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Keys to Game 6

Key #1: Win.

Oh, if only it were that easy.

This series would be fun if these two teams loved each other.  The fact that they’re in the midst of initiating the NBA’s next great blood feud makes it nearly too wonderful to comprehend.  Dropped faster than a Jason Terry takedown, here are my keys to the sixth, and hopefully final game of the series.

Attack the double team.  The Mavs adopted the Warriors strategy for containing Dirk and applied it Baron at the end of Game 5.  In response, the Ws largely shifted ball-handling duties to Jackson.  Although he had done well in the role in the past, Tuesday was a disaster.  Baron isn’t Dirk.  Unlike the big German, BD can work around double teams, find moments of daylight for passes, and draw lots of contact fouls.  As long as the Warriors move without the ball to get open for Davis once the double team comes, I think Davis should still be able to keep his normal duties despite the defensive switch.  The man has been unstoppable.  Given him a chance to beat whatever the Mavs throw at him before we switch up our gameplan.

Drive at Terry and Harris.  The more fouls we can rack up on the Mavs’ smalls, the better shape we’ll be in on the defensive end.  Without Terry and Harris on the court, the Mavs have stagnated and shown a willingness to settle for jump shots.  Although Stackhouse attacks the rim, when he’s the only one we can leave Andris or Pietrus home to protect the hoop.  By making the quick Mavs rack up some quick fouls, we also can force them to run the offense through Dirk.  Although he’s usually more than up to the task, he’s had a ton of turnovers this series when the Ws have forced him to be the initiator for the Mavs.

Box out Diop.  Please.  He killed us going 5-5 last game.  He has a few post moves but feasts off the offensive glass and loose balls.  Andris, Al, Barnes, Pietrus – whoever is playing center – needs to throw a body at him.  At the other end, he’s increasingly showing a willingness to over-commit to Warriors drives.  If the Warriors move along the baseline without the ball, they’ll probably get some open looks sneaking in behind the Mavs’ big man.  Also, could this be the game that Erick Dampier busts loose? (Just a little joke.  Seeing if you’re still awake six games in.)

Let Jax be Jax.  Dirk still hasn’t put together more than a three minute burst in which he’s beaten the Warriors defense.  Stick with the same game plan.  Get up even tighter, rush the passing lanes even harder, hit the floor for balls even harder.  The NBA may have just given Jax one more reason to prove everyone wrong (as if he needed any more).  I expect him to have an intense and effective game tonight.

Stop Howard.  Ummm, any suggestions?  The best strategy so far has been hoping the Mavs forget about him.  They’ve obliged us so far for long stretches.  Maybe leaving Terry and Stack on the floor has its uses, since they tend to vacuum up shots that should be going to the much more deadly and high percentage Howard.  In terms of actual defense, the least we can do is keep him off the boards and the baseline for easy and authoritative putbacks and drives.

Drive, Monta.  He did it once in Game 5 along the baseline and it was beautiful as always.  The defender was left flat footed, he coasted to the rim, and the Ws got two points.  The he returned to shooting ugly 18 footers.  For the life of me, I have no idea why Monta will not attack this team.  He’s as fast, if not faster, than everyone they have.  The added penetration threat would do wonders for the Warriors’ spacing and force the Mavs to leave our outside threats.  Yet he simply refuses to go to the hole.  Anything from him at this point would be a boost, but from a kid who I always sensed was pretty clutch, this series has been a big cause for concern.

Matt and Mickael, go crazy. 
Our instant energy off the bench – Barnes and Pietrus – needs to be fired up tonight.  The Mavs will be focused, physical, and looking to swing momentum.  All series these two Ws have been able to answer the Mavs’ attacks with killer threes, put-back slams, gritty defense plays, or raw acts of aggression.  The series unquestionably has been played in the Warriors’ style of basketball.  On the home court tonight, we should continue to dictate the tone.  These two should be up to the task, as long as they don’t try to do too much on offense (Barnes, keep the drives to a minimum; Pietrus, only pop that three from your favorite corners).

