Who will win the NBA championship in 2008?

[florige]

Heat-Spurs

Spurs in 7.

Nah I don't see that matchup happening. Shaquille is done.

[bresilhac]

Maybe you need to pay attention then, because the Warriors were not a typical 8-seed. Do you think they go 42-40 if Davis and Richardson don't miss a combined 50 games due to injury? Or if that trade is consummated in training camp instead of in February? It was a minor upset, not a major one. Warriors have a better backcourt than the Mavs, Dampier's rotator cuff tear severely hampered Dallas' defense and forced Dirk to slide over to C, and Avery was thoroughly outcoached by Nellie. If you were going to beat Dallas, throwing out five 6'7 wings that can run the floor is the way to do it.

Spurs fans: "Regular season doesn't matter" and "How can a 67 win team lose in the playoffs?" Pick a lane please.



Yeah, Dallas could never win a playoff series, much less beat a team like the Spurs, right? I mean, Dirk is only 5-0 in series-deciding games. The Mavs have a checkered playoff history, but let's go ahead and selectively use facts to bolster our argument and ignore inconvenient ones.

I never said that Dallas couldn't win a series. Obviously they have. Maybe I should have been more specific in describing past Mavs failures. In that post I was thinking of the Mavericks pathetic, horrendous meltdown against Miami in the 2006 Finals and more recently the choke job against vastly outmanned GS. In the first example lack of character and poise and just not having the mental edge or toughness to gut out what was sure to be a Heat flurry after being down 2-0 was the reason for that particular choke. Think of it, you're up 2-0 and LOSE the series. How can you not attribute that to anything but a lack of killer instinct or poise. The second example was nothing more than an extreme case of choking.

The Mavericks were clearly, glaringly the superior team in that matchup despite all of the reasons you cite as to why Dallas couldn't possibly beat the Warriors. Head to head Dallas was better than GS on paper save for the point guard matchup. And even with the sometimes effective Dampier out the Mavericks were still way too much for the Warriors to be able to handle. Or so we thought. The Warriors won that series not by overmatching or outcoaching the Mavericks but by uniting as a team and playing with a wreckless abandon and will to win rarely seen in NBA ball. Except by determined Champions of course, ie the Spurs. And where was Dallas' will to win? Where was their shear determination to beat an obviously outmatched foe?

The Mavericks approached that series and the playoffs more generally with an at ude of smugness and with a feeling that the le should have been theirs just by virtue of winning 67 games. And this smugness eventually would lead to their demise. Surely you must agree that the Mavericks as they are now composed cannot, will not ever win a le. Their self-fulfilling prophecies of failure will continue so long as losing, for no other reason than lack of character, continues to rule that poor franchise's psyche.

[dg7md]

i have a feeling the celtics are gonna surprise a lot of people next season

You're crazy.

Wait, you're right. They'll surprise us with the 8th seed in the east.

[Findog]

In that post I was thinking of the Mavericks pathetic, horrendous meltdown against Miami in the 2006 Finals

You mean the series where Wade stepped his game up and made like MJ for the final four games? Where three of those losses were decided by a grand total of 6 points? That "pathetic, horrendous meltdown?" So Devin Harris and Jason Terry decided they didn't want to stop Wade and wanted to lose instead of being unable to stop him?

and more recently the choke job against vastly outmanned GS.

You mean the Warriors that received a major talent upgrade with the S-Jax/Harrington trade? The same Warriors team that lost B-Diddy and Richardson to 50 games due to injury? Those "vastly outmanned" Warriors? The same Warriors that went 16-5 down the stretch with wins over Utah, Detroit, Phoenix, Dallas when they finally had that roster healthy and intact? You're telling me those Warriors go 42-40 and back into the playoffs if their starting backcourt doesn't miss 50 games? Or they have Jackson and Harrington for 82 games instead of 25? Are you serious?

In the first example lack of character and poise and just not having the mental edge or toughness to gut out what was sure to be a Heat flurry after being down 2-0 was the reason for that particular choke.

So Wade having four Hall of Fame games in a row and being too quick for Dallas' guards to stop was an example of Dallas not wanting to win? Pat Riley giving more minutes to Alonzo Mourning because he did a better job of protecting the rim and running the floor than Shaq, that's an example of Dallas not wanting to win? Three of the four wins on the part of Miami coming by a grand total of six points, that's an example of the Mavericks not wanting to compete? You can't tip your cap to Wade for stepping up and for Riley being a master coach? It was simply a case of the Mavericks laying down because they didn't want to win? With all due respect, you're being insipid...or trollish.

