2006 NBA Finals: Miami Heat Vs. Dallas Mavericks

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by ro_50

I dont think this is going to be a sweep.

I was being dramatic. But, I do think that Dallas is superior, and I think that their superstar is the best player in the series. Dirk has had a postseason for the ages.

I do agree with your sentiment about the Spurs. Having watched the Playoffs pretty thoroughly, I havent seen a team as good as the Spurs who were just a smidge less of a team than Dallas is. Detroit has looked like crap for the entire playoffs and the Suns got handed a platter full of patsies until they played a good team. To Nash's credit, he got two W's, but the Suns just werent anywhere near what the Spurs were.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Only one problem, Riley is a Championship coach while Avery is very young and wet under the ears yet. Not too mention if Shaq is healthy and on the ball Dallas will have no one to stop him. You can boast about games during the season but we all know postseason is a different story.

Sure, the postseason is different. In the postseason, Nowitzki has been the best player in the world for three straight series. I dont expect that to change here.

Dallas is not Detroit. Dallas is much, much better and is freshly motivated to win the title.

Get ready to see a tired Shaq in the fourth quarter of games, as Dallas will run his big butt up and down the floor when he is in there.

[azbroncfan]

Dallas also has the self proclaimed shaq stopper.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by azbroncfan

Dallas also has the self proclaimed shaq stopper.

That's not accurate. He said that he was the second-best center in the league behind Shaq. Quite an overstatement, but not a statement that he can shut down Shaq. I dont know if there is another quote out there that I missed, but I dont remember him saying that he was a "Shaq stopper".

With all of that said, Damp is as good of a defender for Shaq that you will find in the league. He is great at corralling spin moves and forcing them to the baseline, has great strength and leverage to hold his footing in the post, has the reach to disrupt shots (that arent dunks), and is a great rebounder. Dampier is the best per minute rebounder in the NBA. Especially on the offensive boards. Damp will have an impact in this series. I expect him to get zero respect from the officials, so his impact could get lessened by foul trouble. The Mavs also have Diop, who is a big dude in his own right.

Dallas has two big/strong quality defensive centers to play Shaq with. I dont know if Shaq will be able to stay on the court all the time anyway because Dallas is going to go into run and gun mode. If Dallas uses that strategy often (which they probably will), then how is Miami going to slow it down? With Williams at point? With Payton at point? Miami would be in serious trouble defensively if Dallas plays the Harris/Terry combo and Diop at center while pushing the ball. The Miami centers would be in constant foul trouble.

[yavoon]

I nominally hope dallas wins but it seems their bandwagon is rather full of douche's lately.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by yavoon

I nominally hope dallas wins but it seems their bandwagon is rather full of douche's lately.

Dallas is the statistically proficient offensive team. I would expect that you jump on the bandwagon since they knocked off their former point guard.

I think that the Heat's bandwagon will be the one that begins to get heavy. They've got two marketable shoe commercial stars. Dallas has a tall, awkward offensive player from Europe. It doesnt matter how much he dominates the playoffs...his bandwagon wont fill up before a shoe commercial star's.

[Crushaholic]

Originally Posted by angryllama

I think that the Heat's bandwagon will be the one that begins to get heavy. They've got two marketable shoe commercial stars. Dallas has a tall, awkward offensive player from Europe. It doesnt matter how much he dominates the playoffs...his bandwagon wont fill up before a shoe commercial star's.

Ah yes. However, the Mavericks have this guy. He's ALWAYS entertaining to watch...

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Only one problem, Riley is a Championship coach while Avery is very young and wet under the ears yet.

How oh how did Avery ever win any playoff games against the Spurs?

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

I'm worried about Gonzo.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

How oh how did Avery ever win any playoff games against the Spurs?

What? How did you draw that correlation from Riley being a Championship Coach? Has Johnson even won a title yet? next....

[epicSocialism4tw]

Is this why some Celtic fans hate Nowitzki??


O'Brien: Nowitzki like Bird?


by: Jim O'Brien
posted: Monday, June 5, 2006 | Feedback

The month of June signals the forthcoming of two highly anticipated events in the NBA: the NBA Finals and the NBA draft. After witnessing Dirk Nowitzki's spectacular performances that led the Dallas Mavericks into the Finals, I recalled the 1998 draft night and how everything fell into place just right.


The Boston Celtics had the 10th pick in the draft and we desperately wanted to add Nowitzki to our roster...


Well, one reason we felt this scenario was realistic was that the international evaluating process was not nearly as diligent as it is today. As a matter of fact, we did not even have enough video of Nowitzki to properly evaluate him. Rick Pitino had to fly to Germany to spend a day-and-a-half working out with Nowitzki because our GM Chris Wallace had noticed the big fellow during a European swing and really liked what he saw. Pitino was blown away after getting on the court with Nowitzki, and immediately sensed he was a rising star.

As we all know, Red Auerbach was pretty good at this draft thing. He is an "I've got to see it to believe it" type of guy. You had better be when it comes to staking your franchise's future on a draft pick. Even though the choice was Pitino and Wallace's to make, everyone felt it was extremely important to get Auerbach's blessing on any player who was going to wear green.

Well, how would you describe Nowitzki to Auerbach in 1998 without referencing Larry Bird? It's a very dangerous comparison to make to anyone, especially to the man that was responsible for drafting Bird and managing his phenomenal career.

