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Win Game 5 and the pressure shifts.
PETER VESCEY: BEWARE: SPURS ARE MAD
BEWARE: SPURS ARE MAD
By PETER VECSEY
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May 17, 2006 -- ANY demonic thoughts that the Spurs may have left it all in Dallas following two perforated gut checks that leave them one loss away from officially being dethroned need to be instantly exorcised.
If the Mavericks think the barbed-wire barrier they cleared Monday in taking a 3-1 series advantage was razor rigid, wait until Gregg Popovich's wounded players get a whiff of Avery Johnson's huntsmen in Game 5.
If Dallas thinks its riddled target was a road kill in Game 4, imagine how ornery and obstinate the Spurs figure to be in Game 6.
And I think we all know whose side the percentages (and the refs) are on should a Game 7 in San Antonio be necessary.
OK, you're right; only eight teams in NBA history have ever rebounded all the way back and then some from a 1-3 deficit. What makes me believe the Spurs have any chance to overcome those odds?
Because the past has nothing to do with what went on Monday night, what'll happen on the court tonight, and what's going on in the resilient minds of a championship squad secure in its superiority and whose wagons are circled in adversity. The Spurs can't play any better than they did in Monday night's remarkably entertaining and combative overtime loss. In fact, it's hard, I concede, to believe they've played a better game all season.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker (if you can overlook his five turnovers, five missed free throws, including two killers late in OT), Manu Ginobili and Michael Finley (out to prove he's worth the money the Spurs are paying him) performed at an unbeatable level. Yet they got beat by the drama class of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Devin Harris.
What makes me think the Spurs, knowing what a harrowing commitment it takes to win three playoff games in a row, aren't in the mood to acquiesce?
Because, experience tells me, a team that's seething isn't about surrendering.
The Spurs are fuming at themselves for malfunctioning on costly late-game handoffs in the last two losses, and not swallowing up crucial rebounds.
Duncan is furious with himself for failing to hit the game-winner, a fairly uncomplicated jump hook from 12 feet out at the end of regulation in Game 4.
Popovich is outraged by numerous questionable calls, but stopped short of verbally challenging referee Bavetta immediately after the 123-118 defeat, waving him off instead. He's also probably s -shocked he's the one who has had to adjust (going with short people and Duncan at center to counterbalance the Mavs' quickness) when it has been the other way around since (this is Pop's line) the breakup of the Soviet Union - Shaq & Kobe.
Duncan feels he got stiffed when assessed his sixth foul with a few minutes left in Game 3 - sending Nowitzki to the welfare line - and there's every reason to second his consternation.
Bruce Bowen feels he got jobbed with 8.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Game 4, again putting Nowitzki in perfect position to stalemate matters. Afterward, he went directly to the midcourt area where David Stern (on border patrol) was seated and shouted, "This is terrible!"
Ginobili appeared exasperated, having fouled out in only 26:42, though I'm unsure who upset him most, the refs or Popovich, who didn't start Manu for the second straight game, ahem, loss. I can't remember Ginobili playing better - 4-for-4 from 3-point range, four steals and at lest four other near-thefts.
An insolent Duncan offered a one word answer about his team's missed free throws and was gone. Parker and Ginobili made themselves unavailable for comment. The talking portion of the series is over. It's time to stop playing around or get slayed.
There are some forces that defy advice, anticipation and an alarm system. The Spurs are one of them.
No matter what acute state of readiness the Mavs are in, no matter how well Avery Johnson has primed them, no matter how much they think they know, they're not going to appreciate how hard it to finish the job until they've suffered through it.
Win Game 5 and the pressure shifts.
Yeah, that piece was motivating.
Well, I for one would sure like to see some of that "mad" channeled into their game and the fruition be a WIN! "Mad" doesn't count unless you frickin' do something with it.
dallas has all the pressure to close this deal the longer they can not do it
the more pressure and those jumpshots could be short
I truly hope that if the refs pull the they pulled in Dallas in the AT&T that there' a ing riot. Maybe that will get Stern's attention and some accountability. Chances are the league knows they have no rooming for ing the Spurs in SA so the reffing will lean the other way.
I hate Peter Vescey..
I thought they were mad and motivated in Game 4, didn't look like it in OT
Good article.