Think of it, you're up 2-0 and LOSE the series. How can you not attribute that to anything but a lack of killer instinct or poise. The second example was nothing more than an extreme case of choking.

Yeah, you're right. It wasn't a case of the Lakers doing a good job of keying their defense and making adjustments towards Tony Parker, the Spurs were just a bunch of pussies that decided that they didn't want to win:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240515013

The Mavericks were clearly, glaringly the superior team in that matchup despite all of the reasons you cite as to why Dallas couldn't possibly beat the Warriors.

Warriors had the better backcourt, they had the better coach. Dallas had the best individual player and had a bad series. It happens.

Head to head Dallas was better than GS on paper save for the point guard matchup.

So Jason Terry or Greg Buckner > Jason Richardson? Devean George > Stephen Jackson?

The Warriors won that series not by overmatching or outcoaching the Mavericks but by uniting as a team and playing with a wreckless abandon and will to win rarely seen in NBA ball. Except by determined Champions of course, ie the Spurs.

Superb analysis Dr. Phil. Are you 14 years old? Do you want to talk basketball or are you more of an armchair psychologist? Warriors had better coaching and were pretty close to the Mavs on talent after that trade.

The Mavericks approached that series and the playoffs more generally with an at ude of smugness and with a feeling that the le should have been theirs just by virtue of winning 67 games.

Really Dr. Phil? Can you point me to the quotes where they said "It's automatic that we're gonna make it to the WCF? We don't have to show up and earn it?" The same team that over and over again in the regular season said that their gaudy record was fool's gold and the only thing that mattered was winning a le? That smug and arrogant team? I'm not a Spurs fan and I don't follow them closely during the regular season, so I won't pass myself off as an expert of the day to day doings of that particular team. Please refrain from talking about things for which you have no insight.

And this smugness eventually would lead to their demise. Surely you must agree that the Mavericks as they are now composed cannot, will not ever win a le.

I don't know what the future holds Nostradamus. Not many people gave the Warriors a chance to beat the Mavericks. One thing I do know based on being around this forum for the past year is that Spurs fans would absolutely love for Cuban to break this team up, since we're the only team in the League that has sent the Spurs home (Malone/Stockton and Shaq/Kobe no longer exist.), and since we present the same kind of vexing matchup problems that a team like the Warriors pose for us. A lot of Maverick bandwagoners made themselves look stupid by not giving the Spurs a chance to come back and win the le i.e. "spurs are too old, etc." It would be equally dumb and shortsighted to permanently write off Dirk and the Mavs. I would expect this kind of idiocy from a Warriors fan, or a Heat fan, but Spurs fans should know better. At least the better ones, anyway.

Their self-fulfilling prophecies of failure will continue so long as losing, for no other reason than lack of character, continues to rule that poor franchise's psyche.

Lots of namecalling. U mad?

[SpursDynasty]

Suns have a little problem with Marion. They can't keep him at the expense of going over the salary cap.

And Mavs? Unless Avery pulls a bunny out of the hat, how can they bounce back from a NBA Finals loss and a 1st round exit the year after? Since game 2 of the NBA Finals in '06, the Mavs have a playoff record of 4-8. Not exactly a juggernaut in my book.

It'll be interesting what the offseason will be like.

Actually, that's 2-8 since Game 2 of the NBA Finals '06. 2-8 in the playoffs since then, and people think this is the best team in the NBA.

[BobcatsDynasty]

Actually, that's 2-8 since Game 2 of the NBA Finals '06. 2-8 in the playoffs since then, and people think this is the best team in the NBA.

The Spurs were 0-3 in the playoffs between May 9 and May 15 last season. Flukes.

[SpursDynasty]

Yeah, you're right. It wasn't a case of the Lakers doing a good job of keying their defense and making adjustments towards Tony Parker, the Spurs were just a bunch of pussies that decided that they didn't want to win:
l

You're still referring to 2004? You know SA has won 2 championships since the late clock start for the 0.4 shot?

[Findog]

You're still referring to 2004? You know SA has won 2 championships since the late clock start for the 0.4 shot?

They still went out and dropped Game 6. They still have Manu, TP and Duncan. Same crew.

If Spurs fans want to bring up the 2006 NBA Finals as some sort of conclusive proof that the Mavs are the only team to drop four straight, I'll keep bringing up the 2004 series against the Lakers.

[BobcatsDynasty]

You're still referring to 2004? You know SA has won 2 championships since the late clock start for the 0.4 shot?

2 fluke championships with fluke shots by fluke players. When the Bobcats beat them this year, they were just beating a team they're supposed to beat.

