The Lakers moved to California where there are no lakes Let's consider Dirk Nowitzki.
We can comment about the contributions (or relative lack thereof) of Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler or whoever.
The fact is, this team goes as far as Dirk Nowitzki is really willing or able to carry them. They don't sniff the second round without him and they won't sniff the Western Conference Finals without him.
I think he does need to play better. He didn't shoot all that great outside of a 11-17 showing last night. Still, he battled, drive to the basket and stayed patient. He didn't let the physicality of the games get to him. This is unlike the Nowitzki of the past.
The guy is simply phenomenal. We'll never see another like him.
****
To the Los Angeles Lakers because I'm going out of town.
My prediction: Los Angeles Lakers in 7. Here's why.
Lamar Odom
Scares me to death. Above all other Lakers, he's the guy that they might not have a strong answer for. He's averaged 15-9-4 in his career against Dallas and it always seems like he's doing bad stuff against them. For one, he's a big guy. At 6-10, he's way more athletic that you might think. And quick. Kind of a tweener in some regards except that he can rebound, handle the rock and cause havoc. I guess Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki will have hands in covering him. I just got a bad feeling about that guy.
Dirk/Pau
Pau Gasol never worried me much, on his own. He's the inside Dirk Nowitzki: A Euro with tons of questions, moments of greatness, times of doubt and a guy that many think need to be omega dog. Except Gasol's game is near the basket. His shot doesn't go down, his ability to still get close or get to the line is far better. However, if we finish this series and we say, "Pau Gasol was as good as Dirk Nowitzki," then the Mavericks clearly have problems.
Kobe
The dude has rings. What else do you want to say? Talk about how he's lost a step or two. Talk about his ruddy knees. Talk about his lackluster shooting nights all you want. Still scares the bejesus out of me with five seconds left in a tie game.
No Fear At The AAC
I don't think the Lakers have any problems coming to the American Airlines Center and winning. They've done it for ... oh ... the past 30 years. Those dudes will win anywhere. They tied with the best home record in the West and were a half game behind ... Dallas for the best road record. By the way, everyone kind of thought the Lakers were on the ropes with New Orleans. Until they finished them up on the road. The Lakers are still good. Don't talk yourself out of this.
Matt Barnes
The Dirk-killer. Not saying he's near the player he was in 2007 in Golden State. Still, the dude is brimming with confidence at his lowest point. I think Nowitzki is going to get a ton of looks from Phil Jackson; Pau to Odom to Artest to Bynum. Barnes could be the lynchpin.
Sloppinness Is Next To Godliness
The Mavericks did win their series against Portland. However, I tend to think the Mavs would have been in trouble against a better team. Do the Lakers lose with Jason Terry committing two over-and-back fouls in the fourth quarter? I think the Mavs are too sloppy at times -- inopportune times -- for my taste.
Phil
The reason the Lakers pounce on mistakes. The Zen master. There's a 100 percent chance Rick "No" Carlisle is outcoached. The only hope is that the Lakers are outplayed.
