MVP!
We had the typical names listed as MVP candidates: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki. Some did speak of Davis but not very much. As the Mavericks rolled, the Suns ran teams off the floor, and Kobe Bryant continued to amaze those three ascended to the top of the talk again.

But after watching this series I believe Baron Davis should be the MVP. Without him this team probably does not make the playoffs. Without him they definitely don't beat the Mavericks.

He got hurt early in tonight's game and it looked like he might not come back. Even when he first entered the game he looked like he would be totally ineffective, a liability even. Instead, he reached within himself and played a beautiful game leading his team to a convicing victory over the hapless Dallas Mavericks.

Baron Davis, who I think is a jerk make no mistake, has tremendous heart. He did everything he could to will his team to victory (not just in the playoffs but in the late part of the season). The crowd rang out with chants of MVP and I couldn't agree more.

Golden State Warriors
There seems to be a stereotype that plagues the NBA, two actually. First, if you have a run-and-gun offense you can't or don't play defense. Two, if you are coached by Don Nelson you aren't concered with defense. Both are false. While Nellie certainly emphasises offensive production he did a good job of stopping the Mavs. The Warriors played swarming, attacking defense that forced the Mavericks into mistakes.

That's a big deal; you don't have to take the ball away, you just make them give it up. That's what the Warriors did. They attacked the ball handlers so fast they got flustered and lost composure, especially Dirk Nowitzki. Warriors basketball is fun basketball, high scoring and high pressure. High intensity on both ends of the floor. The Warriors have a lot of heart and it will be fun to see how far that heart takes them.

Dirk Nowitzki
Wow. Just wow. Talk about a guy with a ton of talent and absolutely no heart. Rather than responding with aggression and confidence when challenged he just curls up with a David Hasselhoff tape and some ice cream. Dirk Nowitzki is in no way a leader and should not be handed the reigns of a team.

Dirk needs a new home; the Mavericks need a new focus. How can the team collectively have heart if their so-called leader has none? Perhaps Josh Howard can turn things around. He was the Mavs best player during the series and maybe his desire can fuel the Mavericks to victory?

Whatever happens it's time for Dirk to move on. It was a good run, but he clearly doesn't have what it takes to take the Mavericks home. The Mavericks should look to get a true big man who can get on the block and beat some people up. I thought they made a good choice in keeping Dirk and not trading for Shaq, but I guess I was wrong.

In a related matter I'm selling two Dirk Nowitzki jerseys. One home and one away, both in mint condition as they are far too big for me to actually wear.

Mavericks Next Step
First, they must trade Dirk Nowitzki. The longer they waste time on him the longer it will be before they get to the Finals again. They can still get some good value for him and he'll make a great role-player on another team.

Perhaps they should send him to LA? Kobe Bryant basically gave the organization an ultimatum: get me some help or I'm out of here after next year. Dirk would provide some great help. Get him back on the perimetter where a weak player like him belongs and watch the threes drop.

The Mavericks could get maybe Lamar Odom and Luke Walton in return or maybe Vladimir Radmanovic? I think they should definitely go after Odom. Another possibility could be to send him to the Timberwolves but I fear what else they'd have to give up for Garnett. I'd rather keep Dirk on the roster, maybe as a 6th man?

How Far Will They Go?
Back to the Warriors. I think they'll beat either the Jazz or the Rockets. Phoenix versus San Antonio will be a good one. I like the Spurs (and will root for them) but part of me hopes/thinks Phoenix will win and we'll have Phoenix vs Golden State in the Western Conference Finals. Now that will be some exicting basketball!

I'm calling Chicago over Detroit. Chicago's playing well and I really like their dynamic. Ben Wallace has given them a real presence in the paint and their roster is solid. It's going to 7 games but I'm picking da Bulls. Cleveland over which ever team they face ultimately to fall to Chicago!

Phoenix over the Bulls in the Finals (6 games tops) and Steve Nash gets himself a title.

Final Thought on Mavs-Warriors
They say it's all about matchups, well I guess it's true. The Warriors had the Mavericks number all season. The Mavericks showed they were afraid of them by sitting the starters in the last regular season game against them. They said they were resting them but I'm pretty sure Avery only wanted the subs to lose so he's team wouldn't be traumatized. Turns out they were anyway.

