Just heard some guy named Art something, claimed to be an "NBA expert" talked about Mavs on 103.3ESPN. He claimed the best match in western conference is the "Texas Rivalry", between Mavs and Spurs. Most exciting one would be Mavs against Suns if Suns can warm up. No, there was no mentioning of Rockets what so ever. Apparently Rockets are not rbelong to the circle "Texas Rivalry" yet...
Those guys made the finals the last couple of years. We made it to the first round. Of course we don't belong.
It's a lopsided match between the Rockets and Mavericks. It's not a very good match for most people, when you are going to be staring at the Mavs 2nd-3rd string players in the last 5 minutes of the game.
Monday morning, one of the guys on the Musers (1310) said that he thinks the three best teams in the West might all be in Texas. He gave the Rockets mad props for the Battier acquisition. Of course, he tempered his statement by adding in the "if they can stay healthy" line
They do that to every team except Lakers. So it's fair. Once Rockets go deep into playoffs or beat good teams consistently, things will change.
So somehow you took this to mean that the mavs don't respect the rockets. Is Art a Mavs player, coach, or scout? The 'no respect' angle is fun and all, but you don't have to dig go sports radio on us.
I probably would be one of those Rocket-Haters had I not been a Rox fan, so I know where's they're coming from. Rox haven't done much in the playoffs in a decade other than TMac's Bullride practice on Bradley.
That and the fact that we haven't won in SA in how long now? Depressing as it may be but until we start beating both the Mavs and Spurs we aren't going to get much respect.
I believe the fellow named Art is the mavs beat writer for one of the papers in town. Don't worry about what they say in November. Just think about June. All I know is the three Texas teams all have double digit wins already which is more then the rest of the league combined at only two teams (Utah and Orlando). The southwest division is a beast and the Texas triangle is hardest road trip hands down but of course the everyone does who is the toughest team.
Only time respect matters is when its time to recognize a player's season for a possible All Star selection or for awarding 1st through 3rd team All-NBA and all NBA defense, where respect around the league can get you higher placement. Other than that I myself could care less what observers think of the Rockets. This isn't college football. Don't need any respect to beat a team 4 out of 7 games in the championship.
