I have been waiting for this time of the playoffs since the end of the season. It seems that this matchup has, and is going to be a staple of the Western Conference Playoffs. Of course, I am talking about the Western Conference Semifinal series between the rivals San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. It is the Battle of IH-35. And the Winner will probably play the Suns in the Western Conference Playoffs.

The Spurs and the Mavs have played each other four times in the season, each winning two out of the four games. That was just a foreshadowing of what this series should be. San Antonio, after getting a tough series from the Sacramento Kings, will be questioned thouroughly of how fatigue of playing two nights ago, plus the travel times, will affect their play. Especially since the Mavs took care of the Memphis Grizzlies in four. The Mavs will probably be fresher in the sense that they have had a pretty long layoff in between series. It will be contrasting styles at work though. San Antonios game is playing stifling Defense, and creating turnovers so that they can get the ball on the fastbreak to score easy points. For the Mavs, their defense has gotten better than a year ago, but thier main style is the fast paced, score till the sun sets type of offense. The Mavs must score at least 110 on San Antonio for them to have a shot at beating the Spurs.

So, something has got to give. If anything from the Sac Series has told people; although San Antonio did give up some points, they can run down the court and score points. But, as well, they can stop the quick Bibby and Wells. The big thing is for SA, is which team will come out and play tomorrow. They have showed two different squads, none of which have showed themselves consistently. The Spurs have the firepower in Bowen, Horry and Barry for the outside shot, and Parker, Manu and Timmy D can create on the inside. However, they all must show their game consistently, if they falter here, SA might not have the offensive power to hang with the Mavs. For the Mavs, its pretty simple, if SA plays their game like they should, then the Mavs will not be able to run their offense correctly. Dallas would be finished.

The Mavs and Spurs will play one of the greatest series in the NBA Playoffs this year. Both teams have split the season series, and both are capable of winning in the clutch. I can see this game going to seven games. A true battle. SA will win this one in 7.

Its a shame that ABC or ESPN cannot see this, as they put SA and Dal on the noon time game on Sunday. They put Lebron, and his sorry Cavs against the Pistons in the late time slot. That wont even get to 5 games, Detroit sweeps the Cavs, and Lebron will do his dissapearing act when he is under the magnifying glass.

I'm ready for this one, lets go San Antonio

Hook em and Go Miners

Dave Tippett, coach of the Dallas Stars had better hope for a miracle.

Because one more loss in the first round series between the Stars and Avs will not only knock off the 2nd seeded Stars, but might arouse Dallas Stars fans to want him to be fired. Especially after the Stars fell tonight in Overtime 4-3, the second straight OT loss in two games. Tonights loss, though, was especially pathetic. Dallas was up 3-2 in the third, and held that lead for 19 minutes. Then, in the last minute, Andrew Brunette launched a powerplay goal past Marty Turco to tie it at three, going to OT for the second straight game. In OT, the Stars seemed uninspired, they seemed uninterested, kind of like a "here we go again" mentality. It showed as the Avs kept the puck in their zone for the beginning thirty seconds of OT. The Stars could only manage to get the puck across to Colorados' zone once in the OT, but the Avs pressure was overwhelming the Stars, who did not seem as if they had the will to win. Alex Tanguays score, which glanced off a Stars defensemans skate,  with only 1:09 off the clock beat the Stars 4-3.

This was dissapointing to me, and mind boggling. I understand that seeding and rank mean nothing, I have seen many NCAA basketball tournaments to see that happen. Also, the team they are playing are the Colorado Avalance, they have always turned on the heat when the playoffs come around. But, the thing that gets me, is that all year long, the Stars have played absolutely well, they even flirted with getting home-ice advantage thruought the entire playoffs, and getting the 1 seed. However, now, it just seems that they were never ready for the playoffs, in the first place. They seemed they were expecting Colorado to bow down just because they were the 2 seed. To be intimidated. Unfortuately, many teams do not lay down and die. The Stars have seen that the hard way. The avs have stolen three straight from Dallas, and need one more to knock off the Stars, which would be one of the biggest upsets of the year so far in the NHL playoffs. I am dissapointed with the players, they really have fallen when the pressure is on them to keep a lead, especially Turco.

Dave Tippett, who was contemplating on putting in Johan Hedburg to play in for Turco, who has played offal the last two games, kept with Turco. Why? Why Turco? We already saw the last couple of years that Turco melts in big games. Such as the Anaheim playoff series a couple of years ago, when Turco melted in OT. Let the backup try his luck, maybe Hedburg would've played better than Turco. But, its too late now. The Stars are now down 3-0, and facing elimination. Coming back in the NHL playoffs from a 3-0 defecit has not been done in a long time. I believe it was done in the 1940s, over 60 years ago. Don't hold your breath, Stars fans. I dont think even the great Mike Modano can save Dallas now.

Its going to have to be a miracle now

Hook em and Go Miners

I have got to be honest,

I am truly saddened that Ricky Williams has tested postitive for a fourth drug violation, and today, getting a full years suspension for the 2006 season. I think alot of people believed Ricky when he came back at the beginning of the season last year, and was ready to earn back respect from not only his teammates, but us, the fans as well. I was in this group.  Although he only played for a few of the games last season, to see Ricky run again was awesome. Though, he was the not same runner he was when he was at Texas, he nonetheless seemed content enough to go out there and play the game. He even, and still has, gotten support from Coach Nick Saban, who still regards Ricky as a hard worker. However, the Longhorns fan that I am, I am beginning to wane on patience for Ricky. UT fans have waited for a while for Ricky to develop, and do the fans proud. Unfortunately, we will probably have to wait longer for Cedric Benson to do Rickys job.

I remember when Ricky broke Tony Dorsetts record in Austin on November 27, 1998, when he ran the final 11 or so yards on a 60 yard touchdown on Texas A&M. Not only was it gratifying to see it done on the Aggies "Wrecking Crew" Defense, but to see the fans reactions to this event was a sight to see. That run basically won the Heisman for him. That will always be in my mind, one of the greatest Texas football moments in my short lifetime. Right next to James Browns miraculous throw on 4th and 1 in the Big XII championship game in 1996 to beat Nebraska, and Vince Youngs final TD to knock off USC in the Rose Bowl.

I know, this might come off as a bit mushy, but you got to understand, when Ricky was playing at Texas, I was only in the 6th grade. Ricky was one of my role models, and heroes that played at Texas, next to Major Applewhite and VY. To see him throw away his talent like that is dissapointing to me. He had the potential to be the next Earl Campbell, or the next Marcus Allen. He had it all, the speed, the strength, and the mindset on the field. However, what he lacked is common sense off it. Whether Ricky comes back to play or not is still a question for him to answer. He still owes money to Miami, something on the line of 8 million dollars. I probably still will watch Ricky if he does come back to the NFL, and watch him run, though I will always have that one thought in my mind: to think, what couldve been.

I guess the only positive thing that came out of this test, at least it wasnt pot.

Go Miners and Hook em