One of the best times of the year. Mavericks are in the playoffs and they once again have the San Antonio Spurs. Last time they met up with each other it was one of the best playoff series I have ever seen in any sport. Thank you Manu Ginobili for aiding us in getting into overtime of that classic game 7.
This isn't the same series it was 3 years ago, though. Manu Ginobili is out this time around due to injury. Dirk Nowitzki, while still a great player, has lost a little bit on that beautiful jump shot of his. Devin Harris isn't here anymore to stay glued to Tony Parker. Instead it's 35 year old Jason Kidd, who's knees just aren't what they used to be. Tim Duncan comes in a bit banged up and three years older. Still a great player though.
These teams have changed quite a bit in the last few years, but you know they're always good to give you an exciting series.
Roger Mason has been the guy asked to step up in the absence of Ginobili. This a guy who has hit some big time shots for the Spurs and can really light it up from downtown. The Mavericks will need good perimiter defense in this series. Mason is one obvious reason for the Mavericks to fear the 3, but Finley has done a consistenly good job from beyond the arc against the Mavericks since he departed here. This season especially.
I'll be interested to see how Jason Terry plays in this series. He seems to be on a high that exceeds that of the entire team right now. Just making clutch basket after clutch basket and wanting to take the most critical of shots down the stretch. Terry, Howard and Dirk all need to be legitimate scoring options during this series if the Mavericks want to win. They all three seem to be playing good ball lately (Apart from Howard's sour performance on Wednesday night) and if even one of them are off, that will pose major problems for Dallas.
Terry needs to keep hitting his jumper, particularly trying to work that wrap around baseline shot he's been nailing so much lately. Dirk needs to continue to knock down the 18 footers around the top of the key. That one has been falling with some consistency. And Howard may be the most important of all...he NEEDS to drive the lane. He has to. He's one of the few on the Mavericks who do it really effectively. Howard getting to the line 10-12 times a game would give the Mavericks a HUGE advantage in the series.
I'm currently picking the Mavs in 6. I think they'll win games 2, 3, 4 and 6. Just had to post some quick thoughts on the series. More in-depth thoughts coming later in the week.
The chosen one pitched last evening in Oklahoma City.
Not a terrible line. 5 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He's averaging a strikeout an inning now and his ERA after two starts is 2.00.
Feliz got the win in a 17-3 rout.
All that's holding Feliz back from the majors right now are his control issues. He walks too many batters. Can get a little wild with his fastball. But that is almost something to be expected from a 20 year old flamethrower. Control will eventually come to him and it will be a terrifying thing for opposing batters.
Can't wait for the Mavs to get underway! Got tickets to game 3 on Thursday night, so it should be fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment