2011 NBA FINALS: Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat

[TJ]

The Mavs just stole home court after being down 15 with 6:40 and are headed to Dallas for 3 games with all the momentum in the world.

How is that not a momentum swinger?

Because the 2-3-2 format makes the "stole HCA" statement less relevant. Miami gets three consecutive shots at taking it back. They are still more talented and better defensively. James and Wade are too mentally tough to let this linger into Game 3.

 

[TJ]

\
If Miami had held on they'd be up 2-0 and the series would be virtually over according to the history of the Finals and teams being down 2-0. How is that not a momentum swinger? And if that is not a momentum swinger, what is?

You edited so I'll retort again.

Being down 2-0 is A HELL OF A LOT different than being tied 1-1. You talk as if the game winning shot all of a sudden put Dallas up 3-1 in only two games.

The series is tied 1-1. That's all you need to know. 2-0 either way spells trouble for the other team

 

[Arizona's Finest]

That was fun. Especially because Lebron and Wade were strutting around like cocky little 15 year old punks on a playground when they were up 15 and decided to quit playing. They just got punched in the gut and it will be interesting to see how they recover.

Then watching them all run to the locker room withe their super sad (pouty) faces after blowing the lead was even more fun. I wonder which Heat player is "crying in the locker room" right now?

I'm no Dallas fan, but there is nothing to like about the Heat IMO.

Go Mavs.

Man I just don't get this sentiment. What is it about the Heat that drives everyone so nuts? Its not even like they are a perennial winner and everyones tired of them. Lets look at the facts.

Lebron and Wade took less money to play together BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WIN.

They pass the ball, block shots, rebound as a team, and play team defense better then maybe 1 or 2 teams.

They have all time good guys on the team like Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

They are the most exciting team in maybe league history to watch with the alley oops and power dunks that happen 5-6 times a game.

They have an absolute grinder for a coach.

They have resolve and bounce back and can play gritty with any team as well as become a high flying team as needed as well.

What makes everyone hate the Heat so much? Because as friends they teamed up to play together? Because of that show before the season with the smoke and mirrors? Yeah because if Lebron went to Boston or Chicago they would have had a quiet press release. This is the same team that had Shaq ride in on a semi with a water gun! I didn't see anyone moaning about that at the time.

The Decision bothered you? Yeah that wasn't the best form and Lebron took bad advice but who the f*** wouldn't leave Cleveland. That city and that team are absolute crap.

What the "acting like 16 year old punks and strutting" gets you? Is this your first time watching the NBA? How many teams have guys who DON'T do that. I can think of one. The Suns. and maybe the Spurs. Thats it. When teams are rolling like that, it happens across the board. That isn't just the Heat.

I get cheering against them to a degree but the vitirol that people have perplexes me. Maybe after 2 or 3 championships I would get it....

How any Suns fans cheers for FREAKING DALLAS in any scenario is beyond me. I hate the Spurs and then the Mavs and would assume most Suns fans feel the same way.

Someone want to explain why exactly the Heat deserve this level of hate?

 

[desertdawg]

Man I just don't get this sentiment. What is it about the Heat that drives everyone so nuts? Its not even like they are a perennial winner and everyones tired of them. Lets look at the facts.

Lebron and Wade took less money to play together BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WIN.

They pass the ball, block shots, rebound as a team, and play team defense better then maybe 1 or 2 teams.

They have all time good guys on the team like Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

They are the most exciting team in maybe league history to watch with the alley oops and power dunks that happen 5-6 times a game.

They have an absolute grinder for a coach.

They have resolve and bounce back and can play gritty with any team as well as become a high flying team as needed as well.

What makes everyone hate the Heat so much? Because as friends they teamed up to play together? Because of that show before the season with the smoke and mirrors? Yeah because if Lebron went to Boston or Chicago they would have had a quiet press release. This is the same team that had Shaq ride in on a semi with a water gun! I didn't see anyone moaning about that at the time.

The Decision bothered you? Yeah that wasn't the best form and Lebron took bad advice but who the f*** wouldn't leave Cleveland. That city and that team are absolute crap.

What the "acting like 16 year old punks and strutting" gets you? Is this your first time watching the NBA? How many teams have guys who DON'T do that. I can think of one. The Suns. and maybe the Spurs. Thats it. When teams are rolling like that, it happens across the board. That isn't just the Heat.

I get cheering against them to a degree but the vitirol that people have perplexes me. Maybe after 2 or 3 championships I would get it....

How any Suns fans cheers for FREAKING DALLAS in any scenario is beyond me. I hate the Spurs and then the Mavs and would assume most Suns fans feel the same way.

