Mavs vs Spurs Game Thread - Page 11 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

ocelot_ark · 03-21-2002, 11:40 PM

Amen MFF...Amen. I'm beginning to hope that Nellie will hang it up this offseason. He just doesn't have the intelligence to win versus good teams. Here's hoping little whistle and his conventional lineups/desire become a staple starting next year.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:41 PM

It certainly wouldn't have hurt to throw him out there for a minute or two to see if he could do anything against Duncan or Robinson.

Agreed. If only for the fouls.[

As for Wang...he played very well when he was in there. It is inexcusable for him to have not come into the game when Raef fouled out. Stupid call by Nellie.

ocelot_ark · 03-21-2002, 11:42 PM

I disagree Doc. I think Dirk and Buckner showed some nice intensity early on. Other than that though, you sir are correct.

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:42 PM

<< DTL- whereas I agree that Nellie called a shitty game, the players had absolutely NO emotion until late in the game. Champioship teams have to play the entire game with effort. The Mavs looked like shit at times and that falls on the players. >>

Agreed.

And just to follow up on the earlier post: Why, why, why was NVE put in for Raef instead of Wang? I cannot think of *any* rational explanation. Was Nellie thinking that it's about time for NVE's shots to fall, since he's missed like ten in a row? Urgh.

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:45 PM

<< Here's hoping little whistle and his conventional lineups/desire become a staple starting next year. >>

And Bradley seems to play better for Donnie, too. He was sort of returning back to life during those games when Nellie was off to be with his wife.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:45 PM

ocelot- I'll give you Dirk...he played hard for about a half+. Buck for about a quarter. Everyone else...ARGH!

Nellie needs to play with Wang. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

ocelot_ark · 03-21-2002, 11:46 PM

On a side note:

I think Dirk did a pretty decent job on Duncan tonight. Granted, decent on Duncan means holding him to below 50. But, atleast Duncan didn't dunk all over our heads like he usually does. Maybe Duncan and Dirk will become one of those classic NBA matchups, ala Wilt and Russell.

Bayliss · 03-21-2002, 11:46 PM

And another examnple of how our defense looks worse on paper then it really is. **If ** Nellie plays the right players then our D can be really good.... but too many times he makes us go small... and forced to double... which causes easy looks.... and then we can't get the rebound because we are small, and out of position... rinse... repeat.

If I was DonN Nelson I'd get the tape out... make my dad watch it with me and point out every single flaw in the small ball lineup. Becxause Nellie definitely can't see it.

Want to know why Nellie has never won the "big" game? Because he never sticks with a lineup. Because he'd rather go small than big. Because he'd rather outshoot than outdefend.

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:47 PM

Ooh, we missed nine of our ten first shots in the game? Didn't know that. That must've put a damper on everyone's game. What the heck.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:47 PM

Bayliss- I just cannot argue with that after tonight....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

MavsFanFinley · 03-21-2002, 11:48 PM

Doc, I have to take your guys' words about the attitude the Mavs came out with...if you say they came out with no energy or hustle, that does fall on the players shoulder's.

They can't expect a few minutes of runs to bounce their way for the rest of the game. I understand that. But, Nelson has to take some blame when he throws players out there that doesn't make sense.

That has to be frustrating for the players (especially Dirk) that has to do the rebounding all by himself. I mean, is Finley, Nash or NVE rebounders? No. Najera certainly has his moments, same with Buckner. Fin even. But, how are the Mavs supposed to rebound with that small of a lineup.

I just think NVE shot the ball too much tonight. 1-12 is just too reminiscent (sp) of Finley's 1-17 effort last season.

That's another thing about Nelson. He likes to spread it around too much. The big 3 HAVE to take the brunt of shots, but he insists on LaFrentz (which I can understand), NVE, Buckner, Griffin or whoever is out there take lots of shots too.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:48 PM

We came out of the gate with a resounding....Poof.

