its about freakin time. I've paid my dues.

[duncanchick21]

guys, i know everyone is doubting the team right now, but there always hope. what they need right now is support. Look at the good things. tim is healthy. no else is injured beside manu. I say they can win the mavs and suns. just wait and see after all-star break. i still believe in you guys GO SPURS GO!!!!

[z0sa]

Spurs and Mavs will meet again this year - if we stay big, we win.

[LEONARD]

Suns? Yes
Mavs? No

[phxspurfan]

classic "who do you give more respect" thread.

[phxspurfan]

Spurs and Mavs will meet again this year - if we stay big, we win.

this depends a lot on how consistently oberto can knock down those midrange jumpers and if elson gets quality mins defending dirk. if oberto becomes inconsistent and pop again fails to trust elson, we lose, even in the big half court plodding game.

[bdictjames]

It's all about defense and controlling the tempo of the game. If we do that we will surely win

[Amuseddaysleeper]

It's all about defense and controlling the tempo of the game. If we do that we will surely win

AKA as long as Pop stops his atrocious subs ution patterns, doesn't give in to small ball, and puts Elson on Nowitzki

[TwoHandJam]

Unless AJ resigns as head coach for the Mavs, the best the Spurs can do is take the series 5-6 games now that the Mavs are experienced. The Spurs arent athletic, physically and mentally tough enough to beat someone like this Mavs team. Homecourt or no homecourt that will be the result.

Hmmm let me think... Have the Spurs ever choked away four straight games in the finals? Hmmmm.... I don't know.... maybe they aren't as mentally tough as the Mavs. Damn.

[LEONARD]

speaking of Dirk....why not get into his head? give him a solid elbow to the face when he drives to the lane...pull a Piston-Jordan on his ass. We know he ain't fearless like Jordan was/is, he would be scared to drive.

Get Eric to use those pointy elbows for a few drives.

Classy...

[dbreiden83080]

Would be a great, close series.

From looking at it on paper the Mavs certainly have a decided advantage in terms of talent from top to bottom. I'll say coaching is probably a wash, though I'm inclined to give the edge to Pop here simply because he's won on the big stage multiple times.

Then you have intangibles. The Spurs play some of the best team basketball you'll ever see. But they're also getting older. The Mavs are much, much more athletic at this point. I also think the Mavs will be hungrier. All of the key players on the Spurs have won a couple les already--whereas Dirk and Jet and the rest were 2 games away and let it slip. I think in a potential playoff series the Mavs would come out wanting it more and take it in 6 games.

Lot of basketball to be played before then, though.

Spurs got the nasty taste of losing game 7 in their house, hunger going up against the Mavs will not be an issue.

[TwoHandJam]

but spurs have choked four games in the playoffs before..

Notice I said, "in the finals". The biggest stage of all makes a difference. Spurs are 3-0 in the finals. They know what to do when they get there, unlike the Mavs.

[ponky]

Notice I said, "in the finals". The biggest stage of all makes a difference. Spurs are 3-0 in the finals. They know what to do when they get there, unlike the Mavs.

It's ridiculous to expect that the Mavs will choke it away again. Even most Spurs fans think that if the Mavs happen to get back to the Finals they aren't going to go down to the East. We lost to the Spurs in the 2003 matchup, and did it happen again? Let's see....NO. A team can always learn from its mistakes and the Mavericks show every indication that they've moved on and are willing to learn.