The fact that Dirk won without a true #2 is amazing

The Mavs had a very solid 7-8 man rotation. (tip of the hat to Caron Butler)

Kind of resembled the Spurs' of the mid-2000s.

Duncan / Dirk
Ginobili / Terry
Parker / Kidd

 

pwned

 

A few years ago I would be angry with Dallas winning a championship but I grew to respect Dirk. The Mavs are a hard working team and they kept fighting and fighting past star studded teams all the way to the top. I respect Dirk, Terry and J Kidd for their accomplishment. Congrats to the Mavs and Mark Cuban. They show that they can win the right way by playing hard, working hard, and kept fighting even though odds are against them.

 

But the Pistons were a young and coming team... Ben Wallace (4 time all-star), Rip Hamilton (3 time all-star), Billups (5 time all-star), Rasheed Wallace (4 time all-star), had been all-star by that point or were on the verge of quite a few all-star appearances....

Here with the Mavericks, Kidd is in the twighlight of his career. Jason Terry is a solid player - but should not be confused for an all-star reserve... Nobody on the Mavs is an All-star straight up except Dirk Nowvitsky..

 

lets try and throw out all labels out the window

question is, is this the most 1 player has carried on both offense and defense during the finals on route to a championship?

 

Terry's performance in the Finals was like a true No. 2. Dude defiintely stepped up.

Look at Dallas' roster. Even though they are old, they are former all-stars. Kidd, Marions, Peja, etc. These guys are not scrubs even at this stage of their careers.

And I maintain my standing that Chandler made the difference for this year's Mavs.

 

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Those were the only 2 3-point attempts of his Finals career. 2 for 2.

 

No more amazing than what Hakeem did in 94 or what Duncan did in 03. I would say his supporting talent is arguably better than the supporting talent on both of those squads.

What's truly amazing is how the Mavs shot from behind the arc this postseason. They may not have had a lot of "stars" but their players sure hit shots like they were.

 

I loved that front line of OT and Robert Horry, great bench, Herrera, Cassell.

Tell'em Amigo!!

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OMG, LETS GET OUR MOUTH OF DIRKS DIRK. OVERRATED! OVERRATED! WE ARE ROCKETS FANS, WE NEED TO STOP FONDLING THE MAVS JUNK. IM GETTING SICK, GOTTA RUN TO THE BATHROOM

 

Terry/Chandler/Marion switched between being the #2 for Dirk. Just because they don't have some artificial label "All-Star" doesn't mean they're incapable of being a clear #2. The last 2 games Terry carried the team, remember that. He was unbelievable, even with Lebron guarding him.

 

except
Ginobili > Terry
Parker (in his prime) > Current Kidd

 

Ginobili was a 6th man when the Spurs won

 

I too am amazed he managed to win with the second highest payroll in the NBA.

Truly inconceivable.

 

Not that amazing because having a big 3, or even 2, isn't the only formula for a ring. We've just become comfortable with that idea.

Also, there's so many players moving around, and so much money being paid out, that it's harder to build a team composed of several significant parts. What helped the Mavs was their willingness to pay players more than not, player-friendly staff, and the perks of working for Cuban. It's not hard for players to want to stick around, if they have all that. Just look at Dirk.

 

Wait, Dirk isn't as good as 1994 Olajuwon? He sucks then.

 

No argument here.

The Mavs weren't individually as talented, but I think they were deeper with Chandler and Marion.