Dallas is the only team I really fear

[greensborohill]

Phoenix is better than Dallas or San Antonio. Anybody that doesn't recognize this is clueless.

Defense mean anything to you?

Obviously not. Phoenix is gonna do what they do every year. Get to the second round or the WCF and lose.

[Leetonidas]

I think Elson will be key versus Dallas, though he won't play in this game. He has the speed so we don't need to go small against them, he played Dirk good in the first game (I wonder why he didn't play much in the loss?), and he has the athleticism. Once his defensive rotations are in order, we shouldn't have much to worry about because then we can put Bruce on Howard, Tony on Harris, and Manu on Terry. Tim will abuse whoever plays him during the playoffs. The key was stopping Dirk, and by using Bruce to do that (which didn't work anyway) it left Josh Howard with Robert Horry on him. Granted, if Horry didn't have his head up his ass the whole series, and hit some threes, the Spurs probably win, but he's too slow.

If the Spurs have someone to stick on Dirk, they should be fine.

[fitzgerald]

Senorspur, I read your posts and you really seem to pay attention to details. I respect your posts. The Spurs health will be key. If Manu is healthy, then it will be close. If he isn't, then I don't see the Spurs winning with this current roster. I personally do not want Maggette added to the Spurs. Forget defense with him, this guy is a scoring machine and he does it in the paint. He gets to the free throw line alot. The window is closing for the Spurs so they really need to add whatever is necessary for this and next year. As a Mavs fan, I hope the Spurs keep the current roster.

[Leetonidas]

Personally, I think the Spurs are still in close talks with the Clips for Maggette, but they are trying to get his last year at a team option or are trying to work something out for a PG.

I heard they wanted James White too though. If that's the case, I would say no.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I hope he's coaching the spurs some time in the near future.

that's like David Duke being heading the NAACP. i don't think it'll ever happen.

the only teams i think will give us a hard time are the mavs, suns(with a healthy amare), and maybe the nuggets if they gel when melo gets back. fear is too harsh a word, plus it's basketball. LIGHTEN UP. i'd love to see a spurs-mavs WCF with it all starting in san antonio.

[greensborohill]

Phoenix has been in the WCF the last 2 years..

Get a clue moron!!

Defense mean anything to you?

Obviously not. Phoenix is gonna do what they do every year. Get to the second round or the WCF and lose.

That's my full quote moron. . . . The reason I put second round is b/c if they don't get the top seed, they'll either play DAL or SAS and LOSE. So off.

[greensborohill]

Suns don't even pretend to play defense. That's how ty they are. They aren't even worth talking about.

[Big Shot Rob]

I wish I had more confidence.

If the FO does not get more help for the Spurs, I also tend to think that we would not be able to get by the Mavs in a 7 game series.

Josh Howard is on fire right now. He will only get better throughout the year, barring injury.

Tell me again why Pop passed on Howard in the draft? I understand Duncan is still pissed to this day that the Spurs did not draft Josh when we had the chance.

[Mr. Body]

Josh Howard is the reason the Mavs will in all likelihood beat the Spurs again this year.

[Budkin]

Not sure I'm right here, but I think Pop passed on Howard to free up money for Jason Kidd and/or Jermaine O'Neal.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Please remember..the Mavs are a perimeter dominated team... lay back and let josh howard shoot 22 foot jumpers all game long..

[DubMcDub]

And have him miss it right?

But what about the lose ball Manu will dive for?

Or the steal he will get?

Or the block?

Or the perfect pass?

Or shredding the defense?

Or splitting defenders?

Or knocking down a three?

Or getting to the foul line?

Manu Ginobili doesn't need to score to be clutch, he does everything well in crunch time.

Ya, Terry sure missed those 2 clutch jumpers from the baseline in OT of Game 4 last year.

Meanwhile, Manu was contributing beautifully from the bench, having received his 6th foul when he was absolutely punked by Terry at the end of regulation.

[Solid D]

I love Mavsmack.

[greensborohill]

Please remember..the Mavs are a perimeter dominated team... lay back and let josh howard shoot 22 foot jumpers all game long..

Aren't the Spurs more permieter oriented than the Mavs now?

Obviouslt Tim and Parker are great in the paint. But otherwise.. .

[DubMcDub]

I love Mavsmack.

I love Spursunearnedarrogance.

[greensborohill]

3-Game losing streak for the Spurs is coming...

