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The Mavericks make plans to change Game 2 …
While the world must decide what to believe, the only sure thing is that the locker room was not a disaster area after Game 1, a two-point loss to the Spurs. No need to call FEMA, which probably wouldn't make it to the scene until Game 6 anyway.
Instead, Johnson and his troops are entrenched, engaged and ready to see this thing through.
"More psychological wreckage would be if we'd have lost by 22," Johnson said. "We made a ton of mistakes. Don't get me wrong. But [if Game 1 had been a blowout] then you would feel probably this mountain is really, really hard to climb.
"But I think with the way we played â€" and didn't execute in a lot of situations â€" on the road in one of the most hostile environments in all of the NBA, I think we feel that we can get something done."
That was about the only certainty that came from the Mavericks between Games 1 and 2. As for the rest, it was hard to tell whether Johnson was being serious about anything or merely skirting the truth, yanking a few chains and giving no clues about what San Antonio can expect tonight.
But rest assured, adjustments of some sort are certainly forthcoming, such as guarding Duncan differently.
"I told our team: Never double-team Tim," Johnson joked. "We didn't want to ever double-team Tim Duncan. So again, I'll have to try to change some of my coaching mistakes."
Clearly, Johnson was taking a hit for his players. There were specific times when they were supposed to double-team Duncan. It just rarely got executed the right way.
And about that last-ditch play? Johnson swore it was a play â€" or at least a wrinkle â€" that his team had not run all season.
"That's a rookie coach," he said, again blurring the line between fact and fiction. "It wasn't the players' fault. I messed that one up. Pin that one on me. That's the first time we ran that play all year. So that was my fault. I'm not facetious. We have a way we want to attack. We'll just keep spelling it out."
I can’t believe it, but I am almost getting tired of Avery taking blame for everything. What a 100% adjustment from the Nellie era where nothing was ever anyone’s fault…
Bowen v. Dirk …
Bowen's defense is built on being a natural pest, staying chest-to-chest with an opponent. The tactics often rub other players the wrong way.
Spurs guard Michael Finley rushed to Bowen's defense after Monday's practice.
"I don't know what the 'bear hug defense' is," Finley said. "I played football and I never heard that term, and I definitely haven't heard it in basketball, so [Johnson] has to clarify what he means by bear hug.
"I'm from Chicago, and the only bears we had were the Chicago Bears -- the football team."
Asked if Bowen ever got into his head, Finley said: "Just the one cheap shot he did last year. We put that all under the rug. Bruce is a good defender, and you have to give him his props on that. You just can't let him get into your mind-set, and I don't think, mentally, he's gotten into Dirk's head. He's going to continue to make Dirk have a long night, and hopefully that's good enough for us to win."
In the San Antonio papers this morning, Buck Harvey ponders how Josh Howard slipped past the Spurs in 2003 …
Howard seemingly did everything well. Pro scouts liked the 6-foot-7 package, though most saw Howard falling toward the bottom of the LeBron-Carmelo-Wade first round. Several mock drafts, coincidentally, predicted the Spurs would take him.
"Howard is a versatile scorer at small forward," a West Coast newspaper wrote then, "who could complement defensive specialist Bruce Bowen."
The Spurs understood as much. But the two prospects who intrigued them more were Boris Diaw, Tony Parker's buddy who stars now for Phoenix, and Ndudi Ebi, a high-school project out of Houston who has since failed.
Howard? The Spurs were less fixated on him than they were creating cap room to sign Jason Kidd. Howard still earns less than a million dollars, making him the kind of bargain that Parker and Manu Ginobili once were. But unsure what the salary cap would be that summer, the Spurs wanted to free every dollar for Kidd.
In hindsight, the Kidd plan was as erroneous as the Spurs' analysis of Howard. They saw Howard as a slasher, and they already had one in Ginobili. Didn't they really need shooters to spread the floor for Duncan?
Even after coming up with a find with the 28th selection just two years before (Parker), they still didn't like the odds with another No.28. When Diaw and Ebi went off the board, the Spurs traded that first-round choice to the Suns for one in the future.
Gregg Popovich signed off on it with only one reservation. He knew Duncan liked Howard.
Then Dallas, drafting next, took Howard, and Popovich quickly second-guessed everything. Having just edged the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals, had the Spurs helped their rivals?
They have. But a lot of other teams missed then, too. If the 2003 draft were held again, Howard would go as high as fifth.
Death, Taxes, and Ben Wallace wins the Defensive player of the year award ….
"This guy is the anchor to what we do here," Dumars said Monday when it was announced Wallace had been named the defensive player of the year for the fourth time in five seasons. "The success we've had the last five or six years started when he showed up here. It's been a hell of a ride, and it's not done yet.
"Make no mistake, this guy is the cornerstone of everything we do. I am proud of everything he has done so far, and I look forward to many more years of him continuing to do those things for us."
Wallace, who will be a free agent this summer, has said repeatedly his goal and preference is to end his career with the Pistons. Dumars, in his own way, confirmed the feeling was mutual.
"(Signing Wallace) is our No. 1 priority," Dumars said. "Like I said, we look forward to many more years watching him here. I'll say this; he has earned whatever he's due to get. It's not pretend or made up. He's earned it on the floor. That all will take care of itself when the time comes."
The Pistons, almost certainly, will offer Wallace, 31, a contract that would make him the highest-paid player on the team -- if not in its history -- whether it is a maximum contract or not. It likely will be a four-year deal starting anywhere between $12 million and $15 million.
But the particulars of his next contract aren't that important to Wallace right now.
"It's there, and you think about it from time to time," Wallace said. "But I am not going to let that distract me from doing what I do to help my team win. My ultimate goal coming into this season wasn't to re-sign or talk about free agency.
"My ultimate goal was to win a championship. Last year, I felt like I left part of me down there in San Antonio. This year was about trying to reclaim what I lost. Like Joe said, everything will take care of itself."
Wallace, who still hasn't hired an agent and will most likely handle the bulk of his own negotiations, was asked if being named defensive player of the year would help drive up his asking price.
"Winning this award is something that's sort of expected out of me," he said, with a smile. "When we get that big gold trophy with the little ball on top (Larry O'Brien championship trophy), then we can talk about price tags."
That’s right. He represents himself. 5% is a ton of money for a no-brainer contract, right?
And yes, baseball is still being played, with Koronka stopping another losing skid ….
He has four quality starts â€" three or fewer earned runs allowed in six or more innings â€" in his first seven outings. Only he and Kevin Millwood, who will try and match Koronka's win total tonight, have gone at least five innings in every start this season.
Koronka (4-1) won without his best stuff Monday. He gave up seven hits, walked two and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings. But he showed some grit, avoiding the big inning that Rangers starters couldn't against the Yankees.
Koronka loaded the bases in the third inning, but he got two groundouts and a fly ball to hold the Twins to two runs. Then his offense sent him back to the mound with the lead.
Texas scored four runs in its half of the third, three coming with two outs from the two guys â€" Phil Nevin and Hank Blalock â€" who seem to thrive on two-out RBIs. Nevin and Blalock have driven in 34 of their 51 runs with two outs. The Rangers didn't hit a homer for the fourth consecutive home game. The last time that happened was July 18-21, 1999.
"Singles can help you score runs too," Mark Teixeira said.
Koronka's steadiness â€" he credits pitching coach Mark Connor with helping him shift to the middle of the rubber to throw better inside pitches â€" allowed the Rangers to win in spite of numerous base-running blunders.
Naughty Language Warning The Bob Knight Golf tapes …Guaranteed to make you laugh or your money back…
Javon Walker gets his money …provided his 2006 is good enough to justify the bonuses in 2007 and 2008…
According to a league source, Walker, acquired April 29 for a second-round draft pick, will get the $1.15 million base salary he had remaining from the contract he originally signed with the Green Bay Packers, then a five-year, $42 million extension from the Broncos. Included in the extension is a $1 million roster bonus the Broncos inherited from the Packers.
The key to the deal is the bonus payout, which according to the source is between $15 million and $16 million. Multiple websites have reported Monday the bonuses would be paid out as club options - most in 2007, the rest in 2008.
More evidence that the black man is not down with baseball anymore …
There were 69 African-Americans on opening-day rosters in the majors last month, which represented 9.2 percent of all 750 players. That is down sharply from 17 percent three years ago and 27 percent 30 years ago.
According to Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, MLB's percentage is dwarfed by the NBA's 80 percent and the NFL's 67 percent. Of the four major sports, only the NHL, with 1 percent, is lower than baseball.
Finally, we can go on with our lives: Aggie and Seahawk have settled! …
Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks released the following joint statement Monday afternoon regarding the 12th Man trademark settlement:
"Texas A&M University and the Seattle Seahawks announced that they have agreed on the scope of Seattle's future use of the 12th Man trademark.
"The agreement resolves all of the issues presented in the pending lawsuit, which has been dismissed. "
"Neither side admitted any fault or liability. The Seahawks acknowledge Texas A&M's ownership rights in the mark and will continue to use the mark under license in connection with the Seahawks' operations, promotions and fan activities throughout the Pacific Northwest."
In an e-mail to university faculty, staff and students, A&M Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President for Communications Steven B. Moore stated:
"I'm pleased to inform you that, after months of negotiations, the university has reached an amicable agreement with the Seattle Seahawks resolving the controversy regarding the use of Texas A&M's 12th Man trademark. Under the agreement, the university has granted the NFL team a license to use the 12th Man trademark in a seven-state area in the northwest that encompasses the current primary broadcast area of the Seahawks. As is the case of all licensees, the Seattle Seahawks will pay the university a licensing fee and will state publicly that Texas A&M owns the 12th Man trademark each time it is used."
The Boys Blog tackles the Cowboys base defense; alternatives ….
Peter King’s MMQB on Reggie Bush, and Christopher ….
I've got a preliminary plan for this week postings; and since I actually had a relatively calm weekend (there's no need to get hydrated tonight), I'm going to dive right in. Tonight, I give you my blatantly biased and under-researched NFL preview, complete with playoff and Super Bowl picks. Frankly, if I get half of the playoff teams correct, it'll be a small miracle. As always, I'm sure to have completely irrational picks and reasons for those picks. But, hopefully, we'll have a little fun. And if not, just watch the Saudia Arabian team in the Little League World Series.
I figured I'd get this out of the way first. The Saudis are playing with a first baseman who is 6'8" and 256 pounds. And he's 13. Amazingly, his name is Aaron Durley, an interesting trend of the Saudi Arabian players with American names. No doubt the heavy American military presence in the area has an effect on this. Here are some names of team members: Nate Barnett, Daniel Clark, Michael Knight and Andrew Holden. Here is a team picture.
I'll be honest, this is all a little much for me. I mean, seriously, it's a bunch of American kids whose parents are in the military. That just seems unfair. Sure, there are a couple kids who at least appear to have native surnames, but I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't care but so much about the integrity of the Little League World Series, but I mean the guy is bigger than Ben Wallace. That's an enormous Little Leaguer.
Ok, enough of that, on to the NFL preview. I'm going to run down how I think each division will finish, then pick the playoff teams and winners. Again, the only research that is going into this is just generally being aware of what happens in the NFL, and looking at each division on NFL to make sure I don't forget to include a team. Yeah, it's that bad. And we'll start with the best division in the league.
NFC East -
1. Redskins
2. Giants
3. Cowboys
4. Eagles
Honestly, all these teams could finish with about the same record. There is not much to differentiate each team. The Skins have the best defense, the Giants won the division last year after getting 9 home games, the Cowboys are the media's darling because they added a locker room cancer, and the Eagles can finally get back to playing football without said cancer. Why do I give the Skins the edge? Well aside from just wishful thinking, I think they get the edge because of Al Saunders, the new offensive coordinator, and the additions of Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle El. Last year, if the Skins had more receiving options than Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, they would have gone to the Super Bowl. This year, they have those options, and a new coordinator who has run one of the most successful offense in the league the past couple seasons. To be fair, the division could finish in the complete opposite order. I have no idea. I just know that Sean Taylor might end up ripping someone's arm off on the field, and then beat the person with his own arm. And then you'll see some ESPN schmuck writing an apologetic article saying what a good guy Taylor really is. And I'll buy every word.
NFC North -
1. Chicago
2. Minnesota
3. Green Bay
4. Detroit
From the best division in football to possibly the worst. While every team in the East could finish 10-6, every team in the North could finish 6-10. Then again, it's the North, so of course it sucks. The Bears win the division by default. There defense is solid, Rex Grossman will get hurt by week 3, allowing somebody terrible to take over, and leading to several games where the starting QB throws for under 100 yards, but they win because of a punt return or something. The Vikings could challenge since they no longer have Mike Tice running the show. I'll miss Big Mike and his challenging of players to fights in the locker room. I'm not one to tell people when to retire since I have no idea what his life is like, but it pains me to watch Brett Favruh play on such a bad team. But, at least it's not as bad as the Lions.
NFC South -
1. Tampa Bay
2. Carolina
3. Atlanta
4. New Orleans
This division was difficult. Who do you put your trust in? Chris Simms (Major's Better!), Jake Delhomme (honestly, his deal with the devil is about to expire, right?), Michael Vick (I've been such a great role model for my younger brother) or Drew Brees? Honestly, I think Brees is the best of the bunch, but the rest of the Saints - as in the defense - just aren't very good. Reggie Bush will be exciting to watch, but I'm not backing New Orleans as my pony. Carolina is the media's favorite pick to get to the Super Bowl, so, naturally, I shun them. That, and where were all you Panthers fans when the team was 1-15? Stutts and Bones, you're excused. The rest of the you - you should be ashamed of yourselves.
NFC West -
1. Seattle
2. Arizona
3. St. Louis
4. San Francisco
I really wanted to find a team to knock the Seahawks off their flimsy perch atop truly the worst division in football, but everyone else stinks. I mean, Arizona has some weapons, but either has an over-the-hill Kurt Warner or a herpes-riddled rookie Matt Leinart throwing and handing off to those weapons. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are capable receivers, and Edgerrin James is obviously a top back, the the QB position is kind of important. The Rams, well, they might be able to, but I just make a point not to pick them. Why? Torry Holt went to State. He may be able to fertilize a lawn with the best of them, but that's not winning you any football games. And the 49ers are brutal.
AFC East -
1. New England
2. Miami
3. Buffalo
4. NY Jets
I just don't see Miami overtaking the Patriots. I'm not sure Daunte Culpepper will be healthy, or really the solution to the QB problems down in South Beach. And I know, now, that Joey Harrington won't be either. The Bills, uh, well, do they still have JP Loathsome (nickname stolen from Chris Preston - resident Bills fan, although no one knows why he roots for them)? If they do, they are eliminated from contention. And the Jets, ha, well, they stink. Bad. D'Brickashaw will be a great O-lineman, but neither Pennington nor Ramsey (trust me on this one) or Bollinger will lead that team anywhere near the playoffs.
NFC North
1. Pittsburgh
2. Cincinnati
3. Baltimore
4. Cleveland
Sorry Gurney, but considering the Browns are already on their sixth (Sixth!) center during preseason, I just can't justify picking them anywhere but the cellar. All of these teams have QB questions coming into the season. In Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger is coming off the hood of some old woman's car. In Cincy, Carson Palmer is coming off ACL surgery from January. In Baltimore, Steve McNair is getting out of his wheelchair in an attempt to be more effective than Kyle Boller. And in Cleveland, Charlie Frye is trying to prove he is the QB of the future. And so, I ranked the teams in order of how well I think each QB will play this year. For the record, I think Frye could become very good, but not yet. Not yet.
AFC South -
1. Indianapolis
2. Jacksonville
3. Houston
4. Tennessee
The Colts are the class of this division. The Jags attempted to challenge the Colts last year, but lost both times. Sure, they won 11 games, but to take over this division, you have to beat Indy. I think the Colts will be able to make up adequately for the loss of James. If anything, Manning might have numbers reminiscent of the 2004 season. I would have put the Titans ahead of the Texans, but the Titans mascot ran into an opposing player with a golf cart during a preseason game. That's just terrible sports karma. Plus, I don't think Vince Young is ready to compete at the NFL level and Billy Volek isn't the answer. The Texans will probably be kicking themselves for not taking Reggie Bush.
AFC West
1. Denver
2. Kansas City
3. San Diego
4. Oakland
I think Kansas City might end up winning this division, but I'll give the Broncos the benefit of the doubt. I'm not sure, after all, Jake Plummer is the QB, but Herman Edwards is coaching the Chiefs. The Chargers are going to regret going with Rivers instead of Brees. Sure, it sounds like I'm just bashing State players all night, but I just think Rivers was a product of a system. A system which apparently produces a lot of draft picks, but very little actual success in college. Or, in the NFL really. The Raiders have Aaron Brooks playing quarterback. Randy Moss is going to be a pleasure to deal with with this dingbat as QB.
All right, here are the playoff picks:
NFC -
1. Seattle
2. Washington
3. Tampa Bay
4. Chicago
5. Giants
6. Panthers
Tampa Bay beats Carolina (I rejoice, but still think Major's better)
Giants beat Chicago (Who wins - Ditka vs. God? Trick question, Ditka is God.)
Redskins beat Tampa Bay (Joe Gibbs is in the Hall of Fame for a reason)
Seattle beats Giants (I don't like the Giants - side note: Lavar Arringto might end Mark Brunell's career this season)
Skins beat Seattle (Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs, Joe Gibbs. And Coach Janky Spanky)
AFC
1. Colts
2. Denver
3. Pittsburgh
4. Patriots
5. Dolphins
6. Bengals
Bengals beat Steelers (a little revenge, biatch)
Pats beat Dolphins (miami doesn't win in cold weather)
Bengals beat Colts (honestly, it's Peyton Manning)
Denver beats New England (Bill Simmons has to make excuses for second straight playoff loss to Plummer)
Bengals beat Denver (again, it's Jake Plummer)
Super Bowl
Redskins beat Bengals!!
As you can see, I'm completely incapable of making unbiased picks here. That said, it's still August and anything can happen. Everyone's got the same record right now. I really think the Bengals are moving in the correct direction, and if Palmer can be healthy, which it appears he will be, they are going to put up points and be very opportunistic on defense. The Skins have all the tools, but frankly it depends on Mark Brunell. Fortunately, my company is doing an insurance policy on our boy, and it's for a lot of money. So, you know, if Arrington does end his career with a vicious hit, then at least he'll have that to fall back on.
Anyway, it's getting late. I should mention the Sox got swept by the Yankees. All five games. That hurts.
All right, tomorrow night is the College Football preview. And don't worry, I'm not going to pick the Heels to win the BCS. Maybe the Gator Bowl, but not the National Championship. I mean, I am a man of reason.
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