Interesting take from Spothead...........
Rasheed Wallace on the Mavericks: “They don’t have no real big men"
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../1051/SPORTS01
February 2, 2008
By CHRIS SILVA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
When discussing the Pistons’ 102-86 drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks last month, Rasheed Wallace didn’t mince words.
Then again, when does he ever?” We got our (butt) kicked,” Wallace said. “Ain’t no way to sugarcoat it.”
The Mavericks shot an impressive 56.8% from the floor in that game, made 10 of 16 three-pointers and lit it up out of the gate with a 32-point first quarter.
So when the Pistons face Dallas again tomorrow afternoon at the Palace, Wallace has an idea on how to combat the Mavs’ slash-and-shoot style of play.
“We’ve just got to put their (butt) in a hole on the other end, put their (butt) right down there on them chop blocks (the post),” Wallace said. “They don’t have no real big men, actually. The only real big man I’d say is Damp (Eric Dampier) because he fits that classic big man mold….but they’ve got a lot of slashers on their team. It’s a team full of slashers. I’m not saying they’re not good, but, hey, in order to hold their slashing down, put their (butt) ass on the chop blocks.”
It’s practically a given that forward Dirk Nowitzki will do his share of scoring. While it’s still imperative to contain him, it’s the Mavs’ other players who can inflict the same damage.
Dallas will have a thin bench without injured point guard Devin Harris, but guard Jason Terry, who’s primarily come off the bench this season, can also hold his own.
”They’re better with (Harris),” captain Chauncey Billups said. “He’s so good at pick and rolls. He’s so fast and quick, he can turn the corner giving other guys shots, but you know, Jason Terry, he’s just as good as anybody out there. He’s a scoring point guard. Good at pick and rolls and you’ve got to play him.”