Finish.  Finish the quarters, the half, the game, the series, the Mavs.  With the big exception of Game 5, the Mavs haven’t shown an ability to close out with authority.  The Warriors’ nasty streak has kept them in these games at times simply because they gut it out to the final buzzer (Davis’ half-court three, for example).  We need to remember that this is a team that allowed us a 30 point swing in roughly a half of basketball.  We shouldn’t dig ourselves a hole, but they will let us back into basketball games if we keep fighting.

Avery talked about how the Warriors now have the weight on their shoulders after Game 5.  As a fan I couldn’t agree more.  I carry a terrible weight today knowing that if the Warriors somehow manage to win Game 6 in the Arena, every basketball game I attend after tonight will seem just a little less defiant, exciting, and significant.  That truly is a burden.

Go Warriors.  Shock the world.

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21 Responses to “Keys to Game 6”

  1. We Believe! says:

    Wa-rriors!
    Clap Clap
    We Believe!
    Clap Clap

  2. nevin420 says:

    Great analysis as always Adam. Unfortunately I am so worked up right now I can’t even break down anything. I was fortunate enough to get a ticket (standing room only) for tonights game and being that I have never been to a playoff game before, I am a wreck! I have this nervious, anxious excitement that is taking over inside of me. I am completely useless at work today and am counting the seconds until I can get out of here and get on the road to the game. I don’t even care if I can see from my seats (I’m TiVoing the game anyway), as long as I am in the building and get to feel the energy I’m going to have a blast. I just have to be there when we make history!

    GO WARRIORS!!!

  3. Agree with all of your keen observations. I have this sneaky feeling that Monta will shine tonight. The kids is a competitor. If you want someone to draw fouls, he’s the man. His first step is tremendous and his hang time is unbelievable. Can you imagine the response from the crowd tonight if they run a backdoor jam for him? Needs to come early. If that doesn’t get him going, then they need to take his pulse.

    My only fear is when the W’s win tonight, how will I ever be able to control myself at 1:30AM with the wife and kids fast asleep? Just may need to run outside and scream at top of my lungs, “I DO BELIEVE”.

  4. JustPuked says:

    Adam

    If Dallas loses this game they just got beat by an eighth seed. By their former coach. Who hates their owner. On national TV. Dallas will be mightily embarrassed; especially after saying anything less than an NBA championship will be a disappointment. Especially after seeing the Heat couldn’t get out of the first round.

    That’s pressure. That’s 10,000 pounds of pressure on their shooting arms. Must win? It’s do or die, it’s must win for Dallas. Any discussion of this being a pressure game or must win for the Warriors is overstating it.

    The Warriors have already won in Dallas, and they can do it again. Dallas on the other hand, hasn’t won a game in Oakland for how many years? The pressure, all of the stifling, monumental psyche bursting pressure is squarely on Dallas.

    Nevin420 - It sounds like a touch of your name sake might take the edge off. Just make sure you’re ready to holla yo head off tonight. WE BELIEVE!!!

  5. Mano de Nada says:

    The Mavs of course have more than a little chance to win this game (and we strongly suggest they rest all their hopes on their $70 mil center). Trying to be as objective as I can, however; the dubs have played the better series and dictated the style of basketball. Despite another weak head fake from Avery (sorry no way your verbiage can make a 67 win team an underdog, and has anyone noticed, the Mavs haven’t done any better with the expectations of a winner on their shoulders since Nelson left). No muchachos y muchachas the pressure is all on the Mavs to live up to their own ad-marketing hype. They’ve got the MVrP, one of the best regular seasons ever and, as they have stated over and over and over again, anything less than championship rings simply will not suffice.

    All that’s left for the dubs? We just have to put the period at the end of the sentence.