They'll lose tonight @ Cleveland, tomorrow @ Minnesota and Friday against the Mavs...

Book it!

Shut up lame-o

[mavsfan1000]

3-Game losing streak for the Spurs is coming...

They'll lose tonight @ Cleveland, tomorrow @ Minnesota and Friday against the Mavs...

Book it!

Stick with your New York s team full of black holes.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Aren't the Spurs more permieter oriented than the Mavs now?

Obviouslt Tim and Parker are great in the paint. But otherwise.. .

That's 2 more paint players than the Mavs have.. not a knock against the mavs because they are successful at what they do..

[Solid D]

I love Spursunearnedarrogance.

The Spurs and their fans shouldn't be arrogant. Their defense is the worst it's been in years.

[SenorSpur]

Josh Howard is the reason the Mavs will in all likelihood beat the Spurs again this year.

If Elson can contain Dirk, thereby allowing Bowen to guard Josh full-time, we have a chance. If Bowen has to switch off on Dirk, we're in trouble - again.

Of course, Elson will sit out Friday's game - so we'll still wont know.

[SenorSpur]

Senorspur, I read your posts and you really seem to pay attention to details. I respect your posts. The Spurs health will be key. If Manu is healthy, then it will be close. If he isn't, then I don't see the Spurs winning with this current roster. I personally do not want Maggette added to the Spurs. Forget defense with him, this guy is a scoring machine and he does it in the paint. He gets to the free throw line alot. The window is closing for the Spurs so they really need to add whatever is necessary for this and next year. As a Mavs fan, I hope the Spurs keep the current roster.

Fitzgerald, your feedback is very much appreciated.

Reason for fear? The Spurs have just enough weaknesses to again be exploited and exposed by AJ and his band of Merry Mavs.

Dallas is a team I fear for the many reasons we've discussed already. It's one thing to blow out Utah (thanks to a tirade by your coach) and it's quite another to hold your own against the elite teams of your conference. It's also inexcusable to have your defense "shredded like cheddar cheese" by the Bobtails, Bucks and Sixers.

A concern - Team At ude and Level of Play:
Every game during that epic 7-game playoff series was close - except for one - Game 2 in S.A. Mavs blow out Spurs in a rout. Fast forward to Game 7. This game exemplified that entire series. Spurs trail by a huge margin and have to fight back the entire game from an insurmountable 20+ point lead to eventually lose the game in OT. Not good for an older team.

Look back at the most recent game in S.A.. Mavs opened up a 14-15pt lead of which the Spurs were never able to recover. Has anyone noticed that, even though the two teams are fairly evenly matched, if there is a blowout to be had, the Mavs have been the team to inflict said blowout? Going back to the start of last season, the Spurs have never seemed to be in a comforatable position against the Mavs and they've certainly not been able to blow them out.

Another concern: Lack of scoring opportunities outside Big 3:
When Manu and/or Tony go to the bench, this team morphs into a perimeter team. Jacking up shots from the outside. Very little cutting, backpicks, screens, and virtually no post play unless Duncan is on the floor. You can probably see where I'm going here. This is another case for bringing Maggette to this team.

Although I don't want anyone in the beloved Spurs community to take my comments and criticisms as "jumping off Spurs bandwagon" - THAT WONT HAPPEN. I'm simply nervous because for the first time since this Spurs/Mavs rivalry has heated up, I don't feel as though the Spurs have the upper hand.

[vinylstar]

from mavs land, the feeling is mutual. we all have reasonable fear of the spurs and more specifically duncan. the mavs have the personel to handle manu and parker, but duncan is feared. the WCSF last year was the most entertaining and well played basketball i've ever watched, and i expect a likely showdown this year to be the same. at this point, i'd give neither team the edge.

one more thing...how can you guys complaing about 3 pt consistency when you have the best 3pt shooting % in the league?

[Solid D]

from mavs land, the feeling is mutual. we all have reasonable fear of the spurs and more specifically duncan. the mavs have the personel to handle manu and parker, but duncan is feared. the WCSF last year was the most entertaining and well played basketball i've ever watched, and i expect a likely showdown this year to be the same. at this point, i'd give neither team the edge.

one more thing...how can you guys complaing about 3 pt consistency when you have the best 3pt shooting % in the league?

[Billy Cobham]

I would fear the new, old ball if I were you.

[Budkin]

The Mavs are clearly the better team right now but that doesn't mean that the Spurs won't pick it up later. They really need to make a good trade though.