I never said that either guy didn't put up good numbers but the fact remains that they were both hobbled by injuries.
They didn't play like they were injured. If the Spurs are counting on Duncan and Manu being more productive than they were last year that is a tall order. The Spurs actually played well and lost last year. Dallas killed them on TOs and rebounding. This year the Spurs front line with the exception of Duncan are just further outclassed with Josh Howard becoming better and the Spurs not having Horry/Rasha/Nazr as viable bigs next to TD. The other problem is Barry/Finley can't guard any of Dallas's guards. Too many match-up advantages for Dallas--advantages bigger this year than last. There overall records indicate as much (Dallas better than last year, Spurs a little worse). I hate to admit it, but I think we have the same problem with Dallas. Our role players are just tremendously outclassed by Dallas from the 4 spot on. Tmac and Yao almost have to play perfect to win a series, probably Tmac would have to play like Wade of last year. As much as I would hope for it, I have a hard time believing it has a snowballs chance. Phx IMO is the real best threat to the Mavs because they can match-up through 7 or 8 and Nash can break down the Mavs defense outside in.
Thank you Desert Scar. Anyone that says that Duncan was injured last year, really didn't see the series much. He was as good as he has been since 2003, his best year. It is clear that Pop rests his starters a lot, he is doing it again this year, maybe because he wants to develop more of a bench to counteract the Mavs one. But the mismatch issues that were there for the Spurs last year will be there again waiting for them in the WCF if they both make it there. If you hear Spurs fans ofcourse they will say Elson is the secret Dirk stopper, which will make the mismatched dissapear. That is a lie. The Mavs issue with the Suns is that all of the Mavs guys are really scorers and defense is not as second nature to them as it is to the Spurs. Yes Avery has installed a good system, but those guys love those high scoring affairs, and Phoenix tends to get them there.
Agreed- If we get bounced out- I will be pulling for the suns to defeat Dallas. Here's to you redefined!!!
Agreed- I really enjoy series that match up well with multiple lead changes. It's more fun for me if I have no stake in a series. I can relax and enjoy basketball.
I watched most of the series. Duncan put up great numbers but numbers aren't the whole story. He was a step slow defensively because of his chronic foot injury. We all know that half of his impact as a player is on defense. You think Dirk puts up those numbers, especially on the boards, with a healthy, MOBILE Duncan in the lane? Anyone who says Duncan was not injured really doesn't know much about basketball.
Duncan had 2.6 blocks on top of his 32PPG (56%FG 73%FT) and 12RPG against the Mavs. It might have been his best all around playoff series ever, and the Spurs still lost. Whether he played with pain is irrelevant, he was extremely effective on both ends and the odds he can top that versus the Mavs are about 1 and 5. On top of that the Spurs will very much try not to have Duncan guard Dirk. Dirk is quicker than him and it makes TD a nonfactor under the rim because he couldn't protect the middle. This is why Horry's slide hurts them so bad. They will try Elson and they will try Bowen on him moreso than TD (maybe Oberto too). And whatever they do, the Spurs have bad match-ups versus Dirk and Howard, and using their best defense front line (TD, Elson, Bowen) leaves their offense short. They go with Barry and Finley or Bonner for offense--those guys get exposed on the other end. Meanwhile Dallas can have Damp and Diop make TD work (and give 12 fouls if need be), have good guys against Manu (Howard, Stack) and good guys versus Parker (Harris, Terry). Now TD, Manu and Parker can and will get points, but Dallas will make them work and take out the rest of the Spurs. Matchups just really favor the Mavs--worse than last year when the Spurs thought Horry could still do some damage (keep Dirk honest on both ends) and when Josh Howard was more prone to his idiot spells and taking his considerably talented butt off the floor.
Sorry but the Suns will set after 6 games with San Antonio Spurs in the second Round of the Western Conference Championship Spurs win 4-2
