Bizzaro World and DeShawn Stevenson...

[cs hauser]

How bizarre is it that DeShawn Stevenson is a starting shooting guard in the Western Conference Finals?

The guy is still shooting his customary 38% from the field. He's still running around with blinders and hoisting up contested shots 20 feet from the basket while his Hall-of-Fame teammates watch in horror. Not much has changed about DeShawn.

His star-studded teammates from 3 years ago --- Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, and Brendan Haywood --- have been glued to the bench all season. Meanwhile, DeShawn weasels his way into the starting lineup of a title contender. If the Mavericks win one more game, then Stevenson may find himself once again battling his old nemesis, LeBron James... this time, in the NBA Finals.

That doesn't compute. My brain will explode if I try to think about it for more than 2 seconds.

[Higga]

my hero

[fishercob]

Good D and 35% from 3 for 15 minutes a a night. Good role from him. He'll help vs Miami.

[montestewart]

Good D and 35% from 3 for 15 minutes a a night. Good role from him. He'll help vs Miami.

The Mavs can afford to start him and thus have the luxury of Terry off the bench, either w/ the 2nd unit or perking up the starters. It's worked well for them, and DS bring a lot of attitude and toughness, just like he showed w/ the Wizards (even when other parts of his game were off). Part of the Mavs apparent transformation has been the addition of tougher role players and better defenders surrounding the star.

And Haywood isn't glued to the bench, he's just not the starter, and Chandler has earned that role. Haywood must be the best backup center in the league, and he's getting pretty good minutes at that. I kind of feel sorry for Butler having to watch all this from the bench.

[cwb3]

I watched Saturday's Mav's/Thunder game.
Imagine my surprise to see both D-Steve and Haywood playing well. Stephenson played really good on man defense, hit a couple three's, did that annoying face-wave thing. Brendan altered some shots, cleaned up on the glass, moved without the ball and was rewarded with some feeds for dunks.

It was kinda wierd. . .except that Butler was out with injuries, that seemed normal. . .

[dobrojim]

don't think it should be a surprise that Wood is playing well, DS not so much.

Even JVG is totally on Wood's bandwagon now calling him (as some here have
for years) an elite defensive and rebounding center although the rebounding
aspect might be debatable.

Watching him play the PnR is enlightening. Is there a C that shows
better/harder and still recovers?

[cwb3]

don't think it should be a surprise that Wood is playing well, DS not so much.

Even JVG is totally on Wood's bandwagon now calling him (as some here have
for years) an elite defensive and rebounding center although the rebounding
aspect might be debatable.

Watching him play the PnR is enlightening. Is there a C that shows
better/harder and still recovers?

He definately is better and more effectivelly utilized now than he was with the Wizards.

[dobrojim]

is it really that or is he just on a team that is obviously
achieving at a much higher level?

Or were you just referring to the EFJ era?

[Nivek]

Stevenson's best years were in Washington. The key, I think, is that Dallas has set about assembling a team based on who can play specific roles. Stevenson can do two things at an NBA level -- defend and shoot the three. There's a role for that. Plus, Terry is truly the starter. Stevenson got ~16 minutes per game in the regular season, and that's down a little in the playoffs. Basically, starting him helps them with their player rotations a little -- it lets them make sure they have Dirk or Terry on the floor at all times.

[BigA]

If it ends up being a Dallas-Miami final, Stevenson could be useful because he's sometimes able to get into LBJ's head.

[dobrojim]

roger that - remember LeDouche hurting his wrist after getting PO'd
at DeBrick.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

How great would it be to see De-suck ruin the annointed one's crabwalk to the trophy.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Stevenson's best years were in Washington. The key, I think, is that Dallas has set about assembling a team based on who can play specific roles. Stevenson can do two things at an NBA level -- defend and shoot the three. There's a role for that. Plus, Terry is truly the starter. Stevenson got ~16 minutes per game in the regular season, and that's down a little in the playoffs. Basically, starting him helps them with their player rotations a little -- it lets them make sure they have Dirk or Terry on the floor at all times.

I think that is the way great teams need to be set up.

I believe it is perfectly okay to have one-dimensional specialists who play just to accomplish their roles. Bill Russell wrote a book years back and described the Celtics' 50s and 60s dynasty teams as having players who all knew their roles.

DeShawn is an energy guy who is not afraid to take and make a good shot. He plays average to above average defense. As Barkley says, "teams need a crazy guy". I loved the hate DeShawn had for Lebron back when Stevenson was a Wizard. All the "can't feel my face" and media back-n-forth over Soulja Boy was great. He is one of those guys who can be the worst shooting guard ever, but hit a big shot. I will always remember EJ used Stevenson and Mason Jr at guards and made the playoffs.

The one thing DeShawn does do is command respect from teammates, coaches, and opponents. He knows how to play.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

roger that - remember LeDouche hurting his wrist after getting PO'd
at DeBrick.

Players don't fight these days, but I felt like DeShawn and Lebron were close to getting into it.

[Wizardspride]

roger that - remember LeDouche hurting his wrist after getting PO'd
at DeBrick.

Players don't fight these days, but I felt like DeShawn and Lebron were close to getting into it.

NO. DeShawn was "close to getting into it". Lebron wanted none of that.

[Hawaii]

I was talking to a guy at the bar the other day watching the game about this...weird to see several of our players thisclose to playing for a championship. Kind of like the Pistons in '04. Wish Caron was out there playing. Brendan's been doing great, Stevenson's been solid.

[GhostsOfGil]

roger that - remember LeDouche hurting his wrist after getting PO'd
at DeBrick.

Players don't fight these days, but I felt like DeShawn and Lebron were close to getting into it.

hilarious play. iirc lebron threw down a frustration dunk after the whistle blew and f'ed up his wrist

[JonathanJoseph]

I cannot wait for the DS/Lebron matchup that looks like it is coming next week.

Jay-Z anyone?

[Wizardspride]

I cannot wait for the DS/Lebron matchup that looks like it is coming next week.

Jay-Z anyone?

Soulja Boy.

[REDardWIZskin]

funny that it seemed like Miami/ Letravel really started to get off when Dbrick went to the bench last night.