2011 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Covert Rain]

you're starting to become ridiculous with this. seemingly the only way Dallas can prove it's mentally tough to you is if they get down 0-2 and end up being only the second team in NBA History to come back from that deficit in the Finals.

i don't buy it. this Dallas team is mentally tough enough, they're just not talented enough.

I am not saying they need to go down 0-2 (although that would be the ultimate test). I said being down 0-1 is not that big a deal when the series barely started. The Mavs are going to feel plenty good about themselves if they take the next game. I really don't think the Mavs lose game 2 IMO. I have said from the start I thought this would be a good series. It never dawned on me the Mavs would go in an 0-2 hole and that's not what I was saying. I thought this series would be a long one. My point was that the pressure of losing game 1 in a series is not panic time. I seriously doubt anybody in the Mavs locker room is in panic mode. Losing the first home game in a series is more high pressure IMO. Game 7 is high pressure. Game 1?

However, now that you brought it up.....you point out the "results" of teams going down 0-2 and the outcome of never winning it all. That is not debatable. What is debatable is teams have gone down 0-2 and made a series of it despite not winning it. That to me is mental toughness. If your team goes down 0-2 and folds like a tent..that adds fuel to the fire.

Also, I don't think the gap is as wide as you do talent wise either. They lost by 8 points not 20. Mavs actually played damn good defense on the Heat. So unless something drastically changes I don't buy the "not talented" enough argument. If they get blown out in a couple of the next few games I would agree. Dallas is not devoid of talent and still made it to the finals.

Also I don't get the "Heat are too talented for the Mavs"....so that means they get a "pass" on mental toughness. Yet when the Mavs were too talented in earlier rounds they get credit for being mentally tough?

 

[Lorenzo]

I am not saying they need to go down 0-2 (although that would be the ultimate test). I said being down 0-1 is not that big a deal when the series barely started. The Mavs are going to feel plenty good about themselves if they take the next game. I really don't think the Mavs lose game 2 IMO. I have said from the start I thought this would be a good series. It never dawned on me the Mavs would go in an 0-2 hole and that's not what I was saying. I thought this series would be a long one. My point was that the pressure of losing game 1 in a series is not panic time. I seriously doubt anybody in the Mavs locker room is in panic mode. Losing the first home game in a series is more high pressure IMO. Game 7 is high pressure. Game 1?

However, now that you brought it up.....you point out the "results" of teams going down 0-2 and the outcome of never winning it all. That is not debatable. What is debatable is teams have gone down 0-2 and made a series of it despite not winning it. That to me is mental toughness. If your team goes down 0-2 and folds like a tent..that adds fuel to the fire.

Also, I don't think the gap is as wide as you do talent wise either. They lost by 8 points not 20. Mavs actually played damn good defense on the Heat. So unless something drastically changes I don't buy the "not talented" enough argument. If they get blown out in a couple of the next few games I would agree. Dallas is not devoid of talent and still made it to the finals.

Also I don't get the "Heat are too talented for the Mavs"....so that means they get a "pass" on mental toughness. Yet when the Mavs were too talented in earlier rounds they get credit for being mentally tough?

I agree with you both here. you are both right.

there is no big deal to losing game 1. 0-2 is a whole other talk show if the mavs lose tonight. then they are in must win mode for game 3 because we all know what happens when a team gets 3-0.

aside from that cheese is right. 1-2-3 for the heat is clearly better than the dallas 1-2-3. where dallas has to win is 4-5-6-7-8-9 and they lost that in game 1. If they lose that battle they are doomed. they have to win the 4-9 battle every game to have any chance at winning those games. because you know james, bosh, and wade will get their points.

I think dallas missed a lot of open shots. miami's defense is clearly great. but if dallas, a shot making team, makes their open shots, they can beat the heat.

 

[Lorenzo]

A sweep would not shock me.

I don't believe that will happen. In fact i picked dallas to win in 5. but if we see the same mavs that we saw in game 1 you are correct and I will bow down to the amare poster.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Also I don't get the "Heat are too talented for the Mavs"....so that means they get a "pass" on mental toughness. Yet when the Mavs were too talented in earlier rounds they get credit for being mentally tough?

who said the Mavs were too talented in earlier rounds? The Lakers were more talented then them but the Mavs were mentally tougher in that series. I don't even think the Mavs are more talented than OKC. This Dallas team has 1 superstar, a really good 6th man and a bunch of has-beens who are FAR from in their prime. They've won on a superstar, good chemistry and mental toughness IMO throughout the playoffs.

unfortunately, they've run into a team with mega-superstars who play great defense. that team is just flat better than the Mavs. that's why there's no shame in losing to them at this point.

yeah, if they get swept, that's pretty weak, but I don't expect that too happen.

 

[Covert Rain]

who said the Mavs were too talented in earlier rounds? The Lakers were more talented then them but the Mavs were mentally tougher in that series. I don't even think the Mavs are more talented than OKC. This Dallas team has 1 superstar, a really good 6th man and a bunch of has-beens who are FAR from in their prime. They've won on a superstar, good chemistry and mental toughness IMO throughout the playoffs.

unfortunately, they've run into a team with mega-superstars who play great defense. that team is just flat better than the Mavs. that's why there's no shame in losing to them at this point.

yeah, if they get swept, that's pretty weak, but I don't expect that too happen.

I say that. If you look at the teams (including the bench), I think they have more talent then any of the teams they played so far. The Lakers have Kobe and Gasol who struggled throughout the playoffs. The bench is beyond suspect once you get past Odom. The Thunder also have a questionable bench but I could buy the argument that they are just as talented but I think the Thunder shot themselves in the foot down the stretch of those games.

I guess we have to agree to disagree that I have not seen a mental challenge as of yet in the playoffs for them.

 

[desertdawg]

I'll be really impressed if the Mavs can at least hang in the 4th quarter, it would show me that they might win a couple games in this series. I don't expect it, but it would be cool.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I say that. If you look at the teams (including the bench), I think they have more talent then any of the teams they played so far. The Lakers have Kobe and Gasol who struggled throughout the playoffs. The bench is beyond suspect once you get past Odom.

You conveniently leave out Andrew Bynum who's a force on both offense and defense. Come on now... were you saying that the Mavs had more talent than the Lakers before the playoffs? before their series? If not, then the above is hogwash. Hindsight is 20/20 and the Lakers were favored to win the title again because they're the most talented team in the league and they were two-time defending champions. Simply beating the other team doesn't automatically mean Dallas had more talent then them. The Suns v. Spurs matchups were always proof of that. Hell, the GS v. Dallas, Dallas v. Heat matchups are proof of that as well.

The Thunder also have a questionable bench but I could buy the argument that they are just as talented but I think the Thunder shot themselves in the foot down the stretch of those games.

so, the Mavs continue to win these ridiculously close games, but they get no credit for them? Sorry, shooting yourself in the foot is the sign of a mentally weak team. Being able to take advantage of that is the sign of a mentally tough team... especially when you do it against the Defending Champion, the young upstart and then in the NBA Finals when you're facing going down 0-2 to a team that everyone expects to beat you.

I guess we have to agree to disagree that I have not seen a mental challenge as of yet in the playoffs for them.

did tonight impress you, because if not, then you literally can't be impressed seeing as Dallas literally would have had to have been down 0-3 and win to impress you... and seeing as they just won a game in the series, that's impossible.

 

[Superbone]

I'll be really impressed if the Mavs can at least hang in the 4th quarter, it would show me that they might win a couple games in this series. I don't expect it, but it would be cool.

Pretty cool.

 

[Covert Rain]

You conveniently leave out Andrew Bynum who's a force on both offense and defense. Come on now... were you saying that the Mavs had more talent than the Lakers before the playoffs? before their series?

