2011 NBA FINALS: Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat

[TJ]

Guess I got a lot of people's antennas up with my last post. Couple of responses to what's been said:

• LeBron is more talented than Wade; however, I agree with the notion that Wade is more mentally tough at the moment. It's funny because Wade was the one who "turtled" in the ECF and LeBron had to pick it up. Obviously, he needs to be in the moment in the Finals. He has two games at most to prove he isnt checked out of this series.
• 4th quarter falters are not an individual plight. They are a team letdown. Dallas locked down on D against Miami and shot the ball well, Miami couldnt figure out a way to adjust. I attribute much of this to coaching. Spoelstra needs to adjust the schemes or the line up if they are letting the game slip away. In Game 2, he did nothing to stop the bleeding until the game was tied. That's when Mike Miller had to be inserted into the game. When they get too conservative or try to milk the clock with 6 or 7 minutes to go, that's playing not to lose. I don't see much of a debate here.
• Dallas can take the series Sunday, but don't discount the fact that Miami still has the Big 3 and home court advantage. Coming back home might be the medicine Miami needs to get the monkey off their backs. They haven't been home in a week, which is how the 2-3-2 can be a detriment to the team with HCA. But if you want to look at it from a basic standpoint, Miami did what they needed to do to have the Game 7 advantage if necessary: take home court back from Dallas. Yes, Dallas has proven they can win when they dont shoot well, but they equally proved they can also lose. They did it twice this series.

This has become a series and everyone thought after game 1, it was over after Miami took out Dallas by 8. Seems as if Dallas returned the favor in Game 5. Like I said, Dallas has the momentum and the swagger going for them, but I dont see a way Miami completely falters and loses three in a row, especially coming back home. They are still a very talented team and have improved in the depth department in the playoffs. Even with all of the 4th quarter talk, I still think they can man up and take Game 6. If it were in Dallas, I would think otherwise.

 

[Lorenzo]

I also don't think Dallas has any fear of winning a Game 7 in Miami. To be honest, I almost expect Miami to win Game 6 and then Dallas somehow guts out a classic Game 7 with LeBron going completely turtle.

I hope you are right if indeed the heat do win game 6.

I just feel there is something to finishing your opponent when you have the chance. especially when you have them right where you want them. Interestingly this is the closest that any mavericks player has ever been to a title. It is going to be tough to beat dallas if they are making shots, because you know the effort is going to be relentless. but at the same time miami will be too...especially from their big 3.

 

[Lorenzo]

Guess I got a lot of people's antennas up with my last post. Couple of responses to what's been said:

• LeBron is more talented than Wade; however, I agree with the notion that Wade is more mentally tough at the moment. It's funny because Wade was the one who "turtled" in the ECF and LeBron had to pick it up. Obviously, he needs to be in the moment in the Finals. He has two games at most to prove he isnt checked out of this series.
• 4th quarter falters are not an individual plight. They are a team letdown. Dallas locked down on D against Miami and shot the ball well, Miami couldnt figure out a way to adjust. I attribute much of this to coaching. Spoelstra needs to adjust the schemes or the line up if they are letting the game slip away. In Game 2, he did nothing to stop the bleeding until the game was tied. That's when Mike Miller had to be inserted into the game. When they get too conservative or try to milk the clock with 6 or 7 minutes to go, that's playing not to lose. I don't see much of a debate here.
• Dallas can take the series Sunday, but don't discount the fact that Miami still has the Big 3 and home court advantage. Coming back home might be the medicine Miami needs to get the monkey off their backs. They haven't been home in a week, which is how the 2-3-2 can be a detriment to the team with HCA. But if you want to look at it from a basic standpoint, Miami did what they needed to do to have the Game 7 advantage if necessary: take home court back from Dallas. Yes, Dallas has proven they can win when they dont shoot well, but they equally proved they can also lose. They did it twice this series.

This has become a series and everyone thought after game 1, it was over after Miami took out Dallas by 8. Seems as if Dallas returned the favor in Game 5. Like I said, Dallas has the momentum and the swagger going for them, but I dont see a way Miami completely falters and loses three in a row, especially coming back home. They are still a very talented team and have improved in the depth department in the playoffs. Even with all of the 4th quarter talk, I still think they can man up and take Game 6. If it were in Dallas, I would think otherwise.

I think you are right. but if it is another 50/50 type game they can easily lose as well. if it is close in the 4th you are talking about having to deal with 11-12 guys that know they can be lifting the trophy if they handle business. when I look back to 2006 and the heat were in this position I recall veteran guys throwing their bodies around like rag dolls to salvage that victory(when miami beat dallas). I think that is what the mavs players will be doing this go around. dirk already said that game 6(like game 5 at home) is their game 7.

I don't know what will happen and I definitely respect miami. they will be tough to beat no doubt. for the mavs sake I hope they win!

 

[desertdawg]

Guess I got a lot of people's antennas up with my last post. Couple of responses to what's been said:

• LeBron is more talented than Wade; however, I agree with the notion that Wade is more mentally tough at the moment. It's funny because Wade was the one who "turtled" in the ECF and LeBron had to pick it up. Obviously, he needs to be in the moment in the Finals. He has two games at most to prove he isnt checked out of this series.
• 4th quarter falters are not an individual plight. They are a team letdown. Dallas locked down on D against Miami and shot the ball well, Miami couldnt figure out a way to adjust. I attribute much of this to coaching. Spoelstra needs to adjust the schemes or the line up if they are letting the game slip away. In Game 2, he did nothing to stop the bleeding until the game was tied. That's when Mike Miller had to be inserted into the game. When they get too conservative or try to milk the clock with 6 or 7 minutes to go, that's playing not to lose. I don't see much of a debate here.
• Dallas can take the series Sunday, but don't discount the fact that Miami still has the Big 3 and home court advantage. Coming back home might be the medicine Miami needs to get the monkey off their backs. They haven't been home in a week, which is how the 2-3-2 can be a detriment to the team with HCA. But if you want to look at it from a basic standpoint, Miami did what they needed to do to have the Game 7 advantage if necessary: take home court back from Dallas. Yes, Dallas has proven they can win when they dont shoot well, but they equally proved they can also lose. They did it twice this series.

This has become a series and everyone thought after game 1, it was over after Miami took out Dallas by 8. Seems as if Dallas returned the favor in Game 5. Like I said, Dallas has the momentum and the swagger going for them, but I dont see a way Miami completely falters and loses three in a row, especially coming back home. They are still a very talented team and have improved in the depth department in the playoffs. Even with all of the 4th quarter talk, I still think they can man up and take Game 6. If it were in Dallas, I would think otherwise.

That's what happens when some bad asses like us start rappin.
Seriously though I friggin feel you on Spoelstra. My post was more on what's up with Lebron but I don't think he is the biggest reason the Meat are down in these here playoffs. It's the coaching, Why they went with a young dude none of the vets respect or listen to is beyond me. Coach is supposed to call the shots, not sit and wait for his team to figure it out. No balls, fake press conferences/excuses. He has a team that can beat the Mavs hands down, it shouldn't be this entertaining. The Mavs are getting by in this series with Dirk and feeding off the Meats dumbness.

Superior talent vs Dirk and real coaching...good stuff to watch.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Guess I got a lot of people's antennas up with my last post. Couple of responses to what's been said:

• LeBron is more talented than Wade; however, I agree with the notion that Wade is more mentally tough at the moment. It's funny because Wade was the one who "turtled" in the ECF and LeBron had to pick it up.

• 
  
  this actually isn't accurate. wade didn't have a good series against Chicago, but he absolutely didn't turtle up in every fourth quarter of close games. he was just the opposite most games. struggling through three, only to raise his game when the game was on the line in crunch time. if you actually remember the games, in their game 2 win to steal HCA he had 24 points on 8-16 shooting, with 9 boards, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He struggled in Game 3 (which was dominated NOT be LeBron but by Chris Bosh's 34/13), then in Game 4, after struggling all game long, he showed up big in OT with 6 points down the stretch and then in Game 5, he was the one who started the big comeback, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter to pair with LeBron to win that game.
  
  In other words, he played one completely forgettable Game 3, but otherwise had a hand in EVERY SINGLE WIN otherwise in the series, continually rising to the occassion in 4th quarters of games where he otherwise struggled. That's EXACTLY the opposite of turtling. that's showing up even when you're not into the game come money time, something LeBron has utterly failed to do in the Finals.
  
  no matter how badly he played in the first three quarters, dude nutted up with 6 points in OT of Game 4 and then started the big rally with 12 points in game 5 in the fourth quarter. in other words he did EXACTLY what LeBron ISN'T doing. He struggled through 3 quarters, but when the chips were down, he manned up and contributed big time when it mattered most. LeBron's just been straight turtling entire games and ESPECIALLY 4th quarters.

 

[Covert Rain]

Guess I got a lot of people's antennas up with my last post. Couple of responses to what's been said:

• LeBron is more talented than Wade; however, I agree with the notion that Wade is more mentally tough at the moment. It's funny because Wade was the one who "turtled" in the ECF and LeBron had to pick it up. Obviously, he needs to be in the moment in the Finals. He has two games at most to prove he isnt checked out of this series.

