Choking aside, are the Mavs really contenders?

[Diesel]

The Mavs are considered. They just got unlucky because they ended up playing quite possibly the team that matches up the best with them in the entire league.

[Budkin]

As much as I loved seeing them choke, yes they are still contenders.

[Spurs>mavs]

i hate to say this, but Yeah there still contenders.

[MajorMike]

Actually I think the suns do. The mavs just seem out of sorts sometimes. Unfortunately this year they got out of sorts in the playoffs.

The Suns may have the most talented starting 5/6... but they have a big zero after that. Mavs and Spurs bench both HIGHLY superior to Suns.

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

Yes.

Of all the teams remaining in the playoffs, how many others have an inside presence? I can name 2 in PHX and SA and the Mavs have shown they can hang with both (might give you Utah/Boozer with the 3rd).

Boozer definitely counts.

and Detroit has Sheed and Webber. so thats four.

Ilgauskaz and Moore dont count

[Shank]

I wouldn't count Detroit in that mix. Their "inside presence" got them something like 12 points in the paint the other night.

[monosylab1k]

I wouldn't count Detroit in that mix. Their "inside presence" got them something like 12 points in the paint the other night.

That's still the biggest mystery ever - why a guy like Rasheed Wallace who is an absolute beast in the post keeps playing on the perimeter and jacking up three pointers that almost never go in.

[Bruno]

IMO, Mavs aren't really contenders.

Warriors were maybe a horrible matchup and Davis was playing great but you had to do something when you lost in the first round against a team that has won 25 less games in teh regular season.
In 06, Kings were one of the hottest team in the league, a horrible matchup for Spurs and Wells was playing great but Spurs won the serie in 6.

Mavs should do something this offseason, it will be really difficult for them to start a new season with the same team after such a loss. The bad news for them is that they don't have good trading assets.

[baseline bum]

What Dallas needs is a proven winner or two to motivate them and teach them to win. Someone to do to Dirk what Mario Elie did to Duncan and Robinson.