Sad to Say

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 1:05 AM CDT in News Comment 37 comments

I believe last years NBA Finals has left permanent scars in the minds of this team.

And no, that's not an excuse. It's an indictment, and maybe it's an explanation.

Mavs start the season 0-4.

Mavs lose the first game of the playoffs.

Davis makes a half court shot and Dallas walks to the locker room with their heads down and comes back out flat to start the third.

They don't get calls early and they play the rest of the game assuming they'll never come -- refusing to force the refs to make calls.

For all the talk of redemption and hunger, they still play like a team who believes a loss is their destiny.

And it's too bad, I'll always believe Dallas is the better team. The optimist in me still says no way Dallas loses on Tuesday, then just force a game 7 at home and you're in good shape. But I guess there is no point in thinking like that.

"I wouldn't say we're worried, but our backs are against the wall," Dirk Nowitzki said Saturday. "If we lose [today], this season is pretty much over."

Thanks for the heads up.

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Honestly

This hurts worse than the Finals loss.

It's weird, but it does.

This hurts worse because it simply cements every legacy that budded with the Finals loss.

It also hurts worse because, assuming the inevitable happens and we lose on of the possible next three games, this team as constructed will never be seen again. You simply can't bring this team back as constructed after these two playoffs meltdowns.

And I don't see how you can ever fully believe that Dirk is the player to bring this team a championship, unless he somehow rises to the occasion and wins this playoffs series.

by jthig32 on Apr 30, 2007 1:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

I wouldn't say it's more painful than last year, but let me just say that this ordeal is close the "Finals" pain, and that's saying an unbelievable amount.

At least in that instance we could blame David Stern and his merry band of refs, and at least there was hope that this crew had the potential to win a championship. At least that team had fought and clawed and earned my respect.

None of that exists here. We've been beaten and exposed by a lesser team. There is no one to blame but ourselves. Dirk can no longer be thought of by even his most ardent supporters as a great player. Dirk's as soft as melted Frosty. Dr. Don Nelson surgically split Dirk's rib cage down the middle in this series, and has shown the world once and for all that the gentle German has no heart. There is no silver lining here. This team is done. The only thing we have to look forward to is a long, slow, ring less fade from glory, a la Sacramento.

Goodbye, Dirk. I hope you get fucking deported and customs seizes the MVP trophy you're (probably) going to be awarded sometime in the next week or so, long after you've been eliminated from the playoffs.

Fuck this team and everyone of the players and coaches associated with it.

The NBA is rigged. But it's still fun to watch Dirk ball.

by thedirkatron on Apr 30, 2007 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch...

This has to be named comment of the year! I love it.

by ON THE RUN on Apr 30, 2007 1:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no no

u have not been beaten or exposed by a lesser team...the mavs are the lesser team...not the warriors

The Mavs DON'T have sh*t on the Dubz!

by jrich is the next mj on Apr 30, 2007 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"everything about this site sucks"

Go the hell away then!

by BrodyV on May 2, 2007 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sucks how

The home court advantage they worked so hard for in the regular season is now a non-factor in this series thanks to Golden State stealing that first game. Rather than the Mavericks being strong at home like the Warriors, they've been vulnerable, no matter whose court they're on.

I have to agree with what Wes wrote; they believe they're destined to lose. Where did that hunger go that was prevalent throughout the regular season? Don't tell me they're satisfied with 67 wins. I think it was Dirk who said that if they don't win the championship after everything that has happened this year, their season will be considered a failure. Failure wouldn't even begin to describe it if they lose--timidly--in the first round.

by Marie on Apr 30, 2007 1:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"refusing to force

the refs to make calls"

I don't think I'm being a homer here when I say that the Mavs were getting the second half calls

by Frisco Zig on Apr 30, 2007 1:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jesus

Jesus, you people need to go away.

Coming over and rubbing it in our faces is the opposite of a cool thing to do.

Let us die our slow, painful, depressing deaths in peace.

Or at least learn to interpret what you read.

He wasn't saying GS got all the calls from the refs, he was saying that Dallas didn't do the things necessary (like driving to the hole) to force the refs into having to send Dallas to the line (where we shoot lights out).

In other words: The refs aren't going to send you to the line if you stand around looking scared and shooting quick jump shots.

