<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Jun 9 2006, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Things I've learned from this game.1. If Josh Howard isn't hitting his shots he is pretty much ineffective on offense since teams will pack inside and force him to make outside shots. Walker is not the Howard stopper.2. Haslem is a much better defender than I gave him credit for. He has turned up the intensity on defense against Dirk. Still Dirk wasn't his usual self and Haslem isn't the Dirk stopper either3. Wade is a great first half player but the key is to make him work hard for every point he gets and he will wear down as the game goes by. Same with Shaq.</div>1. You are correct. He has to hit his jump shot, just like Wade, or Teams will cut off his path to the basket and force him to Shoot.2. Haslem is a better defender than most of us gave him credit for...but you're correct again about him not being a Dirk stopper. He'll keep doing what he is, and bang and shove Dirk and be in his face like Bowen was...but just like with Bowen, Dirk will get his when he's on. Even when he's off, he'll still get his with a few exceptions. Game 4 against PHX, and last nights game. I think people are acting like Haslem is now THE Dirk stopper, and I think it was more about Dirk not being on, than Haslem...who will continue to hound him this series.3. Correct again, and after the first quarter...that's exactly what the Mavs did. He got easy buckets in the first quarter, mostly quick drives and jumpers while he was in rythem. But when the Mavs cut off those lanes, and forced to work hard...contested jumpers and hard hits when drives to the lane.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marvinmartian @ Jun 9 2006, 06:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>2. Haslem is a better defender than most of us gave him credit for...but you're correct again about him not being a Dirk stopper. He'll keep doing what he is, and bang and shove Dirk and be in his face like Bowen was...but just like with Bowen, Dirk will get his when he's on. Even when he's off, he'll still get his with a few exceptions. Game 4 against PHX, and last nights game. I think people are acting like Haslem is now THE Dirk stopper, and I think it was more about Dirk not being on, than Haslem...who will continue to hound him this series.</div>Yeah i agree with that. I feel it was more about Dirk being off and nervous more than Haslem being a defensive Dirk stopper. Every time this season that Dirk has had a poor outing, the next game he has come up huge. I'm looking for Dirk to have a pretty good game in number 2. Haslem is the only player that has a chance to do anything to Dirk on the Heat imo. Posey is too small and Walker and Zo are too slow. EXAMPLE: Dirk had that 50 point game right after his 13 point showing. Now i dont think he'll score that much, but i expect at least 30. Also, i agree with what both you and Mavsfan have siad in the last two posts. I just wanted to add something to this point.
Lol at the Keith Van Horn sig. If he starts producing in the playoffs than I will give him his props also. 2 points isn't going to bring that though. Miami's role player are killing their 2 stars. 5-20 from 3 point range is inexcusable. Miami's high percentage shooting from the field has a flaw to it.
The Five Elements To This Series1. Shaq's Power game: Shaq is as healthy as he has been in a while this deep into a season. He is eager to show that he can win a championship. He is letting Wade get the spotlight to be able to carry this team. But, he still domiantes no matter what. The thing is his foul shooting. The Mavericks have alot of fouls to use on him. So he needs to be at his best.2. Nowitzki's versatilityDirk isn't that flashy but he is very affective and versatilite for a 7 footer. He shoot's the Three, rebounds, blocks shots, goes to the basket strong, and moves without the ball fairly well looking to get open for a good shot. He can shoot from anywhere from the floor and the Mavs have alot of plays to get him open. Especially when it comes to his Jumper.3.Wade's agressiveness. Wade is one of the most exciting players to watch in the game today. And, that's not just me it's almost everyone. he gets to the free throw line alot becuase of his strength and how he is so agressive going to the basket.4.Tempo. Mavs want to play a pretty fast tempoed game but, they can also play a slower more controlled game like the Heat usually like to play. If the score is 100+ mavs get the edge. If the score is lower than 100 heat get the edge.5. Defense. Miami is holding playoffs teams to a low shootintg percentage. Dallas has been shooting around that average. Miami plays in your face but, the Mavs play more of a mix of things depending on the situation.
I think the Mavs D should be added to your list.I think their defense is the most overlooked part of the entire series.If they play the same defense they played in the 2nd and 4th quarters about 50% of the time, than they'll have a good shot at winning the series.
I will look into something for the Mavs defense. I am actually going to add in three pointers and home court advantage later.
I am now really sticking with Dallas. Dirk and Howard ahve a horrible game, Jason Terry has a great game, and they win. Imagine if all three simply had "good" games? It would be over!
Haslem did a better defensive job on Dirk than I thought he would do. Before the series, I just thought Dirk's height would bother Haslem 15 ft away from the basket which result to easy jumpshots for Dirk. But Haslem played him pretty tight, and pretty agressive as well, I gained a lot of respect for him, considering he's 6'8, 6'9 at best. Unfortunately, Jason Williams didnt feel like playing defense on Jason Terry so that was a big blow to the Heat and cost them the game. This Haslem-Dirk matchup will be key in this series, in my opinion.
Dirk will have his way with Haslem. I think Dirk needs to attack the rim when Haslem plays him that close instead of settling for shots that are very hard to make. Of course Shaq is there so that might be the reason he isn't doing it.
Yeah, I think Dirk was too jittery, and not himself in the first game. Plus, just because Dirk struggled one game, doesn't mean that Haslem can, or will, guard him that well for the rest of the series.But it is nice having Shaq down low to keep him from driving at will, plus it allows Haslem to guard Dirk closer because he knows if Dirk drives past, he'll still have to beat Shaq.
As much as I want the Heat to win, I do not think they can pull it off. Losing their first game with a homecourt advantage, and now the next three are all in Dallas. However knowing Wade and Shaq they could come out with som'n amazing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jun 10 2006, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>As much as I want the Heat to win, I do not think they can pull it off. Losing their first game with a homecourt advantage, and now the next three are all in Dallas. However knowing Wade and Shaq they could come out with som'n amazing.</div>Umm, the first game was played in Dallas, the second will be in Dallas, and the next three will be in Miami.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>As much as I want the Heat to win, I do not think they can pull it off. Losing their first game with a homecourt advantage, and now the next three are all in Dallas. However knowing Wade and Shaq they could come out with som'n amazing.</div> What the F*ck are you talking about? Mavs had homecourt before game 1, and the next one is in Dallas, then 3 in Miami. How do you get the next three are all in Dallas?
The mavs seem more comfortable on the road than at home. If the Heat don't win game 2 they are in trouble and it could be a short series. Anyone sick of all the Shaq hype on espn?
I cannot wait until tonights game. If the Mavs win then the series is over. If the heat lose it is gonna come down how they do on there floor. But, even if the Mavs win tonight the Heat would have to play some tough ball for game 5 at the Mavs floor. Considering they win both of their home games. But, we will see how it turns out. And, it is gonna be a long ride and one hell of a series.
Dude 2-3-2 schedule...The next 3 are in Miami, and then Game's 6-7 are in Dallas.Why is everyone so confused with this?<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Anyone sick of all the Shaq hype on espn?</div>Yes, AND the Riley hype...at least it's not like before the Finals started anymore.Edit:With 6:30 left in the First, it's the Mavs 11-5...but my only problem is this.The Mavs have 6 personal fouls, and the Heat only have 1. I'm not actually watching the game...so are the Heat just being aggressive, or are the calls ticky-tack?
