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 2-0 lead after winning the first two games 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 on us all. 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 Portland Dallas series back in '03, and we're going through them one at a time. On Tuesday, we watched game 2, then and now.
Bonzi, freaking, Wells! What do you say about a true warrior like Bonzi? He looks like the neighbor kid, all doughy and full of smiles, but beware of his nasty side. He's been a strong scorer for years, and in 2003, versus the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, Bonzi took it to another level. After a game 1 loss in which only Rasheed Wallace played with the necessary goods, and the rest of the Blazer roster fell flat, Bonzi Wells stepped up in Game 2 and couldn't be stopped, putting in 45 points on 16 of 24 shooting, including 4 of 5 from triple point distance. It wasn't enough though, as the 2003 Blazer team lacks the team depth needed to succeed in the top-notch 2003 Western Conference. This time Bonzi played the role of team leader, but follow his example, his teammates did not. The non-Bonzi Trailer Blaze Boys shot only 38%, which is just not getting it done against Dirk's Mavs. Not in 2003, not in 2011, not ever.
The 2011 Portland Trailblazers shot 48.5% in Game 2, and they did so with a balance and teamwork that usually results in red and black confetti. They shot 50% from the arch, and turned the ball over a conservative 12 times. Gerry Wallace and Wesley Matthews returned to prominence after their Game 1 disappearing acts. With aggressive minds, the two T-Blazers shot 12 of 22. Gerry did an impressive job finding teammates, as he totaled 6 assists. Aldridge continued to fill his role as team scoring leader, and Andre Miller played about the same as he always does, filling the stat sheet with 18 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Somehow, with all of the things that Portland did well in Game 2, it added up to another road loss, and a disappointing 0-2 hole in what many touted as the most evenly matched first round series of recent history.
Dirk Nowitzki played the entire 48 minutes in Game 2 of the 2003 first round series vs Portland. Unlike the unstoppable effort Dirk displayed in the previous game, Portland had him missing shots throughout, as Dirk finished with a high point total of 25, yet shot only 32% from the field, and managed only 6 free throw attempts. It was Maverick depth and friendship that gave Dallas the Game 2 victory against Blazer beast Bonzi Wells. Steve Nash upped the scoring from Game 1, just as we post-predicted some 8 years later. He led the Mavs with 28 points and 8 assists, and his beautiful moves kept Portland guessing all night. Michael Finley, the former Mavericks' best player, kept in line with the good ways, scoring 17 of his own. Dallas proved that when your best player is having an off night, a true contender can always rely on Plan B, Plan C, and if you're the Spurs or the Lakers, Plans D through J.
Dirk shot a hair under 41% in Game 2, version 2011. Although he had a better night than that of 2003's Game 2 versus Portland, he took a step backwards in efficiency from the field. He more than made up for it at the free throw stripe, though, shooting 17 free throws and making 15. One look at the box score and one notices that the two teams finished with similar stats across the board. The big difference was Jason Kidd's quarterbacking. He set the tone and took care of the ball, continuing his minor renaissance that Mavs fans are psyched for. Dallas only turned the ball over 6 times, compared to 12 for the Blazers. Dallas hit one more 3 pointer than Portland, and they hit a slightly better percentage of free throws. All in all, the stats describe a close game, one that was actually less tense than the numbers might suggest. Dallas took control late. There was no last ditch for Portland.
The 2003 battle at center presented a strange scenario. Shawn Bradley and Raef LaFrentz each fouled out of the game. I know somebody had to guard Rasheed Wallace, but was Dale Davis being super aggressive as well? Why so many fouls? Speaking of Dale Davis, he finished with a great old-guy line of 7 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Another quality game for one of the NBA's best under-appreciated big men, an all-star in 1999. In Dale's 15 year career, he missed the playoffs only twice. Winning doesn't get much more consistent than that, and although the title never found its way to Dale Davis, no matter what year it is, 2003, 1995, or 2011, Dale's a competitor and a teammate. And a great one to boot.Just as in 2003, the 2011 series is now 2-0 in favor of the Mavericks. If the tear in the time continuum keeps channeling the past, we may be looking at a 3-0 hole. Now it is up to the Rip City Faithful to go... "Back to the Future," like Marty McFly and Doc Brown, and change the course of history!
