2011 NBA FINALS: Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat

[TJ]

This is a very competitive series. As I said, someone else needed to step up and there was contribution from almost everywhere. Even Stevenson coming off the bench scored 11.

I guess Mario Chalmers was bumping his gums in the 4th after being up. Didn't this team learn a lesson from Game 2? Dallas has no quit in them.

Came down to the fact that LeBron played like **** and too many turnovers down the stretch. Does Spoelstra kno how to adjust when the late lead starts to deflate? Seemed as if the Dallas D figured them out at the end.

 

[Folster]

Lebron is the best player ever? He's not even the best player on his team, and he's only the 3rd best player in this series.

 

[desertdawg]

Well look at the tape and see what I did in the fourth quarter, then come ask me a different question tomorrow.

Queen.com

 

[Covert Rain]

Two things. If I am Dallas I play zone the rest of the playoffs. Also, WTH is LeBron? So much for being the best player in the league. The best players in the league show up on the biggest stage.

Wade is the best player on that team.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Two things. If I am Dallas I play zone the rest of the playoffs. Also, WTH is LeBron? So much for being the best player in the league. The best players in the league show up on the biggest stage.

Wade is the best player on that team.

he's still got 3 games to prove his worth as a legend, but yeah, he's been INCREDIBLY underwhelming in this series and right now, looks like a sidekick to Wade's leading man and regardless of how they got here, leaders are leaders when it matters absolutely most, against your biggest challenge. This has been Miami's biggest challenge and LeBron has shrunk in the spotlight.

can't wait to see how he answers questions tonight at the podium. he thought people were rough on in him in a win... just wait for the response after your no-show in a loss!

 

[Michael]

Yep, watching the Finals, James reminds me more of Pippen than of Jordan: a very good all-rounder with great defensive skills. But then, Pippen always had the fire and brought the hustle. So if I continue with the comparison to the second Bulls three-peat, I'd possibly throw Harper out there. Tall guard, excellent defender, good passer, good rebounder, shaky jumpshot.

 

[Cheesebeef]

i think the biggest question that comes out tonight's game is this:

What heat player is sleeping with Gloria James?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

i think the biggest question that comes out tonight's game is this:

What heat player is sleeping with Gloria James?

 

[TBaslim]

This is a really good Finals. They are evenly matched.

Heat have more talent, Mavs have more experience.

Be interesting to see if the Mavs supporting players keep showing up. If so, they are tough to beat now that they can play physical, 'bruiser' playoff ball with just enough offense.

On the flip side, will be interesting to see if the light goes on for Lebron and he takes it to another level like Wade has done. Wade has been phenomenal (as has Dirk). If James finds that other gear at the same time as Wade, I'm not sure Mavs can stop them both with Bosh in support.

Hope that Mavs win this one. They need to, as this might be their only chance for a few years if Wade stays healthy and Miami adds some more supporting characters.

 

[ajcardfan]

he's still got 3 games to prove his worth as a legend, but yeah, he's been INCREDIBLY underwhelming in this series and right now, looks like a sidekick to Wade's leading man and regardless of how they got here, leaders are leaders when it matters absolutely most, against your biggest challenge. This has been Miami's biggest challenge and LeBron has shrunk in the spotlight.

can't wait to see how he answers questions tonight at the podium. he thought people were rough on in him in a win... just wait for the response after your no-show in a loss!

He showed another example of why I think his main flaw is mental toughness. He's shown in the playoffs, past and present, that when it's going good for him, he can keep it rolling. But, when he runs into adversity, he turtles up. And, I don't want to hear crap about good passes and defense. The greatest score in the clutch even when they've been crap for 3 and 1/2 quarters and show no hesitation in putting the game on their shoulders. (See Nowitzki in Dallas' two wins. He has moved up mightily in my all time ranks in this particluar playoffs.)

 

[ajcardfan]

This is a really good Finals. They are evenly matched.

Heat have more talent, Mavs have more experience.

Be interesting to see if the Mavs supporting players keep showing up. If so, they are tough to beat now that they can play physical, 'bruiser' playoff ball with just enough offense.

On the flip side, will be interesting to see if the light goes on for Lebron and he takes it to another level like Wade has done. Wade has been phenomenal (as has Dirk). If James finds that other gear at the same time as Wade, I'm not sure Mavs can stop them both with Bosh in support.

Hope that Mavs win this one. They need to, as this might be their only chance for a few years if Wade stays healthy and Miami adds some more supporting characters.

I don't think the Mavs have really had a hot shooting game like they are capable of yet. Yes, Miami has played good D, but it seems to me like when the Mavs do get good looks they are missing them more often than is normal for them.

 

[Cheesebeef]

He showed another example of why I think his main flaw is mental toughness. He's shown in the playoffs, past and present, that when it's going good for him, he can keep it rolling. But, when he runs into adversity, he turtles up.

the really weird thing about this is it seems like as he's gotten older, he's taken steps backwards. his first couple years in the league, he was single-handedly carrying that awful Cleveland team on his back and continually bringing them back from deficits... in 2006, they were down 0-2 to a 64 win Pistons team and he took them to 7... in 2007, they were down 0-2 without HCA in the Conference Semis and he brought them all the way back to a series win... in 2008, they went down 0-2 to that Celtics title team and he single-handedly took the C's to 7 and scored what... 45 in Game 7 to almost take the series and even against the Magic two years ago, when no one else showed up, dude still averaged 38, 8 and 8...

but these last two years... he just straight up quit against Boston and he's gone Shawn Marion here when faced with his biggest challenge. very weird. it's like he's devolving rather than evolving.

 

[ajcardfan]

but these last two years... he just straight up quit against Boston and he's gone Shawn Marion here when faced with his biggest challenge. very weird. it's like he's devolving rather than evolving.

