NBA Finals: Miami Heat Vs. Dallas Mavericks

[RhymesayersDU]

(Note: Mods, please don't merge this. The Finals deserve their own thread, and the other playoff thread died anyways. Gracias.)

So, the first question is, who ya got?

This is going to be a great series. On the one hand, Shaq could drop 25 on Dampier/Diop in his sleep. On the other hand, if anybody thinks that Udonis Haslem can guard Dirk, they're crazy. DWade will be huge, but so will Jason Terry.

Anyways, comments, predictions, analysis? Game 1 is tonight!

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

I'm in a rotation for season tickets with some of the other guys that work for the Mavs. My next time for tickets would be a potential Game 7. With that in mind, I hope Dallas takes it in 7 so I can sell those babies on eBay and make a small killing.

[RhymesayersDU]

I understand business, I understand you'd make some bank... But you wouldn't go to game 7 of a championship series?

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Oh, I'm already there for every game. I get 2 extra 3rd deck tickets every 6th game.

[RhymesayersDU]

Oh, I'm already there for every game. I get 2 extra 3rd deck tickets every 6th game.
Ah. Pretty sweet deal, you'll definately make some loot if it goes 7.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Mavs are deeper, younger, and hungier.

[GonzoLays]

Heat in six.

Book it.

NostraGonzomus.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Heat in six.

Book it.

NostraGonzomus.

Bet on the Mavericks, everybody!

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Suns in six.

Book it.

NostraGonzomus.

:notworthy

[Sassy]

Heat in 4.

[RhymesayersDU]

Bold prediction Sassy!

[azbroncfan]

I didn't even know the season was still going, the NBA scheduling is terrible, almost a week since last game played.

[Jason in LA]

I didn't even know the season was still going, the NBA scheduling is terrible, almost a week since last game played.

The problem is that ABC has pretty much dropped the ball with the playoffs. I can understand that week night games will come on ESPN and TNT. But ABC should broadcast at least two playoff games on Saturday and Sunday. It seemed like many weekends ABC only had one playoff game, the entire weekend. That's a joke.

Last weekend, I think it was Saturday, ABC aired a WNBA game, while an NBA conference finals game, a game in which a team could possibly go to the NBA Finals, was on cable. How does that make any sense? I could catch arena league football on NBC, but I couldn't watch an NBA game on network TV.

NBC was much better at covering the NBA than ABC is.

[Jason in LA]

I'm pulling for the Mavs, but I can't really put my finger on who will win this series. A very good argument can be made for both sides.

[Nuggets4]

NBC was much better at covering the NBA than ABC is.

Plus they had the better theme song. So help me God, if ABC pulls out Rob Thomas again this year, I'm shooting something.

This is it now.... Everybody get down... This is all I can take... This is how a heart breaks...

Yeah, I had to google the lyrics, but I feel comfortable knowing that because of me posting that, the song is stuck in at LEAST 10 people's heads right now.

[24champ]

Heat in 4.
rep! :~ohyah!:

[epicSocialism4tw]

The problem is that ABC has pretty much dropped the ball with the playoffs. I can understand that week night games will come on ESPN and TNT. But ABC should broadcast at least two playoff games on Saturday and Sunday. It seemed like many weekends ABC only had one playoff game, the entire weekend. That's a joke.

Last weekend, I think it was Saturday, ABC aired a WNBA game, while an NBA conference finals game, a game in which a team could possibly go to the NBA Finals, was on cable. How does that make any sense? I could catch arena league football on NBC, but I couldn't watch an NBA game on network TV.

NBC was much better at covering the NBA than ABC is.

Agreed. You have to wonder about the NBA's long-term marketing decisions when you remove the average fan from the equation. The average fan will not tune into TNT from 8:00 to 11:00 on a Thursday night. The average fan missed the best playoff games in years because the games were difficult to access. That cable contract must have been pretty cush.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I posted this on the "playoffs" thread:

Fans of the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and the NBA...the Finals are here. Tonight at 8pm, the Heat will challenge the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas. All of the DFW metroplex is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. There are stickers and flags on cars, "GO MAVS!" signs in yards and at businesses, talk radio is all-Mavs all-the-time. This event is huge in North Texas.


