Does Dallas think the playoffs are over?

[Gaddabout]

I'm not one to put my hopes in pyschological advantages, but it's been interesting reading quotes from the Mavs after that win against the Spurs. As big as it was, you would think it really was the NBA Finals, and the Mavs are gearing up for a comfortable summer as the champs. There's a lot of talk about the monkey being off the Mavs back -- for being the team that could never get over the playoff hump. I don't think it takes much to read into that and figure out they do not see Phoenix as a major hurdle to the Finals.

How does this play out? I dunno. Maybe the Mavs come out full of confidence and roll the Suns by 30 in Game 1. But if Phoenix can knock the wind out of their sails early in Game 1, I think the Mavs may find this series much more of a chore and perhaps some doubts will linger in the back of their heads. More than anything, I think they'll find it difficult to match the energy they spent against the Spurs. The Suns, OTOH, are used to this -- they're always out-matched in the low post, so they know they have to play at the highest energy level to be competitive.

All of this goes out the window if Nash's legs give out again.

 

[nowagimp]

I'm not one to put my hopes in pyschological advantages, but it's been interesting reading quotes from the Mavs after that win against the Spurs. As big as it was, you would think it really was the NBA Finals, and the Mavs are gearing up for a comfortable summer as the champs. There's a lot of talk about the monkey being off the Mavs back -- for being the team that could never get over the playoff hump. I don't think it takes much to read into that and figure out they do not see Phoenix as a major hurdle to the Finals.

How does this play out? I dunno. Maybe the Mavs come out full of confidence and roll the Suns by 30 in Game 1. But if Phoenix can knock the wind out of their sails early in Game 1, I think the Mavs may find this series much more of a chore and perhaps some doubts will linger in the back of their heads. More than anything, I think they'll find it difficult to match the energy they spent against the Spurs. The Suns, OTOH, are used to this -- they're always out-matched in the low post, so they know they have to play at the highest energy level to be competitive.

All of this goes out the window if Nash's legs give out again.

The good part is that the low post players of the Mavs are the weakest the suns have seen in the playoffs. The bad part is that the Mavs are the deepest team in the NBA.

 

[Folster]

The bad part is that the Mavs are the deepest team in the NBA.

We could really use Jones and House in this series. House deserves a heat check, and hopefully Jones turned the corner in Game 7.

 

[jibikao]

I'm not one to put my hopes in pyschological advantages, but it's been interesting reading quotes from the Mavs after that win against the Spurs. As big as it was, you would think it really was the NBA Finals, and the Mavs are gearing up for a comfortable summer as the champs. There's a lot of talk about the monkey being off the Mavs back -- for being the team that could never get over the playoff hump. I don't think it takes much to read into that and figure out they do not see Phoenix as a major hurdle to the Finals.

All of this goes out the window if Nash's legs give out again.

I like it that nobody thinks we can get to Final. I think Suns can pull an upset. If Nash ever wants to go to Final, this is the year. SUCK IT UP.

The monkey is still in town.

 

[Folster]

The monkey is off of Dallas's back??? Is it any coincidence that our mascot is a gorilla!!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Monkey off their backs mean the Spurs I'm pretty sure.

 

[jenna2891]

Monkey off their backs mean the Spurs I'm pretty sure.

yes, it does. but it implies that the worst is behind them. i would think any sane (or humble) team would think that the monkey isn't off their back until the trophy is in their hands.

 

[mavsfan1000]

I actually think teams try to post up their players too much against the suns and it forces a lot of turnovers. The mavs need to match the speed of the suns player and I think they got that. Maybe one of the few teams that are able to stop the suns from going nuts on offense. I think the mavs know how tough the suns will be.

 

[Chaz]

I actually think teams try to post up their players too much against the suns and it forces a lot of turnovers. The mavs need to match the speed of the suns player and I think they got that. Maybe one of the few teams that are able to stop the suns from going nuts on offense. I think the mavs know how tough the suns will be.

You are right. Teams try to exploit the Suns weakness too much sometimes and get out of their comfort zone. I think it is part of the trap that Suns opponents tend to play into.

