Sat May 24, 2003 8:43 pm
Regarding the officiating of the series, here's some interesting facts from the San Antonio Express-News:
(Source)
Fans in both Dallas and San Antonio have cried foul after the first two games of the Western Conference finals. In the first game, referees called 72 fouls in a contest the Mavs won at the free-throw line with a stunning 49-of-50 performance. In the second game, referees called three quick fouls on Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki and kicked out Dallas head coach Don Nelson and assistant Del Harris in the first half of a Spurs victory.
Here's a look at the Spurs and Mavericks in this year's playoffs, with referee crews listed for each game. The Spurs are 1-2 in postseason games with referee Bennett Salvatore, who worked Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. The Mavs are 3-0 with Salvatore, and they are 2-1 with Joey Crawford, who tossed both Nelson and Harris Wednesday night. But they are 0-2 with Dick Bavetta, who also worked Game 2 of the conference finals. On the other hand, the Spurs are 2-0 with Bavetta and Crawford on the floor as part of a three-man crew.
(Source)
Sat May 24, 2003 8:57 pm
I'm waiting for David to post a memo "from" the NBA insisting on dirk getting injured 
Sun May 25, 2003 7:57 pm
Nowitzki and Bradley Injury Update
Shawn Bradley is out indefinitely. While that's bad for him, it shouldn't concern the Mavericks too much, given that so often, he's a 7'6" non-factor. Assuming LaFrentz can play most of the game, the Mavericks still have a centre to play Robinson.
Worse news is Dirk's injury, which although not as bad as originally thought, may still keep him out of Game 4. Should the Spurs take a 3-1 series lead, a forced return by Dirk, who probably won't be at 100% with so little rest, won't do much to change the Mavericks' fortunes.
Shawn Bradley is out indefinitely. While that's bad for him, it shouldn't concern the Mavericks too much, given that so often, he's a 7'6" non-factor. Assuming LaFrentz can play most of the game, the Mavericks still have a centre to play Robinson.
Worse news is Dirk's injury, which although not as bad as originally thought, may still keep him out of Game 4. Should the Spurs take a 3-1 series lead, a forced return by Dirk, who probably won't be at 100% with so little rest, won't do much to change the Mavericks' fortunes.
Mon May 26, 2003 4:37 am
Shep Ramsey wrote:Can somebody please tell me that that post made by legoSHAQ is fake
YOU STUPID FUCK
Mon May 26, 2003 1:11 pm
Come on, we don't need that. Kindly refrain from those kinds of comments. Thank you.
Mon May 26, 2003 1:39 pm
Spurs Win!!! 102-95
great game by manu, duncan and parker. almost a triple double for timmie with 21 points, 20 reb, 7 assists and 4 blocks
box score
http://www.nba.com/games/20030525/SASDAL/boxscore.html
recap http://www.nba.com/games/20030525/SASDAL/recap.html
great game by manu, duncan and parker. almost a triple double for timmie with 21 points, 20 reb, 7 assists and 4 blocks
box score
http://www.nba.com/games/20030525/SASDAL/boxscore.html
recap
http://www.nba.com/games/20030525/SASDAL/recap.html
Mon May 26, 2003 8:59 pm
Nash, Finley and Van Exel were able to score, so the Mavericks were not without offense, even without Nowitzki. Unfortunately, no one else really stepped up, so Dallas lost by seven - a relatively close score, but a loss nevertheless.
It's not really fair to San Antonio in a way. This year's run was meant to eclipse the talk of the "asterisk" title in the lockout season, but there's going to be more asterisk talk this year, with both the Lakers and now the Mavericks (assuming Dirk does not play in Game 5 and the Spurs prevail) hobbled by injuries.
Still, the Lakers were not missing Shaq or Kobe. They still had Derek Fisher and other components of their last three championships. Los Angeles could still have won that series when they evened it at 2-2. You can bet that if Duncan went down and the Lakers advanced, there'd be no asterisk talk.
At the end of the day, you have to play hard with what you have. To make excuses and claim the Spurs' success is not well-earned or valid is to underestimate and disrespect their efforts.
It's not really fair to San Antonio in a way. This year's run was meant to eclipse the talk of the "asterisk" title in the lockout season, but there's going to be more asterisk talk this year, with both the Lakers and now the Mavericks (assuming Dirk does not play in Game 5 and the Spurs prevail) hobbled by injuries.
Still, the Lakers were not missing Shaq or Kobe. They still had Derek Fisher and other components of their last three championships. Los Angeles could still have won that series when they evened it at 2-2. You can bet that if Duncan went down and the Lakers advanced, there'd be no asterisk talk.
At the end of the day, you have to play hard with what you have. To make excuses and claim the Spurs' success is not well-earned or valid is to underestimate and disrespect their efforts.
Mon May 26, 2003 11:35 pm
Andrew, who is making excuses for the Lakers,Kings,Mavs? If there is to be an asterisk by the Spurs then there would be for the Mavs as well.
Lakers got outplayed and I do not see any of the intelligent Laker fans denying this so why is it continuing to be bringing bought up?
And from where/whom is the asterisk talk going to come from? I dont really think the Lakers would be stupid enough to say anything when they got beat by the Spurs.
Atleast before they were the champs, but now they have to take the title away from someone.
Lakers got outplayed and I do not see any of the intelligent Laker fans denying this so why is it continuing to be bringing bought up?
And from where/whom is the asterisk talk going to come from? I dont really think the Lakers would be stupid enough to say anything when they got beat by the Spurs.
Atleast before they were the champs, but now they have to take the title away from someone.
Tue May 27, 2003 1:27 pm
Andrew, who is making excuses for the Lakers,Kings,Mavs? If there is to be an asterisk by the Spurs then there would be for the Mavs as well.
I was, in part, making reference to what kingjames23 posted in another thread about if the Spurs winning, there'll be an asterisk. When the Spurs won in 1999, people also spoke about an asterisk.
The fact that the Spurs faced two teams who were missing starters due to injury will no doubt lead some to brand them with another asterisk should they win it all this year. With my post, I was simply raising the issue of how it's possible that the Spurs won't get their due when it's all said and done.
Lakers got outplayed and I do not see any of the intelligent Laker fans denying this so why is it continuing to be bringing bought up?
I understand that most Laker fans were more or less gracious in defeat. Some were not. I did not intend for my post to be a shot at Laker fans - but rather defending the Spurs accomplishments.
And from where/whom is the asterisk talk going to come from? I dont really think the Lakers would be stupid enough to say anything when they got beat by the Spurs.
The only Lakers I could see saying those things would be Shaq or Phil Jackson - and they haven't. I was talking more about fans, and especially, sportswriters.
If the Spurs win the title, I'm almost certain we'll see someone say they got lucky with injuries or some such. Someone will always make excuses. I apologise if it sounded like I was accusing the Laker fans in this forum. But believe me, someone, somewhere will endeavour to take credit away from San Antonio.
Wed May 28, 2003 2:06 pm
Wed May 28, 2003 2:58 pm
Hands down to Michael Finley. 
Wed May 28, 2003 3:07 pm
Big win for the Mavs, it shows that the Spurs still could not close out games pretty well. It was a team effort for the Mavs.
Wed May 28, 2003 3:13 pm
YES!!!
Go Steve Nash, make Canada proud. Michael Finley is one of my fav players. Before you say anything, no I am not bandwagoning, the only two players on the Mavs I don't like are Nowitzki and Bradley, Nowitzki I just don't like (NO FLAMES please) and Bradley doesn't seem to try at all.
Go Steve Nash, make Canada proud. Michael Finley is one of my fav players. Before you say anything, no I am not bandwagoning, the only two players on the Mavs I don't like are Nowitzki and Bradley, Nowitzki I just don't like (NO FLAMES please) and Bradley doesn't seem to try at all.
Wed May 28, 2003 4:21 pm
First of all, If San Antonio manages to get by Dallas, I will take New Jersey, that may look possible after this collapse by the Spurs, but not many would be willing to say it. Well some have said it.
New Jersey makes it a point to try to bury teams early, they also have and this is key, many large bodies, that are very tough. Mutombo may not seem like he will play, but if Duncan gets people in foul trouble look for Dikembe, also note they have Jason Collins, Aaron Williams, Kenyon Martin and Rodney Rogers to take fouls on Duncan. They might consider small balling as well with a line-up of Martin, Rogers, Jefferson, Kittles and Kidd.
In this game tonight, San Antonio fell completely on their faces, they led 49-28 with 6:50 remaing in the second quarter, then were stale and out played 74-43 in the final 29:10.
Duncan played like shit in the second half, letting tip shots fly around when he should have gathered them, threw up a bunch of bricks from the foul line again and was just invisible as a leader when Najera and Raef Lafrentz were out playing him on the boards. Parker, Ginobili, Bowen and Robinson had 9 field goals and 7 turnovers.
In the final quarter San Antonio looked so scared, they were passing the ball around and around and no one wanted to shoot it, except Stephon Jackson, who bravely took some nice shots. Dallas fouled Duncan on Don Nelson's order, Duncan responded by building a house of bricks.
Nash, Van Exel, Najera, Finley and Walt Williams just walked straight in and rolled in layups. I don't understand what the hell Popovic is doing when his team falls apart so many times, what a questionable coach.
Don Nelson is working it out with eight players under 6'8" and Popovic has Tim Duncan and David Robinson???
After Dallas took it's first lead (85-84) with 7:34 remaining, Duncan put in a dunk at 5:50 remaining and didn't take another not shot and from 7:11 until the end he took 1 shot and got 1 rebound, very valuable.
New Jersey makes it a point to try to bury teams early, they also have and this is key, many large bodies, that are very tough. Mutombo may not seem like he will play, but if Duncan gets people in foul trouble look for Dikembe, also note they have Jason Collins, Aaron Williams, Kenyon Martin and Rodney Rogers to take fouls on Duncan. They might consider small balling as well with a line-up of Martin, Rogers, Jefferson, Kittles and Kidd.
In this game tonight, San Antonio fell completely on their faces, they led 49-28 with 6:50 remaing in the second quarter, then were stale and out played 74-43 in the final 29:10.
Duncan played like shit in the second half, letting tip shots fly around when he should have gathered them, threw up a bunch of bricks from the foul line again and was just invisible as a leader when Najera and Raef Lafrentz were out playing him on the boards. Parker, Ginobili, Bowen and Robinson had 9 field goals and 7 turnovers.
In the final quarter San Antonio looked so scared, they were passing the ball around and around and no one wanted to shoot it, except Stephon Jackson, who bravely took some nice shots. Dallas fouled Duncan on Don Nelson's order, Duncan responded by building a house of bricks.
Nash, Van Exel, Najera, Finley and Walt Williams just walked straight in and rolled in layups. I don't understand what the hell Popovic is doing when his team falls apart so many times, what a questionable coach.
Don Nelson is working it out with eight players under 6'8" and Popovic has Tim Duncan and David Robinson???
After Dallas took it's first lead (85-84) with 7:34 remaining, Duncan put in a dunk at 5:50 remaining and didn't take another not shot and from 7:11 until the end he took 1 shot and got 1 rebound, very valuable.
Thu May 29, 2003 12:38 am
I have to give credit to the Dallas Mavericks, they never quite. They're definitily the "Come Back Kids" of the NBA!
But after all what Dallas has done, people still don't give them respect, and they still call them soft... People act as if they don't play D; they do play as hard as anyone, but not being a defensive team you'll expect them to be a bit soft! But the Maverick team defense was absolutly brilliant! Tim Duncan was shut down, and the rest of the Spurs we're scared of shooting the ball, just like last year in the 2nd Round verses LA!
But even if the Spurs win, I think people should give their props to the MAVS for a heck of a season....
* A Franchise record 60 Wins
* Winning 2 back to back 7 games series
* Coming back from double digit leads like 5 / 6 times in the Playoffs and winning
* Beating the Spurs on their court, without Dirk Nowitzki staving off elimination
* And being the most exciting team in the NBA all year long!
But after all what Dallas has done, people still don't give them respect, and they still call them soft... People act as if they don't play D; they do play as hard as anyone, but not being a defensive team you'll expect them to be a bit soft! But the Maverick team defense was absolutly brilliant! Tim Duncan was shut down, and the rest of the Spurs we're scared of shooting the ball, just like last year in the 2nd Round verses LA!
But even if the Spurs win, I think people should give their props to the MAVS for a heck of a season....
* A Franchise record 60 Wins
* Winning 2 back to back 7 games series
* Coming back from double digit leads like 5 / 6 times in the Playoffs and winning
* Beating the Spurs on their court, without Dirk Nowitzki staving off elimination
* And being the most exciting team in the NBA all year long!
Fri May 30, 2003 1:51 pm
Who says NBA Live isn't like the real NBA? Kerr and Stephen Jackson made a ton of threes in the fourth quarter, just like the Computer when its behind in the game! Maybe EA Sports people understand the game more than we give them credit for.
lol
lol
Fri May 30, 2003 2:23 pm
Big win for San Antonio. Steve Kerr has done it again, the Spurs were totally flat during the first three quarters but they were hot in the 4th. Kerr made key plays on both ends and Jackson just hitting threes.
Fri May 30, 2003 2:49 pm
Couldn't be happier for Steve Kerr!
Fri May 30, 2003 6:36 pm
Lol, I think Tim Duncan cracked steve kerr in the head before game 6, to fire him up .
The Legacy lives on!
.
The Legacy lives on!
Sat May 31, 2003 12:29 am
Maybe EA Sports people understand the game more than we give them credit for.
No they don't, not even close, they are morons.
Sat May 31, 2003 4:40 am
who said steve kerr has no value to the spurs?!
simple observations/opinions/questions:
*what a comeback by the spurs! it sure was exciting to watch.
*did the mavs think this was a hockey game cuz they only played for 3 periods
*stephen jackson showed some guts out there, he could be the X factor for the Spurs in the finals
*i found it rather interesting (during the spurs 4th qtr run) how the mavs were still triple teaming duncan in the post even though jackson and kerr were clearly on fire from 3pt land
*was bradley still injured or was it lafrentz's play that kept him on the bench? i think lafrentz received his loudest ovation in a mavs uniform from the crowd last nite when he went to bench early in the game
*too bad game 1 is wednesday. seems so far away!
simple observations/opinions/questions:
*what a comeback by the spurs! it sure was exciting to watch.
*did the mavs think this was a hockey game cuz they only played for 3 periods
*stephen jackson showed some guts out there, he could be the X factor for the Spurs in the finals
*i found it rather interesting (during the spurs 4th qtr run) how the mavs were still triple teaming duncan in the post even though jackson and kerr were clearly on fire from 3pt land
*was bradley still injured or was it lafrentz's play that kept him on the bench? i think lafrentz received his loudest ovation in a mavs uniform from the crowd last nite when he went to bench early in the game
*too bad game 1 is wednesday. seems so far away!
Sun Jul 27, 2003 9:08 pm
RHCP......Mad Dog Mark Madsen?!?!?!
HaHa dude......Mark Madsen can't dance for shit but the lakers rule and shit but.....Devean George RULES , FISHER RULES , HORRY RULES and the rest of the lakers
HaHa dude......Mark Madsen can't dance for shit but the lakers rule and shit but.....Devean George RULES , FISHER RULES , HORRY RULES and the rest of the lakers
Sun Jul 27, 2003 11:59 pm
Old School Fool wrote:RHCP......Mad Dog Mark Madsen?!?!?!
HaHa dude......Mark Madsen can't dance for shit but the lakers rule and shit but.....Devean George RULES , FISHER RULES , HORRY RULES and the rest of the lakers
I agree but whats up with all the old threads?