That is not what you said though. You said LeBron was the better player. I dispute that. You have to include the entire package including mental makeup to determine if someone is better.

Also, Wade did not shrink into a wallflower like LeBron has. Go back and watch those games. He legitimately struggled but it wasn't because he didn't show up. It wasn't because he wasn't being aggressive. He turned it on in the 4th quarter of a few of those games. Not even comparable.

Last but not least....LeBron only has the last two games to show he didn't COMPLETELY check out of the series. He already checked out for part of it which means no matter what he does in these last two....he can't change that.

• 4th quarter falters are not an individual plight. They are a team letdown. Dallas locked down on D against Miami and shot the ball well, Miami couldnt figure out a way to adjust. I attribute much of this to coaching. Spoelstra needs to adjust the schemes or the line up if they are letting the game slip away. In Game 2, he did nothing to stop the bleeding until the game was tied. That's when Mike Miller had to be inserted into the game. When they get too conservative or try to milk the clock with 6 or 7 minutes to go, that's playing not to lose. I don't see much of a debate here.

LeBron was not being aggressive. Him chucking up 3's instead of even attempting to drive is not coaching. LeBron passing around the horn instead of trying to create is not coaching. We are not talking about the plays were LeBron was well defended. LeBron acknowledged he has not been aggressive enough. Spoelstra said the same. So if coach and player both agree not sure why you wouldn't?

Wade was playing his ass off. When he had the ball he wasn't trying to milk the clock. I have no clue what game you were watching. The problem was when the ball wasn't in Wade's hands at the ends of those games...everything fell apart.

So you are right...not much debate. When you have one player putting it on the line in Wade and your other go to guy "self admittingly" not being aggressive enough, that is not milking the clock.

Also, what hurt the Heat last night was the 3rd quarter. LeBron in the 3rd quarter was suppose to be the man because Wade was out most of it. He was suppose to be the main option. Instead he was deferring to about every other player and just looked like he didn't want the ball.

 

[WildBB]

That's what happens when some bad asses like us start rappin.
Seriously though I friggin feel you on Spoelstra. My post was more on what's up with Lebron but I don't think he is the biggest reason the Meat are down in these here playoffs. It's the coaching, Why they went with a young dude none of the vets respect or listen to is beyond me. Coach is supposed to call the shots, not sit and wait for his team to figure it out. No balls, fake press conferences/excuses. He has a team that can beat the Mavs hands down, it shouldn't be this entertaining. The Mavs are getting by in this series with Dirk and feeding off the Meats dumbness.

Superior talent vs Dirk and real coaching...good stuff to watch.

I disagree that it's all coaching. Dallas has been a premier team a while now. They know this is their last best chance and they are playing at a very high intensity level. That's not just the coaching doing that. Chandler and Marion are making significant contributions as are as usual, Kidd and JeT.

 

[D-Dogg]

this actually isn't accurate. wade didn't have a good series against Chicago, but he absolutely didn't turtle up in every fourth quarter of close games. he was just the opposite most games. struggling through three, only to raise his game when the game was on the line in crunch time. if you actually remember the games, in their game 2 win to steal HCA he had 24 points on 8-16 shooting, with 9 boards, 2 assists and 2 blocks. He struggled in Game 3 (which was dominated NOT be LeBron but by Chris Bosh's 34/13), then in Game 4, after struggling all game long, he showed up big in OT with 6 points down the stretch and then in Game 5, he was the one who started the big comeback, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter to pair with LeBron to win that game.

In other words, he played one completely forgettable Game 3, but otherwise had a hand in EVERY SINGLE WIN otherwise in the series, continually rising to the occassion in 4th quarters of games where he otherwise struggled. That's EXACTLY the opposite of turtling. that's showing up even when you're not into the game come money time, something LeBron has utterly failed to do in the Finals.

no matter how badly he played in the first three quarters, dude nutted up with 6 points in OT of Game 4 and then started the big rally with 12 points in game 5 in the fourth quarter. in other words he did EXACTLY what LeBron ISN'T doing. He struggled through 3 quarters, but when the chips were down, he manned up and contributed big time when it mattered most. LeBron's just been straight turtling entire games and ESPECIALLY 4th quarters.

You are 100 percent correct.


This is Wade's team. Always has been. He's simply putting a big fat stamp on it now. And frankly, I don't think LBJ knows what to do with that fact. He can't concede it, but he also has no desire to take the ring from Wade and own it. And in trying to half-ass it, it's not working. If the Heat are to win this series, I don't think it will be behind elBJ, it will be either because he backs off and lets Wade take over, or Wade effectively tells him to get the ef out of the way, he got this. And Wade has the talent, the sack and the swagger to do just that.

 

[Lorenzo]

I disagree that it's all coaching. Dallas has been a premier team a while now. They know this is their last best chance and they are playing at a very high intensity level. That's not just the coaching doing that. Chandler and Marion are making significant contributions as are as usual, Kidd and JeT.

I would agree with you as well. while dallas probably has the edge in coaching because of carlisle's experience as a player and a tenured coach(over spolestra) he made a great move by putting jj in the starting lineup. The funny thing is some people were saying it was a panic move lol. it obviously was a smart move.

but....it's not only about the coach. you have to give the mavs credit for stepping up the last 2 games and playing as a team. in game 3 dirk had 15 points down the stretch, but when other guys took potential game changing shots they missed and they lost. as great as dirk is playing right now in the crunch time, he needs his role players to make their shots and will need it in game 6 as well if they are going to win.

 

[Gee!]

He's staring at the third straight year his team is favored to win the title

What!? Your out your mind.. Your telling me the Lakers, Boston werent favored.. I dont know where you go this from..

 

[Lorenzo]

but I dont see a way Miami completely falters and loses three in a row, especially coming back home. They are still a very talented team and have improved in the depth department in the playoffs. Even with all of the 4th quarter talk, I still think they can man up and take Game 6. If it were in Dallas, I would think otherwise.

in many ways they could have already lost 3 in a row...it was that close in games 3 and 4 so I think it is only fitting that they split those 2.

the thing is dallas doesn't have to beat miami 3 games in a row on sunday night. I keep hearing people using that as the reason to pick miami to win game 6. all dallas has to do is win once on sunday. what's in the past is already done. having HCA...yes that is big. but if you want to look at trends miami is facing the best road team in the NBA and dallas has only lost once there since 2006. This might be the only team in the league that miami doesn't have a huge advantage over in that building. but again that doesn't mean anything come sunday. it's a brand new day.

i am a homer at heart and think dallas will win...but I do know what the mavs are up against. the miami heat will be very tough to beat regardless of where the games are to be played. I don't want this one to go 7 lol.

 

[Cheesebeef]

What!? Your out your mind.. Your telling me the Lakers, Boston werent favored.. I dont know where you go this from..

two years ago, the cavs had 66 wins, best record in the league and, yes, vegas favored them to win the title... they lost to a 56 win Magic team. A 1 seed losing to a 3 seed... yes, they were favored to at least get to the Finals that year and failed miserably. Last year, the Cavs had 61 wins, best record in the league and faced what many thought was a busted up 50 win Celtic team... who busted their ass. And no, no one thought that Celtics team was favored. again, that was a 1 seed losing to a 4 seed that no one thought had a shot at beating the Cavs, especially after the game 3 beatdown they took at the Garden giving the Cavs a 2-1 lead, with HCA before LeBron did his little quitter act for the next 3 games.

Sorry Gee... but hindsight's 20/20 and the bottom line is the last two years AT WORST the Cavs were looked as the odds on favorite to get to the Finals and they bottomed out meekly both times.

Arguing otherwise will just point to your general lack of knowledge about what happened the last years.

 

[Gee!]

two years ago, the cavs had 66 wins, best record in the league and, yes, vegas favored them to win the title... they lost to a 56 win Magic team. A 1 seed losing to a 3 seed... yes, they were favored to at least get to the Finals that year and failed miserably. Last year, the Cavs had 61 wins, best record in the league and faced what many thought was a busted up 50 win Celtic team... who busted their ass. And no, no one thought that Celtics team was favored. again, that was a 1 seed losing to a 4 seed that no one thought had a shot at beating the Cavs, especially after the game 3 beatdown they took at the Garden giving the Cavs a 2-1 lead, with HCA before LeBron did his little quitter act for the next 3 games.

Sorry Gee... but hindsight's 20/20 and the bottom line is the last two years AT WORST the Cavs were looked as the odds on favorite to get to the Finals and they bottomed out meekly both times.

Arguing otherwise will just point to your general lack of knowledge about what happened the last years.

your F&%^$ crazy.. Tell me anyone in there right mind would have said LBJ would have beat Kobes Lakers or even the Big 3 in Boston.. Your dillusional man.. You need an enima for all the **** you talking..

 

[Gee!]

This MF'er named cheesebeef saying LeBron with a broke down Shaq was gonna beat Kobe and Pau last year.. And the year before that.. And the year before that the celtics with Garnett Ray and Peirce? What world was I living on that I didnt see this?

 

[Gee!]

Hey cheese.. You on some good **** if you cant remember history.. Pass it to me baby

 

[D-Dogg]

It's ok new LeBronze fan..you are a virgin to this.

 

[Gee!]

It's ok new LeBronze fan..you are a virgin to this.

Oh LOOK! A Laker fan finally showed his face.. And no sir.. go look back thru ASFN.. I been a LBJ fan since he was on the Cavs.. Catch up..

 

[Cheesebeef]

your F&%^$ crazy.. Tell me anyone in there right mind would have said LBJ would have beat Kobes Lakers or even the Big 3 in Boston.. Your dillusional man.. You need an enima for all the **** you talking..

the big three in boston last year won 50 games and looked like cannon fodder before LeBron went LeFraud.

do you NOT remember all those ridiculous Kobe v. LeBron commercials in the playoffs those two years. do you think they made those because people DIDN'T expect them to meet in the Finals?

You're out to lunch gee and become more clueless looking with every post. Lebron was HEAVILY favored to curb stomp Boston last year and got punked and punked out and was HEAVILY favored to beat the Magic the year before that and got his **** stuffed then too. you can call me delusional, but them's the facts dude.

here's BOSTON'S ESPN Cavs v. Celtics playoff preview from last year... I'm sure to (only) your surprise, you'll see what everyone believed back then - Cavs Favored to win in 6.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=forsberg_chris&id=5151456

here's where it's recorded that not only did Vegas favor the Cavs last year v. Boston, but ESPN.com’s panel of 10 experts and basketball betting lines predict a Cavs’ series win. CBSSports.com senior writer Ken Berger says Cavs in 7 and the Associated Press like Cleveland in 5 games:

http://betting-on-nba.net/?p=265

here's another one where 5 out of 6 writers picked the Cavs to beat Boston last year:

http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TS...-finals-boston-celtics-vs-cleveland-cavaliers

here's another one from Yahoo last year:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/ar...d_cavaliers_vs_boston_celtics_pg2.html?cat=14

seeing a pattern here?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Oh LOOK! A Laker fan finally showed his face.. And no sir.. go look back thru ASFN.. I been a LBJ fan since he was on the Cavs.. Catch up..

then you shoulder remember him losing to the underdog Magic in the Conference Finals two years ago and then flat out quitting against the underdog 4 seed 50 win Celtic team last year.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Hey cheese.. You on some good **** if you cant remember history.. Pass it to me baby

tell me oh maven of history... what seed were the Cavs the last two years in the East? and who did they lose to?

 

[Gee!]

Everything you posted doesnt mean jack.. You know what I was talkin bout.. ANd if you dont.. Well then.... Your ass woulndt have been rooting for the Heat.. Dont lie to me..

 

[D-Dogg]

Oh LOOK! A Laker fan finally showed his face.. And no sir.. go look back thru ASFN.. I been a LBJ fan since he was on the Cavs.. Catch up..

LOL, whatever dude. He's a straight up douche.

Maybe Wade will gut out a ring for the guy so you can be happy, local team fan. Oh wait.

 

[D-Dogg]

The Lakers also thank LeBronze for his dismantling of himself vs the Celtics last year. That meant we got to beat the Green Douches on our HOME COURT for the title. You really don't know how amazing that is...it is just..well, *tear* thank you LeBronze!

 

[Gee!]

Look at Donald now.. been MIA.. like Miami.. All of a sudden he comes back and starts talking mess.. No one caes about your lame ass Donlad.. you cant just show up out the blue..

 

[Covert Rain]

That is the problem with this series. The series has become about LeBron and his legacy. Screw that. LeBron never was and never will be the best player to play basketball. He is not even the best player on this team. I am sure he will put up huge numbers and end up in the hall but best player ever? No. 7 rings? Right.

Everybody automatically assumed Wade was going to be LeBron's Pippen. Aside from the fact that Wade is in a tier way above Pippen.....it's really the other way around. LeBron is Wade's sidekick. No matter how bad the media and league wants to hype LeBron it's true.

Anybody that thinks that LeBron's legacy wasn't impacted by his stupid decision to play with Wade has not been watching. I don't want to ever see the comparison of LeBron to MJ ever again. One thing that is evident is that LeBron could NEVER have gotten it done with a Pippen. It's been a struggle with someone of Wade's calibur. Pippen sure as hell wouldn't have been enough for LeBron.

I like LeBron but have lost sooo much respect for this guy it's not even funny. Even if the Heat pull this off I am still going to feel like if LeBron had showed up for the majority of the series it wouldn't have been such struggle nor should it have been.