Mavs let one get away - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Arne · 05-08-2006, 04:49 AM

Mavs let one get away
As fish stories go, will this be Mavs' whale or guppy?

02:17 AM CDT on Monday, May 8, 2006

SAN ANTONIO – Someday, when they sit down to look back at it all and tell the tale of the 2006 NBA playoffs, the Mavericks will talk about the catch they let slip off the line at the start of their expedition down Interstate 35.

The odd thing is that if they're lucky, they won't have much of a fish story to tell. They will have advanced to the Western Conference finals anyway. It will have turned out that it was nothing but a guppy they'd failed to reel in during the Western Conference semifinals' opener.

But right now, in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's 87-85 loss in the Spurs' gym to tip-off the most anticipated series of the league's postseason, it looks like that was a whale they let get away – Shamu in these parts, of course.

"It is [a missed opportunity]," admitted Dirk Nowitzki, who once again struggled against the half-a-foot shorter but pesky Bruce Bowen, missing eight of 11 shots in the second half and being unable to get off a game-tying attempt on the last possession. (And Dirk had led us to believe that this season, he had finally mastered the art of rendering smaller defenders defenseless.)

Unfortunately for the Mavericks, it was more of the same cooking against the Spurs, especially in the Spurs' house. It was their seventh loss in the teams' last 10 meetings. It was their fifth loss in San Antonio in their last six visits.

"We ain't the only ones," said Jason Terry, who made just a third of his 18 shots and suffered a critical unforced turnover midway through the fourth quarter.

Spurs 87, Mavs 85
Spurs lead series, 1-0

More Mavericks
But there are few teams for whom having the door slammed in their faces by the Spurs may be so painful at this time of year.

After all, the Mavericks arrived here Saturday well rested after sweeping the Grizzlies in four games that didn't appear taxing. And the Spurs were just returning to town from California after a surprisingly grueling series with Ron Artest's Kings, who battled San Antonio for six games.

It made for a perfect chance for the Mavericks to get a jump on the defending champions, to put the pressure squarely on their opponent's shoulders rather than have to bear the weight of expectations again themselves.

No, it didn't get any better than this.

"We had some advantages coming in where rest was concerned," admitted Jerry Stackhouse, who paced the Mavericks all game with 10-of-21 shooting for 24 points off the bench. "But this is playoff basketball, and they are a championship team."

And the Spurs almost always play like one against the Mavericks – even when the Mavericks match them in just about every category, as was the case Sunday. The difference again was how the Spurs played down the stretch. They made the big shot, Bowen's 3-pointer, and the defensive stop.

It must be noted that three years ago this month, the Mavericks opened the Western Conference finals here, too – with a win of all things. The Spurs, however, responded with three consecutive victories before putting the Mavericks away for good in Dallas in Game 6.

In short, all is not lost in just the first game of a best-of-7 set.

But the Spurs and Mavericks were not three years ago what they are right now. The Spurs, despite 60 wins and David Robinson's bad back and reliance on unproven youngsters Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, didn't appear as vulnerable that postseason as they do this one. Tim Duncan was more than enough for everyone that season as he was putting together the league's first back-to-back MVP seasons since Michael Jordan.

This go-round, Duncan was thought to be hobbled by a bad wheel coming into this series, Ginobili hasn't been healthy all season and these Spurs have an aged and less-productive bench than three seasons ago.

All is true save, apparently, for the Duncan rumor. He was, as the Mavericks have come to expect, the best player on the floor Sunday, scoring 31 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and drawing 10 fouls on the Mavericks' three-headed center, including five on starter DeSagana Diop.

The Mavericks who tipped off Sunday in the Spurs' gym are more formidable than the group that showed up here in the playoffs three years ago. That team's 60 wins was more fool's gold. Avery Johnson's Mavericks are as potent offensively, deeper and, of course, defensive-minded, too.

"We know we can play a lot better in Game 2," Terry said. "We were right there."

It was that big.

Nor*Cal Spur · 05-08-2006, 07:51 PM

the spurs won plain and simple

aexchange · 05-08-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

the spurs won plain and simple

wow, enlightening analysis.

please share some more insight.

Bookit · 05-08-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

the spurs won plain and simple

By 2 points on their home floor. Spurs fans are incredibly arrogant and can't look at the whole picture.

Drbio · 05-08-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

the spurs won plain and simple

Why is this prick still here when his agenda is so clear?

Nor*Cal Spur · 05-08-2006, 10:46 PM

Drbio you should be a poet

dude1394 · 05-08-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

the spurs won plain and simple

Wow gump you are a genious. Yes they did, the scoreboard says so. When they lose I guess I can say "the mavs won planin and simple".

Dang what a conversation we will have.

Nor*Cal Spur · 05-08-2006, 10:51 PM

seriously, the mavs let one get away?

your lucky you had 5 ? days rest while we had 36 hours.

dude1394 · 05-08-2006, 10:56 PM

Get outta my life troll.

Nor*Cal Spur · 05-08-2006, 10:57 PM

i love the name dude

Drbio · 05-08-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

Drbio you should be a poet

And you shouldn't be such an asshole.

Drbio · 05-08-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

i love the name dude

Is the spurts fan seeking gay sex with dude? That's a new low here.

dude1394 · 05-08-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

i love the name dude

Why thank you troll.

dude1394 · 05-08-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

Is the spurts fan seeking gay sex with dude? That's a new low here.

Now wait a minute, I'm prime choice.

jleefilled · 05-08-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

seriously, the mavs let one get away?

your lucky you had 5 ? days rest while we had 36 hours.

For a team that lost by two points having not scored a fg in the last four minutes, yes, I would say they let one get away. At the very least, one could argue that without being ridiculed for it.

Nor*Cal Spur · 05-08-2006, 11:09 PM

i love excuses

jleefilled · 05-08-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

i love excuses

Obviously, you do.

36 hours of rest.... cry baby cry.

dude1394 · 05-08-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor*Cal Spur

i love excuses

You must, your sure had one ready troll.

birdsanctuary · 05-08-2006, 11:32 PM

No excuses, game 1 is a throw away game, its a game to get a feel for how the matchups are going to go, it sets the tone for the series. Spu# fans you have to admit its' not a short term benefit to sit 5 days and then try to get psyched up for a win. If the truck is rolling keep it rolling, I always say. The long layoff for Dallas logically helped your team stay ready for game 1. However, the long rest Dallas got should theoretically help Dallas for the long haul in this series. Every game should be close, and the Spu#s are going into their 2nd tough series, where Dallas didn't really expend any extra energy to win their first round series. So Mav fans and Spu$s fans lay-off eachother and be cordial, show some sportsmanship. We all think our team's better, so let the series play itself out and accept the results. Keep in mind Spu$s fans that this Dallas team is only going to get better with Devin Harris running the show full time, and this year realistically may be your last run, you got a lot of old bones.

For game 1 the Mavs did fine, everyone. Spu$s fans be happy you won, Mavs fans be happy you almost stole one from the champs. Besides, there were no guarantees that the Mavs win the game in overtime anyways. Game 2 is a pivotal game if the Mavs want to win the series, I don't see the Spurs losing 4 in a row unless they are dealt a serious injury. So Mavs win game 2, hold court in games 3-4, lose game 5 and finish the series off in game 6. This is my best case senario for a Dallas series win, but I would not count Dallas after 2 games, let alone after one!

Best of Luck Mavs! Break a leg Spu#s! (Not literally of course...er...yeah, like good luck to you)

srupsehtxnijojom

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdsanctuary

No excuses, game 1 is a throw away game, its a game to get a feel for how the matchups are going to go, it sets the tone for the series. Spu# fans you have to admit its' not a short term benefit to sit 5 days and then try to get psyched up for a win. If the truck is rolling keep it rolling, I always say. The long layoff for Dallas logically helped your team stay ready for game 1. However, the long rest Dallas got should theoretically help Dallas for the long haul in this series. Every game should be close, and the Spu#s are going into their 2nd tough series, where Dallas didn't really expend any extra energy to win their first round series. So Mav fans and Spu$s fans lay-off eachother and be cordial, show some sportsmanship. We all think our team's better, so let the series play itself out and accept the results. Keep in mind Spu$s fans that this Dallas team is only going to get better with Devin Harris running the show full time, and this year realistically may be your last run, you got a lot of old bones.

For game 1 the Mavs did fine, everyone. Spu$s fans be happy you won, Mavs fans be happy you almost stole one from the champs. Besides, there were no guarantees that the Mavs win the game in overtime anyways. Game 2 is a pivotal game if the Mavs want to win the series, I don't see the Spurs losing 4 in a row unless they are dealt a serious injury. So Mavs win game 2, hold court in games 3-4, lose game 5 and finish the series off in game 6. This is my best case senario for a Dallas series win, but I would not count Dallas after 2 games, let alone after one!

