Dirk (photo. Monte Isom)Remember a couple years ago when Tim Duncan played almost the entire season with a bad foot because the Spurs couldn’t afford to give him a rest and lose ground to the Mavs in the Southwest? At stake then was the difference between a #1-seed in the conference and a #4-seed. Yesterday, Dirk Nowitzki narrowly avoided a Shaun Livingston situation when he went down in the third quarter against San Antonio, and with the team saying he’ll miss at least two weeks (with a “lower leg injury” that we’ll know more about this afternoon), the Mavs should be worried about more than seeding. They’re looking at a scenario where they might fall completely out of the playoff picture. So it comes down to it, would they bring a less-than-100% Dirk back prematurely to stay in the race? At the moment Dallas is 7th in the West, and losing their go-to guy for a significant amount of time could be a kiss of death. Or as Jerry Stackhouse told reporters afterwards, “Everybody in the damn Dallas world knows that a lot that we do revolves around Dirk. He needs to heal up.” … The Spurs were in the middle of a 19-0 run when Dirk got carried off (they actually grabbed their first lead of the second half on the same play when Dirk got injured), which propelled them to the win … Isn’t it crazy that we’re even discussing not making the playoffs for a team that won almost 70 games a year ago? And seeing as Dallas is 0-8 against above-.500 teams since the J-Kidd trade, it doesn’t look good for them making it past the first round … How about Manu Ginobili (26 pts) and Stackhouse (19 pts) going at it? In addition to them giving each other buckets, Stack picked up one tech after he used Manu’s face to help him get up off the floor, then got his second tech after Manu picked his pocket and he went off on the refs … For one half, the Warriors put on a classic “Dupe a team into playing our style” clinic against the Lakers while building a 23-point lead going into the locker room. Said L.A. color commentator Stu Lantz: “It’s so enticing; you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I got an easy pass here.’ Next thing you know, you’ve got a turnover.” … Stephen Jackson scored 16 in the first quarter on what seemed like 20 shots. Imagine being one of S-Jack’s teammates and seeing him hit that on-the-run, off-the-glass three-pointer he hit near the end of the quarter. You’re thinking, “Damn, he’s NEVER gonna pass now.” When S-Jack wasn’t busting threes, Monta (31 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts) and Baron were in perma-fast break mode, running all over L.A.’s backcourt … In the second half, the Lakers got back to playing their game and clawed back. But late in the fourth, on the couple of occasions they cut the lead to one, S-Jack (31 pts, 6 threes) would stick a triple and give GS another cushion that they’d eventually hang onto for the W … Play of the game: Kobe running the Skills Challenge course on the Warriors’ transition defense and hitting Ronny Turiaf with a behind-the-back dish which Ronny turned into a cram on Kelenna Azubuike’s head … Typical Warriors defense: On one play Kobe (36 pts, 14 rebs, 8 asts) ran around a screen at the same time Lamar Odom (19 pts, 22 rebs, 4 blks) was posted near the free throw line. Both of them cut to the basket and both were wide open, so Luke Walton just threw a pass in the general area and let them choose who got it. Odom made the catch and threw down a dunk … Brandan Wright is good — too bad Nellie doesn’t really like playing rookies. He had 6 points, 5 boards and 3 blocks in just 11 minutes off the bench, and while he did get dunked on by Jordan Farmar, he also had a play where he snatched a Farmar shot high off the glass (and was called for a questionable goal-tend). GS could really use the kid’s length and rebounding in the postseason. You saw the Jazz series last year … During a replay of Dirk’s injury, Lakers’ play-by-play guy Joel Meyers said, “That hurts to watch.” Lantz came back with, “That’s why I didn’t watch it.” … The Raptors also blew a big lead against the Nuggets, only they were playing at home and they weren’t able to hang on. Carmelo dropped 33 points, mostly on Jamario Moon, while Allen Iverson hit for 36 against Anthony Parker … When the Raps’ could have mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, Chris Bosh was busy getting locked up by Kenyon Martin. Bosh (17 pts, 12 rebs, 9 asts) only got off one shot in the fourth. If K-Mart and a couple other Nuggets can play that kind of defense down the stretch, Denver can grab a playoff spot and maybe see the second round this time … Your winners of the George Mason Memorial “Everyone’s Favorite NCAA Tournament Underdog” award: Davidson. After taking out Gonzaga in the first round, Stephen Curry shot his squad past #2-seed Georgetown and into the Sweet 