Spurs to lose opener!

[THE SIXTH MAN]

No tim duncan is not a top 10 player try top 20. Secondly it is my opinion that the mavs can beat u guys next year and thats all part of compe ion, that doenst make me a "delusional re ," as u call it. You call me a ing delusional re and 3 posts later you still havent said anything to back up your little diss. Im done arguing with you just go ahead and think what you want im not going to argue with you, you are the delusional one.

Do you know how to read you dumb ? I said your a re for giving either team the edge over the other. Your even dumber for saying Tim is not top ten. You still didn't answer my question. Name me 5 other power forwards that are better than TD?

"all part of compe ion" is the excuse for your lack of being able to have a discussion of basketball? You accuse me of being a homer when I'm telling you that the mavs are the top dogs of the west WTF? Why dont you back up your "opinion" then?

[Mavs_man_41]

I said your a re for giving either team the edge over the other.

Your even dumber for saying Tim is not top ten.

these are both your opinions, doesnt make anyone dumb for having a different opinion.

Why dont you back up your "opinion" then?

I'll back up my opinion on why i think the mavs will beat the spurs, assuming they meet in the playoffs next year. First of all, a major problem the spurs had against the mavs was their small ball line-up of young, quick, athletic guards. The spurs had a hard time keeping up with them with bowen having to spend much time on nowitzki. Pop made it even worse on himself by switching to small ball and still couldnt match up with the mavs backcourt. Now what have the spurs done this offseason to address this problem? Absolutely nothing. They will have the exact same matchup problems they had last year. The spurs havent gotten any younger. Who is gonna guard Dirk? Can't be the 36 (i believe) year old robert horry. Bowen? Then who is going to guard Howard? Harris? Terry? Instead of aquiring players to address these needs, the spurs go and trade away their dependable centers for 2 guys who are an absolute gamble. Sure, it may pay off, but you never know. All you guys talk about is needing a long 3. Where is he? The mavs, on the other hand, have made several offseason aquisitions which make their already deep bench that much deeper. Maurice Ager is a promising young rookie that will probably get 15-20 minutes per game next season. Greg Buckner is an improvement on Adrian Griffin offensively. Austin Croshere is an improvement over Van Horn defensively. Anthony Johnson is a nice addition as back-up point guard. Devean George adds depth and finals experience. So while the mavs were already the better team last year, they have improved this offseason while the spurs have yet to do a damn thing. That's why the mavs will have that much more of an advantage this season.

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

Ah yes, at the end of the day this makes up for everything that might or might not happen in the future.

Your plans for the 06-07 season:

1. Cancel those Spurs season tix
2. Order the commemorative edition of the Spurs "Road to the Championship"
3. Sit pretty in your Robinson throwback reminiscing about the old days watching the commemorative dvd over and over and over and over....
4. Cancel NBA League Pass, no need to continue watching NBA ball when you already have three rings.

[JGrice02]

Now what have the spurs done this offseason to address this problem?

Take the blinders off, guy. What in the world are you talking about? Every move the Spurs made this off season will improve their chances agaisnt the Mavs. Maybe they don't help against other teams, but they definitely help against the Mavs.

The Spurs acquired a PF that plays away from the basket (Bonner), a center that is quicker and more athletic than either of his predecessors (Elson), a backup PG that, unlike the ancient Van Exel, might actually stay in front of Jason Terry (Vaughn), and a long SF who can play good defense in spurts (Williams). And I didn't even mention of the promising young C prospect (Butler) because I render his services moot against the Mavs except as a sub for Duncan.

Are these additions All-World? No, they are role players. Role players are never All-World. But the roles they are capable of filling do address some glaring weaknesses the Spurs had against the Mavs.

