Let the hype begin

[BGMaverick9]

16 wins away...
That's the big picture, but let's get those first four out of the way!

This should be the one stop shop for the articles and media predictions and etc.

Who is ready for the playoffs?

[janbronx]

Go mavs!

[Rick41]

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

[chumdawg]

I'm in, brutha. It's not a Round One like first rounds before. This year it's no holds barred. I can't see that any round is easier than any other. Time to strap it up and GET IT ON!

[BGMaverick9]

I've noticed a lot of people are saying their nervous and the fact they haven't been nervous in the past 1-3 years...since the Finals run and probably the following year. To me, it's pretty obvious why people are nervous: we've got something potentially special on our hands.

The team is as healthy as it's ever going to be, it has momentum, and the major cogs of the rotation know what their role is and they can execute it. You've got the wildcards in JJ, Roddy, Stevenson and Najera. This Mavericks squad is deep.

[Dim499]

go mavs

[BGMaverick9]

If they win, it'll be the Suns.

Suns lose, Suns will be the 4 seed.
Jazz lose, drop to 5 and Denver will be 4th.

[kg_veteran]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I'm in, brutha. It's not a Round One like first rounds before. This year it's no holds barred. I can't see that any round is easier than any other. Time to strap it up and GET IT ON!

Preach!

[BGMaverick9]

Early word that Art Garcia is hearing has the Mavs/Spurs will tip off on Saturday Night at 7. He stressed that it was "very early" in terms of the projected tip-time...so we shall see

[mavErika]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

Early word that Art Garcia is hearing has the Mavs/Spurs will tip off on Saturday Night at 7. He stressed that it was "very early" in terms of the projected tip-time...so we shall see

Followill said on the ticket that he would assume the three west coast teams(LA, Den/Utah + Phoenix) to get the three late saturday games, so that would leave Dallas at that earlier time - but honestly I'm not quite sure what I heard, but he'll send the game-time(s) out tonight via twitter: http://twitter.com/MFollowill

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by mavErika

Followill said on the ticket that he would assume the three west coast teams(LA, Den/Utah + Phoenix) to get the three late saturday games, so that would leave Dallas at that earlier time - but honestly I'm not quite sure what I heard, but he'll send the game-time(s) out tonight via twitter: http://twitter.com/MFollowill

aka Young Followeezy

[badfish22]

Abe Lincoln is ready, are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKtsbmI0UWU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeIi8whl4g

[badfish22]

http://twitter.com/ArtGarcia_NBA
Spurs open at Mavs on Sunday at 7pm. Game 2 is Wed. Series shift SA on Fri.

[Underdog]

[mavErika]

Originally Posted by badfish22

http://twitter.com/ArtGarcia_NBA
Spurs open at Mavs on Sunday at 7pm. Game 2 is Wed. Series shift SA on Fri.

Didn't see that alteration from the early word after reading your post first, but it's right there. And the early word was just that.

this is now the late night word from Young Followeezy:

Game is sunday at 7. Then its Wed at 830. Followed by Fri, sun, tues, thurs & sat

[Rick41]

Game 1 -- Sun. April 18, San Antonio at Dallas, 7 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 2 -- Wed. April 21, San Antonio at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 3 -- Fri. April 23, Dallas at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. (TXA21/ESPN)
Game 4 -- Sun. April 25, Dallas at San Antonio, 6 p.m. (TXA21/TNT)
Game 5 * -- Tue. April 27, San Antonio at Dallas, TBD (TXA21/TBD)
Game 6 * -- Thu. April 29, Dallas at San Antonio, TBD (TXA21/TBD)
Game 7 * -- Sat. May 1, San Antonio at Dallas, TBD (TXA21/TNT)

[mavErika]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Mix it, baby!

[vinylstar]

Steve Nash can suck it.

[Rick41]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gum8w...ayer_embedded#!

Everyone enjoy!

[Windmill360]

I think the mavs lost focus. They are mentally ready to play the team they played last night, whether they know it or not.

[quietsavant]

Jason kidd to be on ESPN first take this hour.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

I think the mavs lost focus. They are mentally ready to play the team they played last night, whether they know it or not.

"It was a little preseason feel out there.’’ – Dirk Nowitzki

[Nowitzki4President]

I kind of feel like this is the best order that the seeding could have happened. We ARE going to beat the Spurs, that's a given. We've dominated them the last couple years, and we are just flat out better than them. Then we also have Utah and Denver forced to take eachother out in the first round, who doesn't love that? The Suns are most likely going to be the team to play in the 2nd round, and I'd much rather them than anyone on the other bracket (except OKC). We got pretty lucky in how things fell into place. This is our year!

