It's here! It's finally here! Two years after the New York Knicks started removing their trash, NBA 2010 Free Agency is finally here! So to celebrate, here's an unofficial, un-researched (well maybe a little...maybe), biased and not sourced guide to where the big fishes are going to land this summer. So, grab a drink, relax, stay in your PJs and let's get this started!
I am alive. I have climbed out from my delusional state on insanity following an ugly and disgusting Maverick's playoff outing. It's a ritual I perform every year in which I recharge my batteries, take a break and sacrifice the blood and organs of a lesser being (Kidding).
Now that I have returned from a state of abnormal consciousness, I plan on posting fairly regularly. I've had a break; you've had a break, now let's get back together for some hot, steamy make-up sex blog loving.
You've been warned.
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After the 92-89 loss in Game 4, the Mavericks were left for dead. Myself included.
There were plenty of talking points: Rick Carlisle's rotations, Dirk's toughness + supporting cast, the worth of the Butler/Haywood trade and so forth. Some were viable (play Butler and Marion more), some weren't (fire Carlisle, trade Dirk).
Now there is life. There isn't much, but there is some. The resounding 22 point Game 5 victory at least gives the Mavericks one more night to prove why they won 55 games in the first place.
Will they wither away Thursday night in the Alamo city? I'm not sure. Just know that these adjustments from Game 4 to 5 have to continue:
BOOM. Go back home San Antonio. Go wash up in the ugly river water. Go get your skirts cleaned.
OK, enough of the fandom outbursts I couldn't control but...
Wow.
Who saw that coming? I already buried the Mavericks the other day. So what do the Mavericks do? They do the COMPLETE opposite of what they did in Game 4: Moved the ball, pushed the ball and most importantly, made shots. Funny how that works?
Not a lot to say in this post, I'll try to post follow up thoughts, but here are some quick notes.
*Erik Dampier got his first DNP-CD of the playoffs. All the radio/blogger/newspaper talk was aimed at how miserable Damp has been in this series. While I argued he hasn't been great, he still was doing something of getting in Duncan's way at times. Look like my argument is shot. Brendan Haywood got the minutes, got the numbers (8 points, 8 boards, 4 blocks) and proved to be the factor. I don't know what it is about centers but they have some inferiority complex issues. Haywood starts and all of a sudden he's a better pick and roll defender? Beats me. All I know was this was the most active game Haywood has played in this series. Whether it was the pick and roll, or rotating out on shooters in the lane. He was everywhere.
*THE BUTLER DID IT! Oh wait, I'm not the first person to use that line? Shucks. Well he did do it. 35 points on 12-24 shooting, 11 boards, 8-9 from the free throw line and how about NO turnovers. For the first time Butler looked like he actually knew what he wanted to do with the ball. We didn't see as many 'dribble between the legs twice step back and shoot a contested jumper' plays. When Butler got the ball he either: A.) drove it B.) shot it. C.) drove and pulled up. It was all in the flow and for the first time he didn't stall the offense. It also allowed Dirk (15 points, 7-14 shooting, 9 boards) to just hang out and have space to hit open looks and not have to carry the load.
*Finally Jason Kidd looks like Jason Kidd. We didn't see a timid and aggressive Kidd. We saw Kidd doing the things that makes him so great on this team. He was moving the ball, PUSHING the ball (23 fastbreak points) and setting guys up in great positions. His stat line isn't wow-y (10 points, 7 boards, 7 assists, 3-5 shooting, 1 turnover) but you could tell he was making in impact on the flow of the game, which is his number one job on this team. When the offense runs well (the 44% shooting is a little misleading) we can praise Kidd. That's how it works. Mavs score 100 points, they beat the Spurs, we praise Kidd. When they don't? Start the Devin Harris talks. That's just how it is.
*That all being said, the Spurs definitely looked like they had Game 6 at home to fall back on. They looked like they were ready for a practice and that's how they played. Credit the Mavs for forcing the issue but the Spurs made countless errors they typically avoid (careless passes, 1-on-1 offense, lack of authority on the boards). So Mavs fans can't jump up and down thinking they have this series, the Spurs mailed this one in to a degree. But that's also a worry. You can't mail games in once you're in the playoffs. You have to put teams down when you can. San Antonio's lack or urgency in this game could very well bite them in the butt. We'll see.
I said the other day that I wouldn't blame you if you didn't still believe. Well I guess I wouldn't blame you for believing now.
I love how sports does that.
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For the record, I HATE writing this post. I absolutely despise it. For one, it's hard. Trying to put emotions and rash feelings aside to write a coherent piece on why the Mavericks fudged themselves is not an easy task.
This may seem out of place, an OKC post. Sure, this is a DFW sports blog first and foremost, but I'd like to think this is just a sportsy blog as well. Add that to the fact the the NBA is my blood and tears and KA-BOOM: You have an Thunder post.
