Finals
by Oceanary on May 27, 2011 12:19 AM CDT
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So here's what we learned (pay attention, Miami...): Don't take a lead against the Dallas Mavericks. Because that'll just make Dirk angry and then you're screwed.
Nowitzki just closed out one of the best individual series in NBA history in epic fashion....by bringing the Mavs back from impossible deficits not once, but twice. And that was after starting things off with a 48 point explosion in game one.
So far in the 2011 postseason, Dirk is averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds and 2.7 assists on....get this....51% shooting from the field, 51% shooting from 3, and 93% shooting from the line. In that Mavs/Thunder series, Dirk hit 59 of his 61 free throws. He put in over 12 points per fourth quarter, including bringing the Mavs back from a 15 point deficit with 5 minutes to play in game 4. He scored 48 points on 15 shots in game 1.
Oh, and one more fun fact. Since the 2006 Finals, the Mavericks have not lost a single game against the Heat.
Mavericks versus Heat
No, you didn't drive to work in a lightning-powered Delorean this morning. The Heat and Mavs are really head-to-head in the Finals again.
Miami had their slugfest with the Bulls, fully exposing Chicago's one-dimensional offense and lack of depth. The Mavs took care of business on their end, using the experience and depth edges to their full advantage. The Thunder didn't play the matchup game....sending nominal power forwards Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison after Dirk....and paid for it big time.
The funny thing is, not many players are left on either team from that 2006 series. For the Heat, it's only Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem; for the Mavs, just Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. Yet both teams are treating this one as fully personal, top to bottom.
Says Jason Terry,
"Everyone knows what this next step means. Everybody knows when you wear a Dallas Mavericks uniform, certain things come along with it. … As long as you keep talking about [the last Miami series], it's going to hang over us. Me, Dirk, Mark Cuban, [assistant coach] Darrell Armstrong, we sleep with it every night.
Terry also believes this Mavs team is flat out better than that one. "If you look, to a man, this team is better than it was in 2006. To a man. The whole makeup. The chemistry, just all together. … Just look at the point guard on that team. It was me. Look at the point guard on this team: Jason Kidd. Big difference.
The Heat, of course, have added a few good pieces since 06 as well. That LeBron guy ain't half bad, I've been told.
This will, once again, be a series of matchups. Nominally, the Heat have a big advantage at shooting guard, with Wade matching up against either Deshawn Stevenson (who can't score) or Jet (who's like, half his size). The Mavs, meanwhile will slaughter Miami if they send Bosh after Nowitzki.
However, if the Heat go small and send LeBron after Dirk, while fielding Mike Miller at the 3 and Bosh or the recently-returned to health Udonis Haslem at the 5, things get a lot more interesting. LBJ has been nothing short of destructive defensively this postseason....but then again, Dirk has been on a historic offensive roll. And Wade at the 2 makes it awfully hard for the Mavs to field their favorite super-small-ball lineup of Terry and Juan Jose Barea. But the fact they have Jet and Barea....and Peja Stojakovic....to bring off their bench in the first place gives the Mavs a huge bench advantage.
Ultimately, I actually think though, that the guy who will decide this series is Tyson Chandler. He's a major x-factor, as the Mavs defensive anchor. If the Heat have one weakness, it's that their offense goes ice-cold when you rotate into their driving lanes. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson did a masterful job of it in the ECF, and I'm sure the Mavs will be watching plenty of tape form that. Wade is a streaky jump shooter. LeBron is a streaky jump shooter. Miami's scoring is very dependent on getting to the rim. If Noah, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer can check them, one would think Chandler, Dirk and Matrix would be able to as well.
I'm going to go with the Mavericks in this one, for several reasons. One, they're the deeper, more balanced team. Two, they play strong enough defense to keep James from scoring at will. Three, Dirk Nowitzki. Four, they've dominated the Heat of late.
But more than anything, this just feels like Dallas' time. They've been as unstoppable as a team can be in the postseason, play with more swagger than Michael Jackson moonwalking, and have a major, major chip on their shoulder. They'll kill to win a title over the Heat.
And honestly, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd deserve it.
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Very nicely done
I agree with it is Dallas’s time to win. Corey is going to get a ring!
Authentic frontier Gibberish
Corey! Corey! Corey!
Really, it would be impossible for me to root for Dallas if Corey Brewer wasn’t a Maverick now.
[deleted after giving it further thought]
the wolves are approximately 13 players away from a championship
but we’ll get there lol
J.UST E.NJOY T.HIS S.HIT
I DID SLEEP WITH @paugasol woman!!!
Go Mavericks!
I kinda like the Mavericks. Minnesota is my team, of course, but I do watch the Mavericks a little extra. I mean, it’s not like we’re gonna see the playoffs anytime soon, so…
The reason for it is that I once balled a bit with a German guy who actually knew Nowitzki. (Before the NBA-superstardom.) Apparently he (Dirk) is a great guy and I just started liking the Mavericks.
Also, I always liked mr. Kidd. I think they both deserve a title. Cuban too, a bit. The Heat will get theirs in time. I am with Oceanary on this one. It’s Dallas time to shine!
I'm going Mavs.
Something about the whole off-season thing last year still doesn’t sit right with me.
Also, if the Mavs win, Corey gets a ring. I like this.
Live And Stupid From England
Like the Thunder, the Bulls have to go through growing pains, the Heat will be to them what the Bad Boys were to the late 80s Bulls.
Defining win for this Heat team. It was like the Lakers in 2000 WCF Game 7 against Portland. Looking forward to the 2006 finals rematch too. It should be the best NBA Finals in recent memory. I can’t call it though; maybe after game 1.
They have also gone from 1-6 against the Bulls and Celtics to 8-2; one of the biggest turnaround in the last 30 years.
http://theresastatforthat.blogspot.com/2011/05/heat-bulls-biggest-turnaround-of-past.html
so this is why Stern has the Finals starting on Tuesday and not this weekend
Reduce turnovers, reduce personal fouls, shoot better, win.
That four point play and stretch to end the 4th quarter will change how people look at that game...
but he looked AWFUL before that…definitely not 100%
by LosAngelesTWolf on May 27, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Some of the guys here might remember that
I’m a Heat fan (I began to also support the Wolves because of Super Beas). And since you’re Oceanary (famous for your great writing and analysis), I can only agree at everything. But just to make a small case for the Heat (in retaliation to your first statement), the Heat almost always start slow. Almost always being down at half time. But somehow, they almost always find a way to win in the end. Be it the stepping up of Mike Miller, UD, or James Jones, or a sudden blitzkrieg of shots and And1’s from the Big Three. So as much as Dirk has recently mastered the art of bringing back his team from an obscene deficit, so have the Heat. Also, the Heat have around 6 players that can possibly take over, where as the Mavs have 2 or 3, maybe 4 at best in Dirk, Jet, Kidd and The Matrix. It would have been 5 had Butler not been injured. IMO, the games of these series will start out as a possible blowout, then by the 3rd or 4th, will be very close games. And then it will be a matter of who can step up and how many can step up. So IMO again, and I know this is a kinda biased, the nature of how the games will likely turn out (close and will depend on who can step up), the Heat’s many options will probably win it in the end.
OH! Those are really cool! (OH! Those are really cool!)
I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears! (I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears!)
OH! I love Michael Beasley's hair! (I can't wait to see Michael Beasley play defense!)
Oh, I got this one. Let's see...
LeBron. D-Wade. I guess Chris Bosh.
Umm….
Tim Hardaway. Alonzo Mourning.
Jason Williams?
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
Well, ever since Dwyane introduced Bibby to HGH...
Rrrrrruuuubiyomboooo!
by BrettAhlgren on May 27, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually, if read what I said, I already named them.
Wade, LeBron and Bosh, and in some situations, Miller and James Jones’ 3’s and Haslem, when his J is hot, can also take over the game.
OH! Those are really cool! (OH! Those are really cool!)
I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears! (I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears!)
OH! I love Michael Beasley's hair! (I can't wait to see Michael Beasley play defense!)