Are any of these players going to slow down Dirk? Of course not, just like no one of the Mavs came remotely close to slowing down Duncan. What the Spurs needed to do was give themselves more flexibility. They needed someone that can chase Terry and Harris around screens and at least attempt to keep them out of the lane. They needed someone that can block out Dirk, or at least body him up. They needed someone that can easily switch on screens - a versatile SF that can defend several positions if needed. And they needed someone that can be a bull under the basket when Duncan is resting. Would they have preferred that more of these players be young? Sure, but the market was terrible this offseason so they got what was available. And in the end there is only one question that matters: Did they improve their roster for when the face a team like Dallas? Absolutely!

Does that mean they are better than Dallas? Does that mean they will beat Dallas? Of course not. But its not like they were far removed from displacing Dallas last season. We all witnessed the Dallas collapse in the second half of game seven. And the saving grace for the Mavs in that game? A boneheaded play by a Spur, Ginobili. Try to remember that before you convince yourself that the Mavs have a greater advantage against the Spurs next season.

The mavs, on the other hand, have made several offseason aquisitions which make their already deep bench that much deeper. Maurice Ager is a promising young rookie that will probably get 15-20 minutes per game next season. Greg Buckner is an improvement on Adrian Griffin offensively. Austin Croshere is an improvement over Van Horn defensively. Anthony Johnson is a nice addition as back-up point guard. Devean George adds depth and finals experience. So while the mavs were already the better team last year, they have improved this offseason while the spurs have yet to do a damn thing. That's why the mavs will have that much more of an advantage this season.

Again, you couldn't be wearing thicker blinders. When someone finds the silver lining of signing a Devean George you know they are dilusional. This is very simple. The Mavs improved their bench in one area, and one area only: backup PG. I think that is really important for the Mavs and they did a great job acquiring Johnson. But stop trying to blow sunshine up our butts with regards to their other acquisitions. The Mavs did not upgrade at any position on their bench outside of backup PG.

Is Johnson a better backup than Armstrong? Absolutely, great pickup for the Mavs. Is Buckner better on offense than Griffin? Slightly. But is he better on defense? Unfortunately, no. Is Croshere better on defense than Van Horn? Maybe. Is he better on offense? Hardly. And what about George and Ager? Are either of them as talented and productive as Daniels? Maybe Ager, 2-3 years from now... but not today. Personally, I think any team that signs George is immediately worse, but I just have a very low opinion of the player. I'm sure he will bring someone on the defensive end. Just don't let him shoot!

We don't live in a world where simply saying something makes it so. Simply because you say Croshere is better than Van Horn doesn't make it so, especially when there is no statistical support for your argument. Like I said earlier, the Mavs made one upgrade, period. You can argue that other acquisitions are better in certain areas, but when you break it down its a wash. And that is okay. We are talking about players 9-13 here, not starters.

For the most part, both the Spurs and the Mavs stood still. The Mavs helped their cause by acquiring a backup PG and the Spurs gave themselves more flexiblity for when they play teams like the Mavs. So where does that leave us for next season? Well, I'm pretty sure Ginobili won't make the same mistake twice. And if all other things are equall, which they appear to be, then I like the Spurs chances very much. They might win. They might lose. The only certainty is that neither team did anything to separate themselves this offseason.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

yes free throws...something duncan is afraid of

yes free throws..... something dirk and josh can't hit when it counts but duncan, manu AND tony can

[Jheum Jhang]

yes free throws..... something dirk and josh can't hit when it counts but duncan, manu AND tony can

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!X1000

[shaggy17]

As long as we put Dirk on his ass he will slow down dramatically and wear down in the 4th. Elson and Butler I can see give that softie all star some hard ass fouls. The heat didnt exactly have quick guards either. They had GP and J-will and wade was their only fast guy. They had Posey and Haslem guard Dirk and had Antoine Walker start at the 3. Miami wasnt exactly young and they beat the Mavs in 6 games. The Heat PUNISHED the Mavs on the defensive end by playing Riley ball. The Mavs cant handle physical 48 minute games which sadly the Finals was their first series handling a beating like that. That is one key factor the Mavs lack no matter who they sign or what they say they cant handle teams being physical with them and Mav fans know it. Dirk, who is a so called "superstar", didnt play like he did the previous 3 rounds due to Shaq,ZO,Haslem,Posey putting him on his ass hard. When you get physical with the Mavs it totally throws them off and puts them out of sync. Next year wont be the case and I hope mav fans know this. They disgraced the western conference last year with their ing and crying to the press and they have a huge target on their back. Teams will not only be gunning for the Mavs but gunning for them HARD. Mavs will have problems handling teams being physical with them for 48 minutes.

