Oakland Blues

Let’s see in my five days in Oakland, a major bridge melted and fell down.

The Mavs got smoked in Game 3.

I checked out of a hotel because I could hear the person in the bathroom in the room next door.

The Warriors beat the Mavericks by closing out every quarter strong in Game 4. Now they lead the series 3-1.

Well at least I got to visit the world famous Fenton’s Creamery. I’ve never been to a better ice cream shop in my life. The scoops of ice cream was huge. They serve an amazing crab salad sandwich.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Bay Area Fired Up

The Bay Area fans are all fired up for the Warriors game tonight. The Mavericks know the crowd will be rocking for Game 3.

The fans at Oracle Arena can make all the noise they want, but the Mavs went through this stuff in the NBA Finals last season. The playloff crowds in Phoenix were loud. The Spurs fans are always going nuts, so I just don’t see the Warriors fans phasing the Mavs.

I do think the Warriors will win a home game. Be it Friday or Sunday, they will get one.

I said Mavs in six. I’ll stand by that.

Dirk Nowitzki has to get his game going. The Warriors have taken him out of it by making him give up the ball. Dirk needs to go to the basket more and cut down on some of the jumpers. But what do I know, Dirk will probably win the MVP.

I’m heading off to shootaround in about 2 hours.

See ya the tube at 6pm….LIVE!

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Mavs Take Care Of Business

The Mavericks had to win Game 2 and they did, 112-99.

The Mavs didn’t get Dirk Nowitzki’s best game, but they got production from Jason Terry (28 pts), Josh Howard (22 pts 11 rebs).

The Warriors had Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson ejected. Those guys have to play a lot smarter. You can’t lose your composure in the playoffs.

The Mavs had some tense moments, but they never let their emotions get out of hand. That is the sign of a veteran playoff team.

DeSagana Diop was very impressive at the center spot. You have to look past the box scores on him. He helped cut down on the points in the paint for the Warriors.

Avery Johnson went big and made Golden State play his game.

The Mavericks just stuck together and played through the first quarter and pushed their will on the Warriors.

So, it’s a 1-1 series and it’s going to Oakland for Games 3 and 4. I’ll be there reporting.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Dirk MVP… To GM’s

Fresh off the press from NBA.com. The league’s GM’s think Dirk Nowitzki is the MVP of the league. This is the release:

NEW YORK, April 25, 2007 – NBA general managers picked the Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki to win his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award, edging out former teammate and reigning two-time MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, according to respondents of the 2007 NBA.com GM Awards Survey.

Now please understand, this does not mean this is how the vote will go. Those same GM’s voted Avery Johnson of the Mavs as the top coach in the league, but the award went to Sam Mitchell of the Toronto Raptors.

The NBA does not use the GM’s vote for the official award.

I’d be very surprised if Dirk doesn’t win the MVP. He deserves it.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Mavs Can’t Lose Game 2

It’s real simple. The Mavericks can not lose Game 2 at home to the Warriors.

They did that a few years ago in the first round against Houston and had to win the series in seven games.

The Mavs must come out aggressive and force their will on Golden State.

Losing is not an option.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Will The Cowboys Trade Up In The Draft?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was selling it thick at Valley Ranch just five days before the NFL Draft.

Jones said the Cowboys could trade up for a premier player like wide receiver Calvin Johnson or OU running back Adrian Peterson.

I don’t see the Cowboys having the right ammo to make that happen, even if Peterson falls as expected. He won’t last past 12.

Now Jerry did say he had offers to trade out of the 1st round and get a club’s #1 pick next year. Now I like that…if he can get a club’s 2007 2nd round pick and #1 pick in 2008.

If they stay at 22, I think they need to take a corner. They will have plenty of wide receivers to choose from in round two.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Home Ice Matters…

I believe home ice in hockey doesn’t mean squat…until Game 7.

Vancouver had it and won Game 7 Monday 4-1 over the Stars.

Marty Turco answered the bell. He is a playoff goalie the Stars can rely on and he should be brought back next season.

Coach Dave Tippett should return as well.

Now GM Doug Armstrong needs to find some scoring for next year’s club.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Stars Win?

I like the Stars chances in Game 7 tonight….even in Vancouver.

Stars goalie, Marty Turco, is has shutout the Canucks his last two games at GM Place.

Vancouver has lost 4 series in the franchise history after being up 3 games to 1. They have a history of choking.

The Stars can win this series tonight. I gave up on them after losing both games at home. Shows you what I know right?

If the Stars win tonight, they take on the Red Wings. Why fly all the way to Vancouver and lose? Just win baby.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Mavs Lay Egg

67 wins and the Mavs get spanked at home in Game 1 of the playoffs?

Please tell me that didn’t happen!

Oh, it did and I was there in the building watching the Mavericks play right into the hands of Golden State.

How about Baron Davis scoring 26 of his 33 points in the 3rd quarter. I’ve known that kid since he was a high school star in Santa Monica. He’s a bad brother at the point.

If you watched NBC 5 sports before the game you would have seen us tip you off on how Baron Davis was the guy the Mavs needed to stop. I was at the Saturday practice and I got a bunch of good sound on why he was the key.

When Mavs coach Avery Johnson started Deaven George and not Erick Dampier I didn’t like the move.

Why come out and play Nellieball?

The Mavs started a lineup of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Deavan George, and Devin Harris. They never started that group of five all year. I didn’t like the move.

So now Golden State has taken away homecourt advantage. They have won five games in a row in Dallas going back to 2004.

Check my earlier blog, I said Mavericks in six games. This series will not be easy.

The Mavs must win Game 2 in Dallas. Looks like I better book my hotel room for Game 6 in Oakland.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com

Spears Slams Bill Parcells

Marcus Spears has no love for former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells.

Here’s some quotes from a 20-minute sit down he had with me recently:

Spears believes he was not used correctly by the Tuna, “It’s definitely been a humbling experience for me because I came in expecting to play well and be able to do what I do and play the game the way I played it in college. I thought that’s what I was drafted off…to get here and be doing something different with a whole different mindset, it’s been tough. It’s not my style of football.”

“It’s a double edged sword when you get into a word to word with your head coach about they way he’s doing things and they way you want to do things. Now we have the opportunity to make plays.”

Spears told me he is very excited to be playing for Wade Phillips. Last year his Chargers defense led the NFL in sacks. Spears is ready to be turned loose and by able to get after the quarterback.

Last year Spears had ONE sack. He’s only got 2.5 sacks in his 2 years as a Cowboy defensive end. That’s not cutting it for a former first round draft pick.

2007 needs to be a breakout year for him or folks might start calling him a bust.

Newy Scruggs
www.newdawg.com