  6. First off, I think attacking the double team on BD and driving on Terry and Harris go hand in hand. They will come at Baron, but more importantly Baron will come at them before it happens. That will open things up for the usual drive and dish or layup. When Baron was doubled, they spread the floor but no one was close enough to help Baron out. In terms of Howard, he had 5 fouls on Tuesday, someone must have been taken it to him too. Diop, the same thing, he’s going to bump someone while he tries to block a shot. Monta’s problem about driving was evident last time, but he’s got to realize that getting to the rim and possibly drawing a foul is just as important as putting it in. The more foul trouble we put the Mav’s in, the more trouble they’re going to be in. While I was watching the Suns last night, I noticed they have perimeter players positioned, but are also running another player inside when Nash or anyone else was going to the rim. That player came from the other side which gave them another option if the open layup wasn’t there. One last thing … the fans will carry the Warrior’s energy to the next series. The champagne is still on ice and ready to be popped.

  7. Mano de Nada says:

    Nevin, I second JP’s emotion but SIRE be wiser and use the vaporizer! It’ll save your lungs some so you can yell a lil’ louder! After all your voice represents for all of us who will be trying to affect the vibe of the game via our psychic television connection (It’s a *special power* I received from my father - if you scream with the appropriate intention at the refs on the telly they can actually hear you. They really, really can).

    So what’s the screed? WE BELIEVE, sure ’nuff!

  8. Uh oh…

    Witness: Warriors’ Richardson punched fan in chest
    By ART GARCIA
    STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
    Jason Richardson punched a Mavericks fan in the chest late in Game 5, according to a season ticket-holder who says he witnessed the incident Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.

    Brett Landes of Dallas was sitting about two feet away when Richardson fell into the stands after missing a 3-pointer with about 30 seconds left in the Mavs’ 118-112 win.

    “I was there when it happened,” Landes recounted. “I know security asked the guy who was accosted to leave and spoke to him about the incident.

    “Jason fell into the second row after chasing a ball and was caught by the guy in the second row. Jason then slapped his hand away and said, ‘Keep your [expletive] hands off me.’ When the guy said something back, J-Rich punched him in the chest and said, ‘I will whip or kick your [expletive].’ Then it was over.”

    Landes said Richardson used a closed fist and categorized the punch as “emphatic.” Landes didn’t know what the fan said to Richardson before the alleged punch, but according to Mavs security officials who reviewed tape of the incident, an unidentified fan is seen pushing richardson before the alleged punch.

    The league began investigating the incident immediately after the game. If the NBA decides to take action against Richardson, it will be announced today, according to a league official.

  9. audionet says:

    G6 PREVIEW:
    We Suggest A Six-Pack Of Moves
    By David Lord — DB.com
    http://dallasbasketball.com/newleftArticle.asp?id=101

    As the Mavs head towards tonight’s crucial Game 6 matchup at Golden State, it’s time to evaluate the adjustments we’ve seen so far in this series. What helped, what didn’t help, and what do we hope to see in Thursday’s must-win game:

    1. EARLY ATTACK OFFENSE IS VITAL.

    The one adjustment that seemed to pay the most dividends for the Mavs to date was the scrapping of what we informally call their “Filibuster Offense.” That’s the approach where they milk the shot clock in half before going to work, in an effort to shorten the game and slow the Warriors.

    An insightful dallasbasketball.com reader (Don in Rockwall) sent us an incredible analytical email on just how destructive this offensive approach had been for the Mavs, and it convinced us to call for the Mavs to stop the filibuster. They did so, and it paid great dividends as the Mavs offense in game 5 (for the first time in this series) really seemed to put the Warriors on their heels. Dallas attacked consistently, and suddenly the W’s were porous and ineffective defending. Dallas shot over 50% from the field for the first time this series.

    As Don wrote, there have been several subtle negatives to the filibuster. It encourages the W’s to press in the backcourt and go for steals, with the understanding the Mavs would stop and wait even if they got beat. It also allowed the W’s to rest and get set up on defense each time, and only have to play hard for a few seconds to get a stop or force a bad shot. With the W’s choosing to play a very shortened (and physically small) rotation, they have been able to stay refreshed with the slowing, and have plenty of energy left for offense.

