<div class="quote_poster">NewYorkBalla33 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why don't you tell us the record of the warriors and mavericks in their last 4 games, i'll do it. 4-0 WARRIORS.</div> Why don't you remind yourself that: 1) It was regular season matchups 2) Dallas made it to the NBA Finals last year 3) The Warriors are the 8th seed 4) The Mavs' primary objective this whole season has been to win the championship; Golden State considers itself lucky to have squeezed into the playoffs And since you added the regular season numbers, I'll contradict myself and give you win-loss columns that should speak for it self: 66-14 in comparison to 40-40 (as of right now) So, who do you rather have a bet on?
Whether you think the Warriors can upset the Mavs or not, I think we can all agree that Baron Davis is going to go off in that series.
I've been telling my friends that if anyone is going to upset anyone, it's going to be the Warriors beating the Mavs. I've seen them play and I know what they can do. But my friends laughed at me.
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why don't you remind yourself that: 1) It was regular season matchups 2) Dallas made it to the NBA Finals last year 3) The Warriors are the 8th seed 4) The Mavs' primary objective this whole season has been to win the championship; Golden State considers itself lucky to have squeezed into the playoffs And since you added the regular season numbers, I'll contradict myself and give you win-loss columns that should speak for it self: 66-14 in comparison to 40-40 (as of right now) So, who do you rather have a bet on?</div> One should also consider: 1) The Mavs were built by Don Nelson, he knows everything about them and he is probably the best coach ever at exploiting mismatches and forcing teams to adjust to his game. 2) The Warriors will push the ball, play Harrington at C, etc. and force Dallas to play Dirk at C or suffer with one of their big oafs being completely useless the entire series. 3) The Warriors are the most athletic team in the league. 4) The Warriors' backcourt gives the Mavs' backcourt huge problems. The Mavs' backcourt is very quick but relatively small, definitely not very strong, while the Warriors have some huge guards and 3 guards who are among the best in the post in the league (Baron, Richardson, Jackson) 5) Dallas is a jumpshooting team, Warriors are a running team. Not difficult to understand why GS has such a high FG% against Dallas. Here's a relatively detailed post I made a wihle back in the Houston board about how GS matches up well with Dallas: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It does make sense though that the top teams in the west want GS in the playoffs against Dallas. Golden State is 5-1 in the last 6 games against Dallas and Nellie completely owns them because hes the one who built that team and developed many of those players. He always attacks their weak points and shuts down whatever they try to do, Avery is a poor in game coach and doesn't make many adjustments so they basically jut take it and hope Terry and the other scrubs hit 3's. Even if GS were to lose to Dallas in the first round, we'd completely expose them on national TV. All it takes is face guarding Nowitzki so he has to work to get the ball, if you're good at this, like Stephen Jackson is, Dirk will get lazy and just stand in one place and be passive. You also have to force him to his weak hand and try not to foul him, though he'll flop and get his calls from the refs. Secondly, you have to run the ball off of forced TOs and rebounds off of jumpshots (Mavs are basically just a jumpshooting team which plays right into a running team's game). This takes Dampier and Diop completely out of the game and Dallas has to either play Dirk at C or play through the game with a few gigantic ineffective C's. Having athleticism is a huge help, Dalls isn't used to playing against teams that are more athletic than they are, GS is probably the most athletic team in the league. Guys like Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson basically just crap on Harris, Howard and Buckner because they can post up extremely well (save Ellis), they can drive and finish, and they can shoot. Oh and Dallas is probably the most mentally weak team of all of the top teams in the league and it starts with Dirk. If you attack him constantly and force him to play defense he'll get frustrated, then you deny him the ball by face guarding him and having someone help to get him to give the ball up. He'll start getting pissy and whine like crazy and yell at his teammates. Then if you deck him a couple times when he has easy layups he'll start taking contested jumpshots. If you shut Dallas down everyone will stop playing and start whining like crazy. Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, and Matt Barnes play both offense and defense extremely intensely and physically and no one on Dallas seemed to want to go one on one with them. Hell last time the teams met Barnes was bouncing around like a pinball owning the boards and helping on defense, he even checked Devin Harris after a play was over and no one on Dallas did anything about it. In short, Dallas is a jumpshooting team who lacks a true identity. They aren't a pound-the-ball-and-grind-it-out team, they aren't a run-the-ball-down-the-other-teams'-throat team and their defense is complete garbage when the refs stop calling charges (thus why you have to play them extremely physical, the refs will adjust to the aggressor like they did in the finals last year). They play an intermediate style so if you play at one extreme or the other, run like crazy or slow it down and pound the ball inside, they'll struggle because they're built to play decently at both but not great one or the other. Let them take their jumpshots, if/when they miss you have to make them pay by either running like crazy (GSW, Phoenix, Denver) or pounding it inside to your post players (SA, Utah, Houston).</div> I could go on and on really. GS just matches up extremely well against Dallas and Nellie knows how to exploit them. I'm not favoring GS to win by any means but Nelson has pulled off upsets like this before, this time its against a team that he crafted himself and knows everything about. It wouldn't suprise me if the Warriors gave Dallas a battle, nor would it surprise me if the Mavs sweep.