Then you better include
JJ Barea, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, and Rodrique Beaubois as guys who can “take over” games by your standard.
Don't feel bad about the negativity towards the Heat
After the Decision, people were going to be negative. And with the firepower they have, people naturally gravitate towards the underdog. As Wilt said, noone roots for Goliath.
That said, I’d love to be in your position, with a great team that seems likely to improve.
Meanwhile, my team cannot decide whether to replace one of the worst coaches in team history because it would cost some $$. Ech.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on May 27, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I for one am stoked the Heat exist...
with the run of the Lakers and Spurs ending, we need a team in the league that everyone loves to hate, and the Heat have totally embraced the villain role
by LosAngelesTWolf on May 27, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
The thing that sucks with being a Heat fan is
a lot of people put that over my head when I’m on other blogs. Though I do legitimately root for lots of young teams like the Wolves and the Sixers and even the Warriors and the Clippers (they are a hell of a lot of fun to watch), lots of guys think a Heat fan has no business being on other blogs just because all of a sudden, they now hate the Heat.
And as a fellow T’Wolves fan, in spite of the issues with coaches and the draft and how Khan would handle it, the main thing that excites me here is the prospect of looking forward to a future with young talented pieces. And coming of a season where the team has had their first All Star since the KG era, it feels good rooting for a team that can be one of the future forces in the West after the Spurs-Lakers era in the West has subsided.
OH! Those are really cool! (OH! Those are really cool!)
I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears! (I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears!)
OH! I love Michael Beasley's hair! (I can't wait to see Michael Beasley play defense!)
I'm looking forward to this.
This should be a great series whoever wins. I agree that it feels like Dallas time and Dirk deserves this as a player who started great and kept working to get better. It’s hard though to count Miami out after the post season they have had. With Miller and Haslem contributing they are a much better team than the one that we watched roller coaster through the season. For me I just get to sit back and enjoy because I will be fine either way. If Dallas wins I will be happy for Dirk and for some reason I can’t bring myself to hate Miami as much as I know I am supposed to.
I predict that the Mavs win game 1
and the Heat win the series in 6. But I’ll be rooting for the Mavs.
I do not recognize the 2006 Championship as being legit...
…and I am rooting for Dirk to save the world from the Death Star becoming fully operational, but I don’t think it ends well. I’ll be surprised if it makes it to 6.
by Stop-n-Pop on May 27, 2011 8:57 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
I have the same bad feeling
But I think the Mavs are a better test for the Heat than the Bulls were. Rose is just too inexperienced and it really showed in the 4th quarters.
Chicago still came very close to being up 3 games to 2. I think the Mavs have an excellent chance here.
What are the series prices?
Just imagine that the Heat are only going to get better
This might be as bad as they get for the next 3-5 years.
One Caveat
D. Wade might be breaking down a bit because of his aggressive playing style. He doesn’t seem to have the same elevation that he had a few years ago. He also looked pretty mediocre against the Bulls (4th quarter heroics notwithstanding). He needs to develop a better three point shot to keep at a super-star level of production for 3-5 more years.
I’ve heard Dirk shot womp rats with his T-16 growing up in Germany.
...so long as they get a real guard
by jianfu on May 27, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Agree on 2006.
Have hated the Heat since and it only increased last summer.
I worry about the Mavs matching up on the wings. Marion can guard Lebron, but he’s old. Guess there will be lots of DeShaun Stevenson and 3s chucking. Wonder if there will be a bigger dose of Corey to put on Wade.
Completely agree with you guys!
SNP, I always say that exact phrase “I do not recognize the 2006 championship as being legit.” Sau, I hear ya. Before that series I kinda liked D wade, now he is my most hated enemy. I would love to see Brewer shut D bag down. So, obviously, Mavs all the way! Too deep, too much defense, too much dirk… Forget the brooms, bring your mop buckets. We’re gonna need a cleanup on aisle 4…
"I would love to see Brewer shut D bag down."
I would love to be dating Kate Upton.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on May 27, 2011 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
The 06 Finals and the 02 WCF are the two biggest...
…black eyes on the sport in the last decade. More than the Malice in the Palace, I think.