[Tippecanoe]

You're crazy.

Wait, you're right. They'll surprise us with the 8th seed in the east.

you never know!!! they did have a lot of injuries last season, and with the atlantic division being a joke (toronto aside), its feasible

[SpursDynasty]

2 fluke championships with fluke shots by fluke players. When the Bobcats beat them this year, they were just beating a team they're supposed to beat.

Half of the teams that SA lost to this year cheated. Spurs realistically were a 70-12 team.

[BobcatsDynasty]

Half of the teams that SA lost to this year cheated. Spurs realistically were a 70-12 team.

Half the games that SA won they cheated. Spurs realistically were a 35-47 team.

Half of the teams that Charlotte lost to this year cheated. Bobcats realistically were a 60-22 team.

[Findog]

Half of the teams that SA lost to this year cheated. Spurs realistically were a 70-12 team.

Ah, somebody who makes BobcatsDynasty look sober and realistic.

[SpursDynasty]

Half the games that SA won they cheated. Spurs realistically were a 35-47 team.

Half of the teams that Charlotte lost to this year cheated. Spurs realistically were a 60-22 team.

Seven of the 10 losses between January 1 and February 11 were by five or less points. So add seven to 58 wins and you get 65. Dallas sucks, so add more 3 to 65 and you get 68. Cleveland's reg. seasons wins vs. SA don't count, so add 2 and you get 70.

[Findog]

Seven of the 10 losses between January 1 and February 11 were by five or less points. So add seven to 58 wins and you get 65. Dallas sucks, so add more 3 to 65 and you get 68. Cleveland's reg. seasons wins vs. SA don't count, so add 2 and you get 70.

You're a parody as well! All this time I thought you were re ed but you're pulling our leg. Bravo, sir, on a job well done!

[monosylab1k]

Seven of the 10 losses between January 1 and February 11 were by five or less points. So add seven to 58 wins and you get 65. Dallas sucks, so add more 3 to 65 and you get 68. Cleveland's reg. seasons wins vs. SA don't count, so add 2 and you get 70.

This is the uber-Jeff post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No other "Dynasty" poster can ever show their face again because this BLOWS AWAY delusion on any level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Findog]

This is the uber-Jeff post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No other "Dynasty" poster can ever show their face again because this BLOWS AWAY delusion on any level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got compliments for my "MavericksDynasty" but I'm clearly going to have to raise my game to compete.

[monosylab1k]

Seven of the 10 losses between January 1 and February 11 were by five or less points. So add seven to 58 wins and you get 65. Dallas sucks, so add more 3 to 65 and you get 68. Cleveland's reg. seasons wins vs. SA don't count, so add 2 and you get 70.

Seriously, this is the greatest post i've ever seen in my short time here at SpursTalk. This needs ST Hall Of Fame consideration.

[monosylab1k]

I got compliments for my "MavericksDynasty" but I'm clearly going to have to raise my game to compete.

Yeah MavericksDynasty, BobcatsDynasty, SunsDynasty, BucksDynasty needs to join forces and maybe add GrizzliesDynasty and HawksDynasty to the team. It will take a monumental effort to defeat the new and improved uber-SpursDynasty!

[Findog]

Yeah MavericksDynasty, BobcatsDynasty, SunsDynasty, BucksDynasty needs to join forces and maybe add GrizzliesDynasty and HawksDynasty to the team. It will take a monumental effort to defeat the new and improved uber-SpursDynasty!

SpursDynasty is clearly using some sort of performance-enhancing drugs, I'm convinced of that after these latest gems. Mescaline, perhaps?

[DarkReign]

Spurs will repeat (barring injuries).

No other team throws 3 all stars out on the floor that consistently perform like TP, Manu and TimD. As long as the Spurs have those 3, theyre always the favorite.

Pistons lose in the ECFs. Total guess.

[BucksDynasty]

where are the Bucks on this list?

of these four teams they are the only ones not to have lost a playoff game last year. Spurs had maybe the easiest road to the championship in league history. they avoided the Mavs, healthy Suns, and the Bucks who swept the Spurs in the season. they were just sweeping a team they were supposed to sweep. if it wasnt for a couple of bad breaks, the Bucks would've been in the playoffs. there's nothing you can do to beat cheaters. then, they just would've beaten teams they were supposed to beat and would've won it all.

[Dirk Nowitzki]

IF the Mavs land a post player, the rest of the league is seriously ed. Land Zach Randolph and the former Western Conference Champs will be back!

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

Dallas Mavericks will win the 2008 championship uncontested

[tlongII]

The Blazers have to be the odds on favorite for the 2008 championship.