I think it was pretty universally felt the Lakers were not the same team from last year. They seemed to turn things around with Bynums run. Yes, I forgot to mention Bynum but the bench was horrible and everybody was asking what was wrong with Gasol. They were expecting Gasol to put in close to 20 points each night and didn't come close. Also, Dallas seem to have had the deepest bench all season long and one of the best producing starting 5. I didn't think the Lakers were going to make it out of the West. I thought people had to prove they could get past the defending champs. However, I was confident enough about other teams having more overall talent that I bet 100 bucks the Lakers wouldn't make it to the Finals. I have that money in my pocket. Well....not really....I already spent it.

so, the Mavs continue to win these ridiculously close games, but they get no credit for them? Sorry, shooting yourself in the foot is the sign of a mentally weak team. Being able to take advantage of that is the sign of a mentally tough team... especially when you do it against the Defending Champion, the young upstart and then in the NBA Finals when you're facing going down 0-2 to a team that everyone expects to beat you.

Not always. Sometimes shooting yourself in the foot is matter of experience. That was the case with the Thunder and it was obvious. If Dallas had been making these amazing defensive plays that would be one thing but they were horrible defensively against the Thunder. The Thunder looked lost and didn't even get into their offense at the end of those games. Those games turned into 1 on 1 basketball with either Westbrook or Durant. They didn't even run plays at the end. I hadn't seen a team try and play playground basketball at the end like that since Allen Iverson in his selfish hey day.

did tonight impress you, because if not, then you literally can't be impressed seeing as Dallas literally would have had to have been down 0-3 and win to impress you... and seeing as they just won a game in the series, that's impossible.

Tonight actually did impress me a bit but I called it. I don't think Dallas was in panic mode and thought they would take this one. I give most of the credit to Dirk. Nobody else on that team showed me much down the stretch but Dirk. Have to give him credit.

As I also stated before, a series doesn't begin until someone loses the first game at home. That is when the serious pressure really mounts for a team and when the real teams with mental toughness show up. Let's see how Dallas reacts if they lose 1 or 2 at home. Especially, if they lose the 1st one at home and give home court immediately back to the Heat.

Most of the pressure is on the Heat right now IMO. After Dallas busting the Heat's aura of invisibility at home they have to know that Dallas probably thinks they could steal another in Miami. If Dallas wins 2 out of the next 3 they will be up 3-2 and feeling very good. Now if Miami wins 2 of the next 3, all the pressure will be on Dallas. These next 3 are when the big boys come out to play.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think it was pretty universally felt the Lakers were not the same team from last year. They seemed to turn things around with Bynums run. Yes, I forgot to mention Bynum but the bench was horrible and everybody was asking what was wrong with Gasol. They were expecting Gasol to put in close to 20 points each night and didn't come close. Also, Dallas seem to have had the deepest bench all season long and one of the best producing starting 5. I didn't think the Lakers were going to make it out of the West. I thought people had to prove they could get past the defending champs. However, I was confident enough about other teams having more overall talent that I bet 100 bucks the Lakers wouldn't make it to the Finals. I have that money in my pocket. Well....not really....I already spent it.



Not always. Sometimes shooting yourself in the foot is matter of experience. That was the case with the Thunder and it was obvious. If Dallas had been making these amazing defensive plays that would be one thing but they were horrible defensively against the Thunder. The Thunder looked lost and didn't even get into their offense at the end of those games. Those games turned into 1 on 1 basketball with either Westbrook or Durant. They didn't even run plays at the end. I hadn't seen a team try and play playground basketball at the end like that since Allen Iverson in his selfish hey day.



Tonight actually did impress me a bit but I called it. I don't think Dallas was in panic mode and thought they would take this one. I give most of the credit to Dirk. Nobody else on that team showed me much down the stretch but Dirk. Have to give him credit.

As I also stated before, a series doesn't begin until someone loses the first game at home. That is when the serious pressure really mounts for a team and when the real teams with mental toughness show up. Let's see how Dallas reacts if they lose 1 or 2 at home. Especially, if they lose the 1st one at home and give home court immediately back to the Heat.

Most of the pressure is on the Heat right now IMO. After Dallas busting the Heat's aura of invisibility at home they have to know that Dallas probably thinks they could steal another in Miami. If Dallas wins 2 out of the next 3 they will be up 3-2 and feeling very good. Now if Miami wins 2 of the next 3, all the pressure will be on Dallas. These next 3 are when the big boys come out to play.

See I disagree with you about dallas' defense against OKC. While I thought it was terrible in the first 2 games(as you say), after that is was clearly better overall especially in the 4th quarter of games when it counted the most. now you can blame youth and inexperience all you want. but in the half court set(just like last night against miami) the mavericks can really hound you defensively and force you into long contested jumpshots. some of those shots are going to fall for the league's superstars and it looks great when they do. but they are bad contested shots and a sign of good defense being played. Yet the experts and analysts don't get it. they praise the guys when they make the fade away 3's, but when they miss them they pound them for it.

in game 3 dallas' defense was brilliant in OKC. they held them to like 29% shooting for the whole game. the only reason the game was close was due to free throw disparity.

as far as the lakers arguement? I had them as the best team in the NBA. No one ever said they were dominant and the parade wasn't booked yet. I think like cheese said hindsight is 20/20, most of us saw them losing eventually, but were in believe it when we see it mode. But clearly most of the country thought the lakers were favored to win it all and definitely overwhelmingly favored to beat dallas.

What I don't get about this whole arguement is that it doesn't make sense. Talent is there at this point. No team makes it to the finals without talent. You are both right here. Dirk is the superstar playing along side aging veterans who aren't in their prime. But the key is these guys can still do a lot. A lot of them were featured players at one point in their career, so the pressure to perform at this level isn't too big for them. Clearly their desire to win isn't flustered either even when they are behind. Otherwise you don't come back like that to win a game more than once. You could say it was a fluke against OKC, but they did it against a better miami team. So there is something there besides a collapse as well.

therefore when I look at dallas, a team that was 50/50 to make it out of the first round, I don't see a mentally weak team. I said it going back to the regular season even after dallas got demolished in LA, that this mavs team was different. There was a different mentality and physical makeup with this team. Even in games that they lost they played hard and came back strong the next time.

 

[Lorenzo]

dareng I agree with you about the next games being key. they only get bigger. if the mavs can win game 3 the pressure will just continue to mount on miami. if you thought the regular season pressure was bad when they were as barkley would say "whiney" just wait til what we see if they lose game 3. It will be very similiar to what we saw with the lakers series, but probably worse.

Cheesebeef I agree with you. clearly the talent of dwade, lebron james, and chris bosh at the offensive end is a lot for anyone to handle. combine that with bibby, chalmers, miller, etc hitting their open 3's. it's a nightmare to deal with because if you dallas you can play perfect defense and still give up a fade away 3 pointer at the shot clock buzzer. You just have to keep playing and hope those shots stop falling for the heat. Like we said when this heat team gets some real role players aside from just haslem....this is going to be a nightmare for the rest of the league.

I also agree with you about the dallas bench. the dallas bench has to win the series for them to win. they lost game 1, but won game 2. You know dirk will either score or get someone a wide open shot in a close game to win. but you have to get him to that point to have a chance. and the dallas bench is better than miami's so they can't lose that battle. you know they are against the 8 ball with their star power.

 

[Covert Rain]

See I disagree with you about dallas' defense against OKC.

It was terrible overall which was my point. Thunder:

Game 1 - 112 points (47.2 %. 11 offensive rebounds, 40 points in the paint, 22 Fast break points)
Game 2 - 106 points (55.7%, 9 offensive rebounds, 38 points in the paint)
Game 3 - 87 points (43.9%, 12 offensive rebounds, 42 points in the paint). Clearly the best game.
Game 4 - 105 points (46.7%, 20 offensive rebounds, 54 points in the paint, 19 fast break points
Game 5 - 96 points (42.7%, 15 offensive rebounds, 50 points in the paint, 20 fast break points.

So I think above you will find things they did well at times but that is not good defense. Giving up 101.5 PPG is not good defense. Allowing 13.4 offensive rebounds per game is not good defense. Almost 45% of all of Dallas points scored against them were in the paint.

They are 2nd worst in the playoffs in blocks and 2nd worst in steals among playoff teams. In the bottom half of giving up points in the paint and opposing FG%. So, I give Dallas all the credit in the world for what they are doing right now but let's be honest. It has been more about the Dallas offense and people not being able to contain Dirk. Dallas is the #3 scoring team among playoff teams and by default (with 2 teams left) the most potent offensive team left in the playoffs.

