NBA: Spurs vs Mavericks -Western Conference Finals

[wyvrn]

It's not about statistics, it's about psychology. Obviously yes the Mavs have to win 3 in a row. But you don't think that because to the mind, it is insurmountable. One game at a time.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
It's not about statistics, it's about psychology. Obviously yes the Mavs have to win 3 in a row. But you don't think that because to the mind, it is insurmountable. One game at a time.

again, as a posted just a bit earlier.

psychology at this point works against the spurs just as much as it does dallas.

bottom line, it will come down to how they handle pressure and how they execute.

based on the 4th quarter of this game, you have to wonder if the spurs aren't going to choke.

game 6 is back in dallas, dallas has all the momentum and you have the spurs who can get tempted to think, let's not waste energy on this game and let's let it go to game 7.

if it goes to game 7 anything can happen.

 

[Corporate Thug]

call is psychology, stats, whatever. the mavs can't beat SA 3 times in a row

 

[isekii]

You know the Nets are enjoying their break.
They'll be all energized while the western counterpart are sore and tired.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: shady06
call is psychology, stats, whatever. the mavs can't beat SA 3 times in a row

mb but as isekii posts, it gives NJ time to rest and at this point, it is VERY likely to go to a game 7.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: isekii
You know the Nets are enjoying their break.
They'll be all energized while the western counterpart are sore and tired.

btw, i think the finals start june 4th no matter who wins the series. it's just that if it goes to game 7 the winner of this series gets almost no rest.

 

[isekii]

Also it looked like Spurs were really tired going into the 4th quarter while Mavs were running up and down the floor.
You just can't beat that. When the other team has that much energy coming down the floor

 

[jagr10]

Originally posted by: isekii
Also it looked like Spurs were really tired going into the 4th quarter while Mavs were running up and down the floor.
You just can't beat that. When the other team has that much energy coming down the floor

THat's because their team is stacked! They paid money for that team, but they got good people for their money. Some of the benchers used to be starters! THeir bench would be a pretty good starting lineup itself. That's why they're always so energized. With other teams it's just the main lineup and when they're tired that's it for them.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: jagr10

Originally posted by: isekii
Also it looked like Spurs were really tired going into the 4th quarter while Mavs were running up and down the floor.
You just can't beat that. When the other team has that much energy coming down the floor

THat's because their team is stacked! They paid money for that team, but they got good people for their money. Some of the benchers used to be starters! THeir bench would be a pretty good starting lineup itself. That's why they're always so energized. With other teams it's just the main lineup and when they're tired that's it for them.

given all that (which i agree with mostly) it's kind of pathetic how much they've struggled to win.

btw, in my opinion, walt williams would start for most teams.

 

[First]

O...M...G

I didn't think it was possible for the Spurs to choke yet again as they have during this entire playoffs, but I was proven wrong tonight. The Mavs lose their best player and the Spurs totally blow a 19-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. I wish Horry had made that Game 5 3-pointer just so the Spurs could be put out of their misery.

Like I said in a Nets thread a couple days ago, Nets will take out the Spurs in 6 games in the Finals. Before the playoffs began I would have said the Spurs in 5 against the Nets (if the Lakers lost, which they did), but looking at SA's terrible 2nd Half execution throughout this entire playoffs all I have to say is "Congratulations on winning your first ring Jason Kidd!"

EDIT: I still have to say that Nash was incredible tonight. I saw flashes of Kiddness in him.

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: isekii
You know the Nets are enjoying their break.
They'll be all energized while the western counterpart are sore and tired.

when lakers had their break two years ago after sweeping the western conference, they lost game 1 to their eastern counterpart. anything can happen

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
O...M...G

I didn't think it was possible for the Spurs to choke yet again as they have during this entire playoffs, but I was proven wrong tonight. The Mavs lose their best player and the Spurs totally blow a 19-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. I wish Horry had made that Game 5 3-pointer just so the Spurs could be put out of their misery.

Like I said in a Nets thread a couple days ago, Nets will take out the Spurs in 6 games in the Finals. Before the playoffs began I would have said the Spurs in 5 against the Nets (if the Lakers lost, which they did), but looking at SA's terrible 2nd Half execution throughout this entire playoffs all I have to say is "Congratulations on winning your first ring Jason Kidd!"

EDIT: I still have to say that Nash was incredible tonight. I saw flashes of Kiddness in him.

