2006 Western Conference Semifinals - Spurs vs. Mavs

Softball pitcher...was on the Olympic team. But when I think of softball players, the only name that comes to my head is Cat Osterman.

 

Well, once again Barkley calls it. Everytime he predicts who is going to win just bet on the other team. Guaranteed.

 

He was clearly fouled by both Parker and Bowen on the last shot. Well, the refs tried to make it even and take the game to Dallas.

3 classics in the last 3 games during the series. This series is shaping up to be the best series in the playoffs in a long while. Simply amazing.

 

I just saw some fans at the spurs game w/ a sign that said "Never underestimate the heart of a champoin"....JOCKERS

 

At the end of the game they definitely showed Spurs fans stealing 2 of our championship phrases.... LIKE THEY WERE THEIRS!!!

"I believe!"
"Never underestimate the heart of a champion!"

Good god I hate the Spurs almost as much as I hate the Mavs!

 

I knew she played some sport.

 

Actually, Kobe called it, said "in order for the Spurs to win, Manu Ginobili has to wreak havoc on the defensive end." That's the main reason the Spurs pulled it out.

 

did i just see a san antonio fan with a 'don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion' sign???

can't they come up with their own slogan?

glad to see sa win though, i want this series to go to 7 so that they can wear each other out to make it easier for whoever one or the other plays next

on a slightly different note, did duncan change his free throw shooting style, it looks different and he's hitting at a higher %

 

I dislike both of them but I can't stand the Mavs. I do like to see that Rockets hater Steve Kerr squirm.

 

That's how its been called for years in the playoffs... let them play. In fact, "big men" (like Dirk is supposed to be) traditionally draw even MORE contact, and don't get calls. Hell, Tim Duncan was mugged throughout the 4th quarter, and barely got any calls his way. (nor should he have expected to... I was just comparing that level of contact, to the contact that you said was "clearly" a foul for Dirk).

And, I don't see how they were "clearly" fouls... if that's the case, I guess its just impossible to play good defense against Dirk, or block his shot, or just slightly bump him a little.

 

Anybody notice how just like last years Rockets/Mavs series, this series started out with some absolutely horrid officiated games...both led to outburts by a member of the team (JVG for the Rocks, Bowen for the Spurs) and the very next game the officiating seemed to do a better job.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Or maybe the officating was a little more even since they weren't in Dallas. But it's interesting.

 

I love Bruce Bowen so much right now. Wow.

 

Not really. It was more classic Dirk flailing to make something out of nothing.

 

Except that the second and third best players on the Spurs are 27 and 23 years old respectively while their best player is still only 31 as opposed to a Rockets team whose best three players were all 35.

The Spurs aren't going anywhere and will be contenders for a while. Don't buy into the hype that the Spurs "look old." The Mavs are just that good. And the Rockets just have that much further to go to catch up.

 

I suggest you watch it again. Parker clearly has a hand full of jersey and pulls Dirk back. I wouldn't expect that call to be made in that situation though. The Mavs lost the game before that final tip. Dirk had two steps on Bowen and had Bowen in the air but didn't take the shot until Bowen recovered. Avery drew up a good play, it was just poorly executed.

 

I said it was a "hope". Hopes are obviously not rational thoughts.... otherwise, they wouldn't need to be "hopes".

Also, as seen in this series, this version of the Spurs can only go as far as Tim Duncan can lead them. He had a phenominal game tonight, and they barely won... but he needs to be doing these kind of performances consistently for the rest of the playoffs, if this team is to re-peat.

And yes... there will eventually be a day that Tim Duncan really does get old... and they don't luck into the #1 pick and get a dominant center that can form a twin-tower duo that helps mask Duncan's age for a few years.

The Spurs have been the rare exception to the "cycle" that should have engulfed them...once David Robinson went past his prime. Utah is going through it, the Lakers have felt it, and Houston has had their downs, but SA lucked into that freakin Deamon Deacon in a year they were supposed to be a top 4 playoff team without him (but Robinson had his lame back).

Cycles are a part of sports, and the Spurs sold their souls to somebody to not have to go through a down-spell since David Robinson came to them (and even back then, they were blessed with a guy that turned them into a 50 win team overnight). They're one blessed franchise...

(but their day will come... oh yes, it will come).

 

Funny how the officiating is "a little more even" and the Spurs shot way more free throws than the Mavs. Where is all the b****ing?

 

Well said.

 

Or maybe some of Cuban's checks bounced when the refs tried to cash in. Not likely considering how deep his pockets are, but this series illustrates how the officiating can swing the game in the favor of one team or the orther. Oh yeah before I forget how good is Manu?

The Spurs won by one point. A call here or there and the Mavs are headed to the WCF. I believe a game should be won on the floor and not at the free throw line. The Mavs have won two out of their three victories by getting to shoot foul shots.

Game six is in Dallas and the Mavs have their best chance to close out the Spurs at home. I don't think they win if this goes seven. Lets see how many foul shots each team gets in Dallas. Great series so far.

 

A softball player? Couldn't they get a WNBA star or Mia Ham or somebody? C'mon!