Mavs @ Bucks Game Thread!!

[Findog]

All good points Findog. For the record I am not taking the Mavs lightly. In one thread somebody said the Mavs were the best team in the NBA right now and I found that a little over the top as of now.

"Best team in the NBA right now" means . Boston has the best record but they've had a light schedule and they're playing their Big 3 40 minutes a night each. I actually don't have a problem with that, because unlike Phoenix, San Antonio, Detroit, Dallas, they haven't ever played together before, so they need to develop some chemistry. But at some point, they'll need to scale minutes back. I haven't watched Phoenix at all this year, so the only thing I can say is that it looks like they're doing their usual thing, but looking at their schedule, they've played a bunch of cupcakes.


Last year I think both Phoenix and Dallas got suckered into trying to keep pace with each other. They both rattled off an insane stretch, both had 17-game winning streaks, both had an insane run like 31-3 or something like that. As I see it, the Mavs can't worry about what the Suns, Celtics or Spurs do when they don't play them. If they're taking care of their business, they'll have a top-four seed at the end of the year and as good a shot as anybody to come out of the West.

[Findog]

I don't think they should have to be on the floor that long to beat a team like the Bucks though. They should take care of business from the get go instead of letting it get down to the wire. I know I yell at the Suns a lot when they do that sort of thing. Frustrates the out of me when they just cruise along like they can just turn on a switch.

Mavs were playing their fourth game in five nights, and I don't think the Bucks are going to be that bad this year. I think on a whole, the East has narrowed the gap somewhat this year.

[Nashfan]

"Best team in the NBA right now" means . Boston has the best record but they've had a light schedule and they're playing their Big 3 40 minutes a night each. I actually don't have a problem with that, because unlike Phoenix, San Antonio, Detroit, Dallas, they haven't ever played together before, so they need to develop some chemistry. But at some point, they'll need to scale minutes back. I haven't watched Phoenix at all this year, so the only thing I can say is that it looks like they're doing their usual thing, but looking at their schedule, they've played a bunch of cupcakes.


Last year I think both Phoenix and Dallas got suckered into trying to keep pace with each other. They both rattled off an insane stretch, both had 17-game winning streaks, both had an insane run like 31-3 or something like that. As I see it, the Mavs can't worry about what the Suns, Celtics or Spurs do when they don't play them. If they're taking care of their business, they'll have a top-four seed at the end of the year and as good a shot as anybody to come out of the West.

The only tougher game the Mavs have had than the Suns is against the Spurs. Otherwise, they have had similar teams to play against.

[Armando]

"Best team in the NBA right now" means . Boston has the best record but they've had a light schedule and they're playing their Big 3 40 minutes a night each. I actually don't have a problem with that, because unlike Phoenix, San Antonio, Detroit, Dallas, they haven't ever played together before, so they need to develop some chemistry. But at some point, they'll need to scale minutes back. I haven't watched Phoenix at all this year, so the only thing I can say is that it looks like they're doing their usual thing, but looking at their schedule, they've played a bunch of cupcakes.


Last year I think both Phoenix and Dallas got suckered into trying to keep pace with each other. They both rattled off an insane stretch, both had 17-game winning streaks, both had an insane run like 31-3 or something like that. As I see it, the Mavs can't worry about what the Suns, Celtics or Spurs do when they don't play them. If they're taking care of their business, they'll have a top-four seed at the end of the year and as good a shot as anybody to come out of the West.

I agree with that. D'Antoni last season did mention something about trying to keep pace with the Mavs. That is why the Spurs win. They don't care what the Mavs,Celtics or Suns are doing. They go about thier business and people overlook them but when you look up they are holding the trophy.

[Nashfan]

Mavs were playing their fourth game in five nights, and I don't think the Bucks are going to be that bad this year. I think on a whole, the East has narrowed the gap somewhat this year.

Yeah, I understand what you are saying about four games in five nights, but all teams have them. I could understand more if it was against tougher teams but it wasn't. I'm not sure what I think about the east this year. I have to watch a few more of their games first, which is hard to do because they can be so boring to watch at times, and with work it is hard to get time to watch all the teams play.

[Nashfan]

Actually, AJ is just copying another Spurs thing. Usually the Spurs play like crap against the worst eastern teams.

This could be true, but I don't know if it will work for the Mavs, as the Spurs are use to doing this.

[Findog]

The only tougher game the Mavs have had than the Suns is against the Spurs. Otherwise, they have had similar teams to play against.

I think what makes Phoenix such a great team in the regular season is that that style is so hard to prepare against. You're not used to playing a track-meet style and having to get back on defense in transition to prevent run-outs by Marion, or the Suns fastbreaking off a made basket, etc. Only a good defensive team with time to prepare can slow Phoenix down. And if you're on the second night of a b2b or it's your 4th game in 5 nights, Phoenix is the last team you want to play. Also, Phoenix is definitely better than 26 teams in the League for sure, so the only way they lose is if they're having an off-night.