[tsar]

Originally Posted by Nowitzki4President

I kind of feel like this is the best order that the seeding could have happened. We ARE going to beat the Spurs, that's a given. We've dominated them the last couple years, and we are just flat out better than them. Then we also have Utah and Denver forced to take eachother out in the first round, who doesn't love that? The Suns are most likely going to be the team to play in the 2nd round, and I'd much rather them than anyone on the other bracket (except OKC). We got pretty lucky in how things fell into place. This is our year!

I totally agree. We are in a position to go to the finals this year. I think a few people are afraid to say it of sounding too homerish but you have to love how everything worked out these last 2 weeks.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I'm in, brutha. It's not a Round One like first rounds before. This year it's no holds barred. I can't see that any round is easier than any other. Time to strap it up and GET IT ON!

You mean strap it on and get it up? If so then I'm IN!!!!

Wildcard Bitches!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYtjpIwamos

[Kidd Karma]

....we got the trade done, went on a huge win streak, balls bouncing the right way the last 2 weeks.......it's all set, now lets get it down on the court.

[BGMaverick9]

Cheap and shameless plug again!

http://www.yoursportstake.com/NBA/NB...fspreview.html

2. Dallas Mavericks vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs
This has to be one of the most underrated rivalries in the NBA today. This will be the 5th time in the past 10 years that these two in-state teams
will collide in the playoffs, with each team having two series victories over the other. The teams have mutual respect for each other, but that
doesn’t mean they are hesitant to kick the other out of the playoffs. Tony Parker is back from his hand injury but is still trying to get in game-
shape. They have a problem know with back-up point guard, George Hill injuring his ankle in the season finale against Dallas, his status is
uncertain. Dallas took the season series 3-1 and looks to extend their end of season momentum into the playoffs.

X-Factor: Mavericks Forward, Shawn Marion – “The Matrix” usually takes the top perimeter defensive assignment and he’ll have the task of trying
to slow down Manu Ginobili. Marion also causes an issue for the Spurs due to the fact Marion’s scoring effectiveness thrives in the paint. His
shooting percentage is 51%, among the top 20 in the league.

Prediction: Mavericks in 5 Games

I've got my other first round predictions there as well. I think Marion will be a huge factor. If SA decides to match up or even have RJ on Marion, they won't feel comfortable working that low against Marion. It's not like you can really work on stopping Marion, if Marion struggles it's mainly because he just doesn't have the scoring touch. He's usually able to get his shot off, it's just a matter of it going in.

[badfish22]

Shawn Marion on Gac- http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?...sign=ESPNRADIO
Sir Charles on GAC- http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?...sign=ESPNRADIO
Jason Kidd on first and ten- http://espn.go.com/dallas/video/clip...goryid=4492070

[esoteric562]

say hello playoffs!! say goodbye to my grades this semester because of it!!! getting more and more hyped up

[badfish22]

Focused

By Caron Butler
Here I am in the playoffs. I'm two years removed from my last postseason appearance and it feels great to be making another appearance. When the season started out I thought I would be here in a Wizards uniform. But the move was made and I'm obviously better off because of it. I'm here in Dallas with an actual title contender.

The First-Round
Anybody in this Western Conference is a legit threat. They clawed and fought all the way. So I know that we are meeting San Anotnio in the first round and they mean business. It was no easy task for them to make it in the postseason in this conference or to hold on to the eigth seed.
Teams like the Cavs and Lakers got the chance to rest key players who are huge difference makers. This also gives them a chance to give their bench guys some run. We didn't have the liberty of doing things like that and I even played with a sore hip the last game of the season. We were still fighting and clawing our way into the postseason.
Since we didn't get to rest we have to keep this energy up straight into the postseason. The best way to do that is to just keep a clear mind and stay focused on your one goal, winning a championship.
When we were in the race for the playoffs we had to watch out for the lowly, non-winning teams. They were the most dangerous towards the end of the season. At times they have an out of body experience and want to prove something by knocking you down. But that's all over and done with, and we are on the road to a championship. First victim....San Antonio.

Knowing my role
My role on this team right now is a lilttle bit of everything. I defend and take on those tough assignments. Offensively, I take the pressure off of Dirk and the other guys.If you look at our startinng line up we got four All-Stars starting each game. So we are a forced to be reckoned with this postseason.
The team as a whole is focusing on having a great defensive presence, executing our offense properly and making sure teams know they just can't waltz down the middle on us.

'Dem UConn Huskies
They are a beast. Our program at UConn is just built for greatness. Shout out to Maya Moore doing it big in the championship. That championship game was a pretty tight one. It was amazing to see them bounce back in the second half like that. That was a great look. I think they can continue to dominate with this win streak. They are going to be on top until coach Gino leaves.