He hits the nail on the head. The spurs (much like their fans) are unwavering in their feeling of superiority over the Mavs (with good reason considering their accomplishments). One thing that none of us can be certain about, is the Spurs reaction to their anger. Jettisoning the "victim" complex is the first step towards success in this series. Regardless of how Bowen felt about the refs call at the end of game 4, he shouldn't have taken it upon himself to complain to Stern. These comments are no reflection on the validity of the call but rather Bowen's reaction to it. The action of taking it upon himself to complain while the game could still be won, is the wrong mindset. In order to get back into this series the Spurs have to be less consumed with the officitiating.
We caught a glimpse of what Duncan, Ginobilli, and Parker's mindset might be by their post game comments (or lack their of) Monday night. The spurs need an unconcerned at ude towards the officiating. Controlled anger focused on execution and effort will allow the Spurs to win every game.
As a Mavs fan, I thought this series would stretch to 7 games all along. I'm interested if the Mavs can keep their composure and play with confidence through the 4th quarter. They did this on Monday night but they'll need to maintain their composure in order to eliminate the defending champs.
As a side note, I was at game 4 and sat next to some outstanding Spurs fans. They were knowledgeable, respectful, and had a good time. I also saw a drunk spurs fan yelling about "latino pride" at the top of his lungs in the restroom, concourse and during the game. At the same time, I saw Mavs fans berate spurs fans for no reason. Point being, there are good and bad fans everywhere but at the end of the day, we're all Texans. Ain't that great.
S shocked. Couldn't believe they were getting screwed twice in a row in the same way.
Another fluff piece.
Vescey does make sense in this article, and I am sure most Mavs players and hopefully the fans realize it ain't even close to over, but I did think this quote was funny/ironic:
The Spurs aren't even paying him half what the Mavericks are this year.
And while Vescey makes some good points, his historic dislike for the Mavs does show up in his dismissal of the Mavs also having resolute, talented, and motivated players. I doubt the Spurs players have the sam mindset.
Unlike Stern, Vescey is not a big fan of the pussification of the NBA.
If you're a Spurs player, how could you not be absolutely pissed about what happened in the last two games. Two games that ended with highly suspect calls. This sounds like whining, but a lot of people in the media have been talking about it -- not just SA media.
If tonights game starts with several ticky-tack foul calls, followed by several travelling calls, the Spurs will be in for a long night. If it's close at the end, just give the ball to Dork and he'll probably get to the charity stripe, yet again. Or, give it to Terry, and maybe he'll wait to get grazed by Ginobilli and react like he was shot in the back by a tazer gun. If the game ends like that, then maybe, just maybe, Stern's goal of the pussifying the NBA will be complete.
I like the high scoring NBA of the 80's (it's what I grew up on). That's why I love the Suns and Mavs style of play. I don't think that's a pussification of the NBA but rather an adherence to the rules.
The situation you just described is exactly what might get the Spurs eliminated. Every successful team plays through the refs. The spurs have done it in the past and they need to do it again if they want to advance.
My gloomy prediction. Dallas will get a bit of a hosing in SA, probably along the lines of calling the fouls that Damp and Diop actuully are committing but haven't been getting called. Maybe they even call Dirk for some over the backs or push offs with the forearm. Spurs win comfortably. Lots of whining by Dallas fans and press. Then it's back to Dallas where they give the Spurs another screwing to close out the series. Nothing as blatant as the end of the game crap that's been happening. More like early foul trouble for Ducan to let the Mavs take control of the game. You heard it here first.
Rather ironic considering that Nowitzki has been to the line 46 times in the last 3 games.
Duncan has been to the line 43 times.
What's your point?
No, the pressure would still be on SA, they can not lose any more games, Dallas would have 2 games to win one....but first things first.
I am so ready for this ing game to start.
I am nervous as , myself.
I have wagered a case of beer with one guy and $20 a game in games 3 and 4, with another buddy, so I really think I am a jinx here.
What can I do to reverse the jinx??????
How about STFU
Which one is the jumpshooting 7 footer who plays 20 feet from the rim and which one is one of the top post players of this era? Not hard to figure out.
Anyways, your point was that the Spurs lived through the refs. Well, I guess the Mavs are deviating from 'championship quality' basketball as well.
This makes me nervous. Vescey only writes about things that are real longshots.
Good news
The Rangers blew a 9-0 lead to Yankees last night and the odds of that are even worse than coming back from 3-1.
I think the city of Dallas is still suffering from the JFK curse.
I can only hope so.
How about STFU
too late, the bets were made.
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