Charles Barkley leaps to Mavs defense

TNT analyst Charles Barkley tried to soothe the Mavericks' wounds during "Inside the NBA" after Thursday night's loss:

"I don't think this is a horrible loss for the Mavericks. I  know they were the No. 2 seed, but they didn't lose to an ordinary No. 7 seed. The loss to Golden State [when the Mavs were the No. 1 seed in 2007] was horrible. This [Spurs] team, they got one of the best coaches in the NBA history. They got probably three guys that gonna be Hall of Famers. That's a really good team. [The Mavericks] played three great games. This wasn't nearly as bad when they lost to Golden State."

The Mavericks in this series "competed. Games 3 and 4 in San Antonio were nailbiters."

Kenny Smith responded, "So we're accepting moral victories. But you can't continue to go out in the first and second round with Dirk Nowitzki on your team. So, where does it stop, or how does it stop, I think there need to be adjustments."

Barkley believes "Of course, you tweak it ... but you don't blow it up."

Comments

[Floyd Evans]

Ive been a Mav fan for years and will continue to be. Until the way sthe game is called by the refs, changes, we will probably come out on the short end of the stick. I think Cuban and Donnie Nelson are doing their job to build a winner. Who can ever figure out when Terry will hook it up and have good games when they really count. Gotta love that Booo man. Cant wait till next year.