Let's get to the preview of Game 1....

1) Shaq will not dominate the series.
Shaq will have one or two games where he scores 30+ points and has 10-15 rebounds. He will be challenged to play defense in this series, and will be forced to run up and down the floor. If he's not able to keep up, I wouldnt be surprised to see him rendered useless for long stretches. Conventional "wisdom" says that you cant force Shaq to do anything, but if you take a look at his numbers in the playoffs and over the course of the regular season, you have to see that he only plays about 32-34 minutes a game. That means that he's on the bench for 14-16 minutes a game. That's a whole quarter and some change. Shaq's health is not what it used to be and a fast paced Dallas attack will run him into the floor. Mark my words, this series will not be about Shaq in reality, but it will be in the media. Well then, what will the series be about?

2) It's Dirk Nowitzki's time to shine.
Dirk has simply been the #1 player in the world during the playoffs. He's made legendary plays and had legendary games. It seems like it's just his year. In the pre-game interviews, I have heard a Nowitzki who has never been so confident and clearly focused. He has waited his life for this moment, and it sounds like he is going to take the bull by the horns.

Miami is depending on Udonis Haslem, James Posey, Antoine Walker, and Shandon Anderson to slow down Dirk. Take another look at that list. Is there anyone on there with the man-on-man skills of Shane Battier, Paul Gasol, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Shawn Marion, or Raja Bell? None of those guys could come close to containing Dirk in any way. Dirk's entire offensive game has remained in tact throughout the run of the playoffs and against every defender. I wouldnt expect any defender to handle Dirk for the Heat throughout the series. If Dirk has a bad game, it's Dirk's fault. With the timbre of his interviews, Dirk sounds ready to open up a can on Miami.

3) Rebounding.
Both teams will be reliant on their rebounding skills in this series. Miami will have to adjust to having Haslem, Walker, or Posey away from the rim on defense. One of them will be covering Nowitzki in the high post. Nowitzki's presence on the elbow with the ball opens up space for Dallas' outstanding rebounders to attack the offensive glass. Dampier, Howard, Griffin, and Van Horn will be called on to regain possession off of misses. Miami will have to have a VERY active Shaq under the basket. He'll have to box out, rebound, or block shots when Dallas' guards penetrate. With all of these angles closing on Shaq, I wouldnt be suprised to see him in foul trouble often throughout the series. Dallas is fast and athletic and will attack Shaq. Shaq cant be lazy for a minute or it will be a short series. Shaq is no Duncan.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

[Crushaholic]

hmmmm...Bob predicted the Mavs and Gonzo predicted the Heat. The sad thing is one of these two turds will be right...

[24champ]

I posted this on the "playoffs" thread:

Fans of the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and the NBA...the Finals are here. Tonight at 8pm, the Heat will challenge the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas. All of the DFW metroplex is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. There are stickers and flags on cars, "GO MAVS!" signs in yards and at businesses, talk radio is all-Mavs all-the-time. This event is huge in North Texas.


Let's get to the preview of Game 1....

1) Shaq will not dominate the series.
Shaq will have one or two games where he scores 30+ points and has 10-15 rebounds. He will be challenged to play defense in this series, and will be forced to run up and down the floor. If he's not able to keep up, I wouldnt be surprised to see him rendered useless for long stretches. Conventional "wisdom" says that you cant force Shaq to do anything, but if you take a look at his numbers in the playoffs and over the course of the regular season, you have to see that he only plays about 32-34 minutes a game. That means that he's on the bench for 14-16 minutes a game. That's a whole quarter and some change. Shaq's health is not what it used to be and a fast paced Dallas attack will run him into the floor. Mark my words, this series will not be about Shaq in reality, but it will be in the media. Well then, what will the series be about?

2) It's Dirk Nowitzki's time to shine.
Dirk has simply been the #1 player in the world during the playoffs. He's made legendary plays and had legendary games. It seems like it's just his year. In the pre-game interviews, I have heard a Nowitzki who has never been so confident and clearly focused. He has waited his life for this moment, and it sounds like he is going to take the bull by the horns.

Miami is depending on Udonis Haslem, James Posey, Antoine Walker, and Shandon Anderson to slow down Dirk. Take another look at that list. Is there anyone on there with the man-on-man skills of Shane Battier, Paul Gasol, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Shawn Marion, or Raja Bell? None of those guys could come close to containing Dirk in any way. Dirk's entire offensive game has remained in tact throughout the run of the playoffs and against every defender. I wouldnt expect any defender to handle Dirk for the Heat throughout the series. If Dirk has a bad game, it's Dirk's fault. With the timbre of his interviews, Dirk sounds ready to open up a can on Miami.

3) Rebounding.
Both teams will be reliant on their rebounding skills in this series. Miami will have to adjust to having Haslem, Walker, or Posey away from the rim on defense. One of them will be covering Nowitzki in the high post. Nowitzki's presence on the elbow with the ball opens up space for Dallas' outstanding rebounders to attack the offensive glass. Dampier, Howard, Griffin, and Van Horn will be called on to regain possession off of misses. Miami will have to have a VERY active Shaq under the basket. He'll have to box out, rebound, or block shots when Dallas' guards penetrate. With all of these angles closing on Shaq, I wouldnt be suprised to see him in foul trouble often throughout the series. Dallas is fast and athletic and will attack Shaq. Shaq cant be lazy for a minute or it will be a short series. Shaq is no Duncan.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
Where is wade in your "analysis"?

BTW if the Mavs lose tonight, you can pretty much kiss the trophy goodbye. Shaq is 26-0 in a series after winning a game one...

[rbackfactory80]

My heart say Dallas but my head says Miami. Dallas had a nice run and I want them to win but I'll go with Miami and the two best players in this series.

[Mile High Shack]

no one can cover Dirk

no one can cover Dwayne Wade

no one can cover Jason Terry

Shack is dominate, but not the same player he was even 3 years ago

matchup problems for both teams, if Mavericks get the temp they want, this series is theirs

[Jason in LA]

Agreed. You have to wonder about the NBA's long-term marketing decisions when you remove the average fan from the equation. The average fan will not tune into TNT from 8:00 to 11:00 on a Thursday night. The average fan missed the best playoff games in years because the games were difficult to access. That cable contract must have been pretty cush.

This year the NBA has made great strides to repair their image. Then they go out and have one of the best playoffs in years. But nobody is around to see it except NBA fans.

The NBA missed out big time because of having so many games on cable. Like I said before, I have no problem with week night games being on cable, but they should have had at least two games on ABC on Saturday and Sunday each. They had a major oppertunity to get back some of the casual fans that they have lost over the years. Even during the season it seems like ABC's coverage is lacking. I remember NBC always had weekend games. Saturday and Sunday. I'd say ABC's poor coverage over the past few years has been one of the reasons why the NBA has lost so many fans.

[RhymesayersDU]

8 People Predicted This Correctly!

I was one game off, I had Miami in 7.

[Sassy]

Hey now...I had Miami in four...the first two don't count ;D

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Heat in six.

Book it.

NostraGonzomus.

Good going, dude. :thumbsup:

I was off by one game - had Miami in 7.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Don't give Gonzo props for anything. He predicted the Mavs opponent in 6 for 3 straight series.

On a timeline to infinity, even Gonzo will get one right once in a while :)

[RhymesayersDU]

I gotta give Gonzo his props now, because it's going to be fun ridiculing him when Ryan Gomes turns out to be nothing.

:-*

[watermock]

Mavs are deeper, younger, and hungier.

You would have to write a script for every time Boob is wrong.

[Nuggets4]

I actually picked Heat in 6. It was a total homer pick, but damn I'm enjoying it right now.