16. Davidson was down by as much as 17 and looked like they were headed home, with Curry having scored just five in the first half. Then he started getting open looks, the Hoyas’ offense deserted them, and Curry (30 pts) made another case for being a first-round pick if he went pro this summer … Meanwhile, Roy Hibbert’s line: 6 points, 1 rebound, and fouled out in 16 minutes … Tennessee edged out Butler in overtime to stamp their Sweet 16 ticket, where they’ll be joined by North Carolina (routed Arkansas), Louisville (routed Oklahoma), Villanova (who didn’t need a front line to beat Siena), Texas (closer than expected over Miami), Western Kentucky (led by Courtney Lee’s 29 points against San Diego), and Memphis (fighting off a tough Mississippi State squad) … The Memphis game didn’t seem like it would be close after Joey Dorsey (13 pts, 12 rebs, 6 blks) was swatting everything the Bulldogs put up in the lane in the first few minutes. That guy is built like a shorter Dwight Howard, and he’s got more of a mean streak. All the teams who will inevitably pass on him in the Draft are missing out on the next Jason Maxiell-type impact player … We’re out like Hibbert’s draft stock …
March 24th, 2008 at 4:48 am
jz_smoove says:
i think J-Kidd wants to get traded back to the Nets…hahaha
March 24th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Chris says:
Hahahah, that’s so funny.
Not.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:45 am
bill says:
how are the mavs doing against sub .500 trams?
March 24th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Herrschel says:
what about this derrek rose guy, didn’t saw alot of him in the game yesterday, isn’t he a projected top pick?
And what about Dirk, i didn’t actually saw a twist in that play?! Mavs could have won the game, but jason terry had an awkward play at the end, dude had an open look and bricked it very hard off the glas. only thing i can say is sharpshooter, lol.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:21 am
word says:
damn davidson and damn curry, knocked my team right out. that was a good game to watch though, i thought we were gunna win till the last couple minutes. oh well at least tennessee made it, 1 out of 2 ain’t bad. that was a good game too.
and dirk’s injury, wow. did yall see the shirt cuban had on “avery’s team”? what a douchebag like thats supposed to give us a message he doesn’t try to run his team, ok cuban he’s no doubt the hardest/most annoying owner any team has to deal with, i bet jay-z and usher (part owner of cavs) don’t bitch like he does (but when your a billionaire i guess you feel mightier). anyways i guess this is good for denver cuz now their in. the thing about that game was the mavs held on in the 4th at one point only down by 4. then s-house got ejected and the game was over just before that point. the look on cubans face was priceless when dirk went down, he was sulking like a little girl. i just don’t know if the mavs could have anything else go wrong, that team is doomed for some reason. ah well, i’m out like the mavs championship dreams.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Celts Fan says:
the ironic thing about the Dirk injury is that Brandon Bass is a better fit to run w/ JKidd than Dirk. He’s fast, athletic, and can catch the lobs Kidd loves to throw to the bigs. Not saying it makes the team better, but watch Kidd start having better individual games now that the Mavs should be more his style of team.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:35 am
rangerjohn says:
man all i can say is stackhouse is deserving of a suspension over his BS. fine you slam manu what ever, then pushing his face to the floor as you get up now your getting dirty, but to come after him again afterwords with his back to you while he is still on the floor that is complete bullshit and if bowen got suspended for the bump on chris paul, stackhouse is deserving as well.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Logan Light says:
I was at the Memphis game… I have NO DOUBT that Dorsey is going to be the next better, stronger, meaner, Ben Wallace… yeah, he struggles from the line. There was one play where Hanbrough drove right baseline and you could see Dorsey floating down from the free throw line - as soon as Hanbrough committed, it was a wrap. Beast.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:47 am
foscheezeeee says:
Dallas is toast. Would be surprised if they made the playoffs. They should think about rebuilding and blowing the team up. Or plea to King David to be moved to the Eastern Conference next season. Dallas is sorta in East Texas you know.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Celts Fan says:
see how the Lottery plays out first before you talk about rebuilding in Dallas. If Dallas misses the Playoffs, imagine what kind of pick they could get.
