<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Josh Howard had a difficult Game 5. He missed two free throws late in overtime and was involved in the controversial timeout situation. Coach Avery Johnson wasn't concerned with Howard's mental outlook going into Game 6. "I think that would have been a concern last year," Johnson said. "He's so much more mentally tougher this year. He's had some games where he's had to bounce back." Calvin Watkins Dirk: Outburst was a normal reaction Dirk Nowitzki has been just as emotional after some regular season losses as he was after Game 5 in Miami. His anger just wasn't documented. Nowitzki was fined $5,000 Monday for kicking a ball into the stands after the game. He also knocked over a stationary bike. Not like Mike; Wade wants to be his own guy Dwyane Wade has asked coach Pat Riley to drop comparisons to Michael Jordan out of respect for the former Chicago Bulls star, Riley said before Game 6. "He's a pretty good player himself. I think it's time for Dwyane to take on his own persona," Riley said. "To some extent, Dwyane is very respectful of Michael." Chuck Carlton Riley: Playoff tension can balloon ? and pop Miami Heat coach Pat Riley provided an interesting analogy of what might be going on with the Mavericks in the Finals. "The nature of the playoffs creates a lot of tension," Riley said. "It's like blowing up a balloon. You blow it up, blow it up, blow it up. You don't want it to pop." Chuck Carlton Wade fourth youngest to be named Finals MVP Dwyane Wade is the fourth youngest player to be named Finals MVP. At 24 years, five months, he's in exclusive company. Magic Johnson won the award with the Lakers twice before his 23rd birthday, in 1980 and 1982. Tim Duncan won it with the Spurs in 1999 at 23 and two months. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won it with Milwaukee in 1971 at 24. Kate Hairopoulos Miami paper dishes out commemorative page The Miami Herald was ready to hand out commemorative front pages to the sparse Heat crowd at the American Airlines Center right after Game 6. The cover read "CHAMPS! Heat wins first NBA title" above a photo of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. Kate Hairopoulos Daniels shows up late but makes an impact Marquis Daniels arrived to American Airlines Center late because his fianc?e was going into labor with their first child. Daniels said he was having a girl and rushed to the hospital after speaking to the media after the game. He scored 12 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Calvin Watkins Stackhouse has off night in return from suspension Jerry Stackhouse made his return from a one-game suspension and struggled to find his shot. Stackhouse went 5-of-13 and scored 12 points off the bench. Calvin Watkins Loss is tough on Armstrong In what may be Darrell Armstrong's last season, he didn't get to play in Game 6. Armstrong sat with his head down in the locker room for almost 20 minutes after the game. "It's very tough, guy been in the league 12 years," Marquis Daniels said. "Guys work their whole careers to get here." Calvin Watkins Terry hopes future means return to Mavs Jason Terry spent much of the aftermath of Game 6 talking about next season. But Terry's future in Dallas remains to be determined. He's an unrestricted free agent and will be a priority for the team this summer. "That will take care of itself," Terry said. "This is a great organization, with great people and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. I'm looking to be right back here next year." Chuck Carlton Fourth-quarter struggles doomed Mavs For Devin Harris, the difference in the Finals came down to the last 12 minutes of each game. The Heat executed, the Mavericks didn't. "Over the first three quarters of game, we were playing well and they were able to make runs in the fourth quarter," Harris said. "Dwyane [Wade] really played great in those quarters. We couldn't find a way to stop him." Chuck Carlton A long summer for Dirk and the gang Dirk Nowitzki didn't score a field goal in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki, who spends his summers at home in Germany, said he hopes the frustration will ease as time goes by. "It's tough right now. You play your heart out for, whatever, eight, nine months, every night and give it your best and play all the way until the middle of June," Nowitzki said. "You make it to the final, to the big stage, then go home; second is tough." Kate Hairopoulos </div> Source