Best of Luck Mavs! Break a leg Spu#s! (Not literally of course...er...yeah, like good luck to you)

srupsehtxnijojom

Game 1 was a throw away game? Huh? It was the best chance for the Mavs to steal a win. The Spurs had to play less than 36 hours after closing out the Kings......The Mavs were completely rested after sweeping the .....ahem....grizz. This is one game the Mavs should have won based on the circumstances. Since game 1 was a throw away game......how about throwing away game 2 as well.

sixeightmkw · 05-09-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

Game 1 was a throw away game? Huh? It was the best chance for the Mavs to steal a win. The Spurs had to play less than 36 hours after closing out the Kings......The Mavs were completely rested after sweeping the .....ahem....grizz. This is one game the Mavs should have won based on the circumstances. Since game 1 was a throw away game......how about throwing away game 2 as well.

Ahem, the Grizz were the second hottest team in the league behind, ahem, the Sac's. And what did that series go to again? I forget.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixeightmkw

Ahem, the Grizz were the second hottest team in the league behind, ahem, the Sac's. And what did that series go to again? I forget.

How many playoff games have the Grizzlies won? Let me help you.....zero. They may as well have gift wrapped the 2nd round invitations to the Mavs. About the kings......nobody wanted to play the Kings in the 1st round because they are a tough team. If you had a choice to play either the Grizz or the Kings which one would you want to play and why????

dude1394 · 05-09-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

How many playoff games have the Grizzlies won? Let me help you.....zero. They may as well have gift wrapped the 2nd round invitations to the Mavs. About the kings......nobody wanted to play the Kings in the 1st round because they are a tough team. If you had a choice to play either the Grizz or the Kings which one would you want to play and why????

Sacremento -- 8th seed.
Memphis -- 5th seed.

Go cry somewhere else. If you'd have lost the game you'd be here whining about a 3 hour difference in start times.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Sacremento -- 8th seed.
Memphis -- 5th seed.

Go cry somewhere else. If you'd have lost the game you'd be here whining about a 3 hour difference in start times.

So your answer is that you would rather have the Mavs play the Kings in the 1st round? I notice you didn't answer the question. I love it when they dont answer the question.

Spurs Fan · 05-09-2006, 11:11 AM

Game 1 was ripe for stealing, so I'd agree that the Mavs let one get away that they should have won. I damn near had that game written down as a loss for us going in.

I'd agree with what Dirk (I think) said: "We played good enough to win, but we didn't win".

dude1394 · 05-09-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

So your answer is that you would rather have the Mavs play the Kings in the 1st round? I notice you didn't answer the question. I love it when they dont answer the question.

Yes...I would rather have HCA and play the kings in the first round. Quit whining about it already...

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Yes...I would rather have HCA and play the kings in the first round. Quit whining about it already...

Wow....you are incredible. For the record....the only one whining is you. I was having a conversation. Why would I whine.....after all.........my team is the one with the lead and the rings.

sixeightmkw · 05-09-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

So your answer is that you would rather have the Mavs play the Kings in the 1st round? I notice you didn't answer the question. I love it when they dont answer the question.

See, the thing about the Mavs fans this year is that we could care less who we played in the first round. We knew we would dominate whoever it was. And so did the Mavs. There are only 2 other teams that matter, the Spurs and Detroit. That is where our focus is. The MAvs did their business with the Grizz. That is all that matters. Yes, it is great that the SPurs took game one. But what, you think this is going to be a cake walk for the Spurs. Ginobli has already been quoted about having weak legs and tired. Why is he making excuses? They won. This is NOT the Nellie Mavs. This is a different team and if you want to think the Spurs are just going to beat them no problem, sorry.

By the way,
How is Parker? questionable. And I don't want to hear any of that shit if the Spurs lose this game or this series that it was because Tony was hurt. Remeber 02-03.

dude1394 · 05-09-2006, 11:33 AM

I'm not whining at all. Just tired of hearing how badly the poor sk*rts are being treated and how difficult their poor itty bitty lives are.

They get HCA and sacremento beats them up. They don't take care of business and then start whining that the next game starts too soon. Boo hoo hoo. Beat the teams you are supposed to beat and all of the woe is me wouldn't be needed.

Mavs got screwed by the schedule makers (sk*rts did to for that matter having to play the mavs in the second) but just deal with it.

Oh me oh my...bad daddy stern is making us play the early game. Cry me a river.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 11:43 AM

Aint nobody said all of what yall are talking about. My point was that game 1 was the Mavs best chance to win and they came up short. Yall added all that extra whining bull. My point continues to be yall better get the Spurs tonight.....if yall dont...yall might as well phone it in. I guess a Spurs fan cant make a statement without being accused of whining. I will be the last person to whine about anything....that includes ref calls. I will call it like I see it......if yall consider that whining......then prepare for me to whine all of you mavs fans out of the playoffs. Yall dont have to jump on me just because we differ in opinions.

sixeightmkw · 05-09-2006, 11:49 AM

Let us recap what was said from Dark Horse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

Game 1 was a throw away game? Huh? It was the best chance for the Mavs to steal a win. The Spurs had to play less than 36 hours after closing out the Kings......The Mavs were completely rested after sweeping the .....ahem....grizz. This is one game the Mavs should have won based on the circumstances. Since game 1 was a throw away game......how about throwing away game 2 as well.

