Dallas vs. San Anotonio

                             Preview Dallas vs. San Antonio

By the Position

Center
Dallas- Samuel Dalenbert and Brandon Wright

San Antonio- Tiago Splitter and Borris Diaw

Advantage- Spurs (slightly)

Athleticism is what gives the Spurs trouble down low and that is exactly what Brandon Wright and Samuel Dalenbert are. Active, athletic, long centers. On the flip side, physical and fundamentally sound centers is what gives the Mavs centers trouble, which is what Splitter and Diaw are.


                                                      Power Forward
                                                      Dallas- Dirk Nowitzki
             San Antonio- Tim Duncan

Advantage- Push

Dirk wins the points and Duncan wins the glass. These two won't spend much time matching up against each other (it will happen a little) but San Antonio likes to throw a lot of defenders at Dirk.  These are the 2 best PF possibly of All-Time (Duncan is No. 1) but they have completely different games.  Only difference is SA can afford for Duncan to be off, Dirk HAS TO be on if Dallas has any shot.



                                                                      Small Forward

Dallas- Shawn Marion and Vince Carter
San Antonio- Kawhi Leonard

Advantage- San Antonio  

Kawhi is everthing Shawn Marion is on the defensive end of the court now, and more of an offensive threat. He is a much better defender than Vince and will out score Vince, doing it with a higher FG %.


                                                           Shooting Guard
                                                      Dallas- Monta Ellis

San Antonio- Danny Green and Manu Ginobli

Advantage- San Antonio

As great as Monta has been for Dallas this season, his troubles on the defensive hen make him a huge liability especially against Green who has 5" on him and is just as athletic.  Manu, although is statistically having a mediocre season is still one of the most dangerous people on the court. He finds ways to get to the basket and either get fouled or find one of his teammates on the perimeter open for a 3.





Point Guard
Dallas- Jose Calderon and Devin Harris

San Antonio- Tony Parker and Patty Mills

Advantage- San Antonio

Dallas has 2 great PG's on their roster. Jose is a threat from deep and a great floor general.  Devin's athletisim and ability to get to the free throw line give Dallas something we haven't seen out of a PG since... Well Devin Harris back in 2007.  The problem again falls on the Defensive end. Tony Parker and Patty Mills this season have had their way with the Mavs backcourt.  Last game Patty Dropped 26 against Calderon and Harris in the 109-100 win without Tony Parker and hit 6 3's. Tony Parker in 3 games against Dallas this year has gone for 22, 23, and 25. He does what he wants when he wants.

Bench
Dallas- Harris, Carter, Crowder, Wright, and Blair
San Antonio- Mills, Ginobili, Belinelli, and Diaw

Advantage- Dallas (slight)

Harris, Carter, and Wright really make this bench something great.  Watch the final minutes of a close game in the 4th quarter, you will see most of if not all 3 of these guys out there.  San Antonio's bench is very solid as-well. Mills is a high energy guy that is hard to match. Diaw is a work horse that gives you 100% at all times. Ginobili is a former 6th man award winner and is a great change of pace to Danny Green.  This is close to a toss up, but I would honestly give the slight edge to Dallas.

Coach
Dallas- Rick Carlisle
San Antonio- Gregg Popovich

Advantage- San Antonio

I will make this short because it's all it needs.  Gregg Popovich is the greatest coach the NBA has ever had and most likely will ever have. Don't believe me? Look at his record, his rosters, and his rings. Don't tell me Phil Jackson either or I will slap you!





Prediction

It comes down to San Antonio being so efficient on both ends of the court. Top 5 team both in offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency.  Offensively you can't attack just one guy.  They score by committee. Every person that plays key minutes for them is capable of scoring 10-30 a night.  Defensively they are machines that rotate well and defend the paint exceptionally. I mean every flaw the Mavericks have, the Spurs master. And every strength the Mavs have, the Spurs have an answer for that as well.
Dirk will get his points, I say he averages about 24 for the series.  Monta will need to step up and be that true No. 2 Dirk has needed for a long time now. If the Dallas Mavericks want to have any shot at making this an exciting series, they have to play nearly flawless basketball for 48 minutes a night, and that still might not be enough to get the win.
I say Spurs win the series 4-1 for all the above mentioned reasons, and the most obvious one.... THEY ARE THE FREAKING SPURS.

As a life long MFFL there is nothing more that I would want to see, then to watch Dallas take the Spurs out. My hate for the Spurs is un-matched in sports. (Angels, A's, Yankees, Redskins, Eagles, or the Steelers) the only thing that comes close to it is my hate for ohio state.  (I refuse to capitalize that school) But my respect for the Spurs as an organization is out of this world.  For that franchise to have accomplished what they have over the last 15 years is unbelievable. I won't cheer for them, but they will always have my respect.