Is Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs the best inter-conference rivalry in the NBA?
January 16th, 2010 | by admin |Celtics and Lakers is not inter-conference so dont’ say that.
The Mavericks and Spurs are always battling for the division and have had some great playoff meetings including the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals which was one of the best series’ I’ve ever seen.
They have 2 of the 3 best PFs in the NBA with Dirk and Duncan.
When these teams meet its always exciting and intense.
NBA rivalries have dwindled over the years due to the fact that the media emphasises player rivalries and Kobe and Lebron over team meetings(Dirk and Duncan is a good matchup in its own though).
But to me I find it the best rivalry in the NBA right now. It should be advertised and hyped up more in my opinion
Is Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs the best inter-conference rivalry in the NBA
Agree 100%
This is the best inter conference rivalry right now and maybe best rivalry period at the moment. You have the two best PFs of all time going head to head and they both carried a team on their back for 11+ years no matter what kind of cast they had. These two teams have the highest winning percentage this decade (Lakers included) and no matter who suites up, its always a great match that has a high chance of going to OT. You got two former MVPs and many other great role players surrounding them. Let me highlight the past decade with these teams.
2001 West semis (Spurs vs Mavs)
Tim Duncan was an absolute beast in this series putting up over 27ppg and frustrating the Mavs the entire series. Once in this series Dirk also notched 41pts as well. Spurs 4-1 (Only the beginning).
2003 West finals
Dirk and Duncan continued to go head to head in a tough series of two teams with even records at 60 wins a piece. Duncan again averaged around 27ppg and Dirk averaged 25ppg through the 1st 3 games but missed the rest of the series due to injury which cost the Mavs. However this didn’t stop it from being a great series and the Mavs won game 5 with a great come from behind win and were up in game 6 by more than 20 when the Spurs pulled old Kerr off the bench (deep from the bench) and he went nutz from three point land, and that was all she wrote. Spurs 4-2
2006 West semis (Best series)
Dirk and Duncan were at their best and Tim Duncan fought through a foot injury the entire time to keep his team alive. But it was too bad that he was going up against who JUST emerged as the best player and an elite MVP player in Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk in game 3 sent the game to overtime with clutch freethrows and in game 7 Manu hit a three with seconds left and Dirk took his FRANCHISE on his back and drove to the hoop on B. Bowen got fouled made the three point play and won it in OT. That series had two overtime games and this was the most evenly matched playoff series of alltime maybe. Dirk was clutch in this series and the best player with averages of 27ppg, 13rpg, and in game 7 had 37pts and 15rebs. CLASSIC SERIES! Mavs 4-3
2009 1st Round
Spurs were banged up and Tony gave everything he could carrying the team with averages of 28ppg and multiple 30 point games but the Mavs were too much with Dirk and crew. Especially J-Ho averaging 19ppg in 26 minutes. Mavs 4-1
Since that classic 2006 series and that regular season included. They are 9-9 against each other in the regular season LOL. And they are still also tied for playoff wins this decade at 2-2. That obviously means that faith will bring us the final conclusion of the epic series and showdown of the 2 best PFs off all time and their teams battling it out. The tie breaker will come in the playoffs this year and the classic saga will come to a close. AND IT WILL BE SOMETHING SPECIAL (MARK MY WORDS!).
6 Responses to “Is Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs the best inter-conference rivalry in the NBA?”
By Kibby on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I guess you can say that.
Inter-conference, Inter-division, inter-state etc
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By Rob K- GET SOME on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
At the moment and for the decade of the 00’s it most certainly is. Followed by the Pistons/Cavs rivalry of the mid-2000s, and the Pistons/Nets of the early 2000s for the Eastern Conference’s only true rivalries of the decade. Earlier in the decade in the Western Conference you could make cases for the Spurs/Lakers and Lakers/Kings; but only the Spurs/Mavericks has spanned the whole decade. The proximity within the state of Texas also fuels the battle.
