Which team would you rather have the Mavs playing in the first round? At this point, i don't think anyone expects the Mavs to struggle at all in the first round, but if the seedings hold and we're a 4-5 seed, i definitely don't want them to get a sweep in the first round. i'm not sure if any of the teams fighting for the 8th seed will give the mavs any real trouble, but if they can somehow manage to pull out 1 or 2 games, that'd be fantastic. a 6 game series might be pushing it however... as the standings are as of today, the warriors/NOKhornets are tied for the 8th, with minnesota, laclippers and sacto trailing close behind. the blazers and seattle are still in contention at a few games back, and the nuggets could drop back from 7th to the 8th spot as well.. from those above teams, i think if the clippers can get healthy and pull it together, they could steal at least a game, possibly 2 if they play extremely well.. they have really struggled this year, and maybe they will make a playoff push and gel together at the right time. i don't want the mavs resting after 4 games while the rockets possibly play a 6-7 game series..
If everything goes really, really well for the Clippers, everything comes together at the right time, they could take the Mavbricks to 7. Most likely, though, 5 or 6. I think they'd have the best shot. Warriors could get a game or two just because they score so much. It'd be really sweet if the Nuggets don't get their act together and finish 8th. That would be a real fun series to watch.
Doubt this will happen, but the Lakers falling to the 8th seed would be incredible. Kobe himself is enough to make it an interesting series. Lamar Odom will be more integrated by then. **** the Mav's!
Really, all these Mavs threads. Who cares? It makes us look like we're scared of them or something. If the Rockets are healthy, bring 'em all on, no matter who, no matter what order.
Damn right. Amen. The Rockets are going to at least the Western Conference Finals, even if that means they gotta go through the Mavs in the semis.
i agree a 100% that the rockets at full strength can take on anyone, hell even without yao we should have taken at least one of those games against the mavs. but i think a coach will tell you that while you can only take care of your own business, it's not a BAD thing to see your next round opponent play more games. a 7 game slobber knocker for one team who faces another team that swept a 4 game series and rested its starters during the fourth quarter of those games.. that would take its toll IMO. i personally cannot wait to face the mavpricks and shut them the hell up. i'd rather have them play the same number of games as us in the first round..
Out of the teams lurking around #8, I would like to see the T-Wolves play Dallas. They match up well and play good D- I think they would take the Mavs to 6 or 7 games and wear them out.
I think the Hornets could be trouble for whoever plays them. I know they always give us fits. Plus with Peja coming back, they are gonna be at full strength. I don't like their style, but they are very athletic.
I like them playing with hornets. the Hornets has one of the best front-court in the West (Tyson Chandler, David West, Peja Stojakovic) multiple tall atheletic guys to guard Dirk All-Star point guard (Paul) and the most important... their physical play will give the Mavs many problems
Doesn't matter who the Mavs play, just as long as that team wears them out a little. A 6/7 game series in the first round would not be ideal for Dallas, considering the strength of the West. Either way, bring Dallas on. We'll have Yao probably at full strength by then, so there's really nothing they can do. Neither Yao nor McGrady will let this team lose, so bring it!
the Mavs will wipe the floor against anyone in the first round. bottom feeders are bottom feeders for a reason. i'd be really surprised if it goes more than 5 games.
The Hornets. If Chandler can own the boards and Bobby Jackson return to Kings form I wouldn't be surprised about a first round upset. Chandler also has the length and quickness to stay with Dork.
I'm going to go with an opposite logic. I'd give them the GS Warriors because they play an uptempo game with no defense and will be easily swept. The Mavs will essentially get a couple of weeks getting rust because they don't get to practice against a quality opponent and don't get the feel for scoring against tough defense. When you play a good team in the playoffs, you have to intensify your own game. The Rockets will come in battle-hardened while the Mavs will come in soft.
play the spurs and let bruce bowen do his job.. mav beat the suns, facing the spurs, beating them but losing dirk and terry. they will face the rockets next who beat utah jazz four nil. best matchup i can think off.
