My Bet With Slam
I've been in serious hibernation for about a month and a half now. Best believe I was watching a ton of ball, and before I get to today's topic, let me just give you a Cliff Note's version of the last month in a half in my eyes: my bracket sucked but at least I picked Florida, who despite the hateration should be recognized as one of the best college basketball teams of all-time; Don Imus was straight-up wrong, and I thought his firing was looooong overdue; I'd rather have Kevin Durant than Greg Oden in June, and good luck to Billy Gillespie at Kentucky.
Now... the topic that has haunted me since last Sunday night.
The second the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers to get that eighth seed, I cringed. People wrote the Warriors regular season success against the Mavericks off because, well, the playoffs are a different ball game and gimic ball doesn't tend to work at the most crucial time of the year. I, however, knew the Mavs were in for a tough one because the match-ups just didn't bode well for them. Too quick at every single position except point guard, and Baron Davis is too strong for Devin Harris. I honestly thought the Mavs would be in for a six game series at a minimum.
What I didn't anticipate was that Stephen Jackson, all 6'8" of him, would bother Dirk Nowitzki the way that he has. Granted, I always thought that Jax was a solid defender, and I know it's not just him, but even when it is just him, 41 can't get anything going. Nowitzki has looked bad all series, but last night for the most part he was horrible. I'm used to him taking and making off balance shots, but it's like he's just throwing up shots PRAYING that they'll go in. It's not fun to watch.
What's sad is that collectively Dallas played fairly well except down the stretch when it counted. They got solid efforts out of Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry, plus an unexpected strong interior presence in DeSagana Diop. All of that went to waste because of poor play down the stretch, and, well, Dirk.
Definitely have to give those Warrior boys credit, though. Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes played big last night, and Jason Richardson was on point as usual. They played with more heart than Dallas, just like they have all series.
However, optimistic fan that I am, I just can't give up on Dallas yet. I've seen 3-1 comebacks before, and if any team can do it, the Mavericks can. At this time last year, every columnist in America was talking about the Suns deficit against the Lakers and how Kobe and Co. had their number. Yes, on the surface there's no real indication that Dallas can come back. The one thing they do have going for them is that Nowitzki is due for a big game any night now, that and they're accustomed to hitting timely winning streaks.
To show my appreciation as a fan, and maybe even get my foot in the door, I've posted a bet with the good folks at SlamOnline.com. My user name is Tripset30 (appropriately enough the same moniker I have on Full Tilt Poker), and as you can see I'm wagering an internship opportunity. Call me crazy, but I really do think that the Mavs are gonna pull this one out. I saw a snippet on NBA All-Access with Ahmad Rashad, and George Karl said to his team, "The hardest game to win is the fourth one." I firmly believe that.
And, for whatever reason, I still believe in the Mavs.
Now... the topic that has haunted me since last Sunday night.
The second the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers to get that eighth seed, I cringed. People wrote the Warriors regular season success against the Mavericks off because, well, the playoffs are a different ball game and gimic ball doesn't tend to work at the most crucial time of the year. I, however, knew the Mavs were in for a tough one because the match-ups just didn't bode well for them. Too quick at every single position except point guard, and Baron Davis is too strong for Devin Harris. I honestly thought the Mavs would be in for a six game series at a minimum.
What I didn't anticipate was that Stephen Jackson, all 6'8" of him, would bother Dirk Nowitzki the way that he has. Granted, I always thought that Jax was a solid defender, and I know it's not just him, but even when it is just him, 41 can't get anything going. Nowitzki has looked bad all series, but last night for the most part he was horrible. I'm used to him taking and making off balance shots, but it's like he's just throwing up shots PRAYING that they'll go in. It's not fun to watch.
What's sad is that collectively Dallas played fairly well except down the stretch when it counted. They got solid efforts out of Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry, plus an unexpected strong interior presence in DeSagana Diop. All of that went to waste because of poor play down the stretch, and, well, Dirk.
Definitely have to give those Warrior boys credit, though. Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes played big last night, and Jason Richardson was on point as usual. They played with more heart than Dallas, just like they have all series.
However, optimistic fan that I am, I just can't give up on Dallas yet. I've seen 3-1 comebacks before, and if any team can do it, the Mavericks can. At this time last year, every columnist in America was talking about the Suns deficit against the Lakers and how Kobe and Co. had their number. Yes, on the surface there's no real indication that Dallas can come back. The one thing they do have going for them is that Nowitzki is due for a big game any night now, that and they're accustomed to hitting timely winning streaks.
To show my appreciation as a fan, and maybe even get my foot in the door, I've posted a bet with the good folks at SlamOnline.com. My user name is Tripset30 (appropriately enough the same moniker I have on Full Tilt Poker), and as you can see I'm wagering an internship opportunity. Call me crazy, but I really do think that the Mavs are gonna pull this one out. I saw a snippet on NBA All-Access with Ahmad Rashad, and George Karl said to his team, "The hardest game to win is the fourth one." I firmly believe that.
And, for whatever reason, I still believe in the Mavs.
posted by Justin Cherot @ 12:39 PM
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