[Mavs_man_41]

JGrice, if you are counting on vaughn or eric williams for defense then you guys are in big trouble. And as far as the mavs not improving their bench, that is laughable. At least you admit anthony johnson is an improvement.

[confined]

yes free throws..... something dirk and josh can't hit when it counts but duncan, manu AND tony can

what game were u watchin?!

[sa_butta]

what game were u watchin?!

[confined]

Tim Thomas??? Uhhhh?!?!?! It was more than a "series", it was the finals. Tim has a big fat goose egg for finals losses. And that last sentence you should save b/c you will eat those words! Good Night, try not to choke in your sleep!

dude u are really annoying

[Phil Jackson]

As long as we put Dirk on his ass he will slow down dramatically and wear down in the 4th. Elson and Butler I can see give that softie all star some hard ass fouls. The heat didnt exactly have quick guards either. They had GP and J-will and wade was their only fast guy. They had Posey and Haslem guard Dirk and had Antoine Walker start at the 3. Miami wasnt exactly young and they beat the Mavs in 6 games. The Heat PUNISHED the Mavs on the defensive end by playing Riley ball. The Mavs cant handle physical 48 minute games which sadly the Finals was their first series handling a beating like that. That is one key factor the Mavs lack no matter who they sign or what they say they cant handle teams being physical with them and Mav fans know it. Dirk, who is a so called "superstar", didnt play like he did the previous 3 rounds due to Shaq,ZO,Haslem,Posey putting him on his ass hard. When you get physical with the Mavs it totally throws them off and puts them out of sync. Next year wont be the case and I hope mav fans know this. They disgraced the western conference last year with their ing and crying to the press and they have a huge target on their back. Teams will not only be gunning for the Mavs but gunning for them HARD. Mavs will have problems handling teams being physical with them for 48 minutes.

nah, wouldnt go that far. they were, barring a rare monumental collapse, away from a 3-0 lead. they choked it away and got timid in game 6.

[RC's Boss]

Uhh, I'm not on a mavs forum. Look at the top of your browser and read the address.... it says http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1143155!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go to a mavs forum. Gaurentee you won't see me there and thus you will no longer be annoyed!

dude u are really annoying

[RC's Boss]

Spurstalk not mavstalk. I think the mavs forum can be reached by placing both hands around your neck and squeeze as tightly as possible. Give it a try!

[Mavs_man_41]

Spurstalk not mavstalk. I think the mavs forum can be reached by placing both hands around your neck and squeeze as tightly as possible. Give it a try!

No actually its called the nba forum. If you dont want to deal with mav fans then stay in the spurs forum. Kori made this section for fans of all teams and if you dont like it you dont have to stay.

[RC's Boss]

No actually its called the nba forum. If you dont want to deal with mav fans then stay in the spurs forum. Kori made this section for fans of all teams and if you dont like it you dont have to stay.

THIS IS THE SPURS FORUM.... LAY OFF THE ROCKS CRACKBOY!

[Mavs_man_41]

HAHA im sorry man ur probably right about laying off the rocks

[Mavs_man_41]

I coulda swore i was in the nba forum now i feel like a dumbass

[confined]

Spurstalk not mavstalk. I think the mavs forum can be reached by placing both hands around your neck and squeeze as tightly as possible. Give it a try!

AHAHAAHAHAHAH! ur annoying and a complete idiot!

[Man In Black]

JGrice, if you are counting on vaughn or eric williams for defense then you guys are in big trouble. And as far as the mavs not improving their bench, that is laughable. At least you admit anthony johnson is an improvement.