    This adjustment has by far been the best one made by the Mavs in this series, and our hope is to see even more of the Early Attack every time down the floor. It doesn’t mean the shots have to be quick, but only means the Mavs should have more time to keep attacking for an easier shot. With Early Attack mode, the W’s are forced to play defense every second the Mavs have the ball. Also, with the games now on an every-2-day cycle, the W’s shortened roster is a weakness that gets exploited with the change.

    This will lead to a higher scoring game, but as long as the Mavs have the advantage, doesn’t a 120-110 win count just as much as 90-88?

    2. SIZE MATTERS.

    The Mavs began the series by going to a “small ball” lineup, with Dirk playing as the primary center, and the results were disastrous. Since then the team has variously used a Diop-Dampier tandem at center, then a Diop-Dirk tandem with only cameos by Dampier.

    We think the Mavs are most effective with Diop and Dirk on the floor together, and would like to see more of Dampier. This wish is a bit tempered by the suspicion that Dampier may be a bit more physically impaired than anyone is admitting, because there have seemed to be segments of games where Diop is sitting due to fouls or rest and where it seems a true center alongside Dirk could provide a boost and yet Damp still sat.

    But our belief is that this team just seems to play better with a center. If Diop is going to be your only true center, then how about starting by playing him more minutes. Ignoring game 1’s failed “Dirk as center” experiment, Diop has only averaged 24 minutes per game in the last 4 games. He can play way more than that. (The limited minutes cannot be ascribed to foul concerns: in 3 of those 4 games Diop only had 3 fouls, yet still only averaged 22 minutes in those 3 games.)

    3. FREE DIRK TO BE DIRK.

    The Mavs have adjusted their use of Dirk a bit, as they began in game 5 to send him on “backdoor” cuts to the basket when the Warriors were overplaying the passes into him. This freed a lot of pressure on Dirk and gave him some room to operate.

    Look for Golden State to make some sort of adjustment in game 6 to try to combat this move by the Mavs, perhaps by quicker help on Dirk - and the Mavs other players will need to be ready to start cutting to the wide open undefended basket if the W’s go that route.

    Dirk can also use his height advantage to simply shoot over the smaller defenders the W’s have chosen to use on him. We saw some of this in game 5 and hope to see more. Just because a guy is next to you doesn’t mean he can slow your shot, especially if your shot is being released higher than that munchkin defender can even jump.

    One other item needs to be noted in this regard. The Warriors have focused on stopping Dirk in this series. For 4 3/4 games, they did a pretty good job - and then they let the genie out of the bottle at the end of game 5 and it cost them. They fear Dirk, and the more effective Dirk becomes, the more it will play on their psyche. Preparation to combat the various ways the Warriors will now try to use to put Dirk back in the bottle will make a huge difference.

    4. KEEP DEVIN HARRIS IN THE GAME.

    The Warriors have been defenseless against Devin Harris’s drives to the basket. His offense is lethal when the Mavs are in Early Attack mode and have time to pass-and-probe, and the only thing slowing DH’s “magical elf power” (perfect terminology, coined by Steven in Duncanville) from dominating games seems to be his proclivity to pick up cheap fouls. He has been in foul trouble and forced to sit in the last 4 games.

    We have no doubt that the Mavs coaches have instructed him to be smarter with his fouls, yet that hasn’t helped. Our suspicion is that the acclaim Avery Johnson has given him as a defensive star has caused him to try to validate his reputation and stop too many plays. So we think it’s time to tell him that he is ready to be a star on offense and to back off on defense. Defend with the feet, move on defense and just concentrate on proper position, and then be on the floor to dominate on offense.

    5. BE SELECTIVE IN THE DOUBLE TEAMS.

    Periodically throughout game 5, the Mavs double-teamed Baron Davis to get the ball out of his hands. It was most effective at the end of the final quarter, as it prevented Davis from using his isolation ability to milk the clock and then swished a well-defended shot. The Mavs forced someone else to step up, and none of the other Warriors were up to the task.

