Dallas @ Portland Gameday Thread

[FilthyFinMavs]

Damn talk about all around play:

Dirk - 24 pts 15 rebs 6 assts 2 stls 2 blks 1 to
Stack - 20 pts 6 rebs 4 assts 2 stls 4 to
Finley - 22 pts 6 rebs 5 assts 1 to

Terry also put up 8 assists.

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

Originally posted by: dirno2000
Portland watched the Denver tape and saw how the Mavs went to Dirk on practically every possession in the final three minutes so they run an extra defender at Dirk. He doesn't panic or force it... just recognizes how they’re playing him and gets Finley an open three on one possession, Stack an open three on the next possession and Stack a lay-up that ultimately decides the game...he's maturing before our eyes

Nice observations.

I read D-M.com for posts like these. Thanks.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: dirno2000
Portland watched the Denver tape and saw how the Mavs went to Dirk on practically every possession in the final three minutes so they run an extra defender at Dirk. He doesn't panic or force it... just recognizes how they’re playing him and gets Finley an open three on one possession, Stack an open three on the next possession and Stack a lay-up that ultimately decides the game...he's maturing before our eyes

Yea I thought he was going for a triple double tonight.

[EricaLubarsky]

I still dont know how we can hand out 23 assists and score 137, and then 32 assists a few days later and score only 95.

32 of the 36 shots made were assisted, BTW

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

I'm glad fin had a nice game today to silence his detractors. Is it me, or is the mavs' strategy to almost always keep finley planted at the three point line on offense?

Sure it makes sense since stack can do the driving and finley can be the mavs' three point specialist, but I kind of liked how finley was attacking the basket earlier in the season.

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky
I still dont know how we can hand out 23 assists and score 137, and then 32 assists a few days later and score only 95.

Has to be a record.

32 of the 36 shots made were assisted

That's awesome!

[#41]

Nice to see Dirk with 6 assists and only 1 turnover, pretty unusual for him, averaging about 1ass/to, and, if I may believe in the NBA.com recap, nice defense, too.

[dude1394]

Originally posted by: JLEEHASMUCHGAME

Nice observations.

I read D-M.com for posts like these. Thanks.

Practices does make perfect doesn't it? Maybe little stevie really had to go.

[Waschdel]

Originally posted by: dude1394

Practices does make perfect doesn't it? Maybe little stevie really had to go.

You´re probably right dude. But if you could ask Dirk directly he surely would deny that.
It´s astonishing that Dirk grows even faster than the pressure on him has grown this season.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: Bookit

Yeah, but Dirk looks really sluggish out there tonight. He has a disinterested look on his face too.

I just don't get it why people think Dirk looked 'disinterested'. I suppose actually being at the game gives you a different perspective, but Dirk was hot and intense the entire night. Perhaps he toned down his emotions a bit after a quick 'T', but to say he looks disinterested makes absolutely no sense. I know it's the cliche that people throw out there when he misses some open looks, but he simply was not disinterested at any point in the game. His all around game was nothing short of doiminant.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: Bayliss

Did they say how he hurt it? I never saw him limping or "hurting" and after he came back he wasn't "tentative" or favoring it...

No, but I saw the moment he went into the locker room and the moment he came... as soon as he went into the locker room, the Blazers made a run. As soon as he came out of the locker room, he went into the game and the Mavs began to hold their own again.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: dirno2000
Portland watched the Denver tape and saw how the Mavs went to Dirk on practically every possession in the final three minutes so they run an extra defender at Dirk. He doesn't panic or force it... just recognizes how they’re playing him and gets Finley an open three on one possession, Stack an open three on the next possession and Stack a lay-up that ultimately decides the game...he's maturing before our eyes

He did have the one turnover on the pass to Bradley, but that one is probably on Bradley. Dirk lead him perfectly for an easy slam. Unfortunately, I suppose Bradley didn't see the same opening that Dirk did and had his feet stuck in cement and the ball glanced off of his left hand. But, it was the correct pass.

[Murphy3]

Just some observations from the game. Watching the game in the arena, you could definitely see a hard double any time Dirk touched the ball late in the game. Dirno was dead on with this observation. As far as Fin goes, he had a good game, but I am shocked at just how poor he is handling the ball. He looked ready to dribble the ball off of his knee every time he touched it.


So, here's some basic guidelines for fines:
1. Fin should be fined every time he dribbles the ball in a scoring position.
2. Stack should be fined every time he shoots a three or a contested jumper.
3. Henderson should be fined every time he's arguing with the officials on one end while his man gets easy position for a layup on the other end.
4. Dirk should be fined every time he goes into the locker room after re-injuring his ankle...definitely hated seeing that.
and
5. Any player should be fined for throwing the ball hard to Dampier.

[chumdawg]

Originally posted by: Murphy3

I just don't get it why people think Dirk looked 'disinterested'. I suppose actually being at the game gives you a different perspective, but Dirk was hot and intense the entire night. Perhaps he toned down his emotions a bit after a quick 'T', but to say he looks disinterested makes absolutely no sense. I know it's the cliche that people throw out there when he misses some open looks, but he simply was not disinterested at any point in the game. His all around game was nothing short of doiminant.