Don't forget about pressure. The Mavs are under more pressure than any team this year - by far. Any other team can not do well, and have a good excuse. Mavs have NO excuse. If they don't win the Trophy, they UNDERachieved. The Warriors could get swept and nobody would really be all that shocked. So maybe the Warriors can challenge.
I don't know, the current Mavs team is a lot different than the Don Nelson-coached one. They're more versatile in terms of playing style and one of the reasons I have them going deep in the playoffs is because they can play a slow it down halfcourt style or a fastbreak style equally well. I see the Warriors stealing a game or two, because they have an explosive offense. But they have virtually no playoff experience and their defense is terrible and I think its Dallas' series to lose.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But they have virtually no playoff experience and their defense is terrible and I think its Dallas' series to lose.</div> Their defense is terrible? I think it's one of their best attributes the second half of the season. They are playing a lot better defense now. Warriors always have been able to score, no question, and they still can now. But why have they won the last 15 of 20? Their improvement on defense. They lead the league in steals and forced turnovers and are like 2nd in the league in blocks (surprising considering how small the line-up is). They also lead the league in fast break points.
Wouldnt it be crazy in the west if GS beat dallas, lakers knocked out the suns and the nuggets defeated the spurs (knock on wood that it dont happen)? If that would happen who would go on to win it?
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Their defense is terrible? I think it's one of their best attributes the second half of the season. They are playing a lot better defense now. Warriors always have been able to score, no question, and they still can now. But why have they won the last 15 of 20? Their improvement on defense. They lead the league in steals and forced turnovers and are like 2nd in the league in blocks (surprising considering how small the line-up is). They also lead the league in fast break points.</div> I may have exaggerated, but its not good by any means. I would credit a lot of those turnovers they force to the type of style they play. There are more possessions and a faster pace, which usually creates more opportunities to force turnovers. But they still allow their opponents to shoot a high FG% and they give up more points than they score.
golden state definately has a chance at upsetting the Mavs.. although i wouldn't say its a big chance but for those of you that are saying golden state is absolutely no match for dallas would be exagerating imo
Warriors are in!!! Out of all the first-round match ups, Mavs vs Warriors has got to be the most interesting.
Let me give this a try Detroit in 5 Cleveland in 4 Raptors in 7 - won't be surprise if NJ wins Heat in 7 - for some reason my gut says go with Miami. Dallas in 6 Lakers in 7 - am a Lakers fan so no need to explain, LOL Spurs in 6 Rockets in 7 - would?ve pick Utah in 7 if they have homecourt.
1 - Detroit in 4 8 - Orlando 2 - Cleveland in 4 7 - Washington 3 - Toronto in 6 6 - New Jersey 4 - Miami in 7 5 - Chicago 1 - Dallas in 6 8 - Golden State 2 - Phoenix in 5 7 - Los Angeles 3 - San Antonio in 6 6 - Denver 4 - Houston in 7 5 - Utah
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">1 - Detroit in 4 8 - Orlando 2 - Cleveland in 4 7 - Washington 3 - Toronto in 6 6 - New Jersey 4 - Miami in 7 5 - Chicago 1 - Dallas in 6 8 - Golden State 2 - Phoenix in 5 7 - Los Angeles 3 - San Antonio in 6 6 - Denver 4 - Houston in 7 5 - Utah</div> I agree 100%. THe 3 must-see series for me are: Miami-Chicago Phoenix-L.A. Dallas-GSW
1 - Detroit in 5 8 - Orlando 2 - Cleveland in 4 7 - Washington 3 - Toronto 6 - New Jersey in 6 (Vinsanity gets revenge) 4 - Miami in 7 5 - Chicago (Depending on how Wade plays, Chicago could pull an upset) 1 - Dallas in 6 8 - Golden State (Warriors are dangerous, but I'm going to go with the Mavs) 2 - Phoenix in 6 7 - Los Angeles 3 - San Antonio 6 - Denver in 6 (That's right. Don't be surprised if the Nuggets beat the Spurs) 4 - Houston 5 - Utah in 6 (I don't think T-Mac will ever make it past the first round)
Agree that it's highly unlikely that the Warriors could pull off an upset. But there is a small chance (won't repeat the reasons iterated above) and what an amazing series that would be! I like both teams but have to hope for the exciting upset for the sake of the fans. You can fill out a playoffs bracket on Ballhype - http://ballhype.com/contest/nba/playoffs/2007/. If there's enough interest, I'd recommend setting up a JustBBall group on Ballhype so everyone here can track picks and rankings against each other. Hope to see you all there. ps - I should have posted this message here first, but I put it in the Members Union - sorry for the repeat!
1 - Detroit in four. 8 - Orlando 2 - Cleveland in four 7 - Washington 3 - Toronto in five 6 - New Jersey 4 - Miami 5 - Chicago in seven 1 - Dallas in seven 8 - Golden State 2 - Phoenix in six 7 - Los Angeles 3 - San Antonio in five 6 - Denver 4 - Houston 5 - Utah in six
<div class="quote_poster">C.K. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> 1 - Dallas in seven 8 - Golden State</div> 7 games? I dont think this series will even last more than 6 games. Dallas is too determined to get a ring. They will murder teams like GS to get to the finals. I am predicting this series to go to as many as 5 games. Dallas is too determined to win this. They have guards like Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse that can step up, and you can't forget about Harris and Terry. Yes GS has beaten Dallas numerous times this year, but you have to realize Mavericks are a totally different team in playoffs. Regular season is over. This is playoffs time. I expect Mavs to take this series in as many as 5 games. <div class="quote_poster">C.K. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">4 - Houston 5 - Utah in six</div> Utah in six? I'd understand if you said 7, but I doubt Utah will take this series in six. Houston is the 5th seed and have homecourt advantage, and they are the favorites in this series. Not that it matters but if you have watched Tmac and Yao play lately then you'd know. I really think this is the year Tmac will get past first round. The guy is tired of getting knocked out of first round. He has more determination this year then ever. With Yao's dominancy in the paint , I think Houston could possibly end this in 6 games. Also, you have to realize that Houston has a much better and a deeper supporting cast then they had 2 years ago.
<div class="quote_poster">dallasdude Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> 4 - Miami in 7 5 - Chicago (Depending on how Wade plays, Chicago could pull an upset) </div> Huh? What? Upset? Last time i checked the Bulls are 5 games ahead, that's no upset if we win. Good lord guys, Miami's not the same team they were last year. 1 - Detroit in 5 8 - Orlando 2 - Cleveland in 4 7 - Washington 3 - Toronto 6 - New Jersey in 7 4 - Miami 5 - Chicago in 6 1 - Dallas in 5 8 - Golden State 2 - Phoenix in 6 7 - Los Angeles 3 - San Antonio in 6 6 - Denver 4 - Houston in 7 5 - Utah EDIT: I changed this before the Utah/Houston game started, im actually gonna go with Houston here, I think hes hungrier than ever to get out of the first round. Oh, and the only way Don Nelson stops Dirk is if he goes Tonya Harding on his kneecaps. But, the Warriors are a fast young team and I could see them taking it to 6 or 7 games, but i just dont see Dallas losing.