I can also buy the argument that you made that they have at times made very timely stops. IMO that is not what happened in the Thunder series. What they did at the end of last nights game against Miami was more impressive then any of those Thunder games and Dallas still gave up a bonehead 3 towards the end.

 

[Lorenzo]

It was terrible overall which was my point. Thunder:

Game 1 - 112 points (47.2 %. 11 offensive rebounds, 40 points in the paint, 22 Fast break points)
Game 2 - 106 points (55.7%, 9 offensive rebounds, 38 points in the paint)
Game 3 - 87 points (43.9%, 12 offensive rebounds, 42 points in the paint). Clearly the best game.
Game 4 - 105 points (46.7%, 20 offensive rebounds, 54 points in the paint, 19 fast break points
Game 5 - 96 points (42.7%, 15 offensive rebounds, 50 points in the paint, 20 fast break points.

So I think above you will find things they did well at times but that is not good defense. Giving up 101.5 PPG is not good defense. Allowing 13.4 offensive rebounds per game is not good defense. Almost 45% of all of Dallas points scored against them were in the paint.

They are 2nd worst in the playoffs in blocks and 2nd worst in steals among playoff teams. In the bottom half of giving up points in the paint and opposing FG%. So, I give Dallas all the credit in the world for what they are doing right now but let's be honest. It has been more about the Dallas offense and people not being able to contain Dirk. Dallas is the #3 scoring team among playoff teams and by default (with 2 teams left) the most potent offensive team left in the playoffs.

I can also buy the argument that you made that they have at times made very timely stops. IMO that is not what happened in the Thunder series. What they did at the end of last nights game against Miami was more impressive then any of those Thunder games and Dallas still gave up a bonehead 3 towards the end.

what number i look at that trumps everything is that dallas is in the finals and have the same exact record that miami has. in fact dallas did something boston, chicago, and some other team that wouldn't have even made the playoffs in the west, couldn't do. they beat miami in miami.

how did they do it. with defense, rebounding, offense, the whole thing. you can find blemishes on katy perry's face. But I would still marry her because she is great to look at.

dallas is a very offensive oriented team. their coach is an offensive guy, dirk is probably the most effecient scorer in the league right now, most of the mavs players specialize either in jump shooting or points under the basket. but when the game is on the line they are physical, athletic, and play tough defense. how many steals and blocks did we see them get in the clutch when it counted most?

 

[Covert Rain]

what number i look at that trumps everything is that dallas is in the finals.

Well if that was the topic at hand I would agree with you. However, that is not what we were talking about. We were talking about Dallas's defense against the Thunder. You said you disagreed it was awful.

how did they do it. with defense, rebounding, offense, the whole thing.

Against the Thunder....offense. They didn't do much of anything else as clearly shown above. You can ignore it but it doesn't make it any less true.

dallas is a very offensive oriented team. their coach is an offensive guy, dirk is probably the most effecient scorer in the league right now, most of the mavs players specialize either in jump shooting or points under the basket. but when the game is on the line they are physical, athletic, and play tough defense. how many steals and blocks did we see them get in the clutch when it counted most?

How many? Do you even know or are you just throwing that out there? Again, you shifted the conversation because I don't think you can back up what you were saying. We were not talking about the entire Mavs run up to this point.

Again, the Mavs get all the credit in the world for getting to the finals. They will get even more if they take the series. I thought we were talking about the Thunder series but if you want to shift the conversation that's fine.

 

[Lorenzo]

Well if that was the topic at hand I would agree with you. However, that is not what we were talking about. We were talking about Dallas's defense against the Thunder. You said you disagreed it was awful.



Against the Thunder....offense. They didn't do much of anything else as clearly shown above. You can ignore it but it doesn't make it any less true.



How many? Do you even know or are you just throwing that out there? Again, you shifted the conversation because I don't think you can back up what you were saying. We were not talking about the entire Mavs run up to this point.

