HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – The scheduling powers that be didn’t do the Mavericks any favors with a late-game slate that saw them play six games in 10 days, while fighting with the Los Angeles Lakers for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.
A 3-3 mark during that stretch, including three straight losses, prompted these words of wisdom from Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, “It could be worse. It could be in the playoffs.”
Those aren’t exactly the sort of inspiring words you’re looking for at this stage of the season from the catalyst of a contender. But reality hit the Mavericks square in the face the past six games, including last night’s loss to Portland (above) without Tyson Chandler.
More from our main man Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News:
“We got to get back to doing what we do on both ends of the floor,” said Jason Terry. “Obviously, we didn’t have Tyson out there. He’s a big part of what we do. And we’re not very good without him.
“You don’t have Tyson Chandler, so your defense is going to take a hit. He’s a big part of our success.”
The road trip ended up as something between a disappointment and a disaster. The Mavericks went 3-3 and the two games that were most important – the Lakers and Blazers – were both blowout losses.
“Six in 10 days is no fun,” Jason Kidd said. “But it’s on the schedule. We’ll look back at those last three and we got some things that we have to get better at. We missed some wide-open looks. That’s been the case this whole road trip. But the big thing is we go back home. We just have to finish up, get some more wins and get ready for the playoffs.”
As Nowitzki said, the Mavericks don’t have any real reason to panic right now. They lost three games in a row, but they have no chance to catch the Lakers and now with the third seed looking like a lock, they will likely rest some of their key players in the final five games.
“Worried is a bit much,” Nowitzki said when asked if he was worried. “You go through ups and downs in a season. Obviously, it’s a little late in the season to go through a down. That’s a little disappointing. But it could be worse. It could be in the playoffs.
“We need some home cooking now. Hopefully, we’ll have Tyson back and then we got to go for it again. We got to play better, get more out of myself. Jet hasn’t been there on this trip. J-Kidd’s got to make some shots. Just all across the board.”
When NBA TV and TNT analyst Chris Webber called the Mavericks out for being “soft” last week, it seemed a bit harsh. It seemed like he was tagging them with an old stereotype that really didn’t fit anymore.
Then again … when is Caron Butler, Mr. Tuff Juice himself, coming back?
Maybe “soft” is a bit too strong. But to us Mavs fans it’s looking too familiar. Only that Jet and Kidd are already starting to fail at the end of the regulars.
I’m quite sure that only the Spurs and the Mavs are able to stop the Lakers in the West – and only if the whole team performs as they are able to. None of the Mavs seem to be able to do this now. Not even Dirk, even if he’s still able to deliver an average performance.
Note: I know that Dirk wears the 41. My nick has nothing to with DN except that we share the same first name
I still believe in the Mavs even a lot of the analyst says that they will choke in the playoffa…but certainly they needed Chandler and Butler…they are a deeper team this season and with there team complete…I will not be surprise if they beat L.A or the Spurs..but for now lets hope that they will gather themselves before playoffs begin..
Mavs got to get though if they want to beat LA in the post season. Chandler needs help on the inside and they need to be more aggressive. But from the looks of LA last night they got banged up pretty good against the Nuggest so they might not be 100% going into the playoffs. If Mavs played them the same way it would be easy for them to win.
this season is starting to look like every other for the mavs…they play good all year and hit a slump going into the playoffs
You won’t get past Portland !
I like Chris Webber,I think he is a smart dude and have a incredibly great knowledge of basketball game.But calling the Mavs a soft team is no fair.I think Chris can be a little ignorant sometimes.
idk what to say,maybe mavs need a refresh and relax after the regular seasons games,and be ready at playoffs.dirk can handle the things with terry and kidd.i hope chandler and butler will be back at playoffs,thats cud be a really big help for the Mavs.Dirk can’t handle all the games.but i believe on Mavs!History repeat it self but this time,mavs will be the Champ! Go MAVS!
no one can beat the lakers specially when they are intact in the playoffs and play as a team and kobe as what he does best..lakers-chicago in the finals..lakers 3-peat!!!
Nope it ain’t about Kobe this year. He’s doing horrible when they have to rely on him; 10 of 27 last night and had about 10 games that bad this season. LA has been on a roll because EVERYONE is playing hard. But Kobe’s injuries and performance will get exploited in the playoffs and they had better hope the injury scare with Gasol doesn’t come back. Anyway I think they will go to the west finals but not the NBA finals.
The mavs, should FEAR what is comming. ALL mav’s fans should hope and pray that the blazers have to play the lakers and not the Mavs first. If a Blazers – Mavs matchup happens, it wont be the Mavs choking, it will be the Blazers crushing them in 5 games. Last night was just a little preview. Wait and see how ROY gets at playoff time.
A couple of days ago I was pretty irked at what Chris Webber said. Looking at it now, he has a point and reading the quote from Dirk saying “it could be worse” kind of makes me think that it’s understandable for him to get called out like that. Nobody should get criticized like that on TNT, however if and when that happens to a franchise pro athlete they should use those harsh words against them as fire to light under their #$@. Instead after another loss to Portland, Dirk basically dismisses the losses in a complacent manner. Sorta like “Agh who really cares, there just losses, it’s not the real thing”. In the pros being competitive and having fire in your demeanor(if you emotionally express it or not on the court) to get the gold is the essence and only essence in sports leagues. Perceiving this from Dirk and the public perception of Dirk as an unappreciated player just may make sense. If I was in his shoes especially after getting ripped on TNT, losing to an 8th seeded team in an MVP year, losing the 2006 Finals dishonorably(especially after a 2-0 lead), I would have developed some form of serious gumption as the leader of the team than just going through the motions as it seems in his demeanor. Never the less, Dirk is a future hall of famer and the greatest basketball player of all time to come out of the Fatherland. With that being said, maybe he should seriously change his competitive approach to the game and perhaps, out of some fantastic turn of events he could prove the nay-Sayers wrong with the little years he has left.
Much fortune to Dirk and the Mavs(you all will need it)
I just wish them the best. I like their style no matter what, I stand by what i see and believe that this team can go really far.
WTH!! is Chris Webber is talking bout?…Webber you suck!!!
this years blazers team is stacked at almost every position…… center being the exception. i dont think any of the top three seeds in the west wants Portland in the first round, but i can tell you as both a Portlander and extreme blazers fan we want the mavs cuz its the best possible match up………. but i wouldn,t mind the fakers either…. F$%K the lakers!! RIP CITY BABY!!!!!
Another Blazer fan here. Mavs would be ideal, Spurs the next best, then the Thunder, followed by the Lakers. Lakers are playing out of their mind right now, and we’ve beaten the other three lately. But the Thunder have a dominant inside presence we’re yet unable to match, so while we can overcome it some nights we can’t on others so I’ll place them third. Mavs are the easy matchup – play interior D and cover Dirk, Barea and Terry and you’ve beaten them with our lineup. Kidd never has big nights on us – but Barea has killed the Blazers over and over in the past. If you can slow him down and keep a hand in Dirk and Terry’s faces, you can beat them. For the Blazers, this is easy because Aldridge likes to go out on PFs to 18-20 feet, and Matthews and Rudy like getting up on shooters like Terry. On the offensive end we’re doing just fine right now, so if that doesn’t collapse, we could win in 5.
Wow! I thought it was only Heat fans that hated and disrespected the Lakers so bad. Hey a Portland fan just joined the mix. Honestly, even Boston fans are more respectful! And San Antonio fans, with 4 championships of their own, are very respectful. I just think it’s all about respect of the opposition and giving credit where credit is due!
LAKERS vs. BULLS in NBA Finals
LA Lakers will try to win and get another 3-peat. Who would be the best choice to stop them?
the former winners of 2 three-peats – the Chicago Bulls will try their best preventing the LA Lakers in repeating their
historic feat..
at least even they lost 3 games in a row they don’t cry like the heats
too soft???????? not realy, its just come that the team relaxad in the last trhee games because of fatigue… six games in ten days… but don’t worry,home games are coming and mavs will win it all and go the playoffs with high moral… LETS GO MAVS… ON JUNE,,,,, THE MAVS WILL BE CROWN AS WORLD CHAMPS…. LETS GO MAVS…….. HI DIRK
It’s alright, i believe in mavs! The important thing is they’ll be in the playoff healthy and ready to bang up.
Mavs is my favorite basketball that i even named my son from it.
Mavs is my favorite basketball team that i even named my son from it.