Posted on 05/19/2003 10:03:25 PM PDT by Mister Magoo
Edited on 04/12/2004 5:50:59 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Sorry, but I didn't see it that way. Bradley did contribute in his usual way of altering a few shots. I was surprised when I saw that Duncan only took 20 shots during the entire game, and I think he was 9-12 in the first half.
If true, then Duncan only shot 8 times in the second half? I know he went to the line quite a few times, but I think the Mavs got the Spurs out of their rhythm, by fouling Bowen and continuing to push the ball up the court.
Popovich was right...it was the free throws. 49 of 50...wow!! And Eddie Najera's miss wasn't a bad shot, it was off the back of the rim.
Ths Spurs need to keep pounding the ball into Duncan. Over a 7 game series, the Mavs really don't have an answer for that, just as the Lakers (even with Shaq) didn't have an adequate answer.
For all you Laker fans out there, next year will be a very important year for you. Let's see how dedicated Shaq will be to getting back in shape, and if management can rebuild your team. Make no mistake about it, the Spurs and Kings will even better next year. As for the Mavericks, this is a far different team than it was at the start of these playoffs, not to mention the meltdown at the Forum in December.
Unlike many experts, I will admit that I underestimated this team. The Mavericks have matured significantly over the past 15 games, and I'm no longer surprised at their success. From the middle of the second quarter last night, they exerted their will on the tempo of the game, and Nellie pulled a few tricks out of his bag.
It's going to be a great series, because the Spurs will really bring it tomorrow night. If the Mavericks can keep Duncan to 20 shots or less, I like their chances.
I agree with the above fully. But what I question is the level of hate that is often achieved in some rivalries.
Such as when the Celtic fans once blocked the hotel of the Lakers to prevent the Laker team from attending a practice round before the begining of a championship series. That crossed the line between sportmanship and hate.
I am very much involved in several rivalries:
USC vs. UCLA, USC vs. Notre Dame, Dodgers vs. Giants, Niners vs. Raiders
Of those three, the only one that to me represents what a good sports rivalry should mean is USC vs. Notre Dame. The ND fans are great people who, for he most part, view sports as I do, a friendly rivalry where manners take precedence over the "hate" of an opponents fan. You can "hate" a team, w/o having that hate spill over against their fans.
All teams have their fans that cross the line, it just seems that some teams attract a fan base which can carry things a bit to far (Raider fans for example).
As long as the "hate" is proerly directed and contained I have no problem in general with opposition fans. What I have a problem with is being made to feel totally uncomfortable because I support my team.
Growing up in LA during the West-Balor-Chamberlin days I am a lifelong Laker fan. But I never "hated" the Celtics nor Larry Bird.
Now, Danny 'crybaby' Ainge and Kevin Mchale that is a different story.
In the post game, Kenny Smith was bemoaning the fact that the Spurs quit pounding the ball in to Duncan in the second half.
Unlike many experts, I will admit that I underestimated this team. The Mavericks have matured significantly over the past 15 games, and I'm no longer surprised at their success.
They are playing "playoff" (ie. tough) basketball. Most people didn't think they could. Not that they are as tough as the Spurs, and I still think the Spurs have at least an even chance of winning the series.
Great points. I agree completely.
Ditto!!
I'm a former 80's Celt fan too and the Mav's remind me of that Celtic team in terms of their offensive firepower. With Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge and Dennis Johnson that Celtic team had always had three or four guys who were capable of dropping 20 or 30 points on any given night. The Mav's, with Dirk, Nash, Finley, Van Exel, & Co. are similar, although the Celts played better team D. The Mav's are going to have play a little better defense in order to prevail because they can't count on making 98% of their free throws.
Both teams have good coaches and players that are good role models, at least in terms of the way they conduct themselves on the court. I wouldn't mind if the Spurs won the championship this year because that would be nice way for David Robinson to go out.
Doh! He shot much better than 68% or whatever it is in College.
Yeah, but the Mavs are an Axis of Weasels all-star team.
Bias would have been a big boost for that team, but I think it is stretch to suggest he could have enabled the Celts to five or six more titles. Unfortunately, we never saw him play in the NBA, so we don't how good he really would have been. Some people thought he might rival Jordan, but many great college players fall short of greatness in the NBA. I think it is safe to say Bias would have been a solid pro who could helped the Celts win at least 1 or 2 more championships.
.How did Bradley do that?
By standing there. Bradley not only changed a few of Duncan's shots, he disrupted Duncan's passing lanes to the cutters going to the basket. S.A.'s offense was markedly different while Bradley was in there during the second half. While Dallas employed various double team schemes, Duncan admitted that he had seen them all season and attributed the loss to freethrows, I contend that Bradley was the most significant factor. Look for him to get more minutes on Wednesday.
I thought the series would go much like the first half did with no answer to Duncan. Maybe not. Dallas is an entertaining team to watch with so much firepower. They might just be able to hang around long enough to win a couple more. Or....it may have been a fluke, like when the Sixers beat the Lakers in the first game of the championship series two years ago. Same scenario. A team that took seven games to advance going to a well-rested, overconfident team's court. Anyway. Last night's game was FANtastic. ( OK...one complaint....too many ticky tack and phantom fouls.)
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