Someone want to explain why exactly the Heat deserve this level of hate?

you suck

 

[Mainstreet]

Dallas stole the win tonight. Their defense has been tough but I think they found a way tonight to get their offense going which will make them even tougher. I'm not sure Dallas, being the veteran team they are, do not pull the noose tighter as the series moves forward. They are especially tough at home.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

you suck

Yamon

 

[desertdawg]

Yamon

5/5, much respect and well played.

 

[Cheesebeef]

that was an incredible game. Dirk just continues to impress, and I can't believe I'm about to say this... but so does Shawn Marion.

I said it before the series and wavered a bit after game 1, but I do believe this ends up being an epic 7 game war.

Should be a fantastic end to a fantastic playoffs of basketball.

 

[Bert]

Man I just don't get this sentiment. What is it about the Heat that drives everyone so nuts? Its not even like they are a perennial winner and everyones tired of them. Lets look at the facts.

Lebron and Wade took less money to play together BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WIN.

They pass the ball, block shots, rebound as a team, and play team defense better then maybe 1 or 2 teams.

They have all time good guys on the team like Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

They are the most exciting team in maybe league history to watch with the alley oops and power dunks that happen 5-6 times a game.

They have an absolute grinder for a coach.

They have resolve and bounce back and can play gritty with any team as well as become a high flying team as needed as well.

What makes everyone hate the Heat so much? Because as friends they teamed up to play together? Because of that show before the season with the smoke and mirrors? Yeah because if Lebron went to Boston or Chicago they would have had a quiet press release. This is the same team that had Shaq ride in on a semi with a water gun! I didn't see anyone moaning about that at the time.

The Decision bothered you? Yeah that wasn't the best form and Lebron took bad advice but who the f*** wouldn't leave Cleveland. That city and that team are absolute crap.

What the "acting like 16 year old punks and strutting" gets you? Is this your first time watching the NBA? How many teams have guys who DON'T do that. I can think of one. The Suns. and maybe the Spurs. Thats it. When teams are rolling like that, it happens across the board. That isn't just the Heat.

I get cheering against them to a degree but the vitirol that people have perplexes me. Maybe after 2 or 3 championships I would get it....

How any Suns fans cheers for FREAKING DALLAS in any scenario is beyond me. I hate the Spurs and then the Mavs and would assume most Suns fans feel the same way.

Someone want to explain why exactly the Heat deserve this level of hate?

lol "Vitrol?" that's pretty extreme. I said I enjoyed watching them lose I never used the word "Hate" or said I was dying for them to lose.

You can say whatever you want, it's your opinion just as I have mine. I dont like the Heat, I think Lebron and Wade both have sucky attitudes and strut around too much. Even Kobe struts less than Lebron and Dwayne. Both of them act like every shot they make just won the championship and it rubs me the wrong way plain and simple.

That's not hate or vitrol. I'm a Suns fan and I respect the Mavs, I dont dislike them the way that I dislike the Spurs or the Lakers.

I dont get you getting all worked up and going on a long rant because I simply said I enjoyed the Heat losing and I even explained why when I said that Lebron and Wade were strutting around "like 15 year olds."

If the Heat win I wont care, life will go on, I'll still be a Suns fan.

 

[Bert]

You edited so I'll retort again.

Being down 2-0 is A HELL OF A LOT different than being tied 1-1. You talk as if the game winning shot all of a sudden put Dallas up 3-1 in only two games.

The series is tied 1-1. That's all you need to know. 2-0 either way spells trouble for the other team

So what you're saying is that the Mavs just stole A HELL OF A LOT of momentum from the Heat?

 

[Superbone]

Common Mavs, finish strong, steal one

The Mavs were anything but common.

 

[Superbone]

I still got the Heat in 5 but I enjoyed tonight and I hope I'm wrong.

You truly believe the Heat can win three in a row in Dallas?!

 

[Superbone]

lol "Vitrol?" that's pretty extreme. I said I enjoyed watching them lose I never used the word "Hate" or said I was dying for them to lose.

You can say whatever you want, it's your opinion just as I have mine. I dont like the Heat, I think Lebron and Wade both have sucky attitudes and strut around too much. Even Kobe struts less than Lebron and Dwayne. Both of them act like every shot they make just won the championship and it rubs me the wrong way plain and simple.

That's not hate or vitrol. I'm a Suns fan and I respect the Mavs, I dont dislike them the way that I dislike the Spurs or the Lakers.

I dont get you getting all worked up and going on a long rant because I simply said I enjoyed the Heat losing and I even explained why when I said that Lebron and Wade were strutting around "like 15 year olds."