Again, the Mavs get all the credit in the world for getting to the finals. They will get even more if they take the series. I thought we were talking about the Thunder series but if you want to shift the conversation that's fine.

games 1 and 2 of the thunder series the defense was terrible.

game 3 it was great regardless of what the numbers say....they held one of the best offensive teams in the league to 87 points on the road.

game 4 was excellent down the stretch. jason kidd forced at least a few turnovers on durant and westbrook. shawn marion got the game winning block.

game 5 I can't even remember to be honest. but I think they held them to less than 100 points which is great when you consider that the thunder are probably the best offensive team that the mavs have faced in these playoffs.

look I contend that if the mavs played boston, chicago, and philly in the playoffs, their defensive stats would be a little better. OKC is a very good offensive team that can explode from the perimeter and get to the basket/free throw line etc. I'm not going to be overly critical of the mavs defense when I take the opponent into account. now if they gave up those numbers to the bulls I'd be dogging them.

good defense can't always be measured in stats. I remember a few years ago the spurs eliminated the suns in 5 games in the WCF when it seemed like there were some barn burners. Amare averaged like 35 points per game or more. but down the stretch of all of those games the spurs made shots and got stops. then they turned around and eliminated a pistons team in the finals that was a brutal defensive team. to win a title you have to be able to adapt to your surroundings and do whatever it takes to win at both ends of the court. I don't remember people taking shots at the spurs defense then when they were giving up all those points to the suns or even the mavs when nash played for dallas and the spurs would always somehow "outscore" dallas.

The fact remains is that dallas will have skeptics until they win a title. champions get the benefit of the doubt in most cases.

 

[Covert Rain]

games 1 and 2 of the thunder series the defense was terrible.

game 3 it was great regardless of what the numbers say....they held one of the best offensive teams in the league to 87 points on the road.

game 4 was excellent down the stretch. jason kidd forced at least a few turnovers on durant and westbrook. shawn marion got the game winning block.

game 5 I can't even remember to be honest. but I think they held them to less than 100 points which is great when you consider that the thunder are probably the best offensive team that the mavs have faced in these playoffs.

look I contend that if the mavs played boston, chicago, and philly in the playoffs, their defensive stats would be a little better. OKC is a very good offensive team that can explode from the perimeter and get to the basket/free throw line etc. I'm not going to be overly critical of the mavs defense when I take the opponent into account. now if they gave up those numbers to the bulls I'd be dogging them.

good defense can't always be measured in stats. I remember a few years ago the spurs eliminated the suns in 5 games in the WCF when it seemed like there were some barn burners. Amare averaged like 35 points per game or more. but down the stretch of all of those games the spurs made shots and got stops. then they turned around and eliminated a pistons team in the finals that was a brutal defensive team. to win a title you have to be able to adapt to your surroundings and do whatever it takes to win at both ends of the court. I don't remember people taking shots at the spurs defense then when they were giving up all those points to the suns or even the mavs when nash played for dallas and the spurs would always somehow "outscore" dallas.

The fact remains is that dallas will have skeptics until they win a title. champions get the benefit of the doubt in most cases.

I am still waiting for proof they played good defense.

 

[Lorenzo]

I am still waiting for proof they played good defense.

Hey it's better defense from the mavs this far into the playoffs against that quality of a team. and it might be good enough to propel them to their first NBA title. kevin durant and westbrook were the best scoring combo in the league along side james and wade. then factor in some of those other guys that were making a lot of shots at times. but late in the 4th quarter of those games for the most part those guys were neutralized.

 

[Covert Rain]

Hey it's better defense from the mavs this far into the playoffs against that quality of a team. and it might be good enough to propel them to their first NBA title. kevin durant and westbrook were the best scoring combo in the league along side james and wade. then factor in some of those other guys that were making a lot of shots at times. but late in the 4th quarter of those games for the most part those guys were neutralized.

I said I was impressed with what they did against Miami. However. You repeating they played good defense against the Thunder doesn't make it true. Although it sounds like you have convinced yourself.

 

[Lorenzo]

I said I was impressed with what they did against Miami. However. You repeating they played good defense against the Thunder doesn't make it true. Although it sounds like you have convinced yourself.

I have convinced myself. and I can repeat why.