I guess all the fanboyness has shifted from the Lakers to the Nets, eh? well, I'm pretty sure your predictions this time around will be about as accurate as the last time you predicted a Lakers 4 peat. Even though I personally like NJ more than any of the remaining teams, it should be obvious without a doubt that whoever's from the Western conference will dominate them, which will most likely be the Spurs.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: ed21x

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
O...M...G

I didn't think it was possible for the Spurs to choke yet again as they have during this entire playoffs, but I was proven wrong tonight. The Mavs lose their best player and the Spurs totally blow a 19-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. I wish Horry had made that Game 5 3-pointer just so the Spurs could be put out of their misery.

Like I said in a Nets thread a couple days ago, Nets will take out the Spurs in 6 games in the Finals. Before the playoffs began I would have said the Spurs in 5 against the Nets (if the Lakers lost, which they did), but looking at SA's terrible 2nd Half execution throughout this entire playoffs all I have to say is "Congratulations on winning your first ring Jason Kidd!"

EDIT: I still have to say that Nash was incredible tonight. I saw flashes of Kiddness in him.

I guess all the fanboyness has shifted from the Lakers to the Nets, eh? well, I'm pretty sure your predictions this time around will be about as accurate as the last time you predicted a Lakers 4 peat. Even though I personally like NJ more than any of the remaining teams, it should be obvious without a doubt that whoever's from the Western conference will dominate them, which will most likely be the Spurs.

Yep the way Spurs choking in the 4th quarters giving up close to 20ish leads are definitely gonna dominate the Nets defense and offense.

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: ed21x

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
O...M...G

I didn't think it was possible for the Spurs to choke yet again as they have during this entire playoffs, but I was proven wrong tonight. The Mavs lose their best player and the Spurs totally blow a 19-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. I wish Horry had made that Game 5 3-pointer just so the Spurs could be put out of their misery.

Like I said in a Nets thread a couple days ago, Nets will take out the Spurs in 6 games in the Finals. Before the playoffs began I would have said the Spurs in 5 against the Nets (if the Lakers lost, which they did), but looking at SA's terrible 2nd Half execution throughout this entire playoffs all I have to say is "Congratulations on winning your first ring Jason Kidd!"

EDIT: I still have to say that Nash was incredible tonight. I saw flashes of Kiddness in him.

I guess all the fanboyness has shifted from the Lakers to the Nets, eh? well, I'm pretty sure your predictions this time around will be about as accurate as the last time you predicted a Lakers 4 peat. Even though I personally like NJ more than any of the remaining teams, it should be obvious without a doubt that whoever's from the Western conference will dominate them, which will most likely be the Spurs.

Yep the way Spurs choking in the 4th quarters giving up close to 20ish leads are definitely gonna dominate the Nets defense and offense.

Well, all that 'choking' was enough to take out the Lakers. Remember that the Spurs usually dominate for the first three quarters, and in MOST cases this provides enough of a safety forthe togetmore complacent in the fourth. If this were not true, they obviously would be taking out all those great western teams.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: ed21x

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: ed21x

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
O...M...G

I didn't think it was possible for the Spurs to choke yet again as they have during this entire playoffs, but I was proven wrong tonight. The Mavs lose their best player and the Spurs totally blow a 19-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. I wish Horry had made that Game 5 3-pointer just so the Spurs could be put out of their misery.

Like I said in a Nets thread a couple days ago, Nets will take out the Spurs in 6 games in the Finals. Before the playoffs began I would have said the Spurs in 5 against the Nets (if the Lakers lost, which they did), but looking at SA's terrible 2nd Half execution throughout this entire playoffs all I have to say is "Congratulations on winning your first ring Jason Kidd!"

EDIT: I still have to say that Nash was incredible tonight. I saw flashes of Kiddness in him.

I guess all the fanboyness has shifted from the Lakers to the Nets, eh? well, I'm pretty sure your predictions this time around will be about as accurate as the last time you predicted a Lakers 4 peat. Even though I personally like NJ more than any of the remaining teams, it should be obvious without a doubt that whoever's from the Western conference will dominate them, which will most likely be the Spurs.

Yep the way Spurs choking in the 4th quarters giving up close to 20ish leads are definitely gonna dominate the Nets defense and offense.

Well, all that 'choking' was enough to take out the Lakers. Remember that the Spurs usually dominate for the first three quarters, and in MOST cases this provides enough of a safety forthe togetmore complacent in the fourth. If this were not true, they obviously would be taking out all those great western teams.

mb but it is a risky way to win. how many championship teams have you seen melt in the 4th quarter this often.

last 3 years, you rarely saw the lakers win like this, before that, Spurs won one and that team didn't have this many breakdowns, before that the bulls, love em or hate em as i do, you have to admit they OWNED the 4th quarter.

this is an unusual team this year to have soo many 4th quarter breakdowns in one playoff series. even games they've won, there have been 4th quarter breakdowns where they barely held on. or they ended up winning because the other team didn't execute.

 

[CChaos]

I like that the Nets are getting a rest (yeah Jersey boy here), but after watching the Devils beat up on the Ducks because they were "rusty" after 10 days off I'm liking it less. There is such a thing as too much rest. The Nets aren't really nursing any injuries and they are easily the hottest team in the NBA at the moment so I'm sure they are eager to play some ball. Unfortunately they will have to wait.

As for the Western Conference being so much better than the Eastern Conference. Well, there's not much you can do about people saying this, but it really doesn't have any bearing on the Finals. It all comes down to two teams and one series. So, if you want to say that the Western Conference has superior talent then that's fine. But all that means is that the Nets should lose. And if they don't then who ever represents the West will be an embarrasment to the "superior" conference. The Nets know how it feels to get to the Finals and be swept. I'm sure they don't want to go through that again. They are playing their best basketball of the year at just the right time. They aren't the beginning of a dynasty and they don't have the league's MVP, but they are a very good basketball team.

Oh and to stay somewhat on the topic of the Western Finals, let the Spurs actually win the West before handing them their tickets to the Finals. We know that the West has so much talent that anything can still happen. For instance, Tim Duncan can have a bad night and the Spurs can go down the toilet.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: CChaos
I like that the Nets are getting a rest (yeah Jersey boy here), but after watching the Devils beat up on the Ducks because they were "rusty" after 10 days off I'm liking it less. There is such a thing as too much rest. The Nets aren't really nursing any injuries and they are easily the hottest team in the NBA at the moment so I'm sure they are eager to play some ball. Unfortunately they will have to wait.

As for the Western Conference being so much better than the Eastern Conference. Well, there's not much you can do about people saying this, but it really doesn't have any bearing on the Finals. It all comes down to two teams and one series. So, if you want to say that the Western Conference has superior talent then that's fine. But all that means is that the Nets should lose. And if they don't then who ever represents the West will be an embarrasment to the "superior" conference. The Nets know how it feels to get to the Finals and be swept. I'm sure they don't want to go through that again. They are playing their best basketball of the year at just the right time. They aren't the beginning of a dynasty and they don't have the league's MVP, but they are a very good basketball team.

Oh and to stay somewhat on the topic of the Western Finals, let the Spurs actually win the West before handing them their tickets to the Finals. We know that the West has so much talent that anything can still happen. For instance, Tim Duncan can have a bad night and the Spurs can go down the toilet.

Not a hockey fan here, but mb it was just because the Devils were the better team. games 2 and 3 will tell. at that point, rust is no longer an excuse.

 

[CChaos]

Mostly it was Barry Melrose referring to the Ducks goalie, I can't think of how to spell his name, Guigere or something. The Ducks pretty much rode him into the finals from what I hear. I'm not much of a hockey fan but I'm sure my brother is smiling today.

 

[monk3y]

Anyone know who is broadcasting the game today?

 

[Broncho]

Originally posted by: Broncho

Originally posted by: wyvrn
That would be true of the old Malone. The Malone of the last couple of years has an anemic post game. He is more of a mid-range jumper guy. Think an older Juwan Howard. And how badly did Dallas want Juwan the last time they had him? Nope they need a guy that makes a living in the trenches, digging out rebounds and getting his points off of layups and put backs. Plus he needs to be able to defend PF/C. Who out there does that kind of stuff?

if parker and bowen come out shooting like the laker series, and duncan does the job inside, mav's wont have a chance. but like i said, it all depends if s.a. comes out to shoot. if its all duncan, its not going to be easy, might not happen at all.

You do realize Dallas split the season series with the Spurs, right? Dallas can play with San Antonio as well as anyone. The Spurs are great but not invincible. They have a lot of solid young guys, but Duncan is their only stud player. I think Dallas is closer to the Spurs than they are the Kings with a healthy Webber.

As far as the series being split, that is misleading. The last game didn't matter for San Antonio (4th game of the series was the last regular season game) so they didn't play their starters at all in the second half, at least not that I know of. The basically handed the game to the Mavs (who kept their starters in and still only won 93-72). Not only that but Parker, Ginobili and Bowen weren't playing at the level they are playing out now during the regular season. San Antonio will win, I just don't know in how many games. It will be a tense series though because Dallas always plays good against San Antonio.

My guess, Spurs in 6.

Damn, I hate being right.

If I had known they were going to do exactly what I said I would have said Spurs in 4. Oh well. :beer: