Do you think this is finally the year where the Mavs show the grit to win a ring,or is this the beginning ceremonies of the five year championship window for the Heat? My thinking is if the refs let the games be called fairly not predicated on superstar treatment but rather basketball itself than Miami will be beaten by a better coached and disciplined team. The spacing the shooting and the depth of Dallas's bench is superior to Miami's. Wade and Lebron will have to score damn near 80 points combined a game to keep up with Dallas's pace. Not sure they can. That said if Wade and Lebron are given a basket and a foul every time they touch the ball it could be a long series for Big D! This series more than many in the past has to do with how the games are called! I think Dallas in 7, what do you think?
I'm hoping for Dallas, but Miami looks really good too. The one advantage for Dallas is Dirk won't have to guard Bosh, so he will be using most his energy on offense. Ty will have no problem guarding Bosh, since he did a fine job against Aldridge. I think Bosh and Aldridge have very similar games. I think the real test is how Dallas will play against Miami's good perimeter D.
Honestly I don't care who wins or loses as long as it's called evenly! If they hand it to Miami because Lebron and Wade have good jersey sales I think basketball will finally have reached the WWE status Stern has so long hoped for. I really hope I'm wrong!!! I love basketball and it has to remain a sport. Two teams meeting where the best team that day wins, anything less has crossed the line into entertainment.
I've been underrating the Mavs at every step. They've just been a tough, smart, deep team throughout the playoffs. I don't see the Heat's guards keeping up with the speed of Dallas. I don't see anyone on that Heat team who is going to bother Dirk much. And Chandler/Haywood have done such a fantastic job of protecting the paint until now. I think Dallas really packs in the paint and dares Miami to beat them with jumpshots. If it turns into a jumpshooting contest, Dallas should win pretty handily.
I think it's going to be a very close series, but in the end teams with the best players at the top of the roster usually win, and for all of Dirk's heroics, I don't think he can trump Wade and Lebron I say Miami in 6.
I think Dallas has the "grit"...but I still think they lose because Miami looks locked in and all their stars are playing well. They're not a cohesive machine like the Jordan/Pippen Bulls, but their defense (a strong point all season) is evident at all times and they always have at least one of their "Big Three" playing well at any given time. And, of course, the most valuable player in basketball--LeBron James--is doing whatever his team needs to win. James has always been great enough to carry mediocre supporting casts to contention and now he has teammates that prevent opposing teams from trying to throw all their defenders at him. Someone is always going to make defenses pay if they focus on James too much.
I do think the Bulls have a realistic chance to win their next playoff series in 4 games. To some extent, though, it does depend on who their first-round opponent next season is.
Defense wins Championships? Heat's D is pretty good right now. Funny 2006 I was rooting for MIA hard, this year I've flopped. Dirk deserves a title, hopefully he'll show up to get it.
Either way, I'll be pleased with the result. Dallas is the closest thing I have to a 2nd favorite team in the West (I think Cuban is fantastic, love Dirk/Kidd/Terry as well, and Miami intrigues me because they play so differently than any other team in the league. Plus, the majority of the NBA community seems to be against the Heat, and it's in my nature to go against the conventional wisdom. I just don't see how Dallas can contain James and Wade long enough to win 4 games, but then again, I didn't think they'd make the Finals before the playoffs, either. I'll go Heat in 7, but if Dallas wins, it won't surprise me.
I think/hope that Miami's lack of interior toughness and bench will cost them the series. Dirk/Lebron/Wade will get their #'s... but it will be Chandler/Haywood and the Mavs bench that will bring the trophy to big D.
Miami will win for at least 4 of the next 5 seasons. The NBA is going to suck for a while. We can only root for a career ending injury to LeBron or Wade.
Miami in 6. I can totally see Spoelstra putting Lebron on Dirk. What I'm looking forward to, though, is a matchup of Peja vs. Bibby. Some crazy old timers on both rosters.
I said Miami before the season and I will stick with them. Players who get calls down the stretch have the advantage. Miami has two of those players. I am rooting for Dallas though.
Heat in 5. The more titles LeBronze wins = makes Kobe fanboys more nervous by the day! Glorious day! :MARIS61:
