The Mavs had a small chance against the Lakers until they blew their 27 point 4th quarter lead to LA last year. Dallas has mentally conceded to the Lakers and that's why LA has destroyed Dallas the past few years. Also, the Mavs are too soft to stop Shaq and now with Malone teaming up with Shaq, Dallas has no shot against LA. Had Dallas been able to get Zo and he was healthy, then they might have had hope, but now they really don't.
this sounds very similar to lakers/spurs in 2001(?), especially in the playoffs where the spurs blew leads in each game. but we all knew what happened last year...
anyway, by no means does dallas resemble the spurs roster, although it is arguably just as good, maybe even better. i'm not counting out the mavs just yet in this matchup because of these factors:
-i don't think training camp and some preseason games are enough time for malone & payton (btw both used to being #1 options on O) to start clicking with the rest of the lakers
-as for malone teaming up w/shaq, it remains to be seen how effective those 2 can be together. with shaq downlow, how much room is there in the paint for malone to post up? and if he does go out to the wing for his faceup/turnaround 12-15fters, dallas wouldn't mind that at all, as it would make jamison's/dirk's job easier on defense. and dirk and jamison would definitely pose matchup problems for the mailman
-as mentioned in another thread, bryant hasn't played this offseason due to him still recovering from his injuries. he's not going to be in shape going into the start of the season
-dallas run-and-gun style will definitely work in their favor, possibly wear down LAL with their 30 something starting lineup and thin/unproven bench.
no doubt the lakers playing @home and having a the big guy down low works in their favor. but it's not like their playing a team like the hawks
btw- robby- the pic in your sig... is that the last time malone dunked in a nba game? hehe