[Findog]

I agree with that. D'Antoni last season did mention something about trying to keep pace with the Mavs. That is why the Spurs win. They don't care what the Mavs,Celtics or Suns are doing. They go about thier business and people overlook them but when you look up they are holding the trophy.

Yeah, and where did going in fifth gear the entire regular season get the Suns and Mavs? Nothing but fool's gold.

Mavs have two pressing issues they need to solve before the playoffs: interior defense sucks right now, and trying to get a more balanced offensive approach. Dampier's return to 100% health will solve the former, and whether or not they can achieve the latter will determine how far they go in the playoffs.

[Nashfan]

I think what makes Phoenix such a great team in the regular season is that that style is so hard to prepare against. You're not used to playing a track-meet style and having to get back on defense in transition to prevent run-outs by Marion, or the Suns fastbreaking off a made basket, etc. Only a good defensive team with time to prepare can slow Phoenix down. And if you're on the second night of a b2b or it's your 4th game in 5 nights, Phoenix is the last team you want to play. Also, Phoenix is definitely better than 26 teams in the League for sure, so the only way they lose is if they're having an off-night.

I suppose. I have my reservations about how this Suns team will do this year. I would really like to have another big man since Amare gets in so much foul trouble and another real point guard would be nice to help with Nash and his minutes. His minutes are down this year by a bit but I would like them down a bit more. Grant Hills minutes are ridiculous right now and really has me concerned. I wish our coach would give our rookies some playing time especially in blowouts so that they could maybe contribute down the stretch, but good luck with that.

[Findog]

I suppose. I have my reservations about how this Suns team will do this year. I would really like to have another big man since Amare gets in so much foul trouble and another real point guard would be nice to help with Nash and his minutes. His minutes are down this year by a bit but I would like them down a bit more. Grant Hills minutes are ridiculous right now and really has me concerned. I wish our coach would give our rookies some playing time especially in blowouts so that they could maybe contribute down the stretch, but good luck with that.

D'Antoni's weakness has always been his unwillingness to use his bench. Sure, he's had some spares riding the pine, but you can't go 7-deep all year long for 100 games, which is what a le run would require. I don't know who I'd rather be a fan of right now, Phoenix or Dallas. They are both princes to the King right now, and they both have serious questions about their ability to get it done. If the Suns can avoid San Antonio, I'd have to make them the favorites though.

[jmard5]

I am shocked we even stayed in the game. I expect us to get our asses kicked tonight. Meh unlike last year it took us our 13th game to lose our 4th of the year. I am not worried about the Champs especially the MVP Dirk! These guys are fighters with the heart of a champion!

You might want to rethink some of the things you said.

[Nashfan]

D'Antoni's weakness has always been his unwillingness to use his bench. Sure, he's had some spares riding the pine, but you can't go 7-deep all year long for 100 games, which is what a le run would require. I don't know who I'd rather be a fan of right now, Phoenix or Dallas. They are both princes to the King right now, and they both have serious questions about their ability to get it done. If the Suns can avoid San Antonio, I'd have to make them the favorites though.

This is true about our coach. If he would just use the bench for a least a few minutes every game it would give our starters a breather and make them fresher for the playoffs. The Spurs are the team to beat and the Mavs have proven they can beat them, until we do we will have trouble getting to the finals. Sorry to say, but I don't worry about the Mavs nearly as much as I do about the Spurs. I think the Sun have the Mavs figured out. Hope I didn't just jinx the team by saying that though!

[Findog]

. Sorry to say, but I don't worry about the Mavs nearly as much as I do about the Spurs. I think the Sun have the Mavs figured out. Hope I didn't just jinx the team by saying that though!

As a Suns fan, you shouldn't. If we play Phoenix, I would prefer it to be the Conference Finals as opposed to earlier. And no disrespect to San Antonio, as great as they are, I would rather draw them than Phoenix.

When it comes to PHX/DAL/SAS, it's rock-paper-scissors.

[jman3000]

I think what makes Phoenix such a great team in the regular season is that that style is so hard to prepare against. You're not used to playing a track-meet style and having to get back on defense in transition to prevent run-outs by Marion, or the Suns fastbreaking off a made basket, etc. Only a good defensive team with time to prepare can slow Phoenix down. And if you're on the second night of a b2b or it's your 4th game in 5 nights, Phoenix is the last team you want to play. Also, Phoenix is definitely better than 26 teams in the League for sure, so the only way they lose is if they're having an off-night.

i know phx have become the masters of speed ball... but i dont think that the "style" is that hard to prepare for... there are many teams in the NBA that employ or at least try to employ that pace... none are as effective at it... but it's still being used nonetheless.