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:49 PM

What a letdown after that Tuesday game....

Good thing we get Memphis next [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:50 PM

MFF- I strongly blame Nellie. Horrible game plan. But none of the players IMO, save Dirk, played with any emotion for more than just a few minutes. Total collapse on the Mavs part. A true team loss.

Bayliss · 03-21-2002, 11:51 PM

<< That has to be frustrating for the players (especially Dirk) that has to do the rebounding all by himself. I mean, is Finley, Nash or NVE rebounders? No. Najera certainly has his moments, same with Buckner. Fin even. But, how are the Mavs supposed to rebound with that small of a lineup. >>

Some say Dirk isn't a good rebounder. You know what? It's more amazing to me that rebounds the way he does. He is the only one going to the glass. Sometimes it seems like he has to box out the opponent's entire team to get the defensive board.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:51 PM

Even the waterboy sucked tonight...

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:52 PM

We need to start playing every game like we can DOMINATE anybody with our totally powerful offense and semi-decent defense. Have to get a little swagger into our guys. It seems we don't quite we believe we are the best, most talented, most dangerous team in the league right now, and IMO we certainly ARE!

DTL · 03-21-2002, 11:54 PM

<< Even the waterboy sucked tonight... >>

What happened? Did he spill water on Nellie? I wish he did!

Bayliss · 03-21-2002, 11:54 PM

<< We need to start playing every game like we can DOMINATE anybody with our totally powerful offense and semi-decent defense. Have to get a little swagger into our guys. >>

And it's hard to have swagger if you don't know you are going to play or how many minutes.

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:54 PM

Did you see the post game Denver Nuggets interview tonight? Their coach walks up to the mike, says, "We suck", and then left.

Whoa.

ocelot_ark · 03-21-2002, 11:55 PM

There was one other bright spot: Cuban wore a Blade II shirt. Wow, what fashion? How many millionaires can dress as shitty as Mark?

Drbio · 03-21-2002, 11:56 PM

LOL ocelot

DTL · 03-22-2002, 12:01 AM

'Night guys. Tough loss.

Drbio · 03-22-2002, 12:04 AM

I'm out too...maybe I can drink myself to sleep...this loss has given me a headache.

ocelot_ark · 03-22-2002, 12:07 AM

God, NVE's line makes me want to hurl:

39 min, 1-12fg, 0-5 (3-pt), 0-0ft, 2pts, 4rbs, 2as, 4 fouls, 0stls, 2to, 0blks

Ugly...

LMAO, sorry Ocelot. My attempt was even worse, so I just did it like this.

ocelot_ark · 03-22-2002, 12:08 AM

well, my attempt at aligning that sucked, but you get the idea.

Bayliss · 03-22-2002, 12:11 AM

I tried to do that the other day.... moderators... how do you align those stats in a table?

MavsFanFinley · 03-22-2002, 12:11 AM

<< And it's hard to have swagger if you don't know who you are going to play with or how many minutes. >>

Exactly! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

How many time have I or someone else said that Nelson MUST pick a starting lineup and STICK with it?

Is it really that hard? 4 of them are obvious (Fin, Dirk, Nash, Raef), it shouldn't be too hard to pick Griffin or Najera or Buckner. Hell, even Newman, but stick with it.

ocelot_ark · 03-22-2002, 12:17 AM

Last year after the trade, he FINALLY decided on a lineup and he stuck with it. We developed an identity and had some success.

This year, it's a fucking crapshoot. "Uh, I think I'll start Najera this game." Two nights later, "Uh, I don't think Najera matches up well with this team so I'm not even going to let him PLAY."

MavsFanFinley · 03-22-2002, 12:36 AM

Wow, I don't know if it was posted or not yet, but the Spurs took 37 free throws to our 16.

Pathetic. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

Rod1975 · 03-22-2002, 01:00 AM

I hope nobody blames Fin for this one....it was Nick's horrid 39 mins that killed us....