Baby Caron on the way
My wife is in her last trimester right now and the baby is due in June. It'd be a good look if we could have a Larry O'Brien trophy baby. :-)

[sefant77]

Ginobili's importance is magnified against Dallas. First of all, the Mavs have the post-defenders and help-defenders to slow Duncan in the low block. Secondly, Parker is still rounding into form following his hand injury. Last but not least is the fact that the Mavs don't truly have a defender who should have much success against Ginobili. It just so happens that Dallas' biggest weakness defensively plays right into Ginobili's hands. Hopefully he's ready to take advantage and coldly serve the revenge.

You can read such stuff in every 2nd post.

The spursfans are really blind on that matchup. Yes Gino is great and u cant take him out of a game but the Mavs have 2 players that can work him nice, Marion and Stevenson.

[sefant77]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/365646...s-player_news/

Hill questionable.

But i expect Pop telling all the time that Hill wont play and he is playing then....

[left texas]

The trade will now show what a great move it was by the Mavs.

Go Mavs! It is now playoff basketball!!

[pepe]

Playoffs are here....Honestly I was rooting for a Blazer matchup, but it is what it is.

I love the Mavs chances anyway.

1 Home court advantage is huge, HCA and winning or tied a series is like 52 out 67 in the last 8 post seasons.

2.The Mavs FG% againts the Spurs was atrocious, the Spurs shoot bettter than the Mavs in 3 of the 4 games, the last game was the only game that the Mavs had a better FG% by a miniscule .5%, in spite of that the Mavs won the series 3-1.

3. Lot of pundits are making Manu the second coming of MJ, but common the guy is a 43% FG player during the playoffs, recently he has not been tearing the Mavs off and the Mavs have the weapons defensively to keep him honest.

4. Shawn Marion has a bitter taste in his mouth because of his perfomance againts the Spurs in playoffs matches, if he stick to his role, defense and energy, Manu will be hard pressed to match his career playoff averages.

5. Superstars, Dirk vs Bonner/Mcdyess or Duncan vs Damp/Wodd...I'll take that match up everytime.

6. If Dirk/Kidd and Terry match the production of their big 3 Duncan/Manu and Parker, the Mavs 2nd tier players are far better players than the Spurs, Juice/Matrix and Wood vs Jefferson/Hill and Bonner.


For the Spurs to come out of the series, Manu and Duncan will have to play out of their minds, possible but highly unlikely.

GO MAVS!!!!

[Kidd Karma]

I think a combo of Marion, Kidd will be a huge defensive duo on Manu, throw in Boobs and Butler too, and sprinkle in some DeShawn. It makes it so much easier when the 3 is RJ.

[DULLAH]

Has any championship team ever gone the full 16-11 ?
I would guess 16-8 / 16-9 is the most common.

[DULLAH]

Originally Posted by Kidd Karma

I think a combo of Marion, Kidd will be a huge defensive duo on Manu, throw in Boobs and Butler too, and sprinkle in some DeShawn. It makes it so much easier when the 3 is RJ.

Right, we have a number of defenders who can hang with Ginobili. I'd put Shawn and DeShaun on him most of the time.

And I'd zone them up plenty too. make RJ and parker jumpshooters.

Who was their best 3pt shooter this year? Bonner?

[Kidd Karma]

Originally Posted by DULLAH

Right, we have a number of defenders who can hang with Ginobili. I'd put Shawn and DeShaun on him most of the time.

And I'd zone them up plenty too. make RJ and parker jumpshooters.

Who was their best 3pt shooter this year? Bonner?

I think mixing it up from game to game would do wonders, throw traps, doubles at manu to get the ball out of his hands, give him different looks, the whole idea is to make him as uncomfortable as possible. Even if one manuever shuts him down, throw an entirely different look the next game. Hard slaps at Parkers hand would make him think twice about going driving. They are essentially a 3 man team with RJ being that X-Factor, if they make a concerted effort to set him up, as he is use to, then we could be in trouble, then again, with that effort to get him involved, you take someone else out. RJ was not the man for this team, he's more of a catch and finish guy with a defensive rep that has dropped a few notches since his NJ days.

[tcat075]

Originally Posted by DULLAH

Right, we have a number of defenders who can hang with Ginobili. I'd put Shawn and DeShaun on him most of the time.

And I'd zone them up plenty too. make RJ and parker jumpshooters.

Who was their best 3pt shooter this year? Bonner?

George Hill and Matt Bonner shot the best percentages (40% and 39% respectively), but Ginobili is clearly the most dangerous. 38% and he can get hot and light it up. Not just hitting crazy shots, but he'll hit clutch shots too.

Behind those guys? Not sure Bogans will get minutes, but he can hit them. Mason's shot appears to be on vacation, so he doesn't scare me. Parker? Let him bomb it if he wants. RJ? Same thing. Its those three in the first paragraph, and to be honest, Bonner always seems to suck against us and in big games in general.

[BGMaverick9]

Every time I see Bonner play against the Mavs I think "How in the hell is this guy in the NBA?"