Are you more concerned with Memphis only being three games back (two in the loss column) or with catching the much hated Spurs who have a game lead over the Mavs? Which is more likely to happen?..catching the Spurs or having the Grizz catch the Mavs? Personally, I think the Grizz are pretty close to being on top of their game..but that's not the case with either the Spurs or the Mavs.... Anyways, just curious as to what most of you are more concerned with. Obviously, it would be best to hold off the Grizz AND catch the Spurs..but that's rather obvious.
I definitely think Dallas has a better chance in catching the spurs. I believe they got a pretty friendly schedule coming up. Haven't seen much of Memphis but think they will cool down and Dallas will separate themselves.
We haven't seen the big Spurs run that's coming in about 4 weeks. They are cool because they don't think anyone can beat them when they have all guns loaded. I am more concerned with matching that run with the same cocky attitude and defensive dominance and sure fire offensive force when needed. If we can stay with the Spurs, the Grizz will meander back to 7.5 games back, maybe 8. We will have to look Kobe in the eye until he looks away. And we will have to frustrate Nash and not see him skipping to the locker room. When is someone going to treat him like our guys get treated when they penetrate? (Mr. Moderator, I am not advocating that anyone clothesline Steve Nash-- mainly he's too smart to cross the freeway during rush hour) Just good clean NBA-don't-bring-that-mess-in-here attitude. So, I am more focused on the Spurs, but cognizant of the psychological sway that Kobe has on the Mavs and the magnificence of the Suns with Nash.
We haven't seen the big Spurs run that's coming in about 4 weeks. They are cool because they don't think anyone can beat them when they have all guns loaded. I am more concerned with matching that run with the same cocky attitude and defensive dominance and sure fire offensive force when needed. If we can stay with the Spurs, the Grizz will meander back to 7.5 games back, maybe 8. We will have to look Kobe in the eye until he looks away. And we will have to frustrate Nash and not see him skipping to the locker room. When is someone going to treat him like our guys get treated when they penetrate? (Mr. Moderator, I am not advocating that anyone clothesline Steve Nash-- mainly he's too smart to cross the freeway during rush hour) Just good clean NBA-don't-bring-that-mess-in-here attitude. So, I am more focused on the Spurs, but cognizant of the psychological sway that Kobe has on the Mavs and the magnificence of the Suns with Nash.
I hate to say this again, but the Grizz have always been an over achieving team and without mighty mouse, I don't see them hanging in the 5th spot for long. As TDoug mentioned, we'd need to keep up with the Spurs and the Suns and make Howard believe he can be a Kobe stopper. The 4th seed in the West has usually been reserved for the Mavs and it will continue to be so this year as well.
Make Howard believe he is the kobe stopper? LoL Ruben Patterson from the Blazers said that and Kobe came back the next night and dropped 37 pts.
I know, that was a sarcastic remark. But I think the Mavs could live with giving Kobe 50 pts in the playoffs and still win the series.