4.5

[thekingrobert]

Who cares for number ! seed we had it last year and the good it did us, as long as we're in the playoffs and we are so WATCHOUT

[Extra Stout]

Phoenix can catch Dallas just as easily as we can catch Phoenix...connect the dots.

But not at the same time. One or the other can happen, not both.

[bus driver]

Mavs win in fou.....(cough, cough, cough, cough)....sorry i was choking....

[Vingianx]

We won't catch Dallas for the division, but I think Phoenix is totally do-able, especially since they play Dallas twice more.

PHX is out of the question, we can beat them no matter what position they're in

[Vingianx]

You're setting yourself up for even more disappointment if you think the Spurs will catch up to the Mavs.

and you're setting up for a big disappointment to think your record is gonna get you a championship. Not talking about you but all Mav fans in general.

[Vingianx]

It's terms like this from Mavs fans that further reinforce my belief that they have zero perspective.

I thought it was since Cuban became owner.

[DubMcDub]

When have the Mavs ever choked away a playoff series other than in the NBA finals last year? I'm just curious about this "history" of them choking in the playoffs some of you are always talking about. I believe they've won just about every playoff series they were favored in and a couple they weren't favored in. I don't recall who the favorite was in the Mav/Suns 2nd round series in 2004 was. I do know that the Mavs didn't choke in that series, they just got beat. I don't recall them blowing a series while being the favorites. They almost did vs. the Trailblazers a few years back and they almost did vs. the Spurs last season...but they didn't and isn't that the point?

Exactly. I love how he's telling me that you can't dictate a trend from one event and yet he's dictating a trend (Mavs are chokers) from one instance of choking.

Historically, the Mavs are not chokers. They havent always been a top flight team, but they rarely choked.

[Obstructed_View]

The fact is you're doing exactly what you say is errant--judging a team as chokers based on one data point.

Mavericks Team History = One Data Point

[TwoHandJam]

Exactly. I love how he's telling me that you can't dictate a trend from one event and yet he's dictating a trend (Mavs are chokers) from one instance of choking.

Historically, the Mavs are not chokers. They havent always been a top flight team, but they rarely choked.

Oh good grief. Fine, split hairs if you want. Choking, folding... what I'm getting at is the Mavs have a history of losing (although I seem to remember them choking pretty nicely at Kerr's hands in '03). That trend is pretty well established. Agreed?

A lot of the overconfidence from certain Mav fans in here is surprising and unfounded imo. But I guess that's why they call them fans.

[Obstructed_View]

I thought it was since Cuban became owner.

Well, Cuban built the AAC and Victory Plaza, drafted Dirk, traded for Finley, signed Steve Nash, hired Donn Nelson and was singlehandedly responsible for the incredible turnaround of the Mavericks. He should certainly get credit for all the banners hanging in the AAC.

[td4mvp21]

It's stupid for any Spurs fan to think we are an automatic to beat Dallas in the playoffs. It's even dumber for a Mavs fan to think the Spurs will go down in less than 6. (Cough, BUMP)

I could care less if we catch Dallas, HCA isn't everything. It won't even matter if we play Dallas, they can beat us on our HC and we can beat them on theirs.

[Agloco]

It's stupid for any Spurs fan to think we are an automatic to beat Dallas in the playoffs. It's even dumber for a Mavs fan to think the Spurs will go down in less than 6. (Cough, BUMP)

I could care less if we catch Dallas, HCA isn't everything. It won't even matter if we play Dallas, they can beat us on our HC and we can beat them on theirs.

Agreed but.................

Getting the top seed is important in the West due to the fact that 3 teams are considered powerhouses in the conference: Dallas, Phoenix and SA

Getting the top seed virtually guarantees that you dont have to play both of the other two (as the other two will finish 2 and 3 most likely), while the 2 and 3 spots have to go through both of the others.

[exstatic]

Not for the opening round. The division winners are 1, 2, & 3. I think it changes once you get to the second round.

They fixed that . Too much question of teams dropping games to get a better 1st rd. matchup. I think the team everyone in the lower bracket wanted was a weak division winning Nuggets squad.

I believe that top 4 records are seeded 1-4, and then any division winners that fall thru would get preference after that. SA got ed having to face Dallas in the second round after that bruising (literally) series against Sacto.