Red: "What's this German kid like?" Rick: "Well Red, he is seven feet tall and has the skills of a guard." Red: "How's he shoot it?" Rick: "Red, he is a great shooter with big-time range, and has a release that no one is capable of blocking." Red: "Does he work at the game?" Rick: "Excellent work effort. It wouldn't surprise me if he is the first player in the gym every day." Red: "Hey, wait a second, what color hair does this kid have?" Rick: "Blonde." Red: "This kid sounds like Bird." Rick: "You said it Red, I didn't."

As the draft progressed that night in 1998, we suspected that Dallas was the only foreseeable threat to grab Nowitzki first because they were relatively advanced in international scouting. When Dallas picked Robert Traylor sixth, we held onto a glimmer of hope that Nowitzki could eventually slip to 10th. Sacramento picked next and chose Jason Williams, and Philadelphia grabbed Larry Hughes with the eighth pick. We were certain we were going to nab a stellar player because Nowitzki and Paul Pierce, who had surprisingly slipped, were still on the board.

We all know what unfolded next: Milwaukee picked Nowitzki and had a prearranged deal with Dallas that shipped the young German to the Mavs. Luckily, Pierce fell into our hands and has had a great career with the Celtics.

As Red might say, "You can never be compared to a Larry Bird until you lead your team to a championship." Well...

ESPN.com

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The Celts thought that they had Nowitzki in the bag.

[Northman]

He cant be compared to Bird anyway. Bird was AUTOMATIC.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Originally Posted by Anubis

He cant be compared to Bird anyway. Bird was AUTOMATIC.

So is Dirk alot of the time. In the second half of that 50-point game he was on FIRE.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

So is Dirk alot of the time. In the second half of that 50-point game he was on FIRE.

Well, forgive me if i wait till Dirk wins a few championships before i christen him.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Well, forgive me if i wait till Dirk wins a few championships before i christen him.

If Nowitzki wins the Championship this season without another superstar on his team, he will be doing something that Bird never did. Leading a team on his own to the world Championship. The last player to do that was Mike Jordan, and even he had Scottie Pippen, Grant, and Rodman along the way. Dont get this confused, Im not saying that Dirk is Mike, but when you look at what Nowitzki is doing in that perspective, his performances against Memphis, SA, and Phoenix all become pretty impressive. i cant wait to see what he does in the Finals. He's having a GREAT year...as in all-time great.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Well, forgive me if i wait till Dirk wins a few championships before i christen him.

You're talking to somone who never actually saw Larry Bird play try to compare him to someone else. Consider the source.

But don't forget, Lebron is the next Jordan. So is Kobe. So is Wade.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by angryllama

If Nowitzki wins the Championship this season without another superstar on his team, he will be doing something that Bird never did. Leading a team on his own to the world Championship. The last player to do that was Mike Jordan, and even he had Scottie Pippen.

Or, you could say that the NBA of today is really watered down with talent. By this i mean watching the reruns of the Lakers/Celtics games is worlds better by shooting standards than the players of today. And what about Jason Terry? Jason is a very good compliment player much like Pippen if you ask me. Although Bird did have some help i wouldnt say they are THAT much better than what Dirk has to deal with. Ainge and Johnson were a good back court but i would even give Terry the edge to both of them. Obviously Chief and Mchale are better than what Dallas has to offer on their team. But either way, Dirk has a LONG way to go before he should even be mentioned in the same breathe as Bird.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

.
But don't forget, Lebron is the next Jordan. So is Kobe. So is Wade.

I hate that stuff too. Let these guys have their own legacy without trying to look at them through Jordan glasses. The media complains about the state of the league because they dont have Jordan, Bird, or Magic anymore, but if they would just look around they would see several players leaving their own marks on the league...including Duncan, who is one of the top couple of players of all-time.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Or, you could say that the NBA of today is really watered down with talent. By this i mean watching the reruns of the Lakers/Celtics games is worlds better by shooting standards than the players of today. And what about Jason Terry? Jason is a very good compliment player much like Pippen if you ask me. Although Bird did have some help i wouldnt say they are THAT much better than what Dirk has to deal with. Ainge and Johnson were a good back court but i would even give Terry the edge to both of them. Obviously Chief and Mchale are better than what Dallas has to offer on their team. But either way, Dirk has a LONG way to go before he should even be mentioned in the same breathe as Bird.

Actually, the one I keep hearing people rave about is Josh Howard.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Anubis

Or, you could say that the NBA of today is really watered down with talent. By this i mean watching the reruns of the Lakers/Celtics games is worlds better by shooting standards than the players of today. And what about Jason Terry? Jason is a very good compliment player much like Pippen if you ask me. Although Bird did have some help i wouldnt say they are THAT much better than what Dirk has to deal with. Ainge and Johnson were a good back court but i would even give Terry the edge to both of them. Obviously Chief and Mchale are better than what Dallas has to offer on their team. But either way, Dirk has a LONG way to go before he should even be mentioned in the same breathe as Bird.

Jason Terry is as good as Pippen? h...Im not too sure about that.
McHale and Parrish were a couple of all-time greats. McHale is considered by many to be the top PF of all time.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by angryllama

I hate that stuff too. Let these guys have their own legacy without trying to look at them through Jordan glasses. The media complains about the state of the league because they dont have Jordan, Bird, or Magic anymore, but if they would just look around they would see several players leaving their own marks on the league...including Duncan, who is one of the top couple of players of all-time.

Of course. Can't just let him be the first Lebron, he has to be the next Jordan or Magic. Somehow people got obssessed with drawing parallels between players. Hell, when Andre Iguodala was drafted they immediatly compared him to Scottie Pippen.

And we agree on Duncan, he's the best