Heat and Mavs Deserve To Win
Bleacher Talk
June 11, 2006
Where and how does one start an analysis of the NBA Finals between Miami and Dallas? There are so many interesting highlights and side stories that the series has to offer, and these are hinged on the fact that the league and its fans are being treated to two first-timers in the finals who both deserve to win. This is why the series is going to be one of the best NBA Finals in the history of the league.
Miami and Dallas in the finals? If you've been following the league since the 70's, you'd be surprised to hear that the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Pistons or Spurs are not in the finals. Some other team(s) is in their place and they both happen to be products of the NBA's expansion of the 80's.
And why do both teams deserve to win the championship? A championship for a team outside of the traditional powerhouses will be most welcome for the league and its fans, and will prove that you can win a championship even if you haven't been around as long as the pioneers of the league.
From a coaching standpoint, a championship would be a perfect way to cap the young career of Avery Johnson who is this year's Coach of the Year. AJ has taken the Mavericks to its highest level in the shortest possible time, something that the team's former coaches couldn't do. But wouldn't it also be fitting for Pat Riley to win a championship? Sure, he already has four rings, but these were from two decades ago. Riley is a balik-coach and a championship would not only confirm that he is one of the sport's all-time best. It will also vindicate the major overhaul that he implemented on the team's line-up when he brought in veterans Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and Gary Payton, three players who were not known to be role models who obeyed their coaches.
From a player's standpoint, Dirk Nowitzki is considered by many as the best pound-for-pound player in the league who has worked hard to get the Mavs a step closer to a championship since the turn of the century. And since he didn't win the MVP award, a championship would suit him just fine. But then again, how can one deny Shaquille O'Neal a chance to win another ring? Vindication is on Shaq's mind to prove to Jerry Buss that he, not Kobe, should've been the main star in LA. From the same side, a championship would also be a great reward for the sacrifices that Williams, Payton and Walker had to make by taking on reduced roles when they could've easily remained big stars in their previous ballclubs. And how can we forget Dwyane Wade? My seatmate Vince Villanueva reminded me that he was the fifth pick of the 2003 NBA draft, behind the # 1 Lebron James, # 2 Darko Milicic, # 3 Melo Anthony and # 4 Chris Bosh. And I’m sure a championship is tons more valuable than not being picked first. Vince also corrected and reminded me that Wade’s first name is spelled D-W-Y-A-N-E.
As teams seeking their first championships, Miami and Dallas have spent the past three to five years patiently waiting for the right breaks, manpower changes and timing to finally win their respective Conference championships. Miami was one game away from a finals stint last year, while Dallas was always wiped out in either the first or second rounds of the playoffs after an impressive regular season. The main culprit was that couldn't play defense, but this has been dramatically improved under Johnson.
Dallas also deserves a championship to prove that the combination of team play, defense and role players playing as a single solid unit is the way to play the game. Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Adrian Griffin and Devin Harris aren't exactly the superstars at the same level as Nowitzki, but deserve as much praise as their leader. And how about the silent but super effective play of big men DeSagana Diop and Eric Dampier? There is no way Dallas wouldn't have gotten this far if these two weren't there.
But in the same breath, the veteran-laden Heat would also like a championship that would cap the careers of guys like O'Neal, Payton, Walker, Mourning and Williams. Recognizing the leadership of Wade and O'Neal, Payton, Walker, Williams and Mourning, together with Udonis Haslem and James Posey, have been reduced to become role players supporting their dynamic duo. But more importantly, they've realized that this is what is needed to win games. If you've gotten this far with this set-up, you've got to keep plodding on.
Analysts and the early betting odds indicate that Dallas has a slight edge due to their balanced offense (five players averaging in double figures), aggressive defense, youth, athleticism and deeper bench. But this is countered by the experience of Miami's veterans, the presence of a dominant big man and a partner who isn't named Kobe.
In the end, I feel the latter is going to prevail. But if the other way happens, this will still be perfectly ok as both teams just don't deserve to lose. They're already worthy to be called champions in my book.
***Time-out: Happy birthday to Bebot Licuanan! >>> For comments, you can reach us at bleachertalk@yahoo.com or http://bleachertalk.blogspot.com.
