We need a dirty player before entering playoffs

[Squid]

Pop should inject Oberto with rabies right before the playoffs begin.

[atxrocker]

uh.... is bowen not dirty enough for you guys?

[ALVAREZ6]

I'd rather pick up Sequ than Danny Fortson.

[zero signal]

uh.... is bowen not dirty enough for you guys?

I think they want enforcer-dirty, not frustrating-dirty.

[Kori Ellis]

Pop should inject Oberto with rabies right before the playoffs begin.

I almost missed that gem.

[mavsfan1000]

He's one of the best rebounders in the league, and a solid post defender as well. He's way too slow to guard anyone on the perimeter, but that doesn't matter if he breaks Dirk's leg.

you asshole.

[mabber]

i am telling you.. one of the main reasons Miami beat dallas:

you can say Wade all you want (which is 75% true), but when Miami started enforcing that Middle like warriors (not so much in shot blocking, but in physicaliity) that is when the wheels started to fall off.

Very true, and it was made much easier when they didn't have to respect the outside shot of Devin Harris. They were able to pack the zone. The Mavs of old (in love with the jumpshot) would have had a better chance beating Miami. But Avery had this Mav team determined to take the ball to the hole and they basically got ed-slapped by Mourning & company.

And, of course, Haslem & Posey did a very good defensive job on Dirk.

Dirk worked on how to be more efficient against those type (quicker & and around 6ft 7 to 6ft 9) of defenders in the off season (and it's really shown during the regular season). It will huge (if the Mavs meet up with the Suns in the playoffs) if Marion is not able to handle Dirk by himself as he has been able to do in the past a lot of the time. Harris has improved his outside shot slightly, but it still needs a lot of work.

[JamStone]

Barry Bonds?

[joeyjfive]

I like the idea that we used against the Suns and Amare. Let Dirk get his, and never double. Guard everyone else like crazy and shut them down. Who cares if Dirk gets 47 as long as we win? Just keep throwing fresh bodies at him, wear him down, and whoEVER he guards on the offensive side of the ball, have them run circles around the court until we wear him down. Set picks ALL game long. Not to shoot over, just make him run through them. If he doesn't go with the pick, give the ball to Parker and let him penetrate.

Is it a perfect strategy? Nope. The Mavs are explosive enough that we don't have one. Will it win 4 of 7? Just maybe. But I do know that EVERY TIME we double team, we fall right into the offensive execution of the Mavs. MAKE Dirk drive to the hoop. MAKE him initiate contact. Wear him down like a bull.

I completely agree, the Mavs are an excellent shooting team and everytime we double Dirk we leave one of them wide open. I say we throw Bowen, Oberto, Elson and Bonner at him all nite, make him work on the defensive end like you said and he'll start to wear down. If only Pop would atleast give it a try.

[bulletedge]

You guys already have Bowen and Horry. If Bowen didn't play snatch, grab and slap defense he wouldn't even be in the league. Horry isn't as bad but maybe his technique is simply more refined.

[mabber]

You guys already have Bowen and Horry. If Bowen didn't play snatch, grab and slap defense he wouldn't even be in the league. Horry isn't as bad but maybe his technique is simply more refined.

I don't think Horry is much of a factor anymore offensively or defensively. I'm really surprised that he plays as much as he does now. The guy has had a great career but it's time for him to hang 'em up IMO.

[GrandeDavid]

The biggest goon in the NBA? Over my dead body. That's not Spurs basketball. Why don't we just sign T.O. while we're at it?

Cuz TO would fumble passes out of bounds all game long.

[Texas_Ranger]

We need a lot of thing before the playoffs.

Make some trades
Fire Pop
Start playing on Timmy
Parker should learn how to make a pass
Start shooting better
Playing tough defense
...