I just don't want a California team to win it because they're Texas's rivals in my eyes. It's a battle between the two most populated states, with arguably two of the most diverse environemments. Texas has it all, but isn't given as much credit as states like Cali. People think were all hicks, and I really can't stand that stereotype. Plus were it not for the Bucs whooping the Raiders, all 3 major championship titles would of been in Cali with this years Anaheim Ducks making a stroing case in getting the 4th major trophy to represent Cali. So Texas fan first, I don't care who wins between the Mavs or the Spurs as long as either one wins it. But that includes all realms of sports, especially when my favorite team, the Rockets/Astros/Texans are out of the picture, I'll root for any other team in Texas to win it. It's no longer a question of rooting for rivals, it's a quest to prove how much better Texas is then Cali!
Oh and the Sixers are too small to stand a chance against the Spurs or Mavs if either advances to the finals. Iverson's proven he doesn't perform well when there's a big man clogging the paint. This season against the Sixers, the Rockets I believe held Iverson to under double digits twice in both games all because of Yao clogging the paint. So having two seven footers in the Spurs, or even a poor defending team that can potentially have 3 seven footers are taller clog the paint in the Mavs would make Iverson almost a non factor. Plus the Mavs are too offensively explosive to lose to the Sixers even if Iverson puts up 50 every night.
Iverson is a one man band meaning he is good enough in the East but when playing the West, there is no chance. Nets have the best chance of contending against any Western Conference team. Nets, as you know have Kidd but they also have Martin who has become a beast at power forward. I think Jefferson is overrated because he benefits from Kidd who makes everything happen. As for Motumbo, look for him to get more playing time against the Western teams who are taller. He can match their height which will be important because the most likely two teams which will come out of the west (Spurs/Lakers) love the half court set. If we do have a repeat of last years finals, look for Nets to give Lakers a more competitive series. Lakers will win but the Nets are improving simply because they are more mentally tough then last year. You have to remember, Kidd never has been in the finals, Martin nor RJ had even tasted playoffs before. Now they know what they want so. My guess is that the series will go down to 6 games. Same scenario with Spurs.
I will kill myself if the Spurs or Mavs win the title. It looks like it can/will happen this year though.
I'm all for a Lone Star WC final. If it happens, then my props go to the Mavs and Spurs for making this far.
This is spot on. Root against anybody who is doing better than us and particularly against the Champs. Until the Finals when we all root for the West because no one wants to see the chumps in the east win.
You have to hand it to the Mavs. Nobody thought they would get this far with their lack of defense. When it comes down to it, though, this is a clash of styles. Dallas has the fast paced style and San Antonio relies more on half court execution. In the NBA, the pace of the game almost always favors the slower team. If Dallas can force the tempo, they might have a shot. San Antonio in 7
This Hack-A-Bowen is makes the game very boring. Pretty much says Dallas gives up on that side of the court. If they continue this stragedy I guarantee a fight in the 2nd half you could tell the spurs were getting angry. They could atleast try to play defense this is bizare Ive never seen anything like it other than Shaq and hes never had it done in the first half!!!Don Nelson for most overrated coach in the league!
Its a smart strategy. It got Dallas back into the game in the 2nd quarter. Bowen said it best at halftime that its his own fault that they were fouling him.
I am putting my bets on the Mavs, even though I hate Cuban's guts. Dallas got too many good shooters for Spurs to stop them. It's not like Lakers where they could just stop 2 days. Mavs got 4 very good shooters in Dirk, Finley, Nash, NVE. They can afford to get behind 18 points and still come back. Spurs couldn't played any better in the first half than they did today, but Dallas still outshot them. Trading FT's between Bowen/Duncan and Dirk/NVE, what a nice concept! Dallas in 6.
