Then and Now, Past vs. Present / Portland and Dallas: Two Teams Trapped in Time

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!

Spurs and Grizzlies: How-boutchya! A Playoff Preview!

#1 San Antonio Spurs
vs.
#8 Memphis Grizzlies

Every five to ten years, you'll find an 8th seed in the NBA that belongs in a feel-good sports film. The Denver Nuggets of 1994 shocked the Seattle team that no longer exists. Dikembe Mutumbo clutched a basketball and the credits rolled. The cool-era Knicks won an epic series against hated Miami in 1999, forever snatching our hearts. The 2007 Golden State Warriors made sports fans everywhere drop to their knees and shout out loud, "We believe!" Sure, there have been other 8 seeds who have come close, but in the end they lost, and their spots in history are miniature and irrelevant with the hoards of other 8th seed 1st round losers (8th seeds lose the 1st round series 96% of the time, with only the 3 winners named above, and 54 others who have lost).

This year, we have potential for the fourth-ever 8th seed to win a series. Memphis (sorry Pacer fans) is not your typical 8th seed. Like 2007's Golden State team, Memphis's bulk of winning has come in the second half of the season, and it's come consistently. The Spurs, on the other hand, haven't been tasting the victory bread as often lately. They had a losing stretch of 6 straight a few weeks ago, and their giant lightning winning times came more so in the first half of the season. We all know old guys break down (speaking of old guys), and the Spurs are about as old as a grandfather clock.

Zach Randolph and Manu Ginobili are both prolific scorers. Tim Duncan is certainly still a defensive force, but in Memphis, the Griz have a 6-shooter of defensive minded wing players they can throw at Manu (who happens to enter the series with a sudden elbow injury). Tony Parker can out-score Mike Conley, but Conley can usually out-defend Tony Parker. Some slashing, some planting for 3, the Memphis glue guys are always ready to finish when counted upon. This year the Spurs will be relying more on their young role players, and these guys have yet to prove themselves on the big stage. With a hobbled Argentinian here and one grey whisker too many there, the Spurs aren't the rocky coastline of the Byzantine Empire like they once were, and with even slight uncertainty comes vulnerability.

San Antonio has the moxie to best the Grizzlies, but we all expect Memphis to make it one helluva series, and one that most will hope to go the distance. Coach Poppy Seed knows how to lead the Spurs to success, but the athleticism and depth of Memphis is hard to overlook. Last year in the West it took 50 wins minimum to find yourself in the playoffs. Memphis was good last season, but they fell short in the ultra-competitive West. Hungry like a real grizzly bear in the late summer months, Memphis clicks with poise. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, and surely the Spurs have to be brainy favorites in many aspects of the game, but if Memphis finds a way to taste some victory early, and move along to force a game 7, I think they'll be the next great 8 spot. The Griz got the chops, and brother, they know it. They expect to join the super exclusive 8th Seed Winner Club, joining the '94 Nuggets, the '99 NYK, and the '07 Bay Area Warriors, and I'm thinking they might be right-on.

Who Left the West Wide Open?

The playoff picture out west has a sinister underdog's breeze blowing these days, with things looking a bit up-in-the-air with the middle seeds (and the higher seeds for that matter). It's a TD3Q glimpse out West, where "shaping-up" is something of an understatement.

The Trailblazers got a giant something-for-nothing from Michael "Air" Jordan and the Bobcats this trade deadline, finding magic in the vines with the acquisition of Gerald Wallace in exchange for player scraps and nose-bleed draft picks. Gerry Wallace is the ultimate all star glue-guy, bringing toughness to every pinpoint and angled bounce of the game. As LaMarcus Aldridge continues his first-team style domination on a nightly basis, and as Portland throws out one of the thickest rotations in the NBA, a first round showdown with OKC, Dallas, or the Lakers would definitely give ticket holders their money's worth. If lightning strikes twice, and at exactly the right moments, Portland's shot to blaze an upset trail all the way to the Western Conference Finals suddenly finds itself on the radar. They may hide camouflaged, slightly near the neutral zone, behind a wooded area with some shovels, but Portland is on the radar nonetheless.

This season's Old Memphis Grizzlies are the 2007 Golden State Warriors of 2011. San Antonio, Dallas, and the LA Lakers are all dancing around in their top seeded penthouses, crossing their fingers that Memphis, who sat on the outside looking in for the majority of the year, finishes as somebody else's first round counter-seed. Consider this promise that Rudy Gay will soon slide back to his early season form, refreshed and poised from his time on injury leave, back with mental vengeance tattoos as one of the team's top two options. Unlike last year's Grizzlies, the bench rotation has shaped up nicely, and with the reacquisition of Shane "Two Brain" Battier rounding out the ultimate collection of defensive minded glue guys, Memphis has a solid plethora of defensive toughness to compliment the offensive weapons. At 6 and 5, the Grizzlies hold a winning record against the Spurs, Lakers, and Mavs, and they certainly have our attention as a possible upset candidate heading into the playoffs.

The Nuggets are currently our 5th place darlings, and after trading Carmelo Anthony and his chinchilla fur coat collection for depth, offensive production, and potential, they find themselves with a talented, unselfish, and deep roster. While they don't yet have the chops to win a series against LA or Dallas, if they can hold onto that 5th seed, they should find a chance against the Thunder (who with all their stardom and solidness have never won a single playoff series). Although the Nuggets probably don't have the experience nor the resources to maintain their current pace for 5th place, they've grabbed our attention and have the ability to challenge in the first round, unlike whoever finishes in 8th (probably either Phoenix or New Orleans). Can Denver get four wins against LA or the Mavs? I suppose we shouldn't rule it out, since we're talking about Dallas here, but it seems highly unlikely, especially against the Lakers. Nugget supporters are lucky though, believe it or not. A major transition has begun and with it comes smooth sailing right off the bat. The Nuggets bring a togetherness to their games, and coach George Karl leads it by example (some say by hosting team dinners at top rated restaurants).

The 2011 NBA Playoffs should bring extra excitement right from the start, with at least 50% upset potential in the first round match-up arena (guaranteed!), we officially recognize 3 of the lower 4 playoff teams as barn burning tunnel rats, flying under the radar with potential for lengthy playoff runs. Keep a close eye on team records as these ever-important games unfold. Memphis and Portland are underdogs with teeth, and they could easily find themselves in 5th and 6th, making the race for 2nd between LA and Dallas all the more bone chilling! It's Halloween in March, only in the NBA!