I don't think the 06 Finals is in the same stratosphere of the 02 WCF.
Not saying the 06 Finals doesn’t deserve the scorn it gets (though I think it’s a little overstated; Wade was indomitable that series). Just pointing out that the 02 WCF….holy shit that was bad.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on May 27, 2011 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Game 6 of the 2002 WCF is on a whole higher level than anything else.
If it wasn't for Jordan Farmar and that guy Kevin Love, I would've killed somebody!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0KJvlSUB-w&feature=related
It is definitely on another plane of existence.
I remember watching this game while I was stationed at Fort Benning
And it literally caused a mini-riot to break out in our day room.
I was at Offutt..
…and there was similar nonsense in the day room. Almost as bad as the day room in Korea when the 98 Vikes broke many, many, many hearts.
BTW
I’m friends with a guy who was on Bibby’s Arizona HS team. He was also at Offutt. It added to the misery.
I didn't watch much of the 02 WCF
So I can’t really compare, but as for 06, I watched all of those games and part of Wade’s indomitableness (uh, new word!) came from the fact that the refs made it impossible to guard him. He was awesome in his own right, but the refs called anything close to him a foul. I saw Mavs literally jumping away from him on drives to avoid a call and still getting tagged for fouls. It was nuts.
I am rooting for the Mavs
but agree with S-n-P that a Heat win seems very likely. Who guards DWade? Dallas will probably win at least one game due to ridiculous 3 point shooting, but I don’t think you can win a series that way.
Imagine if CHI had gotten anything from mega-$$-man Boozer? Might have been a series. I realize he is hurt, but he is always hurt. That flagrant on James was not an NBA play either. Foul hard – that is playoff basketball. But don’t wrap your arm around his shoulders while he is airborne and throw him down to the floor. Dirty.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
Chicago showed some serious flaws. I mean, a motivated, healthy, fully-operational Heat team will expose almost anyone, I imagine. But if I’m a Bulls fan (and I am to an extent, as I lived in Chicago during the tail-end of the Jerry Krause regime when they were affectionally known as the “TerriBulls”), I’m suddenly a little worried about how the team will get better.
Also, how did Mike Bibby get even a minute guarding Derrick Rose? Although to be fair, it never bit them.
...so long as they get a real guard
Heat trapped on him constantly and clogged the lane.
Dared anyone else on the Bulls to beat them and they couldn’t. Chicago’s offense lives and dies with Rose. If he’s double-teamed all over the court and can’t create, no one else is going to really make the other team pay.
Is Carlos Boozer the most overrated player in the league?
It really showed how great Chicago's support cast is and how
Derrick Rose’s MVP was a sham because of how good his teammates were.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
Where you see evidence of Rose's awesomeness
I see a self-fulfilling prophecy. When the Bulls win, Rose is a hero. When the Bulls lose, Rose’s team failed him. Rose handles the bulk of the scoring load, but he wouldn’t have anything to do with the conference finals without the rebounding, defense, and efficient scoring that comes from the other guys on that team.
I think Rose is a really really good player, especially for his age. I also don’t think he is an MVP. I really don’t see how losing with a really strong team at his side is any evidence in his favor. Rose is a top-tier player that is currently the beneficiary of an impenetrable narrative.
I don't have a problem with Rose winning the MVP
His team was extremely dependant on him, and all of that.
But LeBron is clearly a better basketball player. He was an all-out force on defense in that series. He gave Rose serious trouble when he guarded him.
I really hope the Heat go small and match...
LeBron on Dirk in the finals. That would be awesome to watch.
I hope they do and Dirk shreds him
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
That would be sweet
You could watch it back whenever you felt depressed and be cured.
Climbing Broke Back Mount Everest - T'Wolves 10/11
I'm guessing the Heat will only do it in select situations
If they put LeBron on Dirk full time, it’ll be tough for him to avoid foul trouble with the heavy minutes he’ll play. I think they send Bosh at Dirk, with LeBron guarding him in some clutch situations.
Would that be a small-ball lineup, you think?
