Hey Hey!
Well, it looks like Dirk showed up last night, and what a relief it was. A lot of Mav fans were extremely happy to get the win last, and I wasn’t one of them. We’re happy to get a win? Come on! Do I think the Mavs can win the series? You better damn well believe it. Do I think the Mavs will win the series? Eh, not so sure. Listen, last night was great and all, but they squandered a 21 point lead. A 21 POINT LEAD!!?!!? You have got to be kidding me. A team that is supposed to be as good as the Mavs should not let 21 point leads slip through their fingers. What happened? The same thing that has happened every time they seem to get a lead. They start to settle for jump shots, they don’t attack the basket, they don’t get back on defense, and their cohesiveness vanishes. As I’ve said before, I’ve been a Mavs fan since I could walk, so I’m allowed to make these criticisms, right?
Our MVP
So, Dirk showed up last night, but why do I still have a problem? Maybe it’s because he didn’t show up until there was two minutes left. I’m still waiting for that drive that makes him want to win, and I want to see it from the opening tip. Don’t tell me he isn’t that player anymore, because I know he is. In the past two games Dirk has made some crazy 3′s. I literally couldn’t believe the shots he was draining. Where is that at the start? It does appear that he has figured out how to beat this Warriors team. Last night he was driving as soon as the ball came into his hands. He split the double team, and passed out of the triple team. He found the open guy, and he went hard for rebounds. Holy shit, that’s Dirk Nowitzki. I couldn’t believe it. I’m not saying we should hand Dirk the MVP, because I’m not sold on him deserving it as much as Steve Nash, but he at least made himself look respectable again. I’m not sure a true MVP can make excuses like Dirk has the past few days, and get away with it. Listen, I’m the biggest Dirk fan, but I’m not sure he deserved it this year. Than again, I think he did last year, so that shows what I know.
The Rest
We will not win another game if we have repeat performances like last night from the rest of the team. Let me change that up a bit, Howard and Diop were both amazing last night. Josh Howard was 10 of 16 from the field with 23 points, adding 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. DeSagana Diop, also with a great game, finished with a career high 11 points going 5 for 5 from the field, and added 7 rebounds, a steal, an assist and one block. Other than that, it was slow starts from Jason Terry, and Stack. We didn’t see much from Devin, who managed to get in early foul trouble, until the 4th quarter where he blew up getting into the lane and drawing contact. Austin Croshere had a nice game off the bench scoring 9 points on 3′s, and going 3 for 4 from behind the arch. If the Mavs want to make the series comeback, they’ll need strong games out of everyone from top to bottom. I believe they can do it, but it’s going to take a lot to do it in Oakland.
Golden State
Playing here hasn’t been easy on the Mavs, and with what happened last night, game 6 will be the loudest these fans have ever been. What I do like is how Golden State keeps breaking these little “most fans to ever see a game in Oracle” records. I remember when the Mavs were posting that malarkey. Now, we have more in attendance during the regular season than they have at a home playoff game. Regardless, home has been very good to these Warriors. After the ejection of Stephen Jackson, the foul out by Baron, and the fighting with fans of Jason Richardson, these Warriors will be on a mission to close this out on their home-court. It’s already been announced HERE that Stephen Jackson will not be suspended, but the league is investigating the apparent fight between Richardson and a fan. I’m worried because when the Warriors are able to keep their cool the Mavs can’t seem to hang on.
To Win
The Mavs will need to get in the heads of Golden State. They will need to come out and take an early lead, and hold on to it. The Mavs can’t survive with that crowd in the game till the end. Yes, the crowd is just that good. Dallas should go with the same lineup as game 5, and they should dominate the paint as well as the boards. I see the Mavs winning, and forcing game 7. If not, it’s still been an amazing season, and I’m still proud to be a Mavs fan.
I think you are right on! I have confidence we can break past this awful, awful round – but we need a commitment from the WHOLE team…everyone has to bring their A game, the whole time! 21 point lead or 5 point lead, there is no reason to let up! And Dirk, for the love, step it up!!!
for the love!!