I'm sorry to interrupt whatever this thread has turned into but I didn't get a chance to comment after the game -- and it WAS a great game.
Just some thoughts of the game:
1) TD doesn't look healthy -- this HAS to be a concern for Spurs fans going into the playoffs.
2) Bowen was AWESOME -- he REALLY got into Dirk's head and kept him out of his game. Bowen bodied him up and played some very aggressive and physical D with just enough "trapping" that it kept Dirk guessing (that defense looked exactly like what the Lakers did to TD several years ago).
3) It was funny when Manu tried to be Bowen and play defense on Dirk!
4) Why do people even try to play Parker at the 3 point line? I don't get this at all -- he hasn't even had a 3 point attempt in like 5 games (or something like that) so you WANT him to jack up a shot. I'm just really surprised how many times the opponent allows him to drive past them to get to the basket (he had more points in the paint than anyone else on either squad) -- lay off him and dare him to shoot outside (and am I mistaken or has he been told NOT to shoot outside but to take it strong to the hoop?).
5) I thought Avery made a mistake by taking Diop out and putting Dampier into the game -- Diop was playing much better defense than Dampier was.
Prop to these heros:
Tony Parker -- blew right by people and took it to the hoop. Had more points in the paint than any other player in the game.
Bruce Bowen -- put on a phenomenal display of defense against Dirk. Add Pop's defensive scheme of running different players at him (different times, different players) and Dirk's offensive game was negated. Bowen really got into Dirk's head -- personally, I don't think he can do that every game. However, don't overlook Bowen's offensive game either -- how many big shots did he make?
Robert Horry -- everytime he had the ball when the Spurs needed a shot or the Mavs were trying to come back, Horry makes a huge shot.
Finley -- same with Horry.
Mohammed -- this guy was HUGE -- not as much offensively (although he did have a couple of big shots) but defensively this guy was all over the court. Perhaps others might not agree but I think Mohammed is KEY to the Spurs shot at another title -- if he can't play alongside TD, I don't think the Spurs can win (unless TD is 100%).
What I missed:
Manu being able to guard a "much taller player" -- Manu being anything related to a superhero -- he wasn't even on "The Tick's" level.
Oberto's presence in the game -- I must have blinked or something. Didn't someone here say that he was going to guard Dirk? Hmm.
Oh, I did say that this was an important game and therefore Oberto wouldn't make it off the bench. Wow, I'm a great prognosticator, huh?
It was a great game -- Spurs really opened up the lead in the 2nd half and everytime the Mavs would try to respond, Horry, Bowen, or Finley would knock down a huge shot. It WAS a great game, however -- great defensive scheme by Pop.