If the Heat win I wont care, life will go on, I'll still be a Suns fan.

Besides, the word he's looking for is "vitriol" with an 'i'.

 

[desertdawg]

You truly believe the Heat can win three in a row in Dallas?!

I love your after the fact posts. Perhaps...

 

[Superbone]

I love your after the fact posts. Perhaps...

What do you mean, after the fact? You stated this after the Dallas win tonight, did you not?

 

[desertdawg]

What do you mean, after the fact? You stated this after the Dallas win tonight, did you not?

You like to come in the morning after and bring up how folks were wrong. Akuna matada.

 

[Lorenzo]

[/b] you suck

that was funny. you definitely made me laugh with just the use of 2 words.

 

[Lorenzo]

Man that was a hell of a finish to that game. it was like OKC all over again. I honestly thought it was over because the mavs had stints where they couldn't even get a shot at the basket and Miami scored 31 points off of 20 turnovers. When crawford didn't give dirk 2 shots when he was fouled in the act of shooting a layup I just thought to myself that was not their night. I thought that mountain was too tough to overcome, yet some how dallas did. So many things happen with this mavs team that I've never seen over the years.

You know if miami isn't scoring in transition and getting two consecutive shot clock opportunities 16 times in a game... they are very beatable for dallas. Their halfcourt offense actually looks a lot like OKC. A lot of iso's and fade away jumpers. they fall sometimes and you tip your hat. everynow and again lebron or wade drive the lane get to the rim, foul line, or pass to a bench guy who might or might not make a 3. If the mavs can limit their turnovers they really have a legit shot to win game 3 and from there the pressure will mount.

 

[Lorenzo]

Man I just don't get this sentiment. What is it about the Heat that drives everyone so nuts? Its not even like they are a perennial winner and everyones tired of them. Lets look at the facts.

Lebron and Wade took less money to play together BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WIN.

They pass the ball, block shots, rebound as a team, and play team defense better then maybe 1 or 2 teams.

They have all time good guys on the team like Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

They are the most exciting team in maybe league history to watch with the alley oops and power dunks that happen 5-6 times a game.

They have an absolute grinder for a coach.

They have resolve and bounce back and can play gritty with any team as well as become a high flying team as needed as well.

What makes everyone hate the Heat so much? Because as friends they teamed up to play together? Because of that show before the season with the smoke and mirrors? Yeah because if Lebron went to Boston or Chicago they would have had a quiet press release. This is the same team that had Shaq ride in on a semi with a water gun! I didn't see anyone moaning about that at the time.

The Decision bothered you? Yeah that wasn't the best form and Lebron took bad advice but who the f*** wouldn't leave Cleveland. That city and that team are absolute crap.

What the "acting like 16 year old punks and strutting" gets you? Is this your first time watching the NBA? How many teams have guys who DON'T do that. I can think of one. The Suns. and maybe the Spurs. Thats it. When teams are rolling like that, it happens across the board. That isn't just the Heat.

I get cheering against them to a degree but the vitirol that people have perplexes me. Maybe after 2 or 3 championships I would get it....

How any Suns fans cheers for FREAKING DALLAS in any scenario is beyond me. I hate the Spurs and then the Mavs and would assume most Suns fans feel the same way.

Someone want to explain why exactly the Heat deserve this level of hate?

All I can say is what do you expect? Haters are gonna hate. But not everyone who roots against the heat hates them. Trust me I'm a cowboys fan and I really get frustrated when I hear dallas cowboy fan complain about people hating. Seriously? they all don't hate the heat. Now when you add all of the flash and drama like the heat did (or michael irvin used to for the cowboys) it rubs people the wrong way. It's good for your team if you are the fan. But the rest of the country doesn't want to see that. I honestly don't understand how sensitive the miami heat fans are after just 1 year. seriously win the title first. trust me you guys are gonna get one or maybe a few more if you get role players.

 

[Lorenzo]

So what you're saying is that the Mavs just stole A HELL OF A LOT of momentum from the Heat?

very true. I'm actually surprised at how many people are just dismissing dallas. even myself....i dismissed them again yesterday after they have proven time and time again that they are a handful.

Before the series i picked them to win in 5 and that was a bold pick. I thought they would win game 1 and lose game 2. So far in these playoffs both of these teams have taken advantage of every opportunity to take control of a series. dallas has definitely done that since they lost that devestating game to portland. you know miami will try to do the same. The interesting thing is that if dallas does win game 3 you could see epic panic with the media and that will definitely put pressure on the heat. moreso than we saw in the regular season. I expect to see that honestly.