The NBA is rigged. But it's still fun to watch Dirk ball.

by thedirkatron on Apr 30, 2007 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesue, you people need to go away?

lol the homerismz are kicking in eh? Don't you like seeing the opinions from other teams' fans? or you'd rather have only Dallas fans give you their input and lie to you by saying your team is too good to lose. If this was a Dallas win, I guarantee we'd be seeing the "Stephen Jackson belongs in Jail" comments again. Maybe the refs can help you out in game 5 and toss one your way? Then we'll wrap up the series in Game 6, here in the bay?

by ON THE RUN on Apr 30, 2007 2:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very cocky...

OTR, I'm sure if you asked any Mavs fan right now if we don't have new found respect for the dubs you'd get the same answer. The comeback just ices the cake when it comes to the hunger and fire in their eyes, especially the Baron. Let it be known that we saw the same things and had the same pride for our Mavs in their playoff success.

But let it be known that you all's expectations were not as high as ours. You haven't fielded a playoff caliber team in 14 years. We have watched as our team has been sculpted into a championship team just to watch them lose the fire that started their surge into greatness.

You're right we made as many comments about GSW even being in the same ring as the Mavs. You're right that we will comment 'til the sun goes down about the character of the dubs. When one of your players becomes the enemy of our players you become the enemy as well.

But as you've said any many posts and as had been said by many Mavs fans here, there is no need to poke fun at a dead man, bc he'll never hear you.

However, I am an idiot, and despise your showboat, egotistical players that I have trouble believing can even get out of bed without making the world a lesser place.

Mavs in 7 ;)

by bradybob on Apr 30, 2007 2:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wtf is this bulls***

in the last paragraph

shut the hell up you don't know shit

jackson's the only one who's had some issues but he's not a bad person. who the hell "makes the world a lesser place"

oh yeah and i have been saying way before the series started that dirk is NOT an MVP. he is soft, he can't play D, he can't take it to the rack. he is a 7 footer who falls on the ground everytime he gets bumped. it is discusting. i don't know how you guys put up with the air balls, bricks off of the side of the backboard, and FLOPS by a 7 footer

by Mike Dirkleavy on Apr 30, 2007 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention

a defensive liability in this series. an MVP is never a defensive liability. haha its funny, nash is also a defensive liability when we play the suns, because nash can't gaurd baron so often times, he is gaurding someone too tall for him and we just throw it over lol

by Mike Dirkleavy on Apr 30, 2007 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be a spelling nazi...

I just wanted to point out that that is the most amusing way to spell the word disgusting I've ever seen.

I can see you see soudning it out in your head as you typed it.

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

Is that what that word is? I honestly couldn't tell the first time...

by BrodyV on May 2, 2007 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

I misinterpreted. To many beers and a high after the win

by Frisco Zig on Apr 30, 2007 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I meant by that

is that they started settling for jumpshots.

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got you

My mistake. What you wrote is right on

I am used to hearing the Warriros blog complain incessantly about the refs when things don't go our way

by Frisco Zig on Apr 30, 2007 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fans of all teams

are guilty of that.

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I think Dallas is the better

team my most measures too

They simply can't punish the Warriors inside

by Frisco Zig on Apr 30, 2007 1:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Warriors Fan Here

At least the Mavs gave a full effort tonight. I haven't watched Dallas a lot this year, but they seem like a pretty good - not great, though - who just can't match up with the Warriors' athletes. No shame there.

I absolutely agree with jthig32 that this team is getting an overhaul in the offseason. Unless a miracles happens and Dallas beats the Warriors, Houston, and San Antonio/Phoenix, there's just no way that major changes can be avoided. The right guy to trade is probably Dirk. He'll bring a ton of value back, and the team can be refashioned as a more athletic uptempo group.

Additionally, while Dirk may have superstar talent, he definitely does not have a superstar's attitude and killer instinct. Listening to him in the postgame press conference, I was struck by how honest he was (which is refreshing) along with how little bravado he had about his team's chances. Add that quote above, and it's obvious that Dirk is not an inspirational figure for the rest of his team. There's nothing wrong with any of that except when you are trying to lead a team to an NBA championship.

by teagle on Apr 30, 2007 1:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

According to the DMN blog

Barkley ripped Dirk for the quote that was used in this post. While it's realistic, especially since that team has no confidence right now, it's pretty un-leaderlike (sorry if that's not a word) of Dirk to say that. Then again, he's always been really honest with his feelings.

by Marie on Apr 30, 2007 1:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Warriors Fans Thoughts.

