Spurs v Headbands er Mavs

Well done Headband. Well done. Spurs 103 Mavericks 112. 

Watching the game I had a sense that it was just not Dallas' night and the Spurs were just on. When they shoot 63% in the first half and Headband is struggling --he looked slow and indecisive-- even for Dirk, that sounds like an easy win.

But Mediocre Teams find a way- to misuse a Dr. Ian Malcolm phrase. I can't shake the thinking that this Spurs team is just not that awesome. Sure Duncan is playing like its 2001 and we have everyone seemingly healthy but Richard Jefferson is roller coasting through the season, the defense get's all matador and allows 42 points in the 4th and we can't beat anyone who knows what to do with a basketball.

We made huge gamble trading defense for offense and experience for youthful athleticism. Wait. Gamble is the wrong word. Perhaps we underestimated the immediate benefits of the new guys versus the loss of experienced 'system' guys? I don't want to second guess the front office even if its starting to sound like I am. Despite what you've read so far, I still like this team ... on paper. I don't know how you can go wrong with this group here. It is a nice mix of young and old. Youth and experience. It's just not jelling.

I've heard people calling for Bowen and more 7 footers.  Don't they know he isn't (and wasn't last year) the Bowen of 2005? Dude was slow and couldn't do the one thing that they needed him to do. As for the 7 footer part? Well that is a common NBA request. I've always wanted to make a run at Camby. Before that I wanted Ben Wallace (that was even more unlikely given his contract demands and the fact that he sucks ass now). I think DeJuan Blair is perfect though. He has that Malik Rose energy and he is young and coachable.

Again, I don't think its the talent assembled, or the coaching, or the youth, or the old, or injuries. I just think its time. We need time. They have to play together. The Spurs used to play above their talent level because of their uncanny execution defensively ( and sometimes offensively).  Unfortunately, I think its that simple. Boring huh?