Hitman's Take On The Situation

[Hitman]

1. Dirk Nowitzki, where are you? I feel like the people from Superman II, when Zod and his cronies have taken over the earth. The president is kneeling down in the oval office in front of zod, and he looks at the television monitor and says "Superman, where are you! We need you!"
Where is the guy that averaged 29 points and 11 rebounds over the last two and a half months of last season. Where is the guy that put up 46 in game one of the playoffs, the guy who went for 30 and 15 in back to back game 7's, the guy who matched Duncan point for point and rebound for rebound with 40 and 18 in the Mavs win over the Spurs in game 1? Where oh where is this dude? If we can find him, we have got a chance. If we don't then we are screwed.

2. Antoine Walker is frusturating as hell. The guy is a great passer and a good rebounder, but there is no way he should be taking three pointers. Why does every guy have to have the green light? I loved when I heard him talking about how he wasn't hitting the three well "this year." Hey Antoine, when did you ever hit the three "well?" Not in a few years. For the most part, however, I have had little problem with Walker. He is a marvelous passer and good rebounder. I just wonder if Nellie + Walker = Toxic.

3. Michael Finley - You know, I love how people talk about how Finley accepted his fall from being the #1 option so gracefully, that he could have put up a fight about it. People, if Michael Finley is your #1 option on offense, then your team sucks. Plain and simple. There is no way Finley could have put up a fight about it. If he is on, he can score 38, but other than that...I mean, he ain't going to play you any defense. He ain't going to get you many rebounds. He ain't going to do much. I got lambasted on this board for saying that I would rather have Manu Ginobolli than Michael Finley, but the fact of the matter is that Manu has a huge effect on the game whether you run plays for him or not. Finley does not. And Finley is not good enough to have plays run for him on a consistent basis on this team. Personally, I would trade Finley for anyone over 6 foot 7 that is considered an above average defender. But hey, thats just me.

4. Don Nelson. Funny that Chris Webber, who once despised Don Nelson, actually saved Don Nelson's career as an NBA basketball coach. For if Webber did not go down with injury in last season's playoffs, the Mavs would have lost in 5 games and Don Nelson would have been out. Webber going down with an injury was a case of "fools gold" for the Mavs fan. This guy has such a defeatist attitude, and his tricks have gotten so old. There is a way to win the NBA title. You need 1)An NBA candidate, 2) Defensive mentality, 3) Confidence, 4)Strong "second banana" and 5)A solid supporting cast who knows thier roles and revels in them. Don Nelson does not understand this. I don't know why. Don Nelson's way of winning the NBA championship is the equivalent of an Indy racer fitting his car with square wheels.
Why would they reinvent the wheel when the wheel they have has been proven the best time and time again?

5. Antoine Jamision. Yeah, we heard the whispers when we traded for him. Inconistent. Does not play D. We ignored them and reveled in the fact that he was a small forward and he would look great starting next to our Dirk. Theo Ratliff looks awfully nice, doesn't he?

6. Steve Nash. He has been inconsistent, but he is the motor that makes the Mavs go. Missing two last night was inexcusable. He gets into funks and has a hard time getting himself out of. He needs Dirk to return to being Dirk.

7. Shawn Bradley. I don't know, I just don't know. I mean, he has a positive impact on the game when he plays, but he hardly every plays. I don't have the energy to wonder why anymore.

8. Danny Fortson. This guy can board, but he is SEVERLY limited in EVERY other area. I don't know how much he helps us when he is out there, since we are a much better rebounding team then we were last year. We could have used him last year, but I don't think he is much use right now.

9. Josh Howard. I like him a lot. Problem is, he has Nellie in his ear telling him that when he gets a second of daylight, shoot it. Second problem is, that is stupid. But I like his rebounding, his toughness and his potential to play D. He is a keeper.

10. I don't know folks, I just don't know. This team needs to start to get its act together soon, but I just don't know if it is going to happen. Too many people want to shoot, too few (i.e. none) want to play defense.

We need Dirk Nowitzki back to being Dirk Nowitzki.

Right now I believe that is our only hope.

[kg_veteran]

Don't agree with every word, but really nice post.

[Walkerforthree]

"1. Dirk Nowitzki, where are you? I feel like the people from Superman II, when Zod and his cronies have taken over the earth. The president is kneeling down in the oval office in front of zod, and he looks at the television monitor and says "Superman, where are you! We need you!"
Where is the guy that averaged 29 points and 11 rebounds over the last two and a half months of last season. Where is the guy that put up 46 in game one of the playoffs, the guy who went for 30 and 15 in back to back game 7's, the guy who matched Duncan point for point and rebound for rebound with 40 and 18 in the Mavs win over the Spurs in game 1? Where oh where is this dude? If we can find him, we have got a chance. If we don't then we are screwed."

