In 2003, the first round of the playoffs was extended from best of 5 to best of 7. That year the No. 3 seed Dallas played No. 6 Portland in a series that rocked the sports world. Dallas got off to the 1-0 lead after winning the first game at home, and the rest, as they say, is stuff for the history books. The two teams haven't met in the playoffs since... until now... With each team seeded in the same spot, we're reminded that time plays funny tricks sometimes. With so much the same, yet almost everything different, the two teams resume their playoff rivalry in 2011!
Our historian, Tremaine Mentapaul, video taped the entire series back in '03, and we're going through them one at a time. On Saturday, we watched game 1, then and now.
Whether short or tall, you know Dirk Nowitzki back in 2003 was going to get his shot over most anyone, and it's probably going in. If you overplay his fade-away, he'll spin off you, finding room to maneuver toward the goal. Portland tried to man-up with Nowitzki, using Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells, and even a little Scottie Pippen on Dirk, but the German power forward was unstoppable, going off for 46 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 threes.
One thing hasn't changed in the playoff history between the Trailblazers and the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki is still the driving force behind Dallas's success. In their 2011 game 1 victory, Dirk exploded in the 4th quarter, hooping in 18 of his 28 points in the final frame, slicing buckets like swords through the dense, tension-filled American Airlines Center. Folks in Dallas were scared to lose, fearing more of the awful medicine.
Portland's Rasheed Wallace did his part. Knocking down jump shots and flexing his inside strength, Sheed buried 26 of his own, including 3 of 7 from behind the arch. His teammates weren't much help though. Scottie Pippen was looking old all night long, scoring only 5 points while coughing it up for 4 turnovers. Damon Stoudamire gave Portland a boost off the pine, but other than he and Sheed, the players were forgetable (Arvydas Sabonis had 3 points in 9 minutes, Zach Randolph had a slight impact in 20 support minutes). Only Randolph remains in the NBA from that 2003 Portland team.
LaMarcus Aldridge continued to rule the court, going off for 27 points. Portland did a great job of moving the ball, collecting 22 assists for the game. But the scoring came from only 3 guys (Aldridge, Nic "Euro-Flier" Batum (14 points), and Andre Miller (19 points)). Wes Matthews was pulled in favor of Brandon Roy, who probably shouldn't be on the court (McMillan's poor decision). As a result, the Blazers were without the consistent double figure scoring that Matthews normally gives them. Gerry Wallace was equally ineffective, scoring 9 points in the loss. His passes looked awkward, and perhaps he was feeling the big stage jitters of playing in Texas.
None of the other Mavericks could find a roll. Michael Finley and Steve Nash scored a combined 23 points, and Raef LaFrentz looked like a clown in sheeps' high heels. Raef baby-armed his jumpers, and at center, Shawn Bradley fell down a lot. They did manage 14 rebounds and 7 blocks between them, doing an admirable job on the defensive glass. Mavs' 6th man, Nick Van Exel, was unable to provide the spark, managing just 8 points on poor shooting. Dallas didn't need any of it though, as the 24-year-old Nowitzki officially threw himself onto the MVP pedestal in this coming-out party. Nobody would question Dirk's ability to score ever again.
Portland will need to get something from Scottie Pippen and Wesley Matthews for game 2, Pippen has proven himself as one of the greatest players in history, but he's looking old in 2003. Matthews, on the other hand, in 2011, is still very young, and he hasn't proven anything for Portland in the post season. In 10 playoff games for Utah, Wes shot poorly from the field (.386), so it'll be important to keep an eye on his production in game 2. Portland is going to pay greater attention to Dirk, so off the bench they'll need more from Nick Van Exel and Jason Terry. Expect for changes in scoring from the Dallas PGs, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Kidd points should drop and Nash's should rise, with each coming closer to their season averages. After a great couple game 1's, the 2003 and 2011 Portland vs. Dallas first round playoff showdowns are off to exciting starts!
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