Murph, did you fly out to Portland just to see the game? And then fly back already? Or are you there (still, perhaps) for another reason.

Either way, I'd like to see your contract. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

On the matter of Dirk, I think you might be right about the different perspective. Sometimes the image that comes across on TV may be skewed, based on what moments they show on camera. I don't recall seeing Dirk pumping his fists or anything like that early on in the game, and sometimes you do see that sort of thing on TV. But definitely, yes, there is no question he was really into the game last night. I particularly enjoyed his battles with Z-Bo. Oh, and his very agressive rebounding.

[Murphy3]

Dirk was dominant on the boards from the word go, but he did miss a few shots. When he struggles shooting the ball, someone always says that he's looking disinterested regardless of what he's actually doing on the court.

I did fly up early for the game, but I'm up here for a few days....until Sunday. I literally walked into the arena and into my seat about a minute before tip off. There was a camera man right by me for much of the game, but I couldn't get him to look my way because I obviously wasn't a Blazers fan.

As for the game, Dirk took alot of elbows. At one point, it looked like he was going to go off and lay into Randolph. He was steaming that he wasn't getting the calls. After discussing it with the refs, they responded by calling a foul on Dirk shortly after for hitting Randolph's elbow with his face. Perhaps they called a foul before the elbow, but it should always be at least a 'T' for swinging elbows that high at someone guarding you.

[bo319]

He did have the one turnover on the pass to Bradley, but that one is probably on Bradley. Dirk lead him perfectly for an easy slam. Unfortunately, I suppose Bradley didn't see the same opening that Dirk did and had his feet stuck in cement and the ball glanced off of his left hand. But, it was the correct pass.

I actually thought that the pass in question was not intended for Bradley but was going to Fin(at least I believe it was Finley) in the corner. That is why the pass was so high and hard...Bradley looked up and tried to make a play on the ball but it was too high and hard for him I believe on purpose.

[chumdawg]

Originally posted by: Murphy3


After discussing it with the refs, they responded by calling a foul on Dirk shortly after for hitting Randolph's elbow with his face.

Well, I've been thinking for some time now that this is something they should start cracking down on. Players shouldn't be allowed to just throw their faces around recklessly.

But seriously, the refs missed a few last night. I can see why Cubes gets a little pissed.

[bo319]

When Randolph hit Dirk with the full arm bar across the gut and Dirk got called for the foul the ref was very agitated at Zach but since he already had the one tech I guess he didn't want to give him another. I think if he had not had the first tech he would have gotten one there...its almost like if you get one and you are an integral part of the home team that you get to do pretty much as you please the rest of the way with little regard. The best thing was that after Zach got extra physical with Dirk...Dirk responded and Zach got shut down...in years past that would not have been the case.

[Bookit]

Disagree there Murph. I have watched every game Dirk has played with the Mavs(I'm sure you have too) and, in the first half, Dirk looked like he wasn't competing as hard as the other guys. He really kicked it up a notch or two in the second half however.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: Bookit
Disagree there Murph. I have watched every game Dirk has played with the Mavs(I'm sure you have too) and, in the first half, Dirk looked like he wasn't competing as hard as the other guys. He really kicked it up a notch or two in the second half however.

I agree which is crazy because he was supposendly hurt in the 4th quarter.

[Murphy3]

Bookit, apparently you were watching a different game. Dirk was aggressive defensively and taking good looks offensively from the very start of the game. He was grabbing alot of boards and attempting to get to the rim off of the dribble. I'm not sure what else you're looking for. The effort was there. He was distributing the ball well...making solid decisions and solid passes. I just don't know what more you're looking for. I suppose he should just try and take over the game from tip off and monopolize the ball offensively 100% of the time regardless of the impact that it has on other players on the team..

I don't know... I think your complaint is a crutch that people use to try and rationalize why Dirk sometimes doesn't play as well as others.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: bo319

I actually thought that the pass in question was not intended for Bradley but was going to Fin(at least I believe it was Finley) in the corner. That is why the pass was so high and hard...Bradley looked up and tried to make a play on the ball but it was too high and hard for him I believe on purpose.

That's a possibility. It occurred basically right in front of my seat....It really looked like Dirk was trying to lead Bradley to the bucket, but perhaps it was inended for Fin. I honestly didn't notice Fin in the corner so I cannot say 100% for sure.

[JLEEHASMUCHGAME]

Originally posted by: Murphy3

That's a possibility. It occurred basically right in front of my seat....It really looked like Dirk was trying to lead Bradley to the bucket, but perhaps it was inended for Fin. I honestly didn't notice Fin in the corner so I cannot say 100% for sure.

I remember the pass in question very well, and I also remember the OTHER pass he through towards fin and Bradley caught it. Concerning the pass Murph was talking about, Dirk did lead Bradley on a pass to the basket that resulted in a turnover. Watching it on TV, I thought it was a bad play by Dirk, but I probably did not have the best view of the play.

[Murphy3]

Well, regardless...it was a bad pass...he either was throwing it to Fin and it was too close to Bradley or he was leading Bradley when Bradley wasn't on the same page.