    But earlier in the game, Davis scorched the Mavs when they tried similar tactics during the routine course of the game. Most ineffective were the attempts to use Dirk as the second defender, as Davis would simply drive around Dirk’s side and then be in attack mode to the basket with two defenders trailing and the defense now badly outnumbered. Leaving a wide open shooter at the 3-point line is not a good strategy to use for a team as deadly behind the arc as GS has been.

    Our belief is that this tactic should be limited to times when (a) the Mavs can attack with two smaller quicker defenders, and (b) primarily limited to possessions when the Warriors will be trying to use Davis in isolation rather than run their normal offense. Force them to be fast when they want to be slow, and force someone else to orchestrate in those moments. Otherwise, use your typical defense (hopefully with a center) and play ball.

    But, at the end of the half or the game, make someone step up. Get the ball out of Davis’ hands.

    6. REVIEW INBOUNDS AND LATE-GAME PLAYS AND STRATEGY.

    The Mavs have been sloppy in this area during this series, and it has cost them. In game 5 they fixed things, and they won.

    We think it is imperative that they again review these matters, however. Shouldn’t we expect Nellie to try to devise extra tricks? Over-preparation will be far preferable to under-preparation in such a crucial game.

  10. Wow! And I thought this was a simple game. Certainly sounds like we have them on the ropes. If we had better shot selection towards the end of G5, then you could throw out all this nonsense. The fact remains that the W’s came back from the dead on one of the best teams in history, in the playoffs, on their home court, against the league MVP, leading the series 3-1, without two of their starters accounting for much and almost pulled it off. If that doesn’t give the W’s and their fans reason to believe and the Mav’s nervous, then I don’t know what would.

  11. Big D Jeff says:

    Hey JustPuked, I could not agree with you more. The pressure is squarely on Dallas. They lose this game and their whole amazing season is for nothing. Worse than nothing because of all the expectations.

    The thing is…I think this Mavs team is ready for that pressure. They stepped up last year to the pressure and took down the mighty Spurs on their own home floor in Game 7. THAT’s real pressure.

    You had the dragon down and beaten, but you didn’t cut off his head. You should have.

    This game tonight for the Mavs is all about how a championship caliber team plays. This team won 67 games, and they know they’re good. But to win a championship, you have to be able to exert your will on a very good team in their own loud, crazy gym. You just have to be able to do that a few times during the playoffs to win it all. Tonight, the Mavs get their shot. They are playoff tested and they’ve been there and done that against tough tough teams. Heck, Devin Harris, our little elfen youngster point guard, has played in 37 post-season games. That stuff matters in a game 6.

    The Warrior’s better be ready to slay the dragon tonight, or it’s over. Have fun cheering in your loud Oracle arena, but I wouldn’t bet against these Mavericks and their new-found life.

  12. Mano de Nada says:

    New found life? Staking a whole lot of emotional energy on 3 minutes of spark (at home, facing elimination, with the league needing to sell more beer and all that).

    And y’awl still don’t get do you? GO BIG PLEASE! We like Diop but we can beat him almost as easily as Dampier. His boards can kill us but we can get it back on the other end. He can’t run with us.

    Outside of our best players getting tossed out of the game (and we’d like to see how the Mavs would play without Dirk and Josh, that’d be funny) the Mavs haven’t come up with a game plan that’s worked effectively, consistently.

    We’re six games into this series - the better teams’s going to win. The better team in the previous five games? The Warriors.

    Nothing’s changed in the meantime, and the Mavs STILL think they can win big?

    OK!

  13. Now fan is speaking…this doesn’t look good.

    Fan says Warriors’ Richardson punched him in chest
    By ART GARCIA
    agarcia@STAR-TELEGRAM.com
    OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State guard Jason Richardson assaulted a fan, hitting him in the chest late in Game 5, according to the fan involved in the episode Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.

    Crockett Gambrel, 28, of Dallas told the Star-Telegram that Richardson struck him after the player fell into the second row after missing a 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds left in the Mavericks’ 118-112 win.