I don't think completely changing a gameplan by focusing on unusual matchups just to try and exploit the Suns has been beneficial to very many teams.

 

[Gaddabout]

I actually think teams try to post up their players too much against the suns and it forces a lot of turnovers. The mavs need to match the speed of the suns player and I think they got that. Maybe one of the few teams that are able to stop the suns from going nuts on offense. I think the mavs know how tough the suns will be.

I think this is very perceptive. I think it's much easier to disrupt a low-post game than it is to stop the sieve of players plunging into the middle of the Suns defense. When the Clippers were at their best, guys like Maggette were going to the rim with reckless abandon, and the Suns have no one to deter them. That's the Suns' biggest weakness. But if the Suns have time to double a single low-post player, their quickness is better utilized.

I really, really hope, though, the Mavs try to run their offense through Dirk and Stack and let them back down the Suns low-post defenders all game. If that's the plan, those two will rack up big numbers but the Mavs will score less overall points while disrupting team offensive rhythm.

I don't think AJ's stupid, though. And I fear the onslought of driving, driving, driving to the hoop.

 

[Nasser22]

I actually think teams try to post up their players too much against the suns and it forces a lot of turnovers. The mavs need to match the speed of the suns player and I think they got that. Maybe one of the few teams that are able to stop the suns from going nuts on offense. I think the mavs know how tough the suns will be.

lol, hey mavs!!!

I know this guy, he goes to a forum I go on.

I do think the Mavs are overconfident and so are Mavs fans. Nothing would make me happier than a Suns win, which I think is VERY possible, in this series.

 

[mavsfan1000]

Yeah I agree. The mavs need for Harris, Howard, and even Daniels to attack the basket. If Dallas is going to shoot 3's have Terry or Dirk shoot them. Otherwise it is best to slash like what Ginobili did last year.

 

[gdiddy]

Phoenix beat Dallas last year without depth, without defense, and aside from game one, without Joe Johnson. The latter was huge, and I attribute that to why Phoenix lacked any production against SA in the WCF afterwards.

This year it's a totally different story.

If Dallas thinks it can get cocky and roll past the Suns, they'll have a reality check sooner or later.

 

[devilalum]

I'm not one to put my hopes in pyschological advantages, but it's been interesting reading quotes from the Mavs after that win against the Spurs. As big as it was, you would think it really was the NBA Finals, and the Mavs are gearing up for a comfortable summer as the champs. There's a lot of talk about the monkey being off the Mavs back -- for being the team that could never get over the playoff hump. I don't think it takes much to read into that and figure out they do not see Phoenix as a major hurdle to the Finals.

How does this play out? I dunno. Maybe the Mavs come out full of confidence and roll the Suns by 30 in Game 1. But if Phoenix can knock the wind out of their sails early in Game 1, I think the Mavs may find this series much more of a chore and perhaps some doubts will linger in the back of their heads. More than anything, I think they'll find it difficult to match the energy they spent against the Spurs. The Suns, OTOH, are used to this -- they're always out-matched in the low post, so they know they have to play at the highest energy level to be competitive.

All of this goes out the window if Nash's legs give out again.

Too bad the Suns don't get to play against the Mavericks fans.

 

[HooverDam]

I actually think teams try to post up their players too much against the suns and it forces a lot of turnovers. The mavs need to match the speed of the suns player and I think they got that. Maybe one of the few teams that are able to stop the suns from going nuts on offense. I think the mavs know how tough the suns will be.

PLEASE tell the Mavs to try this strategy. No team in the league can run w/ the Suns (but the Mavs are probably the closest), the Mavs wont be able to do it. Basketball is about trying to force the other team to play your game, thats what the Mavs need to do to the Suns. Dont post up too much, or try to run too much, just do your Mavs thing and force the Suns to adjust. The team that slips out of its style is usually the one that loses.

 

[mavsfan1000]

The mavs aren't going to run but when the opportunity to get dunks are available they'll take it. Jacking up 3's is the worst thing to do against the suns. Dallas wants a medium pace with good flowing offense. The spurs outran the suns last year and I think penetration is the key to beating the suns since they don't help out on defense. Once you past your man it is easy baskets. No shotblocker.

 

[Stout]

Well, the Mavs didn't even GET to the Spurs last year, so they can just hold on a bit before counting out the Suns.

 

[dirk41]

Long time Mav fan here. Love Nash, love visiting Phoenix. Very cool city.

Just a few things that need to be cleared up.
The Mavs do NOT have a big head. Not one player or coach have made any comments about how easy this next series is going to be for us.
Actually, they have said the opposite.

The "Monkey off our backs" comment was made because we FINALLY got past the Spurs in the playoffs.
They had every right to celebrate.

"ANY" team would have shown the same level of excitement had they been in our situation.

The Spurs are not an easy team to play against as you are very aware.
Knocking the defending world champions out of the playoffs "IS" something to be proud of, something to celebrate. That certainly doesn't make us cocky.

The Mavs do NOT under estimate the talent of the Suns. We expect this next series to be exciting and hard fought.

And the final thing I'd like to say is that if you are expecting to play against the same Mavs team you played against last year in the playoffs, you are going to be very disappointed.

It's fair to say that the drastic change in our mental toughness along with becoming one of the better defensive teams in the league is a testament to Avery. (Who coaches a lot like Pop.)
It is amazing how he completely turned this team around in just one full season from being just an exciting run and gun team to a legitimate contender. So much so, that even long time Mavs hater Chucky picked us to win the series over the Spurs. (I'm still shocked about that one.)


I'm really looking forward to this next series.
The Suns team has a lot of heart and so does the Mavs. I expect some real nail biters in this series. This is not going to be an easy series, that is certain.
I take my hat of to the Suns. They have been able to overcome an enormous amount of adversity this past season. Sun's fans have a lot to be proud of.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I keep hearing the same stories about how the Mavs are defensive stoppers now, and how this team now has a "killer instinct". I think the Mavs are a very good team, but right now, winning the last playoff series and looking at the matchups I think we have a decent chance of winning, at least a better chance than most of the national media is giving us. I think that our offense can be overwhelming when necessary, and I like our chances if we force them to play our game. Again, it is easier said than done for the Mavs to stay away from the running game, especially with the guys that Lil General can throw out there. The Suns played very well the last time we met, with essentially the same roster. Hopefully the run continues, it's been a hell of a ride. Go Suns.

 

[George O'Brien]

I think the Mavs have a very good team and are legitimately favorites. My suspicion is that may have a letdown after getting by the Spurs, but it is hard to tell.

What will matter is whether the Mavs new and improved defense is as good as their fans claims. The Mavs were 10th best in terms of opponents shooting percentage, but the Clippers were 5th. The Suns shot 47% against them for the series and 60% in game 7.

The Clippers were also 5th in defending the three while the Mavs were only 18th. In game 7 the Suns hit 15 of 27.

In four games this season, the Suns and Mavs split 2 and 2. Overall, the Mavs did not shut down the Suns who averaged 109 ppg on 47.6% shooting and 44.3% for three. In their last meeting in Phoenix, the Suns shot 54.2% and was 16 of 24 for three - winning 117-104 in a game that was more important to the Mavs in their chase for the SW Division lead.

The Mavs will score a lot of points, but whether they can slow down the Suns will be the test.

 

[sundevilscott]

Good Post dirk41, welcome to the board.

On the other hand you have this from a post on the Dallas Scout board.

Anyone catch Nash's comments after last night? Basically said "We just have to hit our shots and be on our game 4 out of 7 games." That right there is the difference between these teams. The Suns HAVE to be on top of their game to beat the Mavs in a 7 game series. The Mavs don't have to be at their best to win games. The Suns outrun and outscore their opponents to win, the Mavs have shown an ability to win games in a variety of ways. That, to me, is the difference.

He must not have watched the Suns shoot 36% and beat the Clippers.

http://mb3.scout.com/fdallasmavericksfrm1.showMessageRange?topicID=1863.topic&start=21&stop=30

 

[dirk41]

I agree--you do have a better chance than what the media is giving you.
The majority of the media didn't think the Mavs had a prayer of winning against the Spurs.
We didn't truly get our due respect until after we finally beat the Spurs in the playoffs.
It's amazing how "overnight" the media has changed their tune about the Mavs.
They ripped us apart before the series began.

We were the only team in the NBA to sweep our opponents in the first round and we played against a very good Memphis team. Did that matter to the media? Heck no.
It wasn't until we went up against the the world champions that they realized that we were for real; that we were not going to lay down and die.

I think that the media is giving the Suns a hard time for the same reason that they gave the Nellie-lead Mavs a hard time and that is the lack of defense played. Believe me, it did get very old hearing it all the time but offense, no matter how brilliant doesn't get a team respect--its the defense that does.

The Mavs have had to go up against teams that are better than the teams that the Suns have had to go up against so far in the playoffs.
I feel very confident in the Mavs, but I am certainly not so overly confident that I expect this series to be a cake walk. I expect this series to go at least 6 games if not the full 7.

And I cannot tell you how excited I am to be playing against the Suns--not because I think the Suns are easy for the Mavs to beat, but because I know how hard fought this series is going to be.

 

[George O'Brien]

What is hard for most people to understand is that Suns always have 5 shooters on the floor. Always.

In game 7 the Clips figured they were safe in leaving Marion alone and he just killed them including 5 of 9 for three. The problem is that in order to defend against every outside shooter, the defense gets stretched so that the Suns can get to the basket. Barbosa went 8 of 10 because no one could stop him from getting to the basket nor recover quickly enough when he got inside.

Obviously if the Suns go cold from the outside, they have little chance. But if they hit their open shots, they cause a lot of trouble for defenses.

 

[dirk41]

Good Post dirk41, welcome to the board.

On the other hand you have this from a post on the Dallas Scout board.

Anyone catch Nash's comments after last night? Basically said "We just have to hit our shots and be on our game 4 out of 7 games." That right there is the difference between these teams. The Suns HAVE to be on top of their game to beat the Mavs in a 7 game series. The Mavs don't have to be at their best to win games. The Suns outrun and outscore their opponents to win, the Mavs have shown an ability to win games in a variety of ways. That, to me, is the difference.

He must not have watched the Suns shoot 36% and beat the Clippers.

http://mb3.scout.com/fdallasmavericksfrm1.showMessageRange?topicID=1863.topic&start=21&stop=30

The Mavs HAVE to play great offense AND great defense.
We will lose otherwise.

All the Suns have to do is shoot well to win.

Mavs will have to work a lot harder to beat the Suns than the Suns will have to work to beat the Mavs because the Mavs will be playing both offense and defense. If the Mavs are not playing great offense and great defense in this series, we are screwed. We have to bring our "A" game both offensively and defensively or the Suns will kill us with the 3 point shot.

That is how we played the Spurs--by playing great offense and great defense. Pop said after the series that our two teams were so alike in the way we played the game.
This new Mavs team is very similar to the Spurs team you went up against last year.
Ya'll are more like the old Nellie Mavs run and gun team and we are more like the Spurs, offense and defense minded, with a little run and gun as well.

Avery did say that we would be running some too and also playing some half court ball--kind of like how the Spurs team plays.

If our shot isn't falling, we lose. If our defense isn't there, we lose.
We have to do well at both in order to beat the Suns.
Your style of ball does not make it easly for teams to beat you because they have to be able to score and defend.
We can't out score the Suns if all we bring to the game is offense.
That is why our defense is going to play a critical part in this next series.

 

[Gaddabout]

Too bad the Suns don't get to play against the Mavericks fans.

Actually, I was referring to comments made by Mavs players, coach and owner. The "monkey off the back comment" was uttered by Mark Cuban to Dirk Nowitzki.

I'm not saying the Mavs are deliberately taking the Suns lightly, but I wonder if, mentally and emotionally, they are capable of taking the Suns as seriously as they should after that last series.