I don't really think home court matters in this series. you are looking at the 2 best road teams in the NBA. remember the heat did the same thing against the bulls in game 5 on the road. dallas did it in game 4 at OKC. these are hard nosed teams and I don't feel they will be phased by momentum. If dallas wins game 3 it will be earned. I would expect them to start making a lot of shots that they have uncharacteristically missed in the first 2 games on the road(before the 4th qtr yest). and that might be bad news for miami because their half court offense relies too heavily on long face up jumpers. a lot similiar to OKC in the sense that they need to score in transition and hit tough contested jump shots in the fourth quarter to win games.

 

[desertdawg]

All I can say is what do you expect? Haters are gonna hate. But not everyone who roots against the heat hates them. Trust me I'm a cowboys fan and I really get frustrated when I hear dallas cowboy fan complain about people hating. Seriously? they all don't hate the heat. Now when you add all of the flash and drama like the heat did (or michael irvin used to for the cowboys) it rubs people the wrong way. It's good for your team if you are the fan. But the rest of the country doesn't want to see that. I honestly don't understand how sensitive the miami heat fans are after just 1 year. seriously win the title first. trust me you guys are gonna get one or maybe a few more if you get role players.

You forgot to mention that through our short friendship! Your on your own now, kick rocks sucka!

 

[TJ]

So what you're saying is that the Mavs just stole A HELL OF A LOT of momentum from the Heat?

If I check the standings again today and they are indeed up 3-1 then sure, momentum is completely ripped.

But again, there are three days between games and two of the best players in the game on the opposite end of the court. Miami showboated halfway through the 4th, which was a mistake. But had the Heat maintained focus, it's 2-0.

Two adjustments need to be made: a) play 48 minutes of basketball b) Spoelstra needs to make adjustments to the lineup if a meltdown begins to occur. Other than that, the team has been demonstrating how much more talented it is than Dallas and how daunting their defense can be. Anyone is crazy if they thought this would be a sweep and an easy series for Miami.

In the grand scheme of things, the series is tied 1-1. With a good road team like Miami, who have beaten the likes of Chicago and Boston multiple times away from American Airlines Arena, Dallas has to be on their heels. I can see multiple scenarios unfolding, and one of which is Miami takes 2 of 3 from Dallas, which prompts a closeout game in Miami game 6.

Don't think that the "momentum swing" has any bearing on the rest of the series, let alone Game 3. Too early in the series to think that. Dallas even proved a team can recover easily from an embarrassing meltdown earlier in the playoffs.

 

[Lorenzo]

If I check the standings again today and they are indeed up 3-1 then sure, momentum is completely ripped.

But again, there are three days between games and two of the best players in the game on the opposite end of the court. Miami showboated halfway through the 4th, which was a mistake. But had the Heat maintained focus, it's 2-0.

Two adjustments need to be made: a) play 48 minutes of basketball b) Spoelstra needs to make adjustments to the lineup if a meltdown begins to occur. Other than that, the team has been demonstrating how much more talented it is than Dallas and how daunting their defense can be. Anyone is crazy if they thought this would be a sweep and an easy series for Miami.

In the grand scheme of things, the series is tied 1-1. With a good road team like Miami, who have beaten the likes of Chicago and Boston multiple times away from American Airlines Arena, Dallas has to be on their heels. I can see multiple scenarios unfolding, and one of which is Miami takes 2 of 3 from Dallas, which prompts a closeout game in Miami game 6.

Don't think that the "momentum swing" has any bearing on the rest of the series, let alone Game 3. Too early in the series to think that. Dallas even proved a team can recover easily from an embarrassing meltdown earlier in the playoffs.

I think this is a tough series for both teams. Miami let one get away that they should have won. but this is not new for dallas. they have won games like that in every playoff series. They have been very opportunistic. Dallas may be on their heels so to speak, but they can win this series. For all of the excuses about why miami lost...dallas hasn't played its best basketball in this series either. if they turn it up a notch and i think they will...miami is in trouble.

 

[Lorenzo]

You forgot to mention that through our short friendship! Your on your own now, kick rocks sucka!

I did the last time I went to a cards game and the cowboys lost. they still got that picture of romo getting sacked on AFSN front page. I would have thought that they'd replace it with the NFC title pictures, but i guess not.

 

[chickenhead]

I'm way too concerned with the Suns to spend too much time hating the Heat. But frankly, the Mavs have been close before, have had their window supposedly close, have worked their way back--and I'd much rather see that storyline win than "The Decision". I was sick of that story before it even happened.