    “He went to shoot a 3-pointer and fell into the seats, and I stuck my hand out to hold him up like everybody does when that happens,” Gambrel said. “I turned around and he said, ‘Touch me again [expletives] and I’ll beat your [expletive].’ ”

    A Mavs security official who reviewed tape of the episode said an unidentified fan is seen pushing Richardson before the alleged assault.

    The league began investigating the incident immediately after the game. If the NBA decides to take action against Richardson, such as a suspension, it will be announced today, according to a league official. Gambrel said he wasn’t sure if he said anything to provoke Richardson.

    “I don’t think I said much,” he said. “I was star-struck that an NBA player fell into me. Then he assaulted me.”

    Gambrel was standing at the time and stumbled back after the alleged contact. He said he wasn’t sure if Richardson used a closed fist.

    “It’s a punch or a shove,” Gambrel said. “Either way, he was way out of line.”

    Richardson said today after Golden State’s morning shootaround that he can’t recall the exchange with Gambrel.

    “I don’t even know what happened, to be honest with you,” Richardson said. “It was such a tense moment in the game where I think we were down one or up one, whatever the situation was.

    “I don’t even worry about that. I was just trying to get back [down the court]. I don’t really know what happened. I don’t think anybody knows what happened. I don’t even know if the fan knows what happened.” Richardson was asked directly whether he punched the fan.

    “C’mon, me punching somebody?” Richardson said. “Where have you ever known me being violent? Are you serious?”

    Gambrel was immediately escorted from his seat and interviewed by league personnel. Gambrel added that no one else in the area was interviewed.

    Mavs season-ticket holder Brett Landes of Dallas, seated about two feet away from where Richardson landed, witnessed the incident. Landes said Richardson used a closed fist and categorized the punch as “emphatic.”

  14. We’re safe. I can go change my pants now…

    http://www.nba.com/news/richardson_fined_070503.html

  15. For game 6, the W’s have to continue with what got them the series lead, quick decisions … drive, shoot, or pass the ball within one (1) second … do NOT over-dribble, trust each other and zip the ball around to capitalize on both their individual and team quickness … that we all know …

    Now WHEN the W’s have to protect the lead late, and have to run out the clock … if the Mavs are in zone, then 4-Corners until 5 secs on the 24, and then drive & draw the foul … or if the Mavs are in man, then POST, pass out, and REPOST the Mav’s smalls until 5 sec, and then take the best shot. This is the game … one-time …

  16. Big D Jeff says:

    Mano de Nada said:
    “Outside of our best players getting tossed out of the game (and we’d like to see how the Mavs would play without Dirk and Josh, that’d be funny) the Mavs haven’t come up with a game plan that’s worked effectively, consistently.”

    Actually, getting that to happen has not been terribly difficult. Not a bad plan really. All it takes is just a leeeetle bit of pressure, and we can all watch Stephen Jackson (and maybe a few more of his teammates) crack like an egg.

  17. Mano de Nada says:

    Yeah mon - and you’re flipping eggs without a skillet son FOR REALS!

  18. JustPuked says:

    To Big D Jeff and all the lurking Dallas fan’s

    Hold you head high. There’s no embarrassment in losing to a better team. The Warriors are on a mission and the crowd was unreal (talkin’ ‘bout YOU Nevin420!). I don’t think I’m even audible, my voice is completely wasted.

    For Dallas, this was a regular season for the ages. 69 total wins and an MVP trophy to top it off. You can look back on this season with pride, as it will go down as a season of considerable Dallas sports lore. Nobody can take away 69 wins.

    Seriously, even if the Warriors were to win the championship and shock the world (although they won’t shock us) they’ll still only manage 58 wins.

    Back to Dallas. Two years ago, the Colts ran away with the NFL regular season and Peyton Manning was the run away MVP candidate. They couldn’t make it past the final hurdle in the playoffs and Manning was soundly criticized. Last season Manning lead the Colts to a Super Bowl victory. Nobody will ever mistake Manning as a blood and guts type of player and he still had the fortitude to put his team on his back and lead them to victory. Remember that when all the talking heads call for Dirk’s head. Dirk has the same kind of makeup as Manning, so don’t be too down on him, he’ll bounce back.