The Warriors showed heart and deserved to win this series. But I hate Matt Barnes. Mostly for the hair, and I think he's a punk. I hate Stephen Jackson, cause he's a punk and nothing but. And I don't really like Baron Davis, just cause I think he has a bad attitude. But they played with heart and won the series. For that I give them credit and I really do like watching Warriors basketball. But now that my Mavs are out my loyalty shifts to the steady Spurs. Let's go San Antonio!

Who will win the Western Conference Finals?

A few months back it looked like the Spurs and Mavs were near locks for the Western Conference Finals and the Rockets looked to go deep in the playoffs.

Now, only one of those three teams has one and it's not one of the two you'd expect.

Houston Rockets
The team that was the most questionable during the season is now the only one with a victory under its belt.

Tracy McGrady lead the Houston Rockets to a solid victory over the Utah Jazz. The Jazz started the season strong, then faultered a little, only to end the season playing well. Jerry Sloan is a hall-of-fame coach with real talent on his team. Carlos Boozer, Andre Kirilenko, Memhet Okur, and, of course, Matt Harpring anchor a strong team. But, this time Tracy McGrady wanted it more.

T-Mac played the way he's supposed to play and lead the Rockets over the Jazz. For the first time in his career he has homecourt and is hoping that will help propel him beyond the first round for the first time.

The Rockets and Jazz are both good, evenly matched teams. Either team could really win this series but I'm expecting the Jazz to turn it up. I just don't believe in the Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady connection and think it will break down again this year. Houston's been hot at times but I expect given time Utah will emerge triumphant.

San Antonio Spurs
Continue Reading and Be Sure to Vote in My New Poll!

Mavs Set NBA Record

There's no question the best conference in the NBA is the Western Conference. And chances are nine of anyone's top ten teams will hail from the other side of the Mississippi. With the possibly exception of the Detroit Pistons, I would be completely shocked if an Eastern Conference team took home the title.

With that said there's been a great deal of debate about who the Best team in the Western Conference, and therefore the NBA, is. I've seen people arguing about how this team or that team is better than their record suggests. Or how they'll #### up the heat in the playoffs. Or how their winning streak is the deffinition of greatness.

Specifically, I've heard about how the Phoenix Suns are going to be the NBA champions after this season is over. I've heard about how their "historic" winning streak is a message to the rest of the NBA. I've seen people outright pick the Suns over the Mavs in the playoffs. But after this how can you really believe that?

I know some will be cute and will say, "they beat the Hawks. The Hawks suck, this is meaningless." What about the 19 other teams they've beaten on their home court? Or all the other teams they've been in their 12-game winning streaks? The Suns have been included in one of those streaks. The Mavericks have also beaten every team that they could face in the playoffs. That's something the Suns can't claim.

Personally, I can't wait for the Western Conference playoffs. There are some great teams out there. The Spurs are heating up, Rockets are battling, Suns are awesome, Jazz, Nuggests, Clippers, and Lakers are all making some noise.

But it's undeniable the Dallas Mavericks are the best team in the Western Conference and the Best team in the NBA. No one can challenge them and I'm fully confident they will beat any of those teams in the playoffs and beat their opponent from the East to finally capture the trophy.

Now we've got three game sevens to look forward to. One is tonight between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers. The next two are on Monday night in Pheonix and San Antonio respectively.

The Cavs shocked everybody when they actually won not one but two games. The biggest surprise was when they stole a game in Detroit and went up by one game on the team many NBA "experts" had stated would win the title easily and were "quite frankly" bored with the game.

Then LeBron James came alive and the kid some say is the next Michael Jordan (haven't heard that before) lead his team to a three game win streak. Of course, the Pistons won game 6 in Cleveland but they were certainly on the ropes.

Next, we've got the Clippers and the Suns. This series has gone back and forth. Neither team has won back to back games and it will be interesting to see who steps up on Monday. The Clippers have a serious shot at defeating the Suns but Pheonix's firepower could be too much. I think the Clips are the most likely underdog to pull off the upset. How amazing would a Mavs-Clips Western Conference finals be? I mean just over five years ago neither of these teams were near the top of the heap. Now, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to see them in the next round.

Finally, the Mavs-Spurs. I think this will be the most competitve of the three game 7's, based solely on the way this series has played out. The Mavs stole a game in San Antonio by blowing out the Spurs in Game 2 but that was clearly a fluke. Now, they'll have to prove they have the ability to bounce back from two striaght loses and win on the road. The Spurs are clutch, especially in elimination games, and have the killer instinct that experience provides.

I think that's what the Mavs lack and what will ultimately cost them this series. They've had their chance to knock the Spurs off but just couldn't push them over the edge. If they lose Monday it'll be a bitter pill to #### and may help them develop that instinct for next year. However, a win on Monday would help more and this series will make them better for the next round.

I haven't broken down the numbers but statistically one of these road teams has to win right? I mean I read that something like only 18% of road teams have won game 7's. So that's less than a quarter of the time. We've already had one other seven game series (Pheonix-Lakers) so there's one. We've got three more so the numbers are looking a little better. It's still tough for a road team to win an elimination game but I think the Clippers and Mavericks, especially, have a fair shot at winning their games. I wouldn't put it past the King and a returning Hughes to win in Detoit, either, but I think that's the least likely victory.

Clippers win, Spurs win, Pistons win.

This was a good year. The Mavericks played hard but Dirk showed he's the only one on the team ready for the big time. Everyone else played flat tonight and the Spurs deserved the win. The Mavericks will have to find a way to remain cohesive cause this is good mix of youth and experience they have going.

If they can convince Van Horn he's a good role player and keep him and keep Terry then they're a serious threat next year. I hope they can develop Podkolzin but they'll have to make a decision on Diop and Mbenga as to what their futures look like. If they retain all of them then they'd have 4 centers! Or at least 4 guys playing the center position.

Devin Harris is a good young talent but I think he's still a bit raw. I like his energy but I think he tries to create too much for himself. He did a much better job in the playoffs but the old habit reared its ugly head tonight and caused him to blow some big time shots.

While this series still has one game left I think the Spurs heart may just be too big for the Mavs. They've got talent, experience, and will and have won two straight games. Game 7 is on their floor and the Mavs just don't seem to want it as much (well, except for Dirk).

Perhaps if Terry plays well in game 7 they have a shot but I think they blew it this season. The Spurs will beat the Suns or Clips and I think it's going to be a rematch of last year's finals. We've still got some good series to go and a few exciting game 7's to watch.

This is what NBA basketball is all about. These matchups should be like this, going down to the wire. I just hope the Conference Finals and NBA Finals are as good.

Soon, like I have for almost every year the past several, I'll have to learn not to hate the Spurs (for beating the Mavs) so I can cheer them on the rest of the way. But for now: GO MAVS!

Before Game 2 Avery Johnson shook up the Mavericks' roster in such a way as to help them out run the defending World Champions. And it worked. Until, of course, last night. Keith Van Horn made his glorious return by absorbing some of the fouls the refs will call on whoever tries to guard Tim Duncan. And not much else.

The real returns that will make an impact are in Game 6. And the most important is the possible return of 38-year old Darrell Armstrong. I think Armstrong's importance to this Mavericks team has been under rated. I believe Darrell Armstrong helped in the Mavericks' turn around from a team which simply outscored others to one that could actually shut other teams down.

Darrell is quick, tough, and a strong defender. I had been asking why Avery didn't put him in there to defend Parker but he's had a knee contusion. Assuming it's not bad enough he could get in the game for a few minutes in Dallas and provide a little breather for Harris or Terry. Besides that he's full of heart and could add a spark to the team in one of its low moments in Game 6 (especially when he flies down the court and blocks a much bigger guy's shot off the backboard, dangerous but energizing).

And the other possible roster move would be one that would take some pressure off of Dampier and Diop. That would be to insert 7'5" Russian second year player Pavel Podkolzin. Now, Pavel's not going to shut down Ducan or really do too much else BUT he takes up a ton of space. And when Parker or anyone else drives the line seeing a monster like that plugging up the middle is disheartening (at least for a little while).

After a few minutes the Spurs would adjust to his presence and realize they can pretty much get around him anytime they want but he would provide a few moments of confusion for the Champs and in a series like this, the game's turn on moments. Now, he'd probably pick up 6 fouls in 6 minutes cause he'd be defending Duncan but at least those fouls wouldn't go against Dampier or Diop. And maybe as he's standing striaght up with his arms raised and "fouls" Ducan as Timmy turns into his chest, he may throw off Duncan's shot enough to force him to earn two-points from the line.

As far as putting Podkolzin in I'm pretty much joking. It may actually work but I wouldn't try it with this much on the line. As far as Armstrong though, I'm entirely serious. He drives to the hole quickly and defends like a son of a ####. He could provide a key lift by helping contain Parker and give Harris some time to get air in his lungs. I think if Armstrong is feeling well at all they should put him in the game.

This is the elimination game for the Mavericks. If they lose this game then the Spurs will complete the comeback at home in game 7. Johnson must pull out all the stops Friday night or else the Mavericks will again fall just short of getting over the hump.

Now if you look at my profile you'll see I'm a fan of both teams. However, the Mavericks are one with the Spurs and Bulls jostling for number two. I've loved this series. I've loved watching the Mavericks win with the only disappointment being game one which they should've won but let get away in the end.

So, a big thing I've been hearing is about the officiating. Everyone's all upset about the Mavericks getting the calls. Like Terry flopping when Ginobili hit him on his jumper. Yeah that was a flop. But so what? So Ginobili fouled out? So Tim Duncan had the ball in his hands with time ticking away and was facing Dampier one-on-one. All he had to do was make that shot. He didn't. He missed and cost the Spurs the game.

This brings up two points. First of all, as much as I love Manu, he is the best (worst) flopper in the game. Every time he can he makes it look like someone on the other team absolutely unloaded on him. Take the time when he was dribbling down the court and cut Josh Howard off. Then acted like Howard had jumped down from the stands and stuck his leg out at the last second. If they give Howard a foul for that then Terry deserved to get one for Manu jumping back into him.

Then another point. Tim Duncan gets every call. All he has to do is get Diop or Dampier to move. Hell, they don't even have to move. All he has to do is turn and shot and Damp or Diop get called. Even if the Mavericks center stands straight up with arms raised and doesn't even rotate his hips they call a foul. Duncan drove to the basket in game 4 one time with Dampier standing straight up, arms straight up. Duncan went right around him and got the layup. Dampier had conceded the shot and didn't even swing his arms and make a true effort to block it. Duncan made it and then like five minutes later a foul was called.

Timmy gets a foul called on almost every possession in which he takes a shot. No matter who's guarding him or what they do, they foul him. Don't give me this #### about officiating. Manu deserves an Oscar and Duncan gets the All-Star treatment (except for that charge they called a block). The officials are people and will always give the benefit of the doubt to Manu over Howard or Duncan over Dampier or Nowitzki over Barry. It only gets harry when two All-Stars collide then the refs actually have to try to be objective.

The Mavericks are winning this series cause they're out hustling and out playing the Spurs. The Spurs look tired, beat up, and sad. Unless they revert to their old selves quick and stop relying on Duncan to do everything for them then they'll be the second best team in Texas.

The Pistons are the best team thus far this season. The Spurs are right behind them. I didn't mention the Mavs because this is about the past several years not just this year. The Pistons are Spurs have consitently been the two best teams for a few years now. I love watching these two teams play because they're very much about the "team." Name the best player on the Pistons. Chances are you disagree with plenty of other people. Ben Wallace? Rasheed? Chauncy Billups? Rip Hamilton? Tayshaun Prince? They're all good and all important to the team.

Obviously Tim Duncan is considered almost universally as the Spurs best player but an argument can be made for Ginobili. These two teams combine a lot of talent but there aren't a lot of bona fide "superstars." In thirty years who will be remembered from these two teams as individuals? A few perhaps but their talent isn't what's won them championships. What's won them championships is consistency. These teams have maintained their core for a while now. Some changes here and there (Rasheed in the Championship year) but these teams have been together for a while now. This is what's won them so many games particularly playoff games.

This is something that the other teams should take under advisement. The Miami Heat went out after a playoff season and got Shaq (good move). Then after barely missing the finals they revamp their entire roster. They lost again to the team that beat them last year. Was this move the right move to make? For a video game, absolutely, the talent level went up but chemistry is maybe more important. Teams have to gel to make a run and it takes something special to gel in one season. A few new players is one thing but completely reshaping the team may be a mistake.

A few seasons ago the Lakers signed Karl Malone and Gary Payton to go out and get a championship. They failed. Why? Chemistry. There was so much talent on the team they almost made it but their lack of chemistry (and the great chemistry of the Pistons) lead to their downfall. The Mavericks dismantled their team after every season and never did any better than the prevrious year. After they finally keep a team together they're one of the top three teams in the league.

"Defense wins championships!" No. Chemistry combined with talent wins championships. The play of the team (whether offensive or defensive) is directly affected by this. This is why the Pistons and Spurs have been so good for so long. This is why they are the top two teams again this season. It's all about chemistry. If you don't have chemistry you won't take home the trophy.