Dirk does deserve some blame, however it is difficult when he doesn't get PT or touches (cough nellie, cough) and he gets banged up and gets early fouls when pkaying center (cough nellie,cough)

[bernardos70]

I like finley, I wouldn't trade him, but I think ginobili (as much as it pains me to admit this about an argentinian) is a better player now and will be even better in the future. I agree with most everything you said. Dirk should be officially back tomorrow [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] A win over LA would put us much more at ease.

[dude1394]

Dirk does deserve some blame, however it is difficult when he doesn't get PT or touches (cough nellie, cough) and he gets banged up and gets early fouls when pkaying center (cough nellie,cough)

I'm confused why you do this? Dirk didn't play center last night, got 3 fouls early and didn't play well. Pinning everything on someone other than the players seems counter-productive. Whatever nellie did got them up by 22 early, it still looked to me like the second team didn't come to play and then of course missed ft's lost that game.

[Big_Dog]

lack of concentration and complacency lost us that game

[LRB]

Originally posted by: Big_Dog
lack of concentration and complacency lost us that game

The right coach can improve concentration and pretty much banish complacency. A coach who's "lost" his team has little choice but to put players on the court most nights suffering from a hugh concentration problem and lots of complacency.

[Walkerforthree]

Originally posted by: dude1394

I'm confused why you do this? Dirk didn't play center last night, got 3 fouls early and didn't play well. Pinning everything on someone other than the players seems counter-productive. Whatever nellie did got them up by 22 early, it still looked to me like the second team didn't come to play and then of course missed ft's lost that game.

read please, please just read then post. I just said dirk deserves some blame, so how can I be pinning quote "everything" on fatboy??? And wow, you are taking one game, fact is, most of this year doughie has played dirk at center.

[Psychedelic Fuzz]

You say that Finley is not your number one option on offense by bashing his defense and rebounding ability? then pointing out that he can score 38? I'm sorry, but I don't follow.

don't get me started on the kings last year. this was a damn good team last year and dropped 83 on the kings in a single half before Webber went down, so don't tell me they couldn't have won.

Don Nelson needs an attitude. He needs a swagger and a sense of entitlement befitting the coach who will probably end up with more wins than any in NBA history. If you get your players to develop that, you can play five point guards for all I care...just for God's sake act like you KNOW your tricks will work.

That said, I'm a fan of Nellie. Do you people honestly think any other coach would have allowed Dirk to develope into the player he is. No. He's tall, therefore any "normal" coach parks him under the basket and we get deprived of seeing a very athletic young player who can score from anywhere on the floor. People here rip Nellie for his unconventional tactics...well, this is an unconventional team. Say what you will, but nellie the GM robbed two teams of marquee players and nellie the coach has won 1100 more games than anyone here.

[dude1394]

Dirk does deserve some blame, however it is difficult when he doesn't get PT or touches (cough nellie, cough) and he gets banged up and gets early fouls when pkaying center (cough nellie,cough)

read please, please just read then post. I just said dirk deserves some blame, so how can I be pinning quote "everything" on fatboy??? And wow, you are taking one game, fact is, most of this year doughie has played dirk at center.

Well I did read and I just don't understand the point of trying to blame every players bad play on nellie. If he's not aggressive enough it's nellie, if he doesn't rebound worth a flip it's nellie. I just don't understand. You rightly commented on dirks bad play but then I guess just for the heck of it you throw in that it's really all nellie's fault, poor dirk doesn't get enough PT or touches. I really haven't seen him starting at center and getting early fouls except for maybe the first 4 games or so but you state that also is nellie's fault.

I really am NOT 100% on-board with everything nellie does, but it just seems that way the way he's bashed so relentlessly on this board.

[MavsFanFinley]

How can people still rip on Finley and his defense? He's probably playing his best compared to the last couple years. Does he have lapses? Absolutely. But, who isn't on this team?

What player has been more impressive this year other than Howard?

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: MavsFanFinley
How can people still rip on Finley and his defense? He's probably playing his best compared to the last couple years. Does he have lapses? Absolutely. But, who isn't on this team?

What player has been more impressive this year other than Howard?

That was one of the parts of his post I disagreed with. I think Fin's defense has been pretty good overall this year.

[Walkerforthree]

Originally posted by: MavsFanFinley
How can people still rip on Finley and his defense? He's probably playing his best compared to the last couple years. Does he have lapses? Absolutely. But, who isn't on this team?

What player has been more impressive this year other than Howard?

fin's d has been a bit sketchy at times, but overall, especially for this team, very solid.

[Walkerforthree]

Originally posted by: dude1394

Well I did read and I just don't understand the point of trying to blame every players bad play on nellie. If he's not aggressive enough it's nellie, if he doesn't rebound worth a flip it's nellie. I just don't understand. You rightly commented on dirks bad play but then I guess just for the heck of it you throw in that it's really all nellie's fault, poor dirk doesn't get enough PT or touches. I really haven't seen him starting at center and getting early fouls except for maybe the first 4 games or so but you state that also is nellie's fault.