Yeah, it's like he's not having the right memories now that the pressure is on. Instead of having the confidence of guy that had the unbelievable performance at the end of the game to knock out the Pistons, it's like he's remembering the way he choked against the Celtics.

Kind of like what can happen with golfers. Once they have a big choke on a putt to lose a tournament, it gets in their head the next time they are in that position.

 

[Bert]

Mavs are all heart. It was great to see Marion light it up in the 3rd.

 

[sunsfan88]

Damn did Jason Kidd set the record for playing 40 minutes in a Finals game and scoring a whooping 0 pts?

 

[Covert Rain]

This is a really good Finals. They are evenly matched.

Heat have more talent, Mavs have more experience.

You know, I don't think they do. The Heat have a more star talent but their bench is for the most part horrible. Dallas has a much deeper bench IMO.

Also, not that they are great players but they have a couple streaky shooters on their bench. Miami is really struggling in a couple of these close game scoring. They have House and Jones that they have yet to use. Especially when Wade is resting. They are not getting ANYTHING out of the bench and LeBron isn't doing anything when Wade is resting. They need to do something if they want to win.

 

[chickenhead]

Great win for the Mavs, but they should be concerned about both their wins being dramatic comebacks: I think they need at least one convincing win in this series. I like to give credit to the victor and am not a fan of saying that a particular team "lost" a game rather than the opponent winning it--but you can't rely on the Heat to blow it. They certainly have had games these playoffs where the final quarter was their best.

 

[elindholm]

Great win for the Mavs, but they should be concerned about both their wins being dramatic comebacks: I think they need at least one convincing win in this series. I like to give credit to the victor and am not a fan of saying that a particular team "lost" a game rather than the opponent winning it--but you can't rely on the Heat to blow it. They certainly have had games these playoffs where the final quarter was their best.

How was Miami's Game 3 win any more convincing? They've all been coin flips since Game 1.

 

[chickenhead]

I didn't say Miami's game 3 win was convincing. But Miami has home court advantage. If it goes 7 I think they have the advantage in close games.

 

[Covert Rain]

I didn't say Miami's game 3 win was convincing. But Miami has home court advantage. If it goes 7 I think they have the advantage in close games.

Every game has come down to execution at the end. I would say it's 50/50 right now considering the series it tied.

I would agree Miami has the slight advantage if the "best player in basketball" decided to show up in this series.

 

[chickenhead]

Yeah, it's one of those things where I give the slight edge to Miami because of home court, and because I think they're ceiling is higher when their core group is "on." But I also say this as someone rooting for the Mavs--so from that perspective, these are my concerns.

At the moment, the series is tied and each team has wins at home and on the road. Can't get much more even than that.

 

[desertdawg]

I knew Lebrick was gonna choke last night, But 8 pts was just awesome to "witness". You wanna crown their asses then crown their asses, but Lebron is who we thought he was. When Jason Terry is putting you on blast, (and has the right to do it) you know you suck.

Again, between Lebron bricking the final shots or just not shooting them, and the ******* Miami coach who is just glad to be there, Dallas has won two games already. But Miami still has Wade and Bosh, and I imagine a much better performance from the drama queen...so as entertaining as these Finals are, I can only hope it stays this competitive.

Miami needs a coach that can keep these guys minds right, and make the adjustments during the games when they are getting worked. When Lebron or Wade doesn't know who should shoot it, they should have a coach to tell them where the ball is going to go. The Dumbcoach and overrated baby Bron Bron have left the door open for Dallas.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think lebron will bounce back strong. wade must continue to play well and bosh too if they are going to win this series. it is going to be very hard for them if only 2 of the 3 play well because their role players are not as reliable as dallas'. although dallas' haven't played much better. dallas has to win with strong team unity and chemistry. and most importantly of all they have to start making some shots. they can't match the star power of the big 3.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think lebron will bounce back strong. wade must continue to play well and bosh too if they are going to win this series. it is going to be very hard for them if only 2 of the 3 play well because their role players are not as reliable as dallas'. although dallas' haven't played much better. dallas has to win with strong team unity and chemistry. and most importantly of all they have to start making some shots. they can't match the star power of the big 3.

The Heat can still win if only 2 of 3 play well. That's fine. If I was the Heat I would be more concerned about LeBron than Bosh. I think you can't depend on Bosh but everyone thought they could depend on LeBron. Even if he does show up again, can you still call him the best player when that same player waits until Game 5 of a 7 game Finals to show up again?

How can you be the best player if you have shown up once out of the first 4 games? Holy crap. If Dirk did that, if Kobe did that, if Duncan did that or any other "star" the press would eat them alive.

He better show up and show up big in the next 2 games. Even if he does, he won't fully redeem himself IMO. Him not showing up for 3 games in a 7 game series could be one of the main reasons the Mavs win this series.

 

[Lorenzo]

The Heat can still win if only 2 of 3 play well. That's fine. If I was the Heat I would be more concerned about LeBron than Bosh. I think you can't depend on Bosh but everyone thought they could depent on LeBron. Even if he does show up again, can you still call him the best player when that same player waits until Game 5 of a 7 game Finals to show up again?

How can you be the best player if you have shown up once out of the first 4 games? Holy crap. If Dirk did that, if Kobe did that, if Duncan did that or any other "star" the press would eat them alive.

He better show up and show up big in the next 2 games. Even if he does, he won't fully redeem himself IMO. Him not showing up for 3 games in a 7 game series could be one of the main reasons the Mavs win this series.

ur probably right. 2/3 can play well and they can still win because of their defense. I'm still waiting for the mavs to make some of their wide open looks. really both teams could play better, but man are they playing some defense. the heat have definitely earned my respect. I just hope the mavs pull this one out while they still can. it looks like the heat are going to run this league once they get some role players.