Duncan/Dirk is also an underrated battle of Power Forwards in the NBA; as they always seem to play at a high level versus each other. Take last night example; both players couldn’t be denied in the final seconds of the game. Was truly enjoyable basketball. I thought Duncan’s performance minus Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in the second half was brilliant was usual from one of the game’s best ever.
So yes, it’s absolutely the best in-conference rivarly in the NBA.
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By Reala on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I’ve been a Mavs season ticket holder for 16 years now, and I don’t even consider it a good rivalry. Aside from the 2006 series, the only other series that was COMPETITIVE that Dallas had a chance was 2003, but Dirk messed his leg up, and that was the end of that.
Other than that, Dallas was always just a 60 win team that SA beat with relative ease in 5 games, because Dallas couldn’t play defense, and Dallas won last year’s series because the Spurs were hurt.
I find it overrated.
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By Madd dogg on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
I would say yes! Duncan and Dirk have shown their skill to the great state of Texas and to the whole world, but in the past years I think Miami and Orlando will are the best inner conference rivalry. The Magic are coming off an Eastern Conference championship, and the Miami Heat won the NBA title in 2006. I think it is fair to include the heat and the magic as the best inner conference rivalry. They do have Howard and Wade.
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By Darko(#1 Blazers Fan) on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Yes,because Dirk and Duncan battles with high numbers is always great to watch
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By J.M (The German Jesus)™ on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Agree 100%
This is the best inter conference rivalry right now and maybe best rivalry period at the moment. You have the two best PFs of all time going head to head and they both carried a team on their back for 11+ years no matter what kind of cast they had. These two teams have the highest winning percentage this decade (Lakers included) and no matter who suites up, its always a great match that has a high chance of going to OT. You got two former MVPs and many other great role players surrounding them. Let me highlight the past decade with these teams.
2001 West semis (Spurs vs Mavs)
Tim Duncan was an absolute beast in this series putting up over 27ppg and frustrating the Mavs the entire series. Once in this series Dirk also notched 41pts as well. Spurs 4-1 (Only the beginning).
2003 West finals
Dirk and Duncan continued to go head to head in a tough series of two teams with even records at 60 wins a piece. Duncan again averaged around 27ppg and Dirk averaged 25ppg through the 1st 3 games but missed the rest of the series due to injury which cost the Mavs. However this didn’t stop it from being a great series and the Mavs won game 5 with a great come from behind win and were up in game 6 by more than 20 when the Spurs pulled old Kerr off the bench (deep from the bench) and he went nutz from three point land, and that was all she wrote. Spurs 4-2
2006 West semis (Best series)
Dirk and Duncan were at their best and Tim Duncan fought through a foot injury the entire time to keep his team alive. But it was too bad that he was going up against who JUST emerged as the best player and an elite MVP player in Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk in game 3 sent the game to overtime with clutch freethrows and in game 7 Manu hit a three with seconds left and Dirk took his FRANCHISE on his back and drove to the hoop on B. Bowen got fouled made the three point play and won it in OT. That series had two overtime games and this was the most evenly matched playoff series of alltime maybe. Dirk was clutch in this series and the best player with averages of 27ppg, 13rpg, and in game 7 had 37pts and 15rebs. CLASSIC SERIES! Mavs 4-3
2009 1st Round
Spurs were banged up and Tony gave everything he could carrying the team with averages of 28ppg and multiple 30 point games but the Mavs were too much with Dirk and crew. Especially J-Ho averaging 19ppg in 26 minutes. Mavs 4-1
Since that classic 2006 series and that regular season included. They are 9-9 against each other in the regular season LOL. And they are still also tied for playoff wins this decade at 2-2. That obviously means that faith will bring us the final conclusion of the epic series and showdown of the 2 best PFs off all time and their teams battling it out. The tie breaker will come in the playoffs this year and the classic saga will come to a close. AND IT WILL BE SOMETHING SPECIAL (MARK MY WORDS!).
References :