I would consider that complaining and whinning.
This comment leads us to beleive that the Spurs had it rough having to face Sac in the first round while the Mavs got to face an inferior team. Is that correct? Is that whinning? SPurs fans act like the Spurs, they whine.

dude1394 · 05-09-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Let us recap what was said from Dark Horse.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dark21horse
Game 1 was a throw away game? Huh? It was the best chance for the Mavs to steal a win. The Spurs had to play less than 36 hours after closing out the Kings......The Mavs were completely rested after sweeping the .....ahem....grizz. This is one game the Mavs should have won based on the circumstances. Since game 1 was a throw away game......how about throwing away game 2 as well.

I would consider that complaining and whinning.
This comment leads us to beleive that the Spurs had it rough having to face Sac in the first round while the Mavs got to face an inferior team. Is that correct? Is that whinning? SPurs fans act like the Spurs, they whine.
__________________

this constitutes scoreboard.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixeightmkw

Let us recap what was said from Dark Horse.

I would consider that complaining and whinning.
This comment leads us to beleive that the Spurs had it rough having to face Sac in the first round while the Mavs got to face an inferior team. Is that correct? Is that whinning? SPurs fans act like the Spurs, they whine.

That is stating a fact. Fact is....the Spurs DID have to play less than 36 hours after closing out the Kings. The fact is....any team would be tired with that short amount of time between games. A complaint and whining would be like me saying.......That stupid commissioner why did he have to schedule the Spurs to play within 36 hours of closing out the kings? I did not say that I merely stated a fact. I dont thing yall can handle a difference of opinion so the safest thing for yall to do is label everyone who is not a Spurs fan a whiner. Whatever floats your boat. The Mavs better win tonight......or else.

dude1394 · 05-09-2006, 11:59 AM

And the FACT is the spurs DID have HCA, they DID play the number 8 seed and they DID have to play 36 hours after closing out the kings because they got kicked around by the number 8 seeds.

All true, but all self-inflicted so tough.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 12:05 PM

I understand all of that. The Spurs won the number 1 seed in the west and because of that they had to play the number 8 seed Kings. They took care of them and now the have the Mavs before them. My statement was/is that the Mavs need to get this one tonight or else. But I am sure yall will acuse me of whining in this statement as well. It's alright....i still like yall even if yall hate me. Go Spurs Go!!!!!

bernardos70 · 05-09-2006, 12:33 PM

I love the fact you made an account here for the purpose...... of? I wonder if I will you see you after tonite's game when the Mavs win, which is why I doubt the legitimacy of fans of other teams that sign up to post here right after his/her/its team beats the Mavs.

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernardos70

I love the fact you made an account here for the purpose...... of? I wonder if I will you see you after tonite's game when the Mavs win, which is why I doubt the legitimacy of fans of other teams that sign up to post here right after his/her/its team beats the Mavs.

As I said on another thread in this forum.....you will see me after tonight.....and you will continue to see me....until the spurs close out the Mavs.......then I will move on to the next team.

u2sarajevo · 05-09-2006, 01:18 PM

dark21horse.... you are "complaining" about the short turnaround after you closed out round 1.... but you guys were going to have to play anyway on Sunday if you didn't close out on Friday, right?

dark21horse · 05-09-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

dark21horse.... you are "complaining" about the short turnaround after you closed out round 1.... but you guys were going to have to play anyway on Sunday if you didn't close out on Friday, right?

I will say it again(for the cheap seats this time).....I was neither complaining nor whining I was saying that Sunday was the Mavs best chance for stealing one on the Spurs because of the turn around (which Stern acknowledged was a mistake). That game is in the books. The Mavs better get tonights game. To answer your question about if they wooda had to play on Sunday anyway.....my answer is......I dont know. I didn't look at the schedule....i am sure someone in this forum who is more knowlegeable about the schedule than I can tell you.

u2sarajevo · 05-09-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark21horse

I will say it again(for the cheap seats this time).....I was neither complaining nor whining I was saying that Sunday was the Mavs best chance for stealing one on the Spurs because of the turn around (which Stern acknowledged was a mistake). That game is in the books. The Mavs better get tonights game. To answer your question about if they wooda had to play on Sunday anyway.....my answer is......I dont know. I didn't look at the schedule....i am sure someone in this forum who is more knowlegeable about the schedule than I can tell you.

The answer is yes.

But fair enough.