Bosh at five and LeBron at 4… Matrix might post up a lot if they do that, and Barea/Jet could exploit bibby, chalmers, miller etc, but Bosh will be really dangerous on the pick and pop… it’s a really interesting matchup all across the board.
Climbing Broke Back Mount Everest - T'Wolves 10/11
I think Udonis is gonna be the main guy on Dirk
with LeBron handling some final minutes situations.
Dirk has to play even better than he’s been playing for Dallas to win…3 games.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on May 27, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions
To change direction slightly
Has there ever been a player that could not just compete at 5 positions both offensively and defensively, but really dominate on both ends? With LeBron, center is the only position that’s a bit of a stretch, and I can pretty much guarantee if he was forced to play center full-time he would figure out a way to be an excellent defender. It’s ridiculous.
Magic Johnson
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
by littleboxes on May 27, 2011 1:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
LeBron...
…can actually stick with the smaller quick PGs. He’s like Magic who could stay in front of Thomas. It’s insane.
LeBron's work on Rose in crunch time
In that series was nothing short of phenomenal. I bet if you asked around the league, he’s about the last guy anyone would want defending them if he was absolutely determined to get a stop.
It reminded me...
…of when Jordan would take it out on Drexler after people talked about how good Drexler was.
I should have mentioned Magic
But he wasn’t really a “plus” defender at any position, whereas LeBron is pretty much a plus defender at every position. If the criteria is “being good at every position,” then Magic is the first guy that should be mentioned. If the criteria is being a disruptive force on both sides of the ball at every position, LeBron is the only guy I can think of that could possibly fit that.
Magic could dominate at any position on one side of the ball, but he was merely adequate on the defensive side. Obviously he was a huge overall plus at any position since his offensive skills and versatility were at such a high level. I see LeBron as being a game changer on both sides of the ball at whatever position he’s playing (possibly with the exception of Center defensively, as I said above).
LeBron is definitely a better basketball player.
But then again, that breaks down to whether you think MVP should go to the best player or the most valuable player to his team. For me, its the latter. For others, its the former. There’s probably not a “right” answer.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
That's why I don't have a problem
with Rose winning the MVP, even though I think LeBron is far superior as a basketball player.
Could you explain what is meant by
“most valuable to his team” as opposed to best player? I never understood what that meant.
The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.
by Eric in Madison on May 27, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think if you were to operationalize the "MVP to his team" definition...
it would look something like: “Player with the highest points per game differential between himself and the next highest points per game player on his team, given that his team has a legitimate shot at winning the title this season.”
I'll use a farcical example to make my point on this one.
Team A has a starting lineup of:
Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul
Team B has a starting lineup of:
Nene, Udonis Haslem, Ryan Gomes, Raja Bell and Russell Westbrook.
Team A wins 60 games. Team B wins 50 games with Westbrook far and away the best player on the team. Westbrook is not the best player, but he is more valuable to Team B than any of the 5 players on Team A.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
Well I understand that
Thank you. I completely disagree with that definition of MVP, but I appreciate you explaining it to me.
The Wolves are like the worst meal you've ever had--terrible while you're eating it and even worse later.
by Eric in Madison on May 27, 2011 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
True..
Even if the definition was simply “who is the most valuable to the team”, I would go with Paul or Howard over Rose, but then you have the problem that their teams’ records weren’t as good as the Bulls.
In the end, MVP is kind of a silly thing for people to argue over, because it means something different to everyone.
If I had my way LeBron would probably win every year (just like Jordan should have won every year in his prime) and everyone would be bored to death by the whole thing.
How exactly did Chicago get nothing from Boozer?
Game 1: 14-9 on 10 attempts
Game 2: 10-8 on 10 attempts
Game 3: 26-17 on 19 attempts
Game 4: 20-11 on 14 attempts
Game 5: 5-6 on 6 attempts
Those are pretty good numbers. His game 3 performance was the best of any Bulls player the whole series. I am confused what Boozed has to be ashamed of.
He's making roughly $15 million a year.
Games 1 & 2 are sub-par for a guy being paid to be their 2nd best player. He put up 5 pts and 6 rebounds in an elimination game! That flat out sucks.
