Bucher chat:

[jthig32]

A couple of choice excerpts:

Brent Dallas: Still think Pau and Dirk is a wash? Do you ever watch any games during the season???? Nash as MVP? Worst MVP ever. He shouldn't even have been on the ballot. Nooone from Phoenix should have. Maybe Marion. Definitely not Nash. Please watch a game and get up to speed on the NBA. Get an original take and earn your salary. Thanks!


Ben (Arlington, TX): DIRK!


Ben (Arlington, TX): Your MVP list is REDIRKULOUS!


Grant (Denver): How you feeling about Dirk now?

Ric Bucher: (11:19 AM ET ) Same as I always have: I love Dirk. Love how he's transformed his game to fit the Mavs' new look. Love how he's emerged as more of a leader with Nash and Finley gone. Love how he handles the ball for a big. Love that textbook J. Love that Teutonic shag. He proved he's a level above Pau Gasol. Has he proved he belonged on my MVP ballot? No, for the same reason he wasn't there at the end of the regular season: there are a lot of factors contributing to the Mavs' success. He is their biggest. Bigger than Kobe, Nash, Billups, Duncan and LeBron were to their teams? Not in my opinion.

__________________________________________________ _

Ryan (Birmingham, AL): Do you think that the Mavs will be able to knock off the champs in Round 2 (if they get past the Kings)? Will the extra rest be an advantage?

Ric Bucher: (11:47 AM ET ) I give the Mavs a puncher's chance, but this is where Dirk can prove me wrong. I can't see Dallas getting by SA without a couple of dominating performances from him. Not big numbers, which he can always get, but gutcheck plays that show the rest of the Mavs he's the best player on the floor.

Ric Bucher: (11:49 AM ET ) The extra rest is a disadvantage, as is having such an easy time with Memphis. Whoever they face will have been in a dogfight and a mentally challenging series. Dallas is going to have to ramp up.

__________________________________________________ _

More of the "rest is a disadvantage" rhetoric. This dude amazes me.

[Five-ofan]

He is an idiot. At this point im not sure i want him to say anything positive about the mavs since everything he says is wrong.

[dude1394]

Wow...never thought rest was a "disadvantage". Maybe not an advantage but a "disadvantage".

Bucher continues to show he is the dumbest journalist around, bar none.

[bernardos70]

The day of reckoning is fast approaching...... this guy is what I commonly refer to as a tool.

[kg_veteran]

You guys can't blame Bucher for his opinions. They are entirely based on SportsCenter highlights, so what do you expect?

[u2sarajevo]

Ric Bucher = George Gervin?

[rabbitproof]

I think Bucher has argued himself into a corner and is acting like the type that would rather continue arguing a losing point then admit personal error.

[greensborohill]

Originally Posted by rabbitproof

I think Bucher has argued himself into a corner and is acting like the type that would rather continue arguing a losing point then admit personal error.

I think that that's exactly what he is doing

I mean, hey, all the Mavs have to do is lose one series and he's correct right? Doesn't matter who to. The Mavs can lose game 7 in the Finals to the Pistons and Puker would be right.

[George Gervin]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

Ric Bucher = George Gervin?

Thanks for the compliment! Of course all the Mavs have to do is win and shut everyone up.

[Five-ofan]

I used to be mad about the stupid crap he said then something hit me. Why the hell do we care? This is Ric effing Bucher. At least chuck was a great player but Ric Bucher? Give me a break. There is not one single reason to listen to a thing he says about basketball or probably anything else for that matter. Yes i will gripe about his mvp vote(if he actually has one) but his chats and articles should just be ignored because everyone who reads them is dumber for having done so. In fact you should remove the excerpts from above because everyone loses at least 1 iq point for every time they see anything written by ric bucher.

[George Gervin]

Ric Bucher: (11:47 AM ET ) I give the Mavs a puncher's chance, but this is where Dirk can prove me wrong. I can't see Dallas getting by SA without a couple of dominating performances from him. Not big numbers, which he can always get, but gutcheck plays that show the rest of the Mavs he's the best player on the floor.



While I give the Mavs more than a punchers chance he has admitted he will be proven wrong if Dirk shows up big and the Mavs win.. what's the big deal?

[u2sarajevo]

I agree with GG here. We have proven nada. And until we do, there will be doubters.

I don't see whats wrong with his statements about proving him wrong. Isn't that what the playoffs are all about? Proving yourself?

edit - Well, we have proven that we are better than Memphis... but don't think that was a question mark.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

I agree with GG here. We have proven nada. And until we do, there will be doubters.

I don't see whats wrong with his statements about proving him wrong. Isn't that what the playoffs are all about? Proving yourself?

edit - Well, we have proven that we are better than Memphis... but don't think that was a question mark.

I agree that we haven't proven anything. I just continue to be amused by his MVP ballot, and I was amazed to see someone once again say all our rest would bea disadvantage.