    I listened to a bit of the post-season comments and Barkley too the high road. Then on came Mark Cuban and he handled the whole thing with a ton of class. This whole thing has brought out the best in Texas and it’s a humbling thing to see.

    Thanks you for a great season and providing the perfect foil for our first playoff series in thirteen years.

    A Believer

  19. JustPuked says:

    Now for us…

    Adam Lauridsen Esq., Mano De Nada, JanG, AdamM, Gene, ChrisB, We Believe, Chubs, WFan1, trinhster, Nevin420, JLee, AndrewN and all the rest of the regulars and anyone I may have missed.

    They guaranteed we wouldn’t make the playoffs
    They taunted us that Dallas “allowed” us to be the eighth seed
    They said we’d be swept
    They called us midgets
    They declared us a bunch of classless thugs
    They posted us as 9 point or more underdogs in the first 5 games
    They told us we lacked the killer instinct
    They assured us we’d regret failing to finish off Dallas in 5

    They never, ever gave us a shred of respect.
    We can invite them to watch us in Round Two.

    Where we can do it all over again.
    Believe It.

    NEVER underestimate the heart of a Warrior
    Thank you for keeping the faith.

  20. Big D Jeff says:

    To Just Puked and Mano and all the Warrior faithful… I haven’t been lurking, just out of the office until now. Let me say this:

    The Golden State Warriors kicked the Dallas Mavericks out of the gym. Crushed them. Made them look silly. They were, without question, the better team in this series. Like I said before, I can feel your excitement, because I remember it just a few years ago when the Mavericks started to get good. But you guys have done something special and made history. Congratulations. Baron Davis is amazing, D Wade-like in his will to win. Stephen Jackson is a punk, but a cold-blooded basketball player. Nellie is a genius. What else can I say?

    I have to say that I (and pretty much everyone in Dallas) is in shock. Take away the fact that the Warriors were simply playing better basketball, I will give you that. But put yourself in our shoes for a minute… we’re just asking, how does this happen? How does a team stay focused and committed to each other and consistently, night in and night out come up with huge gutsy shots, make stops when they need ‘em, play together and do marvelous things through a long 82 game season and put together 67 wins… and then… come out and play this series like they don’t really want to be there? I mean, that makes no sense. Again, GS had alot to do with that, with the way they played them and the matchups. But there was nothing there. This team, even the coach, looked so different than they did in the playoffs last year against Phoenix and San Antonio. From the first game on, they looked, lost or disinterested…or something. Avery Johnson worked this team like a master through the regular season, getting certain guys to come through when he needed them, keeping them focused. When they’d clinched the playoffs in like, February (literally), they always said the right things: it’s not about the number of wins in the regular season, it’s only about the playoffs, the playoffs, the playoffs… and so this is how they come out and play when it’s showtime? How do Mavs fans explain last nights 3rd quarter? With your back against the wall, knowing all the questions you’ll face all summer, you come out and play like that? Again, great shooting by GS, great defense. But Dirk doesn’t even TRY to take it to the basket, just kinds of passes it back to…whoever. Josh Howard, who all season long makes incredible, athletic basketball plays, just…doesn’t do anything? Hey, I can see getting beat in your gym, no question. But by 26 or whatever it was? When all you’ve talked about all season is getting back to the Finals? IT MAKES NO SENSE to a bewildered Maverick fan.

    I thought they had turned the corner with their win in Dallas Tuesday. I had faith in my playoff-tested Mavericks. Boy, was I wrong. And I have to say…I’m totally baffled.

    Not that you guys care… enough of my rambling…go celebrate and enjoy your win! Good luck in the 2nd round. You can beat these two teams.

  21. Just Puked 420 says:

    A friend of Just Puked here who’s a lurker at his direction … just wanted to congratulate Believers on an amazing series so far, and the Dallas contingent on — what I have found to be generally UN-Texas-like — emotional honesty ;-) [ see current White House occupant and gang ] … looking forward to the next series and seeing the unfolding analysis …

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