Holy Smoke!

[gdiddy]

First Denver beats SA, now Golden State does the same to Dallas.

What way to open a series for the two Texas teams. Thank goodness Phoenix didn't join those two as well.

 

[Bufalay]

suns are the only top 4 seed to win game 1. keep it up

 

[Mainstreet]

I think stealing the first game of a playoff series on the road is the easiest. I'm sure glad Phoenix avoided the trap that SA and Dallas fell into. Now Phoenix needs to put the pedal to the metal.

 

[F-Dog]

You can see why I was so happy to see the Lakers back into the #7 spot--Dallas will now have to completely reorganize themselves to take advantage of what the Warriors are giving them.

Can you imagine if the Suns had to change up their offense and defense to adjust to Don Nelson's schemes, fight off the Warriors in 6 or 7 games, and then play the Spurs in Phoenix two days after the last Warriors game? They would lose home-court advantage in the Spurs series faster than you could say "2005".

 

[phxrising]

Yeah With SA and Dallas bothing Losing and
The Suns beating LA and My Bo Sox sweeping the yanks It pretty much makes for a perfect sports weekend for me.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Warriors are now 6 in a row in their last six games against the Mavs.

It just doesn't make sense for an 8 seed to go out in the first round, but the Warriors are a really bad matchup for Dallas.

My best hope is a long series, but you never know. Six in a row. . .that's pretty convincing domination of one team over another.

 

[azirish]

The Mavs are a team that was build explicitly to play the Spurs and to a lesser extend on the big slow Eastern Conference teams. They weren't designed to play speed teams.

It was pretty bizzare. Avery Johnson started Devon George in place of Dampier and Diop. It sorta worked for a while as the Warriors were very cold shooting, but they had problems rebounding. Diop eventually played, but the Mav's were never able to keep up with the Warrior's pace.

The odd part about the game was that the Warriors did it with only Baron Davis having a great game. Jason Richardson did not do much until late and Stevenson was very inconsistent with Ellis having a terrible game. Considering the kind of shooting these guys are capable of, the Mavs lack of a real small ball lineup may become a major problem.

 

[Chaplin]

That Mavs game was 38-38 at HALFTIME!

I hoped for some good Game 1's and unfortunately, only the Heat/Bulls seemed to have any real entertainment value (I don't count the Suns game because that's a special situation).

 

[azirish]

That Mavs game was 38-38 at HALFTIME!

I hoped for some good Game 1's and unfortunately, only the Heat/Bulls seemed to have any real entertainment value (I don't count the Suns game because that's a special situation).

I hope you are joking. The second half of the Warriors - Mavs game was one of the most entertaining games of the year.

I'm hoping somebody taped the shots of Mark Cuban. Just watching him going through his slow boil was one the great highlights of a really great day.

 

[Errntknght]

Believe it not, Charles Barkley had a good synopsis of Dallas' problems - changing their lineup and game plan instead of going with what worked for them all season.

True, the Warriors can win the series if they shoot lights out for three games but Dallas let them win one when they shot poorly. They probably can't afford to do that again.

 

[elindholm]

I'm not one for sports cliches, but I think "Great teams impose their will" is applicable here. Johnson conceded half the battle immediately by changing his game plan from the opening tipoff. The Mavericks need to force the Warriors to adjust, not the other way around.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Golden State's lead happened when the Mavericks tried to "impose their will". They went big and Dampier simply could not guard Harrington. Dampier/Diop lack the offensive ability to take advantage of Al Harrington as a center. If they can't guard him either, than there really is no point in having them on the floor.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm not one for sports cliches, but I think "Great teams impose their will" is applicable here. Johnson conceded half the battle immediately by changing his game plan from the opening tipoff. The Mavericks need to force the Warriors to adjust, not the other way around.

Teams and coaches do that when they are not sure of themselves. Its obvious that Nellie intimidates Avery. Of course, six losses in a row to any team will make you question yourself.

Dallas' problem with GS is now as much psychological as it is on the court. They are beginning to doubt whether they can beat them. Its a fascinating thing to watch.

 

[TucsonDevil]

I'm not one for sports cliches, but I think "Great teams impose their will" is applicable here. Johnson conceded half the battle immediately by changing his game plan from the opening tipoff. The Mavericks need to force the Warriors to adjust, not the other way around.