Bayliss · 03-22-2002, 01:07 AM

<< I hope nobody blames Fin for this one....it was Nick's horrid 39 mins that killed us.... >>

I don't blame Fin for this loss at all. His shot so quick was **questionable** but that is **not** what cost us the game. Small-ball and an inconsistenst (I guess it is consistent because Nellie is inconsistent...) lineup is what cost us the game.

We got killed on the boards because Buck/Griff/Najera did not play as many minutes as they should have. Dirk and Raef rebounded well... but when Raef fouled oout Nellie should've went with defense.... and he didn't. He tried to outscore the Spurs with Van Exel on the court. It backfired.

MavsFanFinley · 03-22-2002, 01:09 AM

<< I hope nobody blames Fin for this one....it was Nick's horrid 39 mins that killed us.... >>

It's already started. Not here really. Check the espn board and there blaming him for tonight and the one in LA. Saying how he isn't clutch, etc...Im like, whatever. He comes first, Nelson comes second on the blame chart and all NVE gets is that he shoots more bricks than Hardaway.

The LMF is about 75-25 that it wasn't his fault, but NVE and Nelson's.

Mavtalk is about the same as the LMF.

I already know one person's going to blame him for trying to be the 'hero'.

ocelot_ark · 03-22-2002, 01:11 AM

Yeah, he tried to put in NVE for his offense, when in all actuality, Donnell Harvey had a better shot at making a basket tonight.

Kat · 03-22-2002, 01:17 AM

Gee, I guess it must have looked worse on the tube than in person, huh? I muust admit it is a total different game, being there vs. listening to the announcers. But dang it wasn't that bad! Both teams had lapses in play, judgement, coaching, but not energy. That I will agree with you. We did look a bit flat, except for Nash, and Fin. Again, must I repeat.....It wasn't a blow out, we were right in there most of the game. And I for the record. disagree with some of Nellies calls. He should have put NVE on the bench 3 mins into it. But you never know what is the real plan. Nick has struggled since day one. Maybe, only trying to be positive here, Nellie pushed him into playing through it. Thinking beyond tonight. He has to fit in, play his games or we are dead in the playoffs. You have to do that with certain players. We all know that. (And I can not for the life of me think of another logical explaination.) Hey, at least I scored some ticks w/the Spurs team for the playoffs. (Even the owners think we'll meet in the finals) That says something!

MavsFanFinley · 03-22-2002, 01:21 AM

Kat, thanks for your post.

What did you think of Finley's last shot, you know after the missed ft by Buckner? Was it one he should have taken?

I know, it's hard to hear everything 2nd/3rd hand. One person says they had no energy, another says they did, etc...

I guess it's hard cause we didn't play at the level we can and only lost by 3. It's too tough after the LA loss to have another close one that we should have had.

Kat · 03-22-2002, 01:24 AM

Only my opinion, but I thought Fin has played his heart and soul the past eight games or so. I would have given him the shot.

Kat · 03-22-2002, 01:28 AM

I must admit I didn't read the entire thread, but it appeared to me that from tip-off until the third qtr, the Mav's were trying to hard, to pumped up and were overplaying the ball, the basket, and just plain nervous. Rather from adrenaline or anticipation, who knows. They just were not playing their game the first two quarters.

mavs.exit.de · 03-22-2002, 01:38 AM

Only reading the box score, Nick was the one who costed us this loss... 1-of-12, even worse than his first games from the bench as a Maverick.

ocelot_ark · 03-22-2002, 01:53 AM

I don't have a problem that Finley took a last second shot. I was more upset with the shot he chose to take. He had David Robinson guarding him with plenty of room for penetration. There's one guy on the Mavs team who I want shooting an 18 footer with the game on the line, Nash. Dirk and Fin, they need to take a split second, realize who's guarding them and then make their move. Smaller defender, post up. Bigger defender, drive. It's that easy, IMO.