Nowitzki, Terry say Lakers are the team to beat
The San Antonio Spurs own the best record in the NBA (50-11), were the first team to 50 wins this 
season and own the lead in the Southwest Division.
Despite that, Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki thinks the Los Angeles Lakers, not the Spurs, are the team to beat:
"I think the Lakers to me are still the heavy favorite in the West. After that, there are a bunch of teams bundled up. But I still think the Lakers are the heavy favorite in the West.''
"They've won two (titles) in a row, they're long and they got the same players and they got the best player in the world,'' Nowitzki said.
Of course Spurs fans "favorite" Maverick Jason Terry agreed with his teammate and in an ironic twist, actually complimented the Spurs' success this season:
"No question, the Lakers, always, because they're the champs,'' Terry said of who the favorite is in the West. "But what San Antonio has done makes them a favorite, too. We're chasing all those guys and we're going to play out this underdog role."
I understand the Lakers are the defending champs and own the crown but shall I remind Nowitzki and Terry the Spurs are 2-0 against Los Angeles. Also, it's the Spurs the Mavericks are chasing for the number one seed and not the Lakers.
(mavsblog.dallasnews.com)
I have no problem with statements or comments having the Lakers as the team to beat. Pop has said as much.
Conventional wisdom also dictates that the Spurs are lacking size and have not look well when their shots are not going in. The games lost by the Spurs shows many turn overs and many second hand opportunities for the opponents. Does that make me nervous? Hell yes. But, the one tangible asset against the Mavs is this...there are no substitute for experience and the hearts of champions. The Spurs possessed both of these which is what makes all other teams nervous of them
What do I say with this? OK Lakers are the Champs but who is the BEST TEAM IN THE NBA right now? The Spurs! Go Spurs Go!
@JeffProjectSpurs the Lakers are still the champs so i give 'em that. But I still believe the Spurs will win it in the end.
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The Lakers are the team to beat and that's fine. Let's just wait and see what happens in the playoffs.
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I don't have a problem with that. Lakers are still the champs so they've got to be the team to beat. But I believe in the Spurs that's all!
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