http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/rssstory.mpl/sports/3143848 April 19, 2005, 11:44PM Mavs pile on the praise for Rockets Johnson's words make it hard to tell who's higher seed By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle DALLAS - It's a good thing it's an all-Texas series. Because the way the Rockets and Dallas Mavericks already are shoveling stuff around, boots likely will be a necessary part of the wardrobe. Call it the Cotton-Eyed Joe Series. "They've got a lot of good things going for them," said Dallas coach Avery Johnson. "Nobody's even picked us to win this series. So I guess we're going in there as an underdog, no matter what our seeding is. They've had an awful good year. We think we've had a pretty good year. I think it's going to be a hard-fought battle. "Overall, I think it's going to be a terrific series. It's good for the state of Texas. It's good for basketball. We've got a lot of terrific players on both teams. I think everybody's interested and awaiting the matchup." Everybody, it seems, except Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and Johnson. After the Rockets' boss already had labeled the fourth-seeded Mavs as a legitimate contender to win the NBA championship, Johnson turned it right around and described the fifth-seeded Rockets as the second coming of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Best in the West? "As a coach, everything concerns you," Johnson said. "It's not one particular thing. Anytime a team has (Tracy) McGrady and Yao (Ming), it's a big concern. Those guys can go for big numbers. "They did a good job of adding (Jon) Barry and (David) Wesley to the team and Mike James. So they've got some guys with experience. Mike James won a championship last year. Coach Van Gundy's coached in the (NBA) Finals before. So they got a lot of good stuff going for them. "(The Rockets) are as good as any team in the West. They have a lot of experience, moreso than us in some areas. I don't know about (us) winning a title. We're playing them in the first round. I don't know about comparing us to San Antonio. Defensively, a lot of the stuff that Houston is doing, I don't even know if we're on that level yet." The Mavs' Jerry Stackhouse, who is a candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year Award, said there is no way Dallas will look past its first-round challenge from the Rockets. "They are definitely as formidable as it gets in the NBA playoffs this year," he said. "The 4-5 (seeds) in the West is a tough series. We've got our hands full." Even Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who likes the changes and improvements his own club has made this season, kept pouring on the praise for the Rockets. "They're different," Cuban said. "They're built around Tracy and Yao and then there's Dikembe (Mutombo) off the bench. He's been amazing, playing like he's only 41 years old. "Mike James and (Bob) Sura and Wesley all can shot lights out and Scotty Padgett, too. So they have four guys whose specialty is to shoot 3-pointers. They use Tracy to draw attention. They use Yao to go inside out. We've really got to be able to step up and stay home and be able to play our guys one-on-one. That will be a test for our defense. We've got to keep them off the 3-point line, because that's where they do their damage." One tough-minded team The Rockets have become, according to Johnson, a reflection of Van Gundy. "I think historically all of his teams have been tough-minded, physical defenders," he said. "You have guys like Mutombo. McGrady has improved. Wesley has historically been a tough defender. Mike James is a terrific defender and tough-minded. They have a lot of things going for them." fran.blinebury@chron.com
Mutombo playing like he's only 41 years old Is Mrak Cuban praise for the rockets or making fun of Mutombo? Mutombo not even 40 yet!! Right?
It's a joke. Deke real age really isn't known. That's why they say, 39, 49, 59 to describe his age sometimes.
Historically, the 5th seed has prevailed over the 4th right? Is that trend mostly because of the 5 game series format?
why does he want to be the underdog? they have a better record then us. They had a better year then we did. I'm looking forward to the series, will be a great serie
So he can tell his team their the underdog to inspire them more. Then he'll play the it's us against the world card. Possibly they'll buy into it and play harder. Hopefully, it won't matter how hard they play. BTW: Don't think JVG isn't using the same motivational tactics to some effect.
Don't believe it. It's just a mind strategy to puzzle the opponent. Van often uses this to confuse his opponent before rocket games against others.
How is this team similiar in any way to the Jordan Bulls? We had a center that is better than the three headed center of those bulls combined. Mcgrady is great but not at Jordan's level in terms of mental toughness and will to win. I think the Roxk will win in seven. Man it is going to be an awesome series to watch.
I dunno, but I find the Mutumbo joke a pretty funny one. Might light a fir under Deke's ass ... triple double in one of the games (with blocks)!!!
This is psychological warfare. The Mavericks are trying very hard not to give anything that will serve as to light a fire under the Rockets - such as saying they have a soft belly. Indeed, they are trying to make the Rockets feel good, feel complacent. Take away their hunger for recognition by giving them some.
The funny thing is, Mutombo at 50 is still probably better than any center the Mavs ever had during the Cuban era.
Well I am glad I read that article as I now know that the Rockets have "a lot of things going for them."
Yep. Mind games. Players that will give us trouble....Dirk (of course), Howard, Daniels and Stackhouse. I'm not worried about Dampier. But I do think that Bradley will try and get some cheap fouls on Yao. Keep an eye on that. Bradley seems to play better when he plays against Yao. better = 10 pts vs his customary 2 pts The reason I picked Howard and Daniels is becuase those guys are role players that could outwork our role players. The Mavs depth will be hard to counter. Our bench has to ourwork their bench: Barry, Padget, James, and Deke VS Stackhouse, Finley, Daniels, Van Horn.
