Most who come into it, disappear. Can you imagine teams coming to Texas with two or three consecutive games against the Mavs, Spurs, and the Rockets. Not something to look forward to. With all their players healthy, the three Texas teams are certainly the elite of the West, perhaps the whole NBA. The reverse of this problem, however, is that they have to face each other in the playoffs, and only one of them goes to the Finals. Frankly stated, without a healthy TMac it is unlikely to be the Rockets. However, if Ming continues "bulldozing" through the league, and Wells steadily progresses, anything is possible. On the other hand, if Duncan or Dirk go down, it is not too promising for the Spurs or Mavs. All three teams have the unlucky position of being in the same conference, same division. Beating the Spurs in SA was a wonderful surprise and huge confidence builder. But, the bottomline, only one of the three teams comes out of Texas, and that is going to be a serious dogfight. Incidently, does anyone have stats on the collective record of teams who have come into the "triangle" this season?
Well, the combined home record of SAS, DAL, and HOU is 29-9. So, I guess, it's 9-29. I don't know how often teams actually have to play all three teams in a single trip, though. We've had three less home games than the other two.
Good point. I just checked, and interestingly enough, the only Texas team to beat another Texas team on their homecourt this year is Houston (against Dallas). Dallas lost to San Antonio at home, and San Antonio has now lost to Dallas and Houston at home. Removing games between Texas teams, the combined home record is 28-5. So, the rest of the league is 5-28 in Texas. Ouch.
Superstar: Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki Second Star: Tony Parker, T-Mac, Josh Howard 6th Man: Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells, Jerry Stackhouse Clutch: Robert Horry, Luther Head, Jason Terry Lockdown Defender: Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier, Erick Dampier ShotBlocker: Tim Duncan, Deke Mutombo, Diop Coach: Greg Papovich, Van Gundy, Avery Johnson Record: 20-7, 16-10, 20-7 Record against the other two teams: 2-2, 2-1, 1-2
Bwahahahahahah at the notion that Dampier is a lockdown defender. (No coincidence that Dallas is the weakest defensive team of the three.)
Only 2 nba teams have to play the Texas Triangle in a row all year. The Bulls did it (because of the circus) and lost all 3. I think New Jersey or the Clippers have to do it too. Other than that, all other teams only play 2 Texas teams in a row on the road, at most 2, which totally sucks...well it sucks for the Bulls and Clippers/Nets.
Dampier is a very good post defender, in my opinion. If I recall, Yao has done most of his damage against Dallas facing Diop. Josh Howard would probably be a better choice for their "lockdown defender", though. I think, defensively, he's on par with Bowen and Battier.