June 11, 2006
Where and how does one start an analysis of the NBA Finals between Miami and Dallas? There are so many interesting highlights and side stories that the series has to offer, and these are hinged on the fact that the league and its fans are being treated to two first-timers in the finals who both deserve to win. This is why the series is going to be one of the best NBA Finals in the history of the league.
Miami and Dallas in the finals? If you've been following the league since the 70's, you'd be surprised to hear that the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Pistons or Spurs are not in the finals. Some other team(s) is in their place and they both happen to be products of the NBA's expansion of the 80's.
And why do both teams deserve to win the championship? A championship for a team outside of the traditional powerhouses will be most welcome for the league and its fans, and will prove that you can win a championship even if you haven't been around as long as the pioneers of the league.
From a coaching standpoint, a championship would be a perfect way to cap the young career of Avery Johnson who is this year's Coach of the Year. AJ has taken the Mavericks to its highest level in the shortest possible time, something that the team's former coaches couldn't do. But wouldn't it also be fitting for Pat Riley to win a championship? Sure, he already has four rings, but these were from two decades ago. Riley is a balik-coach and a championship would not only confirm that he is one of the sport's all-time best. It will also vindicate the major overhaul that he implemented on the team's line-up when he brought in veterans Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and Gary Payton, three players who were not known to be role models who obeyed their coaches.
From a player's standpoint, Dirk Nowitzki is considered by many as the best pound-for-pound player in the league who has worked hard to get the Mavs a step closer to a championship since the turn of the century. And since he didn't win the MVP award, a championship would suit him just fine. But then again, how can one deny Shaquille O'Neal a chance to win another ring? Vindication is on Shaq's mind to prove to Jerry Buss that he, not Kobe, should've been the main star in LA. From the same side, a championship would also be a great reward for the sacrifices that Williams, Payton and Walker had to make by taking on reduced roles when they could've easily remained big stars in their previous ballclubs. And how can we forget Dwyane Wade? My seatmate Vince Villanueva reminded me that he was the fifth pick of the 2003 NBA draft, behind the # 1 Lebron James, # 2 Darko Milicic, # 3 Melo Anthony and # 4 Chris Bosh. And I’m sure a championship is tons more valuable than not being picked first. Vince also corrected and reminded me that Wade’s first name is spelled D-W-Y-A-N-E.
As teams seeking their first championships, Miami and Dallas have spent the past three to five years patiently waiting for the right breaks, manpower changes and timing to finally win their respective Conference championships. Miami was one game away from a finals stint last year, while Dallas was always wiped out in either the first or second rounds of the playoffs after an impressive regular season. The main culprit was that couldn't play defense, but this has been dramatically improved under Johnson.
Dallas also deserves a championship to prove that the combination of team play, defense and role players playing as a single solid unit is the way to play the game. Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Adrian Griffin and Devin Harris aren't exactly the superstars at the same level as Nowitzki, but deserve as much praise as their leader. And how about the silent but super effective play of big men DeSagana Diop and Eric Dampier? There is no way Dallas wouldn't have gotten this far if these two weren't there.
But in the same breath, the veteran-laden Heat would also like a championship that would cap the careers of guys like O'Neal, Payton, Walker, Mourning and Williams. Recognizing the leadership of Wade and O'Neal, Payton, Walker, Williams and Mourning, together with Udonis Haslem and James Posey, have been reduced to become role players supporting their dynamic duo. But more importantly, they've realized that this is what is needed to win games. If you've gotten this far with this set-up, you've got to keep plodding on.
Analysts and the early betting odds indicate that Dallas has a slight edge due to their balanced offense (five players averaging in double figures), aggressive defense, youth, athleticism and deeper bench. But this is countered by the experience of Miami's veterans, the presence of a dominant big man and a partner who isn't named Kobe.
In the end, I feel the latter is going to prevail. But if the other way happens, this will still be perfectly ok as both teams just don't deserve to lose. They're already worthy to be called champions in my book.
***Time-out: Happy birthday to Bebot Licuanan! >>> For comments, you can reach us at bleachertalk@yahoo.com or http://bleachertalk.blogspot.com.
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