So 3 out of the 5 games in the series he underperformed.
Yep. I just hope its us doing the paying.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
by TimAllen on May 27, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Boozer is a terrible defender
His P&R defense in particular is comically bad.
Jerry Sloan, meanwhile, is something of a basketball saint.
Getting reasonable defensive play out of Boozer, then having his team take on Al Jefferson as Carlos leaves town…. The man suffered.
Derrick Rose
Shot a combined 32/98 in the final 4 games, all losses. That’s 32.6 percent shooting. I fail to see how he’s not just as much to blame as Boozer for their losses, if not more so.
"We must always seek the truth in our opponents' error and the error in our own truth." - RN
I actually blame Noah the most.
He got 14 boards twice this series and still averaged less than 10/game (9.8 is pretty close, but POINT STANDS I think). Shot 31.7 pct from the field and attempted only 8 free throws the whole series (and made 4). His defense was it’s usual stout self and he displayed the passing skills we’ve expected, but he had an opportunity to be a 15/15 guy this series and was markedly less than that, while letting Bosh go off.
But I’m very clearly a Rose apologist, so, grain of salt and everything.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on May 27, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, Rose wasn't great
So he gets some blame as well. He started forcing things that weren’t there and threw up a lot of bad shots. But Miami keyed everything on stopping him. The 4th quarter of game 2 was pathetic. Rose met with double teams every trip down the floor and no one on the Bulls could make the Heat pay for it.
Calling 14-9 underperforming...
is a stretch. Granted that game 5 was a poor showing, but that happens to everyone. Rose just would have covered it up by taking 30 shots.
NBA Playoffs this year have been a lot of fun to watch
Chicago has a very good defensive team. The Mavs? Not so much. I think the Heat will win this one, if DWade’s shoulder is OK.
Yep, I'm definitely rooting for the Mavs.
I like a lot about the Mavs. Mark Cuban is a great guy. Dirk, Marion, Chandler and Terry are all players I like and respect. Brewer and Cardinal, of course.
And J.J. Barea. I remember watching a show about him on ESPN when he had just been called up out of the D-League by the Mavs and was trying to just make it on the roster of an NBA squad. I’m a sucker for stories like that.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
I love Barea
And usually I don’t like the little pest point guards like him, but there’s just something very rootable for the guy.
And his girlfriend is stop traffic hot.
Google Zuleyka Rivera if you want and you’re not at work.
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
He's noticeably smaller than everyone else on the court...
and his face always looks like he just smelled a fart…
heart of a champion…
he’s very endearing
by LosAngelesTWolf on May 27, 2011 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
With the Mavs here.
It’s not just a rooting interest, though emotionally I’m there too. I just think Dallas, as of weeks ago now, was the only deep veteran team left. Miami’s version of veteran depth is guys like Mike Bibby.
I'd say Mavs in 6, partly wishfully, i admit.
But no team in the east scores like the Mavs can; if they can force the games to be in the half-court it’s going to need an heroic effort from at least two of James, Wade and Bosh every single game.
The Mavs had better hope James doesn’t play better in the finals than in the ECFs though, because, despite how unlikable he’s been, it’s impossible to deny that he’s been on another level in the last couple of weeks.
Climbing Broke Back Mount Everest - T'Wolves 10/11
Might I suggest...
Game threads.
by Achilles Fang 1 on May 27, 2011 11:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Heat in 5.
I’m rooting for Dirk to get the ring he deserves, but the Mavs are just outclassed. The Bulls are a better team than the Mavs, and I liked how Chicago matched up with Miami more than how Dallas does. I expect a big series out of Dirk, and I expect it not to matter.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind everyone that Derrick Rose’s MVP award was always a travesty. I don’t think I even need to say why at this point.
If it wasn't for Jordan Farmar and that guy Kevin Love, I would've killed somebody!
by John Doe on May 27, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Just noticed
The Heat won rounds 1, 2, and 3 if 5 games also.
If it wasn't for Jordan Farmar and that guy Kevin Love, I would've killed somebody!
Kevin McHale does Houston
Yep, the Rockets new head coach is Kevin McHale.