He gives you an actual basketball take, with creditable reasons as to why both teams are improved in some areas, and weaker in others and all you have is the above quote?

Counting on Vaugh or Williams? Please, what Vaugh can do better than Van Exel is not be a turnstile. Williams is 6 hard east coast fouls for Dirk and the rest of the "Proven as soft-Reverse sweep Mavweaks".

Yeah say that you won in a 7 game series against the then defending champs in San Antonio, I'll prefer to say that you survived. From what I recall, the NBA admitted they made a key mistake from which your team gained advantage.

link provided in case you forgot:
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb..._force/?page=3

Harm, but no foul
Fresh from the Too Little, Too Late Dept. comes word that the NBA rescinded the technical foul against San Antonio's Michael Finley in the second quarter of Game 4 in Dallas. Finley was called for a technical with 4:44 remaining in the half, and it appeared to be borderline at best. ``You can imagine what I wanted to say when I heard that," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who found out about the decision Thursday. ``Does that mean we win the game by 1 point?" Game 4, which was played May 15, went into overtime, and the Mavericks prevailed, 123-118, so the technical was huge. (Dirk Nowitzki made the free throw.) For Finley, it means he won't have to fork over $1,000 to the league. For the Spurs, it means yet another tough break in a series they just as easily could have won.

I'd rather beat a team outright than whine publicly about how basketball, a contact sport I add, is being played too physically by a team known for valuing defense.

[JGrice02]

JGrice, if you are counting on vaughn or eric williams for defense then you guys are in big trouble. And as far as the mavs not improving their bench, that is laughable. At least you admit anthony johnson is an improvement.

Is this really all you have? Did you even read my last paragraph. Just because you say something is doesn't make it so. You actually have to argue your points. Of course, you have no ground to stand on so I completely understand why you choose not to argue the insane.

Oh wait, I get it. This is your concession speech. You recognize that everything I said was correct and you have no recourse. I hereby recognize your acceptance of defeat and permit you to bow out of this conversation with a shred of dignity.

Be gone, minion.

Next.

[Barry Bonds]

He gives you an actual basketball take, with creditable reasons as to why both teams are improved in some areas, and weaker in others and all you have is the above quote?

Counting on Vaugh or Williams? Please, what Vaugh can do better than Van Exel is not be a turnstile. Williams is 6 hard east coast fouls for Dirk and the rest of the "Proven as soft-Reverse sweep Mavweaks".

Yeah say that you won in a 7 game series against the then defending champs in San Antonio, I'll prefer to say that you survived. From what I recall, the NBA admitted they made a key mistake from which your team gained advantage.

link provided in case you forgot:
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb..._force/?page=3


I'd rather beat a team outright than whine publicly about how basketball, a contact sport I add, is being played too physically by a team known for valuing defense.

basketball and contact sport do not deserve to be mentioned in the same saliva. its the softest sport out there. your not allowed to touch somebody on the waste. its a joke. why do you guys argue who's tougher?

[Mavs_man_41]

For the most part, both the Spurs and the Mavs stood still. The Mavs helped their cause by acquiring a backup PG and the Spurs gave themselves more flexiblity for when they play teams like the Mavs. So where does that leave us for next season? Well, I'm pretty sure Ginobili won't make the same mistake twice. And if all other things are equall, which they appear to be, then I like the Spurs chances very much. They might win. They might lose. The only certainty is that neither team did anything to separate themselves this offseason.

I'd say the additions of Ager, Buckner, George, Johnson, and Croshere > the spurs additions of Butler, Elson, Bonner, Williams, and Vaughn by a long shot. For gods sake elson was the 12th man for Denver. The mavs have done alot to seperate themselves from the spurs this offseason.

[Chicken Is Good]

Id just say that the spurs ing blow.. thats all u can say.. they have ducan... LMAO hes worst player in the ing game...

[Chicken Is Good]

Lol making a point to mavs man that the spurs dominate the ing mavs