I really am NOT 100% on-board with everything nellie does, but it just seems that way the way he's bashed so relentlessly on this board.

Even if Dirk doesn't start at centre, and he often has, he is least effective when he's playing it 25-30 minutes a game, which doughie ends up doing even if dirk doesn't start t center.

[Max Power]

I was suprised that he didn't mention Nash's incredibly poor defense this year. Nash looks like a kid chasing his older brother around in a pickup game.

I also looked up Nash's steals per 48 minutes. 42nd in the league for all point guards who are on pace to play 70 games or make 125 steals. Out of 44 PGs. Ahead of only Lue and Boykins.

[Walkerforthree]

Originally posted by: Max Power
I was suprised that he didn't mention Nash's incredibly poor defense this year. Nash looks like a kid chasing his older brother around in a pickup game.

I also looked up Nash's steals per 48 minutes. 42nd in the league for all point guards who are on pace to play 70 games or make 125 steals. Out of 44 PGs. Ahead of only Lue and Boykins.

I agree there. Nash has NEVER been good at steals. Fish and GP, B diddy, Steph and other pg's humiliate him.

[mavs413]

Originally posted by: Hitman


3. Michael Finley - You know, I love how people talk about how Finley accepted his fall from being the #1 option so gracefully, that he could have put up a fight about it. People, if Michael Finley is your #1 option on offense, then your team sucks. Plain and simple. There is no way Finley could have put up a fight about it. If he is on, he can score 38, but other than that...I mean, he ain't going to play you any defense. He ain't going to get you many rebounds. He ain't going to do much. I got lambasted on this board for saying that I would rather have Manu Ginobolli than Michael Finley, but the fact of the matter is that Manu has a huge effect on the game whether you run plays for him or not. Finley does not. And Finley is not good enough to have plays run for him on a consistent basis on this team. Personally, I would trade Finley for anyone over 6 foot 7 that is considered an above average defender. But hey, thats just me.

HaHa!! Ginobili better than Finley?
23ppg compared to 9ppg in last years WCF.
14ppg, 38% FG. Manu, I'd expect a little more scoring on a team that cant, and proved it today.
If Stephen Jackson wasn't so damn dumb, he would be the starting SG for the Spurs, not Manu.
I give credit to Ginobili's defense but Fin is not a horrible defender, he's been very good so far this year.
In my opinion, Ginobili is Gordan Giricek on the offensive side and a taller Allen Iverson on the defensive side because of his quickness and steals.
Finley is still the #2 option on this team behind Dirk, and everyone on the team would say that, except maybe Walker.

[MightyToine]

Finley is still the #2 option on this team behind Dirk, and everyone on the team would say that, except maybe Walker.

Walker is Satan, right? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]


geez....

[mavs413]

Originally posted by: MightyToine

Walker is Satan, right? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]


geez....

No, I am a Walker fan like you......ok, not like you[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]. But anyway, its great for a player to have confidence in his game and Walker has all the skills in the basketball world, he just doesnt use the right ones. Walker's best game is in the paint as a scorer and on the perimeter as a passer. Walker has already shown that he can be a Great player when he does those things.

Also, I was just wondering if anyone saw Keyon Dooling immitate Walker's Shimmy while Toine was at the line last night after Walker missed that Free throw near the end of the game. I dont know if Walker saw him or not, but I hate that kind of S*@#.

[Hitman]

Originally posted by: Psychedelic Fuzz
You say that Finley is not your number one option on offense by bashing his defense and rebounding ability? then pointing out that he can score 38? I'm sorry, but I don't follow.

Sorry that you don't follow.

I said that if you have an NBA team, and Michael Finley is your #1 option on offense, then your team sucks.

My main problem with Finley is that when he is shooting 2 of 8, he is a complete and utter non factor in every phase of the game. Sure, it is partly human nature to be more motivated when the going is good, but when you are a "role" player, as Finley surely needs to be for this team to be successful, then that is inexcusable.

[MavKikiNYC]

Also, I was just wondering if anyone saw Keyon Dooling immitate Walker's Shimmy while Toine was at the line last night after Walker missed that Free throw near the end of the game. I dont know if Walker saw him or not, but I hate that kind of S*@#.

Good eye, Hitman. Now THAT is funny.

I hate that kind of stuff going on too, but it should be noted that Shyte like Walker's begets Shyte like Dooling's.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC

Good eye, Hitman. Now THAT is funny.

I hate that kind of stuff going on too, but it should be noted that Shyte like Walker's begets Shyte like Dooling's.

Really?? I don't know if Walker saw that but I'm sure his teammates told him about it. Keyon Dooling may get Olowokandi-ED( [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] ) the next time Walker and The mavs play the Clips...