Oh, and I agree that we don't need HCA against Phoenix, but more home games is good for the fans and the bottom line.

[GrandeDavid]

go for it! please?

I'm sure they will. So you don't even have to be careful what you wish for. Its gonna happen.

[Dalhoop]

In order for the Spurs to catch the Suns, the Suns would have to lose. They do play many top teams in the final month of the season (They have not done well against those teams this year.)

I do think that the Spurs can catch the Suns, but catching the Mavs is a different matter altogether.

Should the Spurs push the team to catch the Suns? I don't think so, they have bigger fish to fry. And they need to be rested before trying to fry that fish.

[ponky]

I'm sure they will. So you don't even have to be careful what you wish for. Its gonna happen.

Great news!!! I'm looking forward to it!

[texas84]

They fixed that . Too much question of teams dropping games to get a better 1st rd. matchup. I think the team everyone in the lower bracket wanted was a weak division winning Nuggets squad.

I believe that top 4 records are seeded 1-4, and then any division winners that fall thru would get preference after that. SA got ed having to face Dallas in the second round after that bruising (literally) series against Sacto.

Oh, and I agree that we don't need HCA against Phoenix, but more home games is good for the fans and the bottom line.

For the record... the 3 division winners and the next best record that is not a division winner are seeded 1-4 according to record. The 5-8 seeds are solely according to record.

For example... say Dallas wins the division and conference this year, but San Antonio has the second best record in the conference ahead of the Suns and Jazz (the other two division leaders). The seeding would be 1. Dallas, 2. San Antonio, 3. Phoenix, and 4. Utah.

[anon101]

I don't recall who the favorite was in the Mav/Suns 2nd round series in 2004 was.

I'll assume you mean 2005 since that's the first time we face Phoenix in the playoffs. And the Suns were heavy favorites--they were the 1st seed, Mavs the 4th and playing over their head to be there. That was the season, Nellie quit on the team about 1/3 in and officially about 2/3 in leaving Dallas with a rookie head coach who had no chance to install any of his own system. So we had Avery Johnson trying to coach Nellie's playbook--somewhat like playing with one hand tied behind your back.

And any Spurs fan who thinks the 2003 Spurs weren't prohibitive favorites against a Dallas team missing Dirk needs to have his head examined.

[Obstructed_View]

Good thing Dallas fans always have an excuse for losing. That never takes the fun out of anything.

[DubMcDub]

Oh good grief. Fine, split hairs if you want. Choking, folding... what I'm getting at is the Mavs have a history of losing (although I seem to remember them choking pretty nicely at Kerr's hands in '03). That trend is pretty well established. Agreed?

A lot of the overconfidence from certain Mav fans in here is surprising and unfounded imo. But I guess that's why they call them fans.

How is it choking to lose to a heavily favored team with championship experience in a playoff series? The Spurs were simply better--that doesnt mean the Mavs choked.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Spurs wont catch the Mavs but will have to settle with catching the ol suns. Either way after tonights game they will beat the Mavs 4-2

[The_Worlds_finest]

"How is it choking to lose to a heavily favored team with championship experience in a playoff series? The Spurs were simply better--that doesnt mean the Mavs choked."

What championship experience did the Heat have? And also that team that beat your team in 2003 only had one guy from the 99 team...guess who?

[DubMcDub]

"How is it choking to lose to a heavily favored team with championship experience in a playoff series? The Spurs were simply better--that doesnt mean the Mavs choked."

What championship experience did the Heat have? And also that team that beat your team in 2003 only had one guy from the 99 team...guess who?

David Robinson and TD count as one guy now? That's pretty sweet. Does Tim know that?

It's pretty sad that I know your team's history better than you do.

[Obstructed_View]

David Robinson and TD count as one guy now? That's pretty sweet. Does Tim know that?

It's pretty sad that I know your team's history better than you do.

Man, I watched him stick his chin out there, and I wondered if you were going to crack him. I must say that it's about time; this was not the first time he's dropped his left.

[DubMcDub]

Man, I watched him stick his chin out there, and I wondered if you were going to crack him. I must say that it's about time; this was not the first time he's dropped his left.

Well fortunately I'm aware that most of the Spurs fans on this board arent ignorant of their team's legacy like this guy. But he definitely set himself up for that one...