GDT: Mavs @ Rockets 6:00 PM PST

[j0Shi]

Five Rockets before any Mav shows up...

Also:

• -33.68 EffDiff by DAL is the 20th worst for any team this season
• 138.78 DefEff by DAL is the 4th most for any team this season
• -108.00 EffDiff by DAL in the 3rd quarter is the 4th worst for any team in any quarter or overtime this season
• 176.00 OffEff by HOU in the 3rd quarter is the 9th most for any team in any quarter or overtime this season
• 133.33 DefEff by DAL in the 1st half is tied (with 3 other) for the 2nd most for them in any half this season

[sike]

Dirk with 8pts in a huge game? Embarrassing for Dirk and the coaching staff. Just terrible/pathetic.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by b_o_r

Can't feel so bad about a player who coasted a year after winning a championship, delayed inevitable surgery, and refuses to rip into a owner who is clearly milking his superstar because they are too buddy buddy.

Hmm....doesn't say anything...he's loyal...
Doesn't say anything...he's a butt-licker.

[purplefrog]

I really try to be optimistic, but this team doesn't make it easy. This should have been an adrenaline game for the Mavs, but instead they come out after halftime like they were given a sedative. Houston plays a bit of tenacious D to start the half and the Mavs have no stomach for it. They fold like a lawn chair. Dirk takes a total of eight shots in 27 minutes and Vince takes the same number. Totally unacceptable for what should have been a big game. The MBT is now backed into a corner. They either deliver a competitive team (or at least reasons for future optimism) during this off season, or they should be considered a bunch of clowns. Their master ingenious plan will have failed and they should apologize to the fans for their ineptitude. Maybe that seems harsh but I don't think there should be much sympathy for totally misfiring after winning a championship. They make the big bucks, and Cuban/Donnie were soooooo confident with their strategy. The MBT should be embarrassed after what has happened in the past week. And I too feel bad for Dirk. He deserves better than this.

[sike]

As terrible as this team currently is, I can't help but feel that it is only 1 functional Point Guard and 1 other "Star" type player away from being really solid.

And now back to my regularly scheduled bemoaning...

[Ninkobei]

Originally Posted by sike

As terrible as this team currently is, I can't help but feel that it is only 1 functional Point Guard and 1 other "Star" type player away from being really solid.

You could make that argument with any team. Especially any current playoff team.

[sike]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

You could make that argument with any team. Especially any current playoff team.

I feel you are misrepresenting my comment. I wasn't comparing the Mavs to anyone, just pointing out that they have 2 VERY specific needs that they could very feasibly fill this off season. And that filling those needs would completely change the dynamic of the team.

Most current playoff teams don't have the actual possibility to sign players in the off season the way the mavs do. (I'm referencing dry powder here.)

[b_o_r]

Originally Posted by purplefrog

I really try to be optimistic, but this team doesn't make it easy. This should have been an adrenaline game for the Mavs, but instead they come out after halftime like they were given a sedative. Houston plays a bit of tenacious D to start the half and the Mavs have no stomach for it. They fold like a lawn chair. Dirk takes a total of eight shots in 27 minutes and Vince takes the same number. Totally unacceptable for what should have been a big game. The MBT is now backed into a corner. They either deliver a competitive team (or at least reasons for future optimism) during this off season, or they should be considered a bunch of clowns. Their master ingenious plan will have failed and they should apologize to the fans for their ineptitude. Maybe that seems harsh but I don't think there should be much sympathy for totally misfiring after winning a championship. They make the big bucks, and Cuban/Donnie were soooooo confident with their strategy. The MBT should be embarrassed after what has happened in the past week. And I too feel bad for Dirk. He deserves better than this.

The Rockets "run" actually started mid way through the 2nd when Mike James stopped providing the offense for the team. Or when the Rockets put back in their starting back court.

[MavsFTR]

The FO should be judged after what happens this offseason. It's then that we'll know whether they were right or wrong

[oilfieldtrash]

What's it say about mbt when they say they are going to contend this year but roll out the year with Collison, Roddy, Dojo as the PG's for the year?

[twelli]

I have seen quite a few Rockets games this season and I think talent-wise they are not better than the Mavs. The reason why they are six wins ahead of us is probably just that they have better chemistry, they play well together, they play for each other and they play with passion. We don't have that right now. The current Mavs don't excite me at all, apart from Dirk, Vince, and Marion. We need to get that fire back we had two years ago.

[oilfieldtrash]

Rockets have a star and unfortunately we don't anymore. That was always the difference between us and Houston. Now the tables have turned.

[41creepingdeath]

Originally Posted by oilfieldtrash

Rockets have a star and unfortunately we don't anymore. That was always the difference between us and Houston. Now the tables have turned.

You can't seriously think THAT was the difference last night.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by 41creepingdeath

You can't seriously think THAT was the difference last night.

I watched like 2 minutes last night. So I don't know about last night specifically but in terms of the direction each team is going I absolutely believe it. Houston is trending upwards and the Mavs are rudderless in shit creek.