High percentage I'm further disenfranchised. For one, it drives me bananas that these guys -- professionals -- need to be whacked in the ass by their coach still to wake up and win games. It's depressing. Do you think Tim Duncan needs pep talks from Gregg Popovich. No. And he has rings.
Two, it came against the New York Knicks. As bad of schedule that the Mavericks have had recently, the Knicks, too, have played four games in five nights. And the Knicks were the road team last night.
Furthermore, the Knicks don't play defense to begin with. So they sure as hell ain't playing defense at the end of this stretch.
Yes, the Mavs looked crisp. Crisp against a tired, haggard team still trying to find their place, post-trade.
I guess I shouldn't bitch too much. Had they lost, we would've wanted heads to roll. Thank goodness they outrebounded the Knicks by 10 nor did they get pushed into the stands by an Italian dude.
Notes:
1. Loved Corey Brewer's very active 16 minutes: 8 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steels, 5 fouls. Exactly what the Mavs need.
2. Of all people, Jason Terry, who hasn't played an iota of defense since his junior year at Arizona, taking exception to Carlisle's comments is amusing.
3. Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony took 54 shots to get their 42 points. A good ratio.
4. Shawn Marion fills it up, again: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 offensive rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals.
5. Finally, six assists from Roddy Beaubois. Can't depend on just scoring from the guy.