And I find it interesting that when Rhyme bumped this, only 8 people had Miami in 6. Now it's 12.

[Master___Pain]

I actually picked Heat in 6. It was a total homer pick, but damn I'm enjoying it right now.

And I find it interesting that when Rhyme bumped this, only 8 people had Miami in 6. Now it's 12.

Make that 13Ha!

[Nuggets4]

Make that 13Ha!

14...

http://shop.abc.net.au/multimediaitems/images/product_images/3/324218.jpg

[Bob's your Information Minister]

You would have to write a script for every time Boob is wrong.

What? I wasn't wrong. I never predicted Dallas would win. Go screw off.

[Crushaholic]

I actually picked Heat in 6. It was a total homer pick, but damn I'm enjoying it right now.

And I find it interesting that when Rhyme bumped this, only 8 people had Miami in 6. Now it's 12.

damn cheaters...ROFL!

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Heat in six.

Book it.

NostraGonzomus.

Jeez. After all your failed predictions, this just isn't right.

THERE IS NO GOD.

[azbroncfan]

I posted this on the "playoffs" thread:

Fans of the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and the NBA...the Finals are here. Tonight at 8pm, the Heat will challenge the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas. All of the DFW metroplex is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. There are stickers and flags on cars, "GO MAVS!" signs in yards and at businesses, talk radio is all-Mavs all-the-time. This event is huge in North Texas.


Let's get to the preview of Game 1....

1) Shaq will not dominate the series.
Shaq will have one or two games where he scores 30+ points and has 10-15 rebounds. He will be challenged to play defense in this series, and will be forced to run up and down the floor. If he's not able to keep up, I wouldnt be surprised to see him rendered useless for long stretches. Conventional "wisdom" says that you cant force Shaq to do anything, but if you take a look at his numbers in the playoffs and over the course of the regular season, you have to see that he only plays about 32-34 minutes a game. That means that he's on the bench for 14-16 minutes a game. That's a whole quarter and some change. Shaq's health is not what it used to be and a fast paced Dallas attack will run him into the floor. Mark my words, this series will not be about Shaq in reality, but it will be in the media. Well then, what will the series be about?

2) It's Dirk Nowitzki's time to shine.
Dirk has simply been the #1 player in the world during the playoffs. He's made legendary plays and had legendary games. It seems like it's just his year. In the pre-game interviews, I have heard a Nowitzki who has never been so confident and clearly focused. He has waited his life for this moment, and it sounds like he is going to take the bull by the horns.

Miami is depending on Udonis Haslem, James Posey, Antoine Walker, and Shandon Anderson to slow down Dirk. Take another look at that list. Is there anyone on there with the man-on-man skills of Shane Battier, Paul Gasol, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Shawn Marion, or Raja Bell? None of those guys could come close to containing Dirk in any way. Dirk's entire offensive game has remained in tact throughout the run of the playoffs and against every defender. I wouldnt expect any defender to handle Dirk for the Heat throughout the series. If Dirk has a bad game, it's Dirk's fault. With the timbre of his interviews, Dirk sounds ready to open up a can on Miami.

3) Rebounding.
Both teams will be reliant on their rebounding skills in this series. Miami will have to adjust to having Haslem, Walker, or Posey away from the rim on defense. One of them will be covering Nowitzki in the high post. Nowitzki's presence on the elbow with the ball opens up space for Dallas' outstanding rebounders to attack the offensive glass. Dampier, Howard, Griffin, and Van Horn will be called on to regain possession off of misses. Miami will have to have a VERY active Shaq under the basket. He'll have to box out, rebound, or block shots when Dallas' guards penetrate. With all of these angles closing on Shaq, I wouldnt be suprised to see him in foul trouble often throughout the series. Dallas is fast and athletic and will attack Shaq. Shaq cant be lazy for a minute or it will be a short series. Shaq is no Duncan.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

???I guess he didn't account for Wade in the series who was clearly the best player on the court.

[ozomulsion]

I picked Miami in 6 the first day of the poll because they are a better team. Payton impressed me.