[aexchange]

bucher is such a flaming idiot, he has now overtaken charlie rosen as the worst beat writer in all of professional sports. this guy is so incompetent he makes jodie valade look like a pulitzer prize winner.

how anyone can be a self proclaimed expert yet continue to bash the mavs like this is just simply beyond me.

[Usually Lurkin]

wait, what!!?? Duncan was bigger for the Spurs this season than Dirk was for the Mavs? When this guy does finally admit that he's an idiot is when he should get credit for saying something intelligent.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by George Gervin

Thanks for the compliment! Of course all the Mavs have to do is win and shut everyone up.

Basically what it comes down too. Why people get upset when the Mavs recieve no credit is beyond me. Mavs beat the Spurs they will credit. They will be praised and probably favorites to win the title. If we still don't get credit honestly who gives a damn? Its all about the parade and Dallas and no sports writer can take that from us.

[aexchange]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Basically what it comes down too. Why people get upset when the Mavs recieve no credit is beyond me. Mavs beat the Spurs they will credit. They will be praised and probably favorites to win the title. If we still don't get credit honestly who gives a damn? Its all about the parade and Dallas and no sports writer can take that from us.

i guaran-damn-tee you that the mavs will get ZERO credit if they should beat the spurs. the mavs series win would be attributed to the fact that duncan wasnt fully healthy. if the mavs beat the pistons in the finals, it would be that the pistons were worn out from playing their starters heavy minutes all season long.

its a total joke.

we are by far the LEAST respected team in the league. hell, the clippers are getting more respect than we are.

[jthig32]

Here's a little respect:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=2433185

Article where ESPN's NBA "experts" answer questions about the first round. Not much about the Mavs, but I did enjoy this blurb from Hollinger:

6. What's the most underreported story of the first round?

Hollinger: Dallas kicking the pants out of a very good Memphis team. We've reflexively made San Antonio the favorites in the West, but the Mavs played better than anybody else in Round 1.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by kg_veteran

You guys can't blame Bucher for his opinions. They are entirely based on SportsCenter highlights, so what do you expect?

This is EXACTLY what I blame Bucher for.

[dirno2000]

From the ESPN "expert" roundtable:

1. Who is the defining player of the playoffs so far? Which player, other than Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, has been most compelling to you?

John Hollinger: The defining player of the playoffs has definintely been LeBron James, just because he's been under such a microscope in his first playoffs and delivered so hugely. Other than Kobe and LeBron, I would say Dirk Nowitzki. He dominated the Memphis series and showed why he merited being in the MVP discussion.

6. What's the most underreported story of the first round?

Hollinger: Dallas kicking the pants out of a very good Memphis team. We've reflexively made San Antonio the favorites in the West, but the Mavs played better than anybody else in Round 1.

full article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=2433185

If you're going to get respect from one ESPN writer, I take comfort in the fact that we're getting ours from the most knowledgeable.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

From the ESPN "expert" roundtable:

1. Who is the defining player of the playoffs so far? Which player, other than Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, has been most compelling to you?

John Hollinger: The defining player of the playoffs has definintely been LeBron James, just because he's been under such a microscope in his first playoffs and delivered so hugely. Other than Kobe and LeBron, I would say Dirk Nowitzki. He dominated the Memphis series and showed why he merited being in the MVP discussion.

6. What's the most underreported story of the first round?

Hollinger: Dallas kicking the pants out of a very good Memphis team. We've reflexively made San Antonio the favorites in the West, but the Mavs played better than anybody else in Round 1.

full article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...ory?id=2433185

If your going to get respect from one ESPN writer, I take comfort in know that we're getting ours from the most knowledgeable.

Beatcha' to it!! Well, I only posted the second part...

And I have now used by 1,000th post to point this out.....what a waste.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by George Gervin

Thanks for the compliment! Of course all the Mavs have to do is win and shut everyone up.

Not exactly. We are currently 4-0 and it hasn't done anything for you.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by George Gervin

Ric Bucher: (11:47 AM ET ) I give the Mavs a puncher's chance, but this is where Dirk can prove me wrong. I can't see Dallas getting by SA without a couple of dominating performances from him. Not big numbers, which he can always get, but gutcheck plays that show the rest of the Mavs he's the best player on the floor.



While I give the Mavs more than a punchers chance he has admitted he will be proven wrong if Dirk shows up big and the Mavs win.. what's the big deal?

And the championships won by....Nash, LeBron are ???? I would actually put the rapist in that list since he's done nada since shaq was run off.

[ddh33]

As if he hadn't already lost all credibility! Good job, ESPN. Great job of running out complete morons of your shows.

[Drbio]

Like Gervin, Bucher is a moron of monumental proportions.


But who cares what he says? He's an idiot sports reporter who requires the input of others to formulate an opinion.

[bernardos70]

Eff bucher, we should just shut up and let the team do the talking.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by aexchange

i guaran-damn-tee you that the mavs will get ZERO credit if they should beat the spurs. the mavs series win would be attributed to the fact that duncan wasnt fully healthy. if the mavs beat the pistons in the finals, it would be that the pistons were worn out from playing their starters heavy minutes all season long.

its a total joke.

we are by far the LEAST respected team in the league. hell, the clippers are getting more respect than we are.

Maybe this year but lately i've seen the media be a lot more friendly to us. Now Dirk I can co-sign with you on. Out of all superstars he and Elton Brand are the least appreciated but as far as the Mavs go as of right now i'm seeing people star to take notice. As of right now i'd like to think that beating the Spurs not only does wonders for the Mavs but it also gives them more respect around the media. But I can't help but wonder if we'll hear the "Well Duncan was hurt" arguments if we beat them next round. If Kings make it to the 2nd round expect no respect garnered at all.

[sike]

Bucher deserves the same thing from me that the WNBA deserves: none of my time.

[nowitzki_prophecy]

Duncan and Billups??The man's an idiot,he's reaching and its so obvious its pathetic.
Did he had a ballot?The league should really look into the people that holds an MVP ballot.
Though i agree the rest we got could also be risky,we might lose our rhythm and killer instinct while SA would come ready to kill in the first game.
But they would tire out by the 3rd or 4th game.

Oh,and Dirk is at least 2 levels above Pao,if not 3.

[bernardos70]

Make no mistake about it, if we face the Spurs on the 2nd round, they will not be taken lightly. Rest = good.

[endrity]

Here's what Bucher says:
No, for the same reason he wasn't there at the end of the regular season: there are a lot of factors contributing to the Mavs' success. He is their biggest. Bigger than Kobe, Nash, Billups, Duncan and LeBron were to their teams? Not in my opinion.

This argument drives me crazy. We are rewarding guys for being on bad teams, and therefore rewarding bad menagement. It is called league MVP, not team MVP. It is not how valuable you are to your team. If that was the point we might as well bring Chris Paul, or heck Zach Randolph in the discussion. It's league MVP which means how valuable you are in the overall picture of the league. Just because the Mavs are top 3 in the league Dirk HAS to be in the discussion. But because he is much more the key to success for the Mavs, and because he has been one of the most dominant players in the league that is even more to strenthen the argument.

[Five-ofan]

I have some disagreements with what he said. I could actually use a really well reasoned argument against his mvp stuff but it doesnt matter. Either the mavs will win it all and prove him wrong. Or they wont and he will be justified. Either way my arguments(that he will never read) dont really serve any purpose.

[Murphy3]

Just don't let him get to you. Bucher is insignicant. Even when he does make a somewhat intelligent point from time to time, it's surrounded by so much stupidity and surrounded by his efforts to cover his ass for his previous Dirk comments that it totally wipes out anything remotely intelligent that he might have said.

[Five-ofan]

That is basically my point in the second post i made in this thread. I would love to know how he has a job though. Might come in handy to know how to keep a job while being utterly terrible at it after i get out of college.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

No, its a Mavs bias. It isn't f-in fair and it never will be. The fact that Noone will ever say one bad thing about Barkley and Malone, even though they themselves didn't have what it took to propel their teams to a championship. Where as I feel if the Mavs don't win it all this year that somehow that makes Dirk less of a player. Thats exactly what it is coming across as.

[madape]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Wow...never thought rest was a "disadvantage". Maybe not an advantage but a "disadvantage".

Bucher continues to show he is the dumbest journalist around, bar none.

I remember Don Nelson saying that the rest they got when they swept Minny 4 years ago was a big disadvantage. There were even some conspiracy theories about them letting off the gas in the first round series against Portland the next year after building a 3-0 lead. That was the year they went on to FINALLY beat Sacramento on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by madape

I remember Don Nelson saying that the rest they got when they swept Minny 4 years ago was a big disadvantage. There were even some conspiracy theories about them letting off the gas in the first round series against Portland the next year after building a 3-0 lead. That was the year they went on to FINALLY beat Sacramento on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

You mean that was the year they got stretched to 7 games in the first round and then went into the next round and got completely destroyed in the first game of the series?

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by madape

I remember Don Nelson saying that the rest they got when they swept Minny 4 years ago was a big disadvantage. There were even some conspiracy theories about them letting off the gas in the first round series against Portland the next year after building a 3-0 lead. That was the year they went on to FINALLY beat Sacramento on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

I don't remember him saying that but if he did it was just Nellie making excuses. The Kings closed out Utah one day after we closed out Minn. They had 3 days rest, we had four. I doubt that affected the series one bit.

[Usually Lurkin]

everything about the mavs was a big disadvantage, according to Don Nelson.

[capitalcity]

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

everything about the mavs was a big disadvantage, according to Don Nelson.

Bingo.