Do you think we'll make a major trade before the deadline?

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I buy into the team totally. I think it's a great team, with or without Roddy. Hopefully it's even better with him.

Unfortunately, we are very unlucky to be playing in an NBA where there are a few other teams that have consolidated incredible talent (and two of those teams, the Lakers and Celtics, are also very well coached). Not believing we can win a championship has a lot less to do with my lack of belief in the Mavs than recognizing how talented and tested a few of those other teams are.

This Mavs team is better (or at least far more talented) than the 2006 team and the 2007 team, IMO. From the coach all the way down to the 12th guy. The difference is the rest of the league at the top.

The thing that I would say to this is the big difference in the year: the defense. It's imperative that they defensive mentality sticks and they perform. For years, people have been saying they have had the talent and they were just missing defense...the problem was, people overreacted and we really didn't even have the right people. It looks like we do this year, now the defense needs to stick and it changes the ballgame because the talent is really there.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

The thing that I would say to this is the big difference in the year: the defense. It's imperative that they defensive mentality sticks and they perform. For years, people have been saying they have had the talent and they were just missing defense...the problem was, people overreacted and we really didn't even have the right people. It looks like we do this year, now the defense needs to stick and it changes the ballgame because the talent is really there.

I think it's definitely better, but I still don't think they have quite enough to beat a Spurs team 4/7, followed by a Lakers team 4/7, followed by a Celtics/Heat team 4/7 (or whatever the case may be). It's not totally impossible, but it would take some really fortuitous bounces over the course of those games to make it happen.

Everybody needs luck to win a championship, but I think the Mavs would need quite a bit more than some of those other teams. I'm not down on them, I just have a ton of respect for what those other teams have put together (except the Heat who are sorta just trying to out-talent you into submission).

Oh, and FWIW, a substantial part of me feeling this way is that Dirk simply does not get the same benefit of the doubt from the refs that some of those other guys get. He is absolutely penalized for being big and awkward. Wade/James/Kobe/Pierce shoot 15+ FT's if they are abused like Dirk was in Game 4 @ SA last spring. Wade probably shoots like 200 FT's. It's a god damn shame, really.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I think it's definitely better, but I still don't think they have quite enough to beat a Spurs team 4/7, followed by a Lakers team 4/7, followed by a Celtics/Heat team 4/7 (or whatever the case may be). It's not totally impossible, but it would take some really fortuitous bounces over the course of those games to make it happen.

Everybody needs luck to win a championship, but I think the Mavs would need quite a bit more than some of those other teams. I'm not down on them, I just have a ton of respect for what those other teams have put together (except the Heat who are sorta just trying to out-talent you into submission).

Oh, and FWIW, a substantial part of me feeling this way is that Dirk simply does not get the same benefit of the doubt from the refs that some of those other guys get. He is absolutely penalized for being big and awkward. Wade/James/Kobe/Pierce shoot 15+ FT's if they are abused like Dirk was in Game 4 @ SA last spring. Wade probably shoots like 200 FT's. It's a god damn shame, really.

I agree with this, even the Dirk stuff.

I can tell you someone in the Mavs organization doesn't buy what's going on with the Spurs right now, too much dependency with the 3-ball, Manu is hot (eventually hurt) and the breaks are just going their way right now.

I think one thing that helps is the fact the Mavericks would be the underdog in pretty much all of the given scenarios, this team thrives much more in that situation versus being the hunted. I have a feeling in those series, they either get extremely exposed on something or they're knockdown drag-out battles that could go either way.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

I agree with this, even the Dirk stuff.

I can tell you someone in the Mavs organization doesn't buy what's going on with the Spurs right now, too much dependency with the 3-ball, Manu is hot (eventually hurt) and the breaks are just going their way right now.

I think one thing that helps is the fact the Mavericks would be the underdog in pretty much all of the given scenarios, this team thrives much more in that situation versus being the hunted. I have a feeling in those series, they either get extremely exposed on something or they're knockdown drag-out battles that could go either way.

Yeah I'm not sure I buy the new Spurs either. But I've gotta put them up there just because of their experience. They just keep doing it every year.

I love the Mavs as the underdog.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I love the Mavs as the underdog.

Sounds familiar...

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I think it's definitely better, but I still don't think they have quite enough to beat a Spurs team 4/7, followed by a Lakers team 4/7, followed by a Celtics/Heat team 4/7 (or whatever the case may be). It's not totally impossible, but it would take some really fortuitous bounces over the course of those games to make it happen.

Everybody needs luck to win a championship, but I think the Mavs would need quite a bit more than some of those other teams. I'm not down on them, I just have a ton of respect for what those other teams have put together (except the Heat who are sorta just trying to out-talent you into submission).

Oh, and FWIW, a substantial part of me feeling this way is that Dirk simply does not get the same benefit of the doubt from the refs that some of those other guys get. He is absolutely penalized for being big and awkward. Wade/James/Kobe/Pierce shoot 15+ FT's if they are abused like Dirk was in Game 4 @ SA last spring. Wade probably shoots like 200 FT's. It's a god damn shame, really.

+rep

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I just have a ton of respect for what those other teams have put together (except the Heat who are sorta just trying to out-talent you into submission).

Ian Mahimi what you think?!?!?!?

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Ian Mahimi what you think?!?!?!?

Is there a bit here that I'm missing?

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

Is there a bit here that I'm missing?

http://www.dallas-mavs.com/vb/showthread.php?t=36475