Dallas-Phoenix Game 5
Wow, that was a fun game to watch!
Dirk goes for 50, Josh Howard goes for 23. That’s just crazy scoring. I’m not sure why I’m surprised, it’s not like Phoenix can play defense. Not like they have an active decent post player to stop anyone on the other team who happens to wander into the paint. Funny how Nash jumped from one team that ran, scored a bunch, and never played defense to another team that ran, scored a bunch, and never plays defense. My impression is that the Suns are a gimmicky team that gets a lot of cheap points by pushing the ball up in transition and never has to set up in a halfcourt offense, which would totally expose them for what they are – a good pickup team. Dallas, on the other hand, seems to be the real deal now under Avery Johnson. I’m happy for them. I’ve been a Dallas fan for a couple years now.
If the Suns somehow manage to get past the Mavericks, they’re gonna get killed by Miami. If the Mavericks go (which I’m pretty sure is going to be the case), it’s going to be an great series to watch. The Mavericks managed to shut down the Spurs, who are really similar to the Heat, minus a bit of incredible-to-watch star power in D-Wade and Shaq. Dallas has a lot of perimeter shooters, and Miami has no perimeter defense. Miami has a better front court with Shaq, Zo, and Udonis Haslem, but Dallas has a few big bodies with 6 fouls each to give. I think it’s going to be pretty good.
A few quick impressions…
Keith Van Horn is toast after this season. That dude is useless. He can’t hit a layup, and he’s never been much of an inside presence even against smaller people. Now his jump shot isn’t even falling.
Raja Bell is an improvement over last year’s Jim Jackson for Phoenix.
Jerry Stackhouse contributes what Nick Van Exel used to contribute a couple years back for Dallas. High enery veteran who is a great boost off the bench. Unlike Van Exel, Stackhouse actually takes care of the ball. So far, I haven’t seen him punch any referees either.
DeSagana Diop has hit his stride as a player. I thought his high point in playoffs came when he shut down Tim Duncan in the game 7 of that series, but he’s keeping up that level of play, and getting big minutes.
This post is tagged NBA playoffs
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