I thought the defense was poor in both games 1 and 2(their worst of the playoffs). after that I thought they played good defense overall. it wasn't always consistent and some of that has to do with OKC just being a great offensive team at times. but most important of all when they had to get stops and rebounds late in games they did every single time or so it seems like they did in retrospect. you can say the numbers say they should have lost game 4, but give their defense credit for how they played down the stretch late in the 4th and in OT. and this can be applied to any series that they've played in thus far. they've won with getting stops and making shots down the stretch of games in all different ways against different teams. it just so happens that they played their worst defense overall against the thunder who are a young run and gun team.

most people in the media would rather talk about the lakers having some type of meltdown off the court. or OKC just being too young and cocky to work together as a team. Now its miami celebrating to early. I think that all may have some juice to it. Obviously as a mavs fan who follows his team closely, I'm going to be pro mavs. and that is to give dallas' play down the strech of these games all the credit for earning these wins.

 

[Covert Rain]

I have convinced myself. and I can repeat why.


I thought the defense was poor in both games 1 and 2(their worst of the playoffs). after that I thought they played good defense overall. it wasn't always consistent and some of that has to do with OKC just being a great offensive team at times. but most important of all when they had to get stops and rebounds late in games they did every single time or so it seems like they did in retrospect. you can say the numbers say they should have lost game 4, but give their defense credit for how they played down the stretch late in the 4th and in OT. and this can be applied to any series that they've played in thus far. they've won with getting stops and making shots down the stretch of games in all different ways against different teams. it just so happens that they played their worst defense overall against the thunder who are a young run and gun team.

most people in the media would rather talk about the lakers having some type of meltdown off the court. or OKC just being too young and cocky to work together as a team. Now its miami celebrating to early. I think that all may have some juice to it. Obviously as a mavs fan who follows his team closely, I'm going to be pro mavs. and that is to give dallas' play down the strech of these games all the credit for earning these wins.

LOL. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Stats don't always tell the entire story but they don't lie. Mavs defense was horrible against the Thunder. Stick to what can be proved and that was the good defense against Miami.

 

[Lorenzo]

LOL. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Stats don't always tell the entire story but they don't lie. Mavs defense was horrible against the Thunder. Stick to what can be proved and that was the good defense against Miami.

as soon as the nba playoffs are over I can actually go to sleep at a decent hour! this 9-1030 pm starts are rough. at least tonight is 8pm.

as far as the stats the only one I care about is the "w"

this miami series is different so far from the standpoint that miami doesn't seem to score as much because they don't get much scoring outside of their top 3 guys. that's what makes the dallas' bench key. if they can have one of those games where they score a lot of points they can put a lot of pressure on the heat. at the end of the day you are right about the mavericks being an offensive minded team. miami deserves all the credit in the world for their great defense. but the mavs shooters missed a lot of open shots in the first two games. dirk, jet, jj, peja, and others all shot poorly. you have to think that eventually some of those shots are going to drop.

many of their players are explosive offensive guys that over the years have become more physical and bought into playing tough defense. so at times it's all about the offense when they explode and that is what they have always been known for. but when the game is on the line they have tough guys that will play defense and rebound the ball. I think that is what sometimes surprises people about dallas when they win some of these games.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I am still waiting for proof they played good defense.

you still contending dallas isn't mentally tough?

 

[Covert Rain]

you still contending dallas isn't mentally tough?

What did I say? I said I wanted to see Dallas come back if Miami took the next game and went up 2-1. They did exactly that so I have to give them credit. They came back the next game to tied it up. For the first time in the playoffs Dallas is showing some mental toughness.

I said this series would go 7. I really hope it does. I would love for this series to go back and forth and come down to a Game 7.

 

[Cheesebeef]

What did I say? I said I wanted to see Dallas come back if Miami took the next game and went up 2-1. They did exactly what I said. They came back the next game to tie it up. For the first time in the playoffs Miami is showing some mental toughness.

damn... couldn't even bring yourself to say there, huh?

just a hell of a series.

 

[Covert Rain]

damn... couldn't even bring yourself to say there, huh?

just a hell of a series.

Ha....you beat me to my correction. I fixed it within seconds of you responding. I re-read it and realized. It must have hurt more then I thought.