Generally, I try to avoid "picking" opponents to play in the postseason. In 2008, myself and most Mavericks fans badly wanted to play the Hornets, when the alternatives were the Jazz, Lakers, and Spurs.
Well, we got what we wanted, and then were summarily ousted by the Hornets in five games, and we had the luxury of being the punch-line to Chris Paul's emergence as the best point guard in the game.
This season, I played the game a little bit. "Let's avoid the Lakers," "Don't wanna see those Nuggets," "The Jazz are pretty scary," and of course "F#*k those f@%king Spurs."
One of the teams I really wanted to avoid was the Thunder. I had flashbacks to 2008, except this time it would be Kevin Durant taking his team to another level, all at the consequence of my beloved Mavericks.
The Lakers are the team everyone wants to avoid as long as possible, for two reasons. 1) There's always the chance someone could upset them in the first or second round. After all, it is pretty difficult to win the West three times in a row; and 2) With the health of Kobe, Bynum, and others in jeopardy, the more they play, the less effective they could ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Alex McVeigh
NBA Playoffs: For the Dallas Mavs, Western Conference Is Ripe for the Picking
April 16th, 2010 by Alex McVeigh Leave a reply »
Advertisement