As a Mavs fan, I just cannot let my heart get into this. How do the rest of you feel about this series/playoff run?

My co-worker and I have been discussing this for days. I kept feeling the same way - something is going to crumble. But this team "feels" different. They are playing great defense, they finally have a slasher off the bench in JJ, Dirk is playing better than I think I've ever seen him play. Tyson has stayed out of foul trouble and has been just effective enough.

I still have those lingering doubts, and worry about how they would match up going forward, but I truly believe they get past the Lakers in no more than 6.

It just seems like this is the first Mavs team in this 10 year run that can actually play defense. It's not lock-down, but it's damn effective and while all of the Glamour boys in LA are crying about trust, the Mavs are playing help defense better than I've EVER seen them play.

As an outside observer, the Lakers just don't look like they have it this year. I think the Mavs are fine and this series wont go more than 6 (may even be over in 5). Hopefully the Thunder can pull out their series, as a Thunder/Mavs WCF would be pretty entertaining to watch.

No, I do not ever put too much heart into a Mavs series because these past few years have shown me that it's not worth it. If we make it to the Finals again at any point in time I will probably not be able to restrain myself as well as I do in early rounds.

The Mavs could become the first team to blow a 3-0 lead. They could blow a 15 point 4th quarter lead on game 3 and lose in 6. These seem more likely then taking down the champs. Yes I'm doing all I can to emotionally hedge.

I think it's crazy that they're only 2 point favorites at home for game 3. I'm about to jump all over that.

The Spurs were called soft for a decade until they broke through in '99 (thanks to Duncan's arrival).

I think this Mavs team has more toughness than before, but I don't blame any Mavs fan for thinking the worst, it's human nature. Will be interesting to see.

I don't think I can become fully emotionally invested in this year's playoffs until the clock reads :00 and the Mavs have won the championship. That's a long ways away, and even if we make it to the finals and are up 3 games to none with a 10 pt. lead with a minute left in game 4 at home, I'll still be worried.

I'm hoping after the 21 point collapse in the Rose Garden we're all meltdowned out.

Never safe from it as Mavericks fan though.

Predictions on game 3 from Mavs fans?

As stated on another thread, I believe the Mavs can win this series, but I don't think that necessarily means much at this point.

And I still think the Grizz are the best team in the west. The way they dominate the paint, they LOOK like the Lakers of last year.

You think the Grizz are the best team in the West? The Thunder are laying 1.6 to 1 juice in just that SERIES (despite losing home court), so you could stand to win a lot of $ if you really believe that. Not to mention that the Grizz will be probably 2 to 1 dogs against either the Mavs or Lakers if they were to get past the Thunder.

You really think the Mavs "can" win this series up 2-0 with 2 road wins huh? Way to go out on a limb there.

In all honesty, I am terrified of making it to the finals and losing to the heat. I am not sure I could take another loss to the heat in the finals.

As long as Kobe is playing, LA can win the series. I think LA wins game 3, if for no other reason than I just don't see the Mavs winning 3 in a row. There's no way LA shoots 2-20 3-pointers again.

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You think the Grizz are the best team in the West? The Thunder are laying 1.6 to 1 juice in just that SERIES (despite losing home court), so you could stand to win a lot of $ if you really believe that. Not to mention that the Grizz will be probably 2 to 1 dogs against either the Mavs or Lakers if they were to get past the Thunder.

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What were their odds against the Spurs? I wasn't looking at betting lines when I made that statement, and I don't make a habit of gambling. I was looking at the fact that they are the most physical team, the best defensive team, and the best interior offensive team left in the western conference.

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You really think the Mavs "can" win this series up 2-0 with 2 road wins huh? Way to go out on a limb there.

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There's a lot of people on this thread who sound like they don't think the Mavs are going to pull it off. I was talking to them. Not you. Speaking of you, YOU said:

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I think the Mavs are fine

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So saying "I think they can win" is an obvious understatement, but "they are fine" is packed with subtle complexity or something? Brilliant.

[This message has been edited by MassAggie97 (edited 5/5/2011 3:50p).]

I think the Grizz are playing like the best team in the West regardless of favorites.

After seeing Artest's lack of composure, it looks like the Lakers are headed for a meltdown.

Impossible for any longtime Mavs fan to get comfortable at any point, although 3-0 would help.

I like the Mavs experience helping them in the WCF if they make it. Regardless, they've had a great season, here's to it not ending until they are hoisting a trophy.

Being a Mavs fan is like being a battered wife.

As an outsider who loves the NBA but has no rooting interest in the Mavs, here are my thoughts. The Mavs are going up against a team that is old and appears to be uninspired. Phil Jackson should have retired last year, but thought he could hold it together for one more run. That appears to not be the case. Further, in my opinion, while the Mavs have looked great against the Lakers, I think a lot of that is because the Lakers are done.

I might be wrong, but I have a feeling if the Mavs get the Thunder in the Western Conference finals, then all of a sudden they are going to look like the old team. I do believe Dirk and J-Kidd realize this is it for them, but I am just not sure if they will be able to hang with the Thunder assuming Westbrook can avoid the shoot-first attitude (which is tough for him).

I begrudgingly think we are going to see a Thunder-Heat finals. I say it that way because I am not ready to see LeBron win a title and I have a feeling he is about to do that.

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

Meltdown commence.

Losing game 3 wouldn't be a meltdown but i can see the media jumping all over it.

Lakers win game 3, all, and I mean ALL, the pressure is on the Mavs. 2-2 back to LA and it's over.

Losing a game to the Lakers is a "meltdown", got it.

Seriously Muy?

Have you watched the Mavs before?

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Have you watched the Mavs before?

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You obviously haven't this year dumbass.

No doubt.

If you had to pick a series for the 3-0 chokejob wouldn't this be the one? The biggest playoff chokers of the era vs the 3 time WC champs, winningest coach ever, greatest winner of the era? Not comfortable at all

If the Mavs had coasted in any of these games, a meltdown might be something to watch out for. They've come back from 7+ down in the 4th twice already in the series and did it in different ways. What scenario would lead to a collapse?

Is it ok to have a little faith now?

ttt