<div align="left"> Listen live on ESPN 103.3 FM Sun Oct 16, 6:00 PM </div> vs. <font color="DarkOrange">New York Knicks (0-0)</font> vs <font color="Blue">Dallas Mavericks (1-1)</font> Dallas preseason Dallas 96-83 Sacramento Dallas 80-95 Los Angeles Cl. The New York Knicks are a new team, they've added Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson, Channing Frye, Jerome James, Eddy Curry and Larry Brown. Dallas might struggle with them as they have a load of firepower, if Dallas can stop Eddy Curry from grabbing to many rebounds or Stephon Marbury from dominating then look for Dallas to rack up a W.
How did Diop manage to only pull down one rebound in 21 minutes? I really don't think he'll be good for anything but big body that you put in the game for fouls. And where is Pavel Podkolzine? I remember when he was entering the draft in 2003, ESPN wrote a beaming article about how he was bigger than Ming yet was knocking down outside jumpers and handling the ball well. They built him up to be a stud, and most mock drafts at the point had him as a top five pick. After he pulled out of the draft and was drafted late in the first round the following season, I haven't heard almost anything about him. Is he still on the roster?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">How did Diop manage to only pull down one rebound in 21 minutes? I really don't think he'll be good for anything but big body that you put in the game for fouls. And where is Pavel Podkolzine? I remember when he was entering the draft in 2003, ESPN wrote a beaming article about how he was bigger than Ming yet was knocking down outside jumpers and handling the ball well. They built him up to be a stud, and most mock drafts at the point had him as a top five pick. After he pulled out of the draft and was drafted late in the first round the following season, I haven't heard almost anything about him. Is he still on the roster?</div> Not sure, must have sucked it up that game. He got 8 rebounds in the same amount of time the game before so thats weird. As for Pavel, he was in the game the other day. 9 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks. Pretty impressive
He is still on the roster, and there has been a lot of talk about sending him to the D-League. Last year, I believe, he missed a lot of time after having surgery on his petuiatary gland. This has been common among such huge players in the NBA. He also missed time last year do to knee injuries.
A good test for Dampier tonight, having to guard Eddy Curry. The Knicks went to him a lot in their first preseason game, and Curry is a back to the basket player. This is a great chance for Devin Harris or Marquis Daniels to have big games. The Knicks perimeter defense is atrocious, and they cannot stop dribble penetration.
I cant wait to see this game on MSG. Its gonna be great. I look forward to seeing how Damp handles Curry.
So far the Mavs look good. One thing that really stood out to me was Christies defense. He is really active. Dirk is driving and posting a lot too. Josh Howards jumpshot is looking good too.
Looking good, Diop has 4 blocks..Dallas has like 14 steals. Defense on Curry seems to be good, anyone watching?
Dallas wins due to a Diop buzzer beater, hahaha. No-one seems to have stood out, but Diop did get around 4 blocks. So for those who watched it, what are your impressions?
not a big deal I saw the game 1) I didn't see Dirk attempt one jump-shot, he posted up going either side. He also came up with a couple of steals. He seemed to take the David Lee matchup personally and got an elbow in at one point. Lee was draped over him most of the time. 2) Diop is one to watch. Great hands, and he has a big body. The Mavs success this season could well hinge on him as an x-factor. Because other than him it's basically the same team as we saw in the 05 playoffs. 3) Dirk and Josh Howard played well together. Maybe not as well as Dirk and Nash but they had their moments 4) Jason Terry is still looking to score first, but that's not a bad thing. This isn't the old Mavs with Nash and Finley - they're going to need AT LEAST someone in the high teens behind Dirk's 25. I don't know if they want Stack to be that guy. 5) Christie looked very fit - can't believe he's 35. For a vet, he came to play. He's a great pickup. 6) Devin Harris lacked some poise, he looked a bit like a rookie. This guy has some great skills, I expect him to develop but last night didn't show that. 7) mavs defense was of the trapping help defense variety. there wasn't an ounce of zone. seems to be modelled after detroit's. 8) Overall the mavs exuded quite a bit of confidence. That probably is expected when you're playing a knicks team full of rooks, but still. Even when the knicks made a run late in the game, it looked like the mavs felt they could pour in a few points if needed to halt their run 9) I'm not saying Dirk's topped out but other than stepping up the defense i'm not sure what else he can do. Jason, Marquis and Josh all play their position well but I can't see any of them morphing into a superstar like say Larry Hughes did. Therefore besides overall team responsibility, it is up to the big guys Diop (or Damp) to take it to the next level if the Mavs are going to seriously contend for the title. And then of course there's also the mid-season trading deadline
That game was pretty exciting. Dirk took like one jumpshot and it was a three that he made. He is looking good. Christie played some really good Defense and got in some blocks. Howard looks like he improved his jumpshot and handle.
