I want to take back this comment. This slowed the spurs momentum down got the fans out of the game. It pretty much got Dallas back into the game. When they do it in Dallas it will be more interesting it will get their fans in the game, bruce will have less success from the line. Great move by Nelson I still dont like it from a fans standpoint but hey you do what you have to do to win.
Anyone else tired of Dirk's flopping? that fifth foul on duncan was just really really weak. basically a 4 point swing, sending tim to the bench. the mavs are looking like a more girly, less tough jazz team.
Did Duncan NOT extend his arms into Dirk's bacK? Every replay I say sure looked that way. Oh, but wait. Duncan can overpower Dirk in the post, but that same strength couldn't possibly be applied to a little forearm shiver? Laughable...
Duncan had his hand on dirk's back. instead of battling for the rebound like a man, he just flopped to the floor like a little b****.
I thought the Hack-A-Bowen was hilarious. Even more so considering his 3 pt %. I think it was pretty smart of Nellie to do that. I've been waiting for years for someone to do something like that to Shaq when he starts rolling over people. I think Popovich got out-coached tonight. It'll be interesting to see what happens the rest of the series.
I agree...get the dub. I'll bet that Popovich was pissed because Nelly pulled one on him despite his supposed anticipating the hackabowen tactic.
I am glad you took that back because the Hack-A-Bowen could have very well won the game for the Mavs. Yeah it didn't do much in the first half but the results came in the fourth quarter. With the game on the line in the final minutes the Coach of the Year got outcoached by "the most overrated coach in the league." Instead of Bowen playing in the final minutes, Popovich was scared to play him and went with Danny Ferry down the stretch. Ferry couldn't guard Dirk. Ferry couldn't hit shots and Ferry allowed the Mavericks to double team Duncan with no repercussions. It couldn't work out any better for Dallas.
Why is it that Dirk somehow got 15 rebounds including 4 in the last 3 minutes? I'd say it was because he was doing a pretty good job of boxing out Timmy. He kept Duncan off the offensive rebounds for the most part. So, to say he played like a little b**** is laughable. But, if you actually watch the replay you will see that Duncan's arm EXTENDS. When you have your hand on a players back, extend it, and get the rebound over a guy who's seven feet...the chances are you're going to get the foul... It's that extension that's the foul. Duncan is stronger than Dirk in the post, of course he'd be able to knock Dirk down or push him wouldn't he?
i watched the replay, and trust me, everyone knows Tim could kick dirk's ass, but thats not the issue. Duncan is not that stupid. watching the replay, an extension is barely even perceptable, and dirk goes flying across the court like the fairy he is. sure, i'll give dirk credit, he outsmarted the refs and duncan. but does that make him not a pansy?
Both teams shot almost the same amount of fts. Flopping isn't the issue. It's just a matter of making the foul shots. I've always believed that being a bad free throw shooter is one of the most underrated weaknesses of a player, especially for a go to player like Duncan and Shaq.
Mavs will win the first game...lose the 2nd one. Nick Van Exel will be horrible.....not like the Kings series. Hopefully he will light it up next game.
To be honest with you, I just didn't see it that way. I saw the positioning of Duncan and immediately looked for his hands as the shot went up. When the ball came close, he extended he arms...that's all I was worried about/looking for. I could be wrong I don't think any of this even comes under such scrutiny if Duncan doesn't commit some dumb fouls earlier in the game (Running over Najera trying to get to a Finley 3).
Lets not forget about Najera's sixth foul where all he did was touch Duncan and Duncan flops out of bounds. If that is a foul then Duncan pushing Dirk is definitely a foul. Duncan's push was 10 times worse than Najera's.
I think we should give the Spurs props for not whining after the game. They obviously didn't like the hack-a-Bruce tactic. But they didn't complain. They basically conceded that Dallas had the right to do whatever within the rule to win the game. Bowen even blamed himself for not being able to make the foul shots. And they pointed out that they went to the line a lot too. Can you imagine what the Lakers would have said if they lost a game like that?
After seeing Malike Rose nearly knocked unconcious under the basket and the Spurs not calling a timeout or fouling the Mavericks so they could care for their teammate, Im rooting for the Mavs. The game was more important than their players well being, and because they refused to give a timeout or foul they almost caused a nearly unconcious teammate, laying under their basket, to be injured more severely. That was just evil, the Spurs are evildoers, and Popovich is satan.
I swear, you gotta love Big D's offense. They pass and they pass and they pass ....and when you think they have a good shot, they pass some more until then find an even better one. Penetrate and kick .......basketball can be so simple sometimes.