Congratulations to Morey.
Dingus Kahn, it's over
They've offered it, and now he's got to negotiate the contract...
Wait. What was Kevin McHale’s single worst trait as a GM, again? Negotiation, wasn’t it? As in, KG’s first deal, and the Joe Smith thing, and the re-signings of almost every free agent on the Wolves’ roster over his tenure…
This is just a really, really interesting choice by Daryl Morey.
Hahahahaha
ESPN has learned that McHale has a two-year, non-guarenteed contract for $500,00.
When reached for comment, the former Boston Celtic said “Well, I didn’t feel like messing around about dollars. I wanted to go fishing this weekend.”
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on May 27, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Who were the Thunder
supposed to put on Dirk? He’d draw way too many fouls on Durant and he would walk right past Perkins. Anyway, go Mavs for the finals.
Looking at the numbers, it sounds crazy...
but I don’t think Ibaka did that bad a job on Nowitzki during the series…Dirk blew by him a couple times but most shots were contested and he just refused to miss…
Dirk’s fadeaway off one foot is the most consistently unstoppable shot I’ve seen since Jordan’s baseline fadeaway back in the day
by LosAngelesTWolf on May 27, 2011 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought Collison played admirably as well.
Dirk was simply making ridiculous shots.
That D-Wade Injury is worrisome
This has been lingering now for a few games. If anyone can overcome injury, it has to be D-Wade. But still….
The weakness for the Heat is at center. Fortunately for the Mavs, Tyson is healthy. I just don’t think Serge and especially Perk had the length to challenge slashers for the Heat.
The other weakness for the Heat is at PG. But with LeBron bringing the ball up court late in games, this may not be as big a problem.
Dingus Kahn, it's over
Who guards D-Wade in this series? Kidd?
Everything in the computer need my face on it. Mega Gigabytes, son!
Looking solely at starting lineups (not because the rest isn't important, just too involved to figure out right now)
On Dallas’ defensive end: I think Wade is guarded straight-up by Stevenson. Kidd helps Marion on LeBron, shading off of Bibby. Chandler defends Bosh, and Dirk tags Anthony.
I think the matchups stay pretty much the same, other than running a few different guys and varying help at Dirk. I think they’ll try to avoid using LeBron on him, to keep him fresh and foul-free, but will turn to it in certain situations, or if Dirk is really being re-Dirk-ulous.
I think this thing’s all about Dallas depth and shooting prowess. I’m excited to see the JJ, Terry, and Peja show. I hate Haywood, but he could do a lot towards reconciling that if he gives a good defensive effort this series.
Rrrrrruuuubiyomboooo!
by BrettAhlgren on May 27, 2011 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds about right
And I wouldn’t be surprised if some more Corey was sprinkled in to mess with Wade or Lebron. Fresh young legs to chase them all over the court.
Anyone know for sure
How Mavs defensed Heat in their two wins during regular season?
Dingus Kahn, it's over
I dunno what is the X-Factor, but I'd probably lean towards Barea
A couple 15-20 point games and fourth quarter closing would be nice.
I’m excited for the James Jones/Peja matchup. Sooooo little defense.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on May 27, 2011 1:39 PM CDT reply actions
I'll be pretty surprised if Dallas wins this series
but I really hope they do. Dirk is so much easier to cheer for than this Heatles nonsense. Plus, a storyline not getting enough press is that Jason Kidd could get his first title. Lots to like about the Mavs organization.
juss gon say
fuck lebron and fuck de heat. but mayn dey balled out uv control last night hand have been since de boston series. fuck lebron doe.
MAYN HOL UP!
Go Heat.
I just want to see everyone who said earlier in the year “Oh look at the Heat, I knew they weren’t going to play well. What a failed experiment. No chance for them, definitely not this year,” and now they’re expert hypocrites who are quick to say “Psh… they’re SUPPOSED to be this good off that talent.”
The Heat are definitely the less rooted for team and I’m a sucker for rooting for the team that no one else does. Love Dirk, Kidd, and Turbo, but I’ll be going for the Heat!
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