2005 NBA PLAYOFFS..... Win or Go Home!

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by magneto112

I hope your not serious with that comment. If that was the case, his lanky ass should have the championship 3 times over by now. Dirk is a real good player(cant knock that at all), but he can be easily shutdown. I'm just tired of watching these fools have such a great record every regualr season, and always blow it in the playoffs year after year. I no longer have faith in them.

Now, now magneto... How u gonna diss my nephew like that? If I remember correctly... Championships are a "Team Effort". I won't even get into why Dirk is being praised (rightfully so) as among the "ELITE" (and I'm talking Top 5!) in the league!
Easily shut down...? WTF? Name 1 player in the NBA that has "shut him down"? Now I realize you probably don't have NBA league pass, and thus you can't watch the man in action on a weekly basis. But I can assure you.... EVERY coach in the league dreams about containing Dirk each game. But at 7'1, with point guard ball-handling, a soft touch release, an exceptional 3-point range, more blocks, steals, and of course points each year... Come on now! But you know, I've come to realize that alot of peeps refuse to give them credit until they win a ring. Give credit where credit is do my friend. We are on a 13-1 run with 9 straight wins... With over half of those coming from Playoff bound teams!!!

Man....... I feel so bad for LeBron & The Cavs

That guy put the entire team on his shoulders and had damn near a Triple-Double in the 1st half!!! Do you realize the level he was playing at? The problem is, they waited to long to turn it up during the season. And the Nets win over Boston, sealed their fate... Two years in a row they missed the Playoffs by 1 game... What a heartbreaker...

[SCRUFFDOGG]

I agree TX, Dirk is the man, he is an amazing player and top 5 is no stretch at all. You certainly don't have to win a championship to be a great player. TX, I know how passionate you are about your Mavs, I'm not hatin, just a little ribbing at your expense, I just hope you don't get the last laugh but i'll be here to take it

This is the first time in a long time I have been this pumped about the first round, this should be a great playoffs.

[mikeloc24]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Man....... I feel so bad for LeBron & The Cavs

That guy put the entire team on his shoulders and had damn near a Triple-Double in the 1st half!!! Do you realize the level he was playing at? The problem is, they waited to long to turn it up during the season. And the Nets win over Boston, sealed their fate... Two years in a row they missed the Playoffs by 1 game... What a heartbreaker...

Tell me about it dude, I really wanted to see the Cavs make the playoffs man. The idiot owner fired Paul Silas and that was that, their fate was sealed by that singular act

As for the Celtics, blah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I'm a Laker fan so imagine how bad I feel for the Celtics They blew a 19 point 2nd qtr lead!!!!!

I'll make another statement to give you guys something to chew on, and TX please don't take offense to this. If the Mavs do fall in the first round and the Suns have to play the Rockets in the 2nd round, the Suns will be in trouble...that's right...if the Rockets play the Suns in the 2nd round the Rockets are gonna slow down Phoenix's running game and grind them out. That's how Van Gundy coaches, and the Rockets have the personnel to beat the Suns believe it or not. This is a totally new season and match-ups are very important.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by SCRUFFDOGG

This is the first time in a long time I have been this pumped about the first round, this should be a great playoffs.

I'm not pumped, but certainly excited for my hometown Bulls who have a winnable series against Washington. Interesting that the 1st time these 2 teams make the playoffs in years it is Jordan's 1st team playing against his last. Minorly ironic if you ask me.

Paxson (GM) has done a great job in Chicago and one of the keys was hiring Scott Skiles as coach. Even without Deng and Curry, lately they have still been winning. They have a talented, young team that has some exceptionable chemistry. Hopefully they can keep them together for a few years and maybe make a title run in 2-3 years?

I think this years playoffs are a toss-up. I think the Nets are a dangerous series for the Heat and many are predicting San Antonio to win it. But I think we are going to have a few surprises in most rounds. The Nets went to 2 of the last 3 NBA finals and they are playing better ball at the end of the season, probably one of the best 8 seeds of all time. Boston and Seattle, both #3 seeds don't strike fear into anyone. Denver is a dangerous #7 (Karl has them clicking on all cylinders) And Indiana stills has remnants of their championship run teams, making them a dangerous #6.

Who knows, Phoenix might finally get over the hump, but I wouldn't bet on it. Detroit still looks poised to make a quality run for a repeat, and if the Heat and Shaq can get it together they will be tough to stop. Although I'd love it if the Bulls could dump them in the 2nd round (doubtful).

Definitely, what appear to be some great matchups.

[mikeloc24]

The Bulls front line is going to have to go up against Kwame Brown, Brendan Haywood, and Etan Thomas...3 straight suckas, so they have a chance.

The battle of the backcourts will be great in this series. Arenas and Hughes vs. Hinrich and Gordon.

Hey TX, when the Mavs/Rockets series starts try to keep an eye on your point guards, that'll tell you what's going to happen in this series. Terry and Harris HAVE to play great ball for the Mavs to advance, Van Gundy knows this and will pressure the hell out of those guys. Armstrong is too old to play meaningful defensive minutes...it should be interesting. I'm also watching the Finley/Howard vs. McGrady match-up...

[GFerg]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Now, now magneto... How u gonna diss my nephew like that? If I remember correctly... Championships are a "Team Effort". I won't even get into why Dirk is being praised (rightfully so) as among the "ELITE" (and I'm talking Top 5!) in the league!
Easily shut down...? WTF? Name 1 player in the NBA that has "shut him down"? Now I realize you probably don't have NBA league pass, and thus you can't watch the man in action on a weekly basis. But I can assure you.... EVERY coach in the league dreams about containing Dirk each game. But at 7'1, with point guard ball-handling, a soft touch release, an exceptional 3-point range, more blocks, steals, and of course points each year... Come on now! But you know, I've come to realize that alot of peeps refuse to give them credit until they win a ring. Give credit where credit is do my friend. We are on a 13-1 run with 9 straight wins... With over half of those coming from Playoff bound teams!!!

Man....... I feel so bad for LeBron & The Cavs

That guy put the entire team on his shoulders and had damn near a Triple-Double in the 1st half!!! Do you realize the level he was playing at? The problem is, they waited to long to turn it up during the season. And the Nets win over Boston, sealed their fate... Two years in a row they missed the Playoffs by 1 game... What a heartbreaker...

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Easy there killa. I give Dirk much props and respect. Heck, I am a damn preacher for giving respect where respect is due. Thats all I ask most people do on forums. If that was the case, I wouldnt have mentioned a thing about the Nets making the playoffs this year(which I talked about in the post before my previous one) and the long run that they made towards the end of the season.

Dirk, I really like this guy(never once have I siad he was a bad player, and strongly beleive he is Top 5 player of the year). The run that they had towards the end of this year was nothing but spectacular. However, I see the same thing happening again this year as what happened in previous years. They end up having an outstanding regular season, but when the playoffs role around, they end up not winning. I dont find them tough enough to take on the pressures of playoff seasons. I like Dirk, but when game 6 or 7 comes around, I dont see Dirk coming up with bangers, key rebounds, or other key shots. I see him hanging around in the back court shooting from the bleechers, I see him getting banged on or fouling other players. When these big games come around, I sure dont want him on my team. Oh, and me saying that he can be easily shut down was an overstatement, my bad, just wrong wording. Dirk can be contained. Get a nice double team on him, and its a wrap. Hes not an almightly player that MJ was.

First round belongs to Dallas(even though they have been on somewhat of a run the end of the season too, dont forget the intense play of McGrady during the playoffs). Seocnd round will be a tough one. They will more than likely be playing Phenoix who has had an outstanding season and will probably continue to do so this year. Amare is argueably the most improved player this season. He has been phenomenal. And so has Steve Nash, who is a contender for MVP this year. Suns have a hell of a lot of shooters plus they also got Stoudemire. He has been a remarkably strong player this year. Mavs vs. Suns. This will be an outstanding match up right here. Game 7 belongs to the Suns. If Dallas makes it past that, then they have to play against the all mighty Spurs who at the time are arguably the best defensive team this year. Save Duncans injury, they are still a force to reckoned with. And if Dallas gets passed all that, I definitely cant see them beating the Heat or the Pistons.

And I know, you dont have to win a championship to be a great player. Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Malone, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton, and many others are all great players, Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers without a ring. I would never say you have to win a championship to be considered a great player. Heck, Lebron is a great player and he cant even make it to the playoffs.

All in all, what I am getting at is that I dont see them winning the championship this year. I understand that Dallas is your team(and Dirks your Nephew), and I am perfectly fine with that, but we obviously have differences. To me, Dallas is such a different team during the playoffs its rediculous. Year after year we have all been praising how well they are, how well they have been improving, but when its time to get down to business, they dont deliever. And I think this year is no different. I personally have lost faith in Dallas, and have fell off of the bandwagon. Yall need to stop watching them TNT commericals with them players talking all that smack. LOL. They are a really good team, but its not Dallas's year just yet.

Hopefully I'm not too offensive with this, not trying to make a big ol arguement.

I'll tell you what, if you prove me wrong(I hope you dont, lol) and Dallas makes it to the Finals then you can fart in my dinner the day they do(Spray Fart, lol). And thats coming from the heart.

[TXSTYLE]

I feel ya bro... If we were to go on past records... then yep, the Mavs are in trouble!
Avery Johnson has proven (13 games no less) that DEFENSE is a must. The stats show it, and he will bench ANY starter who does otherwise. Now also, we're not just "talking defense" (which in the past we didn't even do) we are showing it... Big Time! And with all that defense we've been exhibiting, our "lights-out offense" is in tact.

Now looking ahead... Houston will undoubtedly try a 'half-court' game, and they often times can slow you down. But in the course of 7 games? That ain't gonna cut against say a Dallas or a Phoenix. Both teams have a full squad capable of pushing the ball full court all day.

Looking ahead to the Spurs... I know we spanked them but once this season, and that was without Duncan, BUT....... that was also without Avery at the helm! There is a "quiet confidence" with the Mavs that I believe we will see grow into a visible & voiced confidence. The only thing that can hinder us from a championship would be injury. Believe me when I say, "If Don Nelson was still in charge, I would NOT be nearly as optimistic!"

Miami & Detroit... We have beaten both teams HANDIDLY... with ALL of their starters! Whoever makes it out of the West should obtain the RING. I don't think Miami can handle the Pistons in a 7 game series. Too much experience, and too much depth. It'll be good though. And yes, I think the Nets will be dangerous too, until they come up against a Ben Wallace or a Shaq!

[J.P.]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

I feel ya bro... If we were to go on past records... then yep, the Mavs are in trouble!
Avery Johnson has proven (13 games no less) that DEFENSE is a must. The stats show it, and he will bench ANY starter who does otherwise. Now also, we're not just "talking defense" (which in the past we didn't even do) we are showing it... Big Time! And with all that defense we've been exhibiting, our "lights-out offense" is in tact.

Now looking ahead... Houston will undoubtedly try a 'half-court' game, and they often times can slow you down. But in the course of 7 games? That ain't gonna cut against say a Dallas or a Phoenix. Both teams have a full squad capable of pushing the ball full court all day.

Looking ahead to the Spurs... I know we spanked them but once this season, and that was without Duncan, BUT....... that was also without Avery at the helm! There is a "quiet confidence" with the Mavs that I believe we will see grow into a visible & voiced confidence. The only thing that can hinder us from a championship would be injury. Believe me when I say, "If Don Nelson was still in charge, I would NOT be nearly as optimistic!"

Miami & Detroit... We have beaten both teams HANDIDLY... with ALL of their starters! Whoever makes it out of the West should obtain the RING. I don't think Miami can handle the Pistons in a 7 game series. Too much experience, and too much depth. It'll be good though. And yes, I think the Nets will be dangerous too, until they come up against a Ben Wallace or a Shaq!

saving this quote for later.......

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by jpa2400

saving this quote for later.......

Thanks JPA, saved me the trouble....LOL!

Many people ate their shorts last year thinking the West was a lock. And beating someone handily in the regular season isn't the same thing as a 7 game series. Both the Pistons and Shaq know how to raise it to the next level, and will do so when the time is right. That is why they play the games and why the Mavs have been a great example of underacheivers in the playoffs.

[mikeloc24]

The Mavs will be no different this year than last year in the playoffs...it's a totally new season...

[SQ-LS]

All this Dallas love is making me sick. LOL

I give D-town their props and Dirk his, but if you think H-town is a pushover then be in for a rude awakening.

Yes yall have Dirk and we have scrubs guarding him, but yall got no one to guard T-mac and to think Dampier and Bean Stock can handle Yao is a joke.

Will be a good series to watch.

[TXSTYLE]

For those of you who are THIRSTY...... You know who you are:

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by SQ-LS

All this Dallas love is making me sick. LOL

I give D-town their props and Dirk his, but if you think H-town is a pushover then be in for a rude awakening.

Yes yall have Dirk and we have scrubs guarding him, but yall got no one to guard T-mac and to think Dampier and Bean Stock can handle Yao is a joke.

Will be a good series to watch.

Remember this name....... Josh Howard.

[TXSTYLE]

Man...... This first game between Detroit and Philly is awesome!

Houston @ Dallas comin up in 30 min!

[TXSTYLE]

Well........ Simply put.... We nor anyone will win missing all of their shots. T-Mac had an exceptional game, and Coach J is gonna have to look at who is matches up better with him.... And it sure ain't Finley's old azz. Then again, we've been riding high with 10 straight wins! This was probably needed to wake the team up.