Dorsey is a beast, don’t know bout Ben Wallace, but he’s an NBA player a la Reggie Evans at worst.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:38 am
foscheezeeee says:
Dallas don’t have a chance Celts fan. Look at the West. Off the top of my head, LA,Phoenix,S.A.,N.O.,Houston, are definitely better than Dallas and you could argue Utah,Golden State and Denver. The scary thing only S.A and Phoenix are aging teams. The others will be contenders for years with their line ups. And Portland will be better. I don’t think the Harris/Kidd deal was bad, but ever since the GS/Dallas series last year things have not been the same. Trust me, I was a witness to this debacle.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:00 am
fallinup says:
I’m with Celts Fan here…missing the playoffs wouldn’t be bad at all. It’s a heavy draft class…and a pick in the lottery would be gold for Dallas. I think it’s be better for Dallas if Dirk isn’t 100% to just miss the playoffs all together other than gimping their way to a first round exit. All in all though, this sucks for the Mavs.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Njagge says:
Curry reminds me of Reggie Miller, just a little shorter. He’s a killer.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Brown says:
I’ve been saying the same thing about Brandan Wright all year. He fits the Warriors style perfectly and he produces when he gets minutes. Nellie has done wonders for the franchise, but if they want to make noise in the playoffs, they gotta find someone who can rebound and block shots from the 4 spot. Al Harrington ain’t gettin’ it done.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:39 am
doc says:
See all them Knick fans talk about Zeke and when yall put that Knick article out they was talking about getting Hibbert.Yall terrible just like him.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:58 am
AB_40 says:
Imagine minnesota drafting michael beasley and Joey Dorsey. IN three years that frontline dorsey, jefferson, beasley that’s tought to beat
March 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Celts Fan says:
don’t forget Chris Richard and Craig Smith too. That’s a big front line!
March 24th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Mike C says:
That Kobe play was the best play of the year, hands down.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Austin Burton says:
I wouldn’t go that far, but it was sick.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:25 am
isotope says:
i’m back!!!
Kobe for MVP
…making the lottery is not that much of a consolation this year. Not with Dallas’ record. They’d definitely have a better record than all of the Eastern Conf lottery teams and most likely the West lottery teams. Thatd make them the best lottery team and possible the worst non-playoff pick. The draft is deep but not that deep.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Gary Lee says:
how the hell does stu lantz get mentioned TWICE in my daily smack? . . . i get enough of that guy during the broadcasts with his “Mister Mo(mentum)” antics and his 3rd person dialogues! . . . . and JOEL MYERS???? Chick is rolling in his grave right now . . . anyways, great game last night at Staple - GSW came out and pounced on us. You can really see how much not having BOTH our Centers really hurt, but it’s all good . . . Dallas is out, Denver is in . . . Bynum’s coming back 5 bames before the playoffs, so I think we’re gonna be ready for anyone who comes at us! . . BRING ON THE CELTICS!
March 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
doc says:
Celtics not coming Gary.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
GEE...Spring Break should be a national month long holiday and break! says:
Been a week already crap!
First off Houston up!
From 1st to 5th, could have been worst. Still, Houston is going to have to finish strong in these last 12. Not really worried just would like one of those 1-4 seeds better. Anyway like I always say with the West beating up the West it just makes the road somewhat easier for Houston. They still got to handle business though.
Has Manu ever tried to fight back?!?! I don’t remember him ever trying to go at someone. Have to think Stackhouse would have thought twice had that been a diff. player. I still think Stack would have done it, but at least thought about the consequences. He knew it wssn’t any with Manu.
Golden State just got plain retarded in that game early on. I don’t see how Kobe and crew caught up. That is Golden State though. LA will most def. be looking for revenge!
Uh oh Toronto, Jose better start using that excellent shooting percentage to drop buckets!
Atl. is most def. gone get in the playoffs. For what though? Cause they don’t want no paaaarrrrrrtzzzz of Boston!
Why Georgetown Why? That one hurt bad! Curry straight went LeBron vs. Detroit last year on em! Dude is nice.
Still hurts though.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Raheim says:
Hibbert is a BUM
March 24th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
djKianoosh says:
I do believe hibbert is a bit overrated. but maybe it’s just his body language.. he just seems slow and too methodical, not enough fire, you know? but you can’t teach height. he’ll be a top 10 pick easy, just on height alone. right?