who wins this series? '11 Mavs '14 Spurs

[Stuckey]

got a bet going with a friend

let's ask the best panel of judges

[FrobeShaw]

Spurs

[iamgine]

Mavs relied a lot on making tough shots after tough shots and that's an non quantifiable thing. Do we just assume they're red hot to start the game?

[Legends66NBA7]

The 10/11 Mavericks.

If a worse version of the 10/11 Mavericks (13/14 Mavericks) could force the 13/14 Spurs to a 7th game, then I don't see how the Mavericks lose. Infact, if were talking about both teams have full strength, they get back Caron Butler too.

Mavericks beat the Spurs in 5 or 6 games.

[masonanddixon]

Mavs in 4 or 5

[That_Admiral]

Spurs

[joe]

Would be one of the most exciting series of all time. Neither team would be able to stop the other. Both teams could completely demolish you offensively 2, 3, maybe even 4 times in a series.

The Mavericks would have the best player on the court, but the Spurs have more offensive threats consistently on the floor. Defensively, the Mavericks again have the best player on the floor (Chandler), but between Duncan, Leonard, and Popovich's schemes, it's probably a draw.

Coaching wise, this is one series where Pop does not have an advantage. Carislisle has proven to be a great tactician, and his teams play extremely hard for him. Despite Pop's brilliance, coaching is also a draw.

Motivation is also high on both sides. The Spurs were looking to avenge a finals loss the previous year. The Mavericks needed a championship to erase a decade of near-misses and painful exits.

The big question is, do the Spurs have anyone to guard Dirk? Kawhi could make an effort, but Dirk would easily shoot over him. Duncan is too slow. Splitter is not of the caliber to stop a player like Dirk. That may very well be the deciding factor... if the games are close, 2011 Dirk is a killer, far beyond anything on the Spurs roster.

The problem is, I can't see that Mavericks supporting cast keeping up the offensive pace against the Spurs. I imagine the Spurs playing straight up, 1 on 1 against everyone on the floor. Dirk will kill you, but who else? If Leonard is on Jason Terry, the Mavericks have few other options. Marion? Kidd? Will they really be able to pick up the slack?

On the other end, the Mavericks will have no answer for the constant penetration, pin point passing, and 3 point shooting of the Spurs. Parker and Manu will force Chandler to help, and from there, Danny Green, Tim Duncan, or Kawhi will be just a pass away from a wide open 3 or dunk. And the Spurs consistently find these players wide open.

Spurs in 7. Would be a great series. Perhaps the two greatest teams since the 2001 Lakers.

[masonanddixon]

Mavs relied a lot on making tough shots after tough shots and that's an non quantifiable thing. Do we just assume they're red hot to start the game?

They lost 5 total games in the postseason and were by far the best team in the league when healthy in the regular season. It's not like they simply caught lightning in the bottle in the playoffs--