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KP · May 19th, 2005, 06:44 PM

I really didn't think the Mavs could win in six. I do think they can win in seven. I'm sure AZCards or SunsFan or even BTown will disagree, but the Mavs LOST this last game more than the Suns WON the game.
The Suns are a great team. They have three outstanding players (Marion, Amare and Nash) and some excellent role players (JJ and JJ). They don't have a whole lot after that, as evidenced by the subs playing time.
Anyway, here's how I think the Mavs lost versus the Suns winning: how many layups and put-backs did the Mavs miss? How many times in a row did Nash curl to the foul line and hit a wide open 12-15 footer? Why did all of sudden in the fourth quarter did the Mavs stop driving the lane and start settling for long, contested jump shots? What happened to Michael Finley? None of that had anything to do with what the Suns were doing but everything to do with want-to. I agree with Doug Collins when he said, with about four minutes left in the game, that the Suns just "wanted" it more. Josh Howard lost his cool. Finley couldn't hit. Terry, Dirk, Stack all quit driving. Stoudamire had four fouls! How can you not realize that and attack? I'm quite sure Avery Johnson pointed that out. Stack, Dirk and Terry all resorted to one move, the reverse spin, and the Suns knew it was coming and didn't bite. That was it. Once the Suns defense quit biting on the reverse spin, the Mavs players didn't know what to do and passed the ball away. Also, waaaayyyyy too many boneheaded TO's by the whole team.
Go ahead...tell me how much better the Suns are. Talent-wise, I don't buy it. Attitude-wise, the Suns are, right now, on a higher level. The Mavs have two games to find a winner's attitude.

May 19th, 2005, 06:44 PM	#8
KP Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	I really didn't think the Mavs could win in six. I do think they can win in seven. I'm sure AZCards or SunsFan or even BTown will disagree, but the Mavs LOST this last game more than the Suns WON the game. The Suns are a great team. They have three outstanding players (Marion, Amare and Nash) and some excellent role players (JJ and JJ). They don't have a whole lot after that, as evidenced by the subs playing time. Anyway, here's how I think the Mavs lost versus the Suns winning: how many layups and put-backs did the Mavs miss? How many times in a row did Nash curl to the foul line and hit a wide open 12-15 footer? Why did all of sudden in the fourth quarter did the Mavs stop driving the lane and start settling for long, contested jump shots? What happened to Michael Finley? None of that had anything to do with what the Suns were doing but everything to do with want-to. I agree with Doug Collins when he said, with about four minutes left in the game, that the Suns just "wanted" it more. Josh Howard lost his cool. Finley couldn't hit. Terry, Dirk, Stack all quit driving. Stoudamire had four fouls! How can you not realize that and attack? I'm quite sure Avery Johnson pointed that out. Stack, Dirk and Terry all resorted to one move, the reverse spin, and the Suns knew it was coming and didn't bite. That was it. Once the Suns defense quit biting on the reverse spin, the Mavs players didn't know what to do and passed the ball away. Also, waaaayyyyy too many boneheaded TO's by the whole team. Go ahead...tell me how much better the Suns are. Talent-wise, I don't buy it. Attitude-wise, the Suns are, right now, on a higher level. The Mavs have two games to find a winner's attitude.