I believe this was a sign of Avery's concern regarding the Warriors and Nellie ball. He stated as much in his press conference after the game. "We get behind early with their small lineup." From a tactical standpoint, I don't think it was a horrible move - they were tied at Halftime, so their starting five didn't put them in a hole.

The problems arose when Baron Davis could do nothing wrong in the 3rd quarter... and then the "MVP" of the league did nothing to counter in the second half. Did anyone see Dirk's stats in the second half - 1/5 shooting... HE TOOK ONLY FIVE shots! Yeah, not much of a leader/most valuable player.

 

[Russ Smith]

If you're a Mavs fan you have to think they will shoot better, and Baron can't keep hitting jumpers like that all series.

If you're a Warriors fan Harrington struggled, J Rich struggled and monta was a non factor, all of that should change.

The scary thing for Dallas was their best stretch in the game was with Dirk on the bench.

 

[Mulli]

Geez, I am glad I am not one of the Mavs' fans who dropped a couple hundred bucks to see the Mavs lose. Ugh.

 

[Chaplin]

I hope you are joking. The second half of the Warriors - Mavs game was one of the most entertaining games of the year.

I'm hoping somebody taped the shots of Mark Cuban. Just watching him going through his slow boil was one the great highlights of a really great day.

Why? While I like seeing the Mavs lose, that game was not one of the most entertaining of the year.

 

[TJ]

Why? While I like seeing the Mavs lose, that game was not one of the most entertaining of the year.

Would you be entertained if they were playing with balet dresses on??

 

[Chaplin]

Would you be entertained if they were playing with balet dresses on??

Cute.

 

[Joe Mama]

It's easy to forget sometimes just how good Baron Davis really is... when he's healthy. I don't think he can shoot like he did last night all series, but he could easily do it a few more times in this series.

I know voters are only supposed to consider the regular season, but have the MVP votes already been cast.

I don't necessarily agree with the heat Avery Johnson is taking for going with a smaller lineup. The problem for him is that his big centers are not at all skilled offensively. They can't consistently make opponents pay for guarding them with smaller players. Furthermore, Golden State at least seems better at hitting the boards than a small team like Phoenix. That's where those guys make the Phoenix Suns pay for going small.

I have to admit that I wasn't watching this game closely, but it seemed to me that it was Golden State coming up with the big rebounds.

This is just the worst possible matchup in the first round for the Dallas Mavericks, and I love it. I laughed every time they showed Mark Cuban. Who knows if they could have even beaten Golden State in the game just before the end of the regular season to knock the warriors out of the playoffs, but the least they could have done was tried.

Joe

 

[D-Dogg]

Did anyone see Dirk's stats in the second half - 1/5 shooting... HE TOOK ONLY FIVE shots! Yeah, not much of a leader/most valuable player.

Was he trying to prove something to Avery? Was he pouting? Trying to show the team that the only way to win was through him?

That's what everyone said about Kobe last year when only took 5 or 6 shots in the second half of game 7. Just wondering why it is different for Dirk...

 

[Nash]

I know voters are only supposed to consider the regular season, but have the MVP votes already been cast.

Joe

unfortunately, the votes were due in Friday evening or something like that. darn it! with that lousy game from Dirk, a lot of voters would've changed their mind and voted for Steve Nash.

 

[Mulli]

Was he trying to prove something to Avery? Was he pouting? Trying to show the team that the only way to win was through him?

That's what everyone said about Kobe last year when only took 5 or 6 shots in the second half of game 7. Just wondering why it is different for Dirk...

It is different for Dirk because everyone is always picking on Kobe. Poor guy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Was he trying to prove something to Avery? Was he pouting? Trying to show the team that the only way to win was through him?

That's what everyone said about Kobe last year when only took 5 or 6 shots in the second half of game 7. Just wondering why it is different for Dirk...

You tend to interpret present circumstances based upon previous reputation. Kobe's got a rep for pouting, playing, and locker room bickering. Dirk doesn't.

As for me, who cares why, as long as things keep going our way.

 

[hafey]

Body language. Dirk was just being soft.

We know Kobe isn't soft, but he will pout or prove a point which is what he was doing. Apples and oranges.