I think that regardless there are just somethings you don't say. If any teams capable of a turn around, it's Dallas. But if your leader and MVP candidate isn't even behind you, then how are you going to step it up?

That quote right there is why I think the warriors are winning in Dallas on Tuesday. Not because the Mavericks aren't capable, but because they are not helping themselves by being so negative mentally. Well, mainly Dirk, but JET all too recently ate his words on the matter as well.

by coma on Apr 30, 2007 4:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Suns fan here...

I promise I'm not trying to gloat, but this phrase grates at me:

"I'll always believe Dallas is the better team"

It grates at me because Dallas said it after losing to us in the Western Conference semi-finals 2 years ago, and said it after losing to the Heat in the Finals last year. It grates at me because it's hurtful and frustrating when your team accomplishes something as difficult as winning a best-of-seven series in the playoffs only to hear that they weren't the better team.

A team is defined by what it does, what it wins - not what it had the potential to do. If the Mavs lose to the Warriors, they define themselves as the lesser team.

Sorry, just had to get that out of my system.

by remoh on Apr 30, 2007 2:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Meh

Dallas won 25 more games than Golden State. 25.

Dallas at their best beats Golden State at their best.

Dallas isn't playing their best - not even close.

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This will probably be my only post here,

I created an account for this reply.

"Dallas won 25 more games than Golden State. 25."

When it was mentioned that the dubs have beaten the mavs like a drum in the regular season everyone agreed the in the playoffs the regular season doesn't matter. That being the case your citing the mavs better regular season record is rather disingenuous. Of course, if you want to stick to a losing argument feel free, but remember - winners don't make losing arguments. Either the regular season matters or it doesn't, which is it?

"Dallas at their best beats Golden State at their best."

You are ignoring the past 2 years worth of games between the 2 clubs. In other words: The available body of evidence disproves this statement. Hell, the dubs beat the mavs like a drum when they had Dunmurphy.

"Dallas isn't playing their best - not even close."

And, for the last 2 years they rarely have when playing the dubs. Give credit to the dubs for bringing out the worst in the mavs. That's what winning teams do - they impose their will on the teams they beat.

Finally, were the situation reversed, I'd have the class to tip my hat to the mavs and I would admit they were the superior team. To date, the warriors have been the superior team. To claim otherwise is just poor sportsmanship. If you want that to be your legacy keep right posting bs.

I'm done, I will enjoy the rest of the playoffs because I take them one game at a time... just like the dubs.

by sfhand on Apr 30, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sample Size

The Mavs played the Warriors three times in the regular season this year. Only one of those games featured the playoff rosters of the two teams. That's a one game sample size.

The regular season on a large scale (82 game sample size) matter as an indicator for which team is better. That's why Dallas is a number one seed and Golden State is the 8th seed.

The regular season is NOT an indicator of future success.

It can be both.

by Wes Cox on Apr 30, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

except that

head to head match-ups are more indicative of which team is better than the regular season records; if it weren't so the playoffs would be a round robin affair with each playoff team playing the others and the team with the best record winning. As things stand now, head to head, the Warriors are the superior team, as indicated by the 3-1 record.

But since you want to talk regular season, the Warriors playoff roster had a much better regular season record than the team as a whole. These guys haven't been playing together all year and their record reflects that. Had they been together from training camp and injury free there is no way in hell they're the 8th seed. Currently they are better than the Mavs as their head to head record indicates. Now, if Dallas turns this around and wins the series I'll come back and say the Mavs, by virtue of winning the head to head playoff match-up are the better team. If they don't turn it around I expect you to acknowledge the Warriors as the better team.

by sfhand on Apr 30, 2007 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not quite right

The Mavs are a better team than the Warriors. But they can't beat the Warriors. Head-to-head, they lose and will continue to lose long-term.

Dallas at its best will still lose to Golden State. You say Dallas isn't playing its best. The Warriors aren't either -- Harrington and Ellis aren't playing at all up to their potential.

The difference is that Baron Davis has been a true leader and Dirk Nowitski has not.

by ikb555 on Apr 30, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They haven't been at their

best against the Warriros for two years

by Frisco Zig on Apr 30, 2007 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree with you

100% even if i was on the losing end.

by Mike Dirkleavy on Apr 30, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Suns fan comment....

I hope the Mavs somehow manages to win this out. Now, I'll willingly admit, I wanted to see the Warriors win a game or two just to see a chink in the armor of the mighty Mavs. But, I really want to see a Suns-Mavs re-match. This matchup has produced some of the most compelling games of the last three years. Even when the Suns lost, I eventually came around b/c the games were typically epic and had some quality, entertaining basketball. Anyhoo, the series isn't over yet...and (I can't believe I'm saying this) 'Go Mavs' (for the first two rounds).

by Alstairius on Apr 30, 2007 8:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

dude

whoever wins this series your gonna get an exciting matchup so just shut up bro.

by Mike Dirkleavy on Apr 30, 2007 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

You're definitely right....if it came down to a Warriors-Suns matchup, they'd probably be great and high scoring games. My point was, given the past history/rivalry between the Mavs and Suns, especially this year, there were high expectations for this matchup at the WC Finals. I wasn't suggesting that any other matchups wouldn't be worthy...far from it. Everyone has their preferences on which matchups they would like to see.

by Alstairius on Apr 30, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're wrong

Memo to Suns fans: To get to the WC Finals you need to get past the Spurs. Stop fooling yourselves.

by carlop on Apr 30, 2007 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I meant no disrepect to the Spurs

That's why I put 'if'. It was hypothetical. The Spurs could very well make it to the WC Finals. I'm not making any bold predictions in my statement or insinuating anything about other teams. AIso, I don't represent all 'Suns fans' opinions like the flak I'm getting. It's just my humble opinion of a matchup I would like to see. I respect any of the teams the Suns might face and that includes the Spurs and Warriors.

by Alstairius on Apr 30, 2007 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's the deal with Dirk?

Hello fellas, I'm a longtime Warriors fan, but I admit I've never watched more than a few dozen NBA games every year.

I'm not here to taunt, but to ask a question. I obviously hear about Dirk's MVP candidacy, and I'm wondering if he has a lot of different moves that he's not showing in this series. Clearly he's got a great outside shot, but frankly, if his "great" games are just a lot more of those going in, I'm not all that impressed. Does he ever take a game over? Does he ever drive to the hoop with a "You can't possibly stop me" attitude?

I've been quite impressed with what Jason Terry brings, and also Howard and Harris. They're hard to stop. But I don't get the Dirk thing.

by achiappanza on Apr 30, 2007 12:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

unique player

I think on offense, Dirk's particular size is his greatest strength and his biggest weakness.

He's not big and strong enough to have a really good inside game (like Duncan), and he's not quick enough or coordinated enough to just slash through defenders in the lane (like Kobe). He still works hard, and sometimes he gets to the hoop, but I think people are absolutely right that the only way he takes over a game is if he's hitting his shots.

On the other hand, here are Dirk's averages in the final games of the Mavs' playoff series in his career: 29.4 points, 49.8% FG, 13.0 rebounds. In the last game of a playoff series Dallas has lost, Dirk has never scored fewer than 28 points, and he's never gotten fewer than 12 rebounds.

Add to that his 50 points (including 29 points and 8 rebounds in the last 14.5 minutes) of game 5 against Phoenix last year to turn a 7-point deficit into a Mavericks blow-out, and you've got a guy who knows what it means to show up big in the playoffs.

In the final game against Miami last year, Dirk was the only Mavericks who showed up, with 29 points (10/22 FG, 8/8 FT), 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, and only 1 turnover, while Howard, Terry, and Stackhouse were combining to shoot 17/54 (31.5%) for the game, and Harris had 6 points with 4 assists and 4 turnovers.

But he's certainly not doing it right now. I just don't know what to make of him. To say he has no heart is to ignore a body of astonishing stats. But there's definitely something wrong.

by scoots on Apr 30, 2007 1:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs