A Rivalry Is Born May 22, 2006
Posted by Michael in Sports.trackback
Game 7 of the Spurs-Mavs series is tonight, and the hype is on:
By JAIME ARON
Associated Press Sports
Updated: 6:25 p.m. ET May 20, 2006
DALLAS (AP) -Dallas and San Antonio already were playing a memorable series. Then Jason Terry's fist landed below Michael Finley's belt.
Now, we might be witnessing the start of the NBA's newest rivalry.
We're not just talking about competing for in-state bragging rights. We're talking about the kind of rivalry that generates some good old fashioned hatred.
"We need intense, bloodthirsty, Red Sox-Yankees rivalries in this league,'' said Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who has riled up both sides.
"People who work side by side say, 'Oh, I hate (your team). Let's go get a beer and we'll scream about it at the bar.' … This type of series leads to those things.''
Some bitter disappointments help to establish a rivalry:
But after splitting their four regular-season meetings, the teams have split six more in the postseason.
The final margin of each playoff game: 2 points, 22, 1, 5, 1, 5. All but Game 2 were decided in the final minute, with Game 4 going to overtime.
"I'm sure each team feels they've given away games at the end,'' Popovich said.
But that's not yet enough to get a really good rivalry going. One of the teams has to have a fan base that is boorish, low-class, obnoxious, and easy to hold in contempt. You know, guys like Dave in Texas and The Comish.
Mavs fans were booing Finley from the start of the series. It could've been described as a bizarre show of affection for one of the greatest players in franchise history now wearing enemy colors.
There was an added edge to their jeers Friday night.
"Every action film has a villain,'' Cuban said. "Booing him doesn't mean he's a bad guy. … When they see him walking down the street, I hope they shake his hand. There's a big difference.''
Of course, the fans are just following Cuban's lead, who has done his best to stoke the rivalry by demonstrating yet again that he is a total a**hole.
Cuban, too, after saying before Game 6 that the Mavericks were going to kick the Spurs back to the "muddy-watered thing they call a Riverwalk.''
Asked after the game if he had any restaurant recommendations for Cuban in San Antonio, Duncan coldly said: "I have nothing to say to Mark Cuban. Not a thing.''
GO SPURS GO!
Mavs-Spurs series has all the makings of budding rivalry – Wire Services – NBA – MSNBC.com
Have to admit it was funny seeing Finley get booed for getting punched in the nuts.
What am I going to watch tonight? I’m conflicted.
I hated the fact that Finley got booed. I loved him when he was here in Dallas, and he didn’t want to leave. However, [putting on Oliver Stone accent] the slow-mo replay clearly shows that Finley actually thrust his doo-wah into Jason Terry’s fist. So rather than initiating a punch to Finley’s manly areas, Terry was the victim of a Michael Finley hip-thrust intended to injure Terry’s shooting hand. And we’ve come into possession of a memo from David Stern ordering Finley to take such action. So obviously, it’s all a huge conspiracy.
And please allow me to take this moment to congratulate Michael and his Spurs on their impending victory. There’s no way the Mavs can go into SA and win tonight. This game is over. It’s a done deal. Put this one in the books. Stick a fork in ‘em, the Mavs are done. They’re finished. O-V-E-R. Etc.
(Come on, reverse jinx!)
You guys shouldn’t be in such a hurry to face an Eastern Conference team (providing you can get by the Suns). They play real basketball in the Eastern Conference ya know.
They do now. That was in doubt a few years ago. I think Detroit swept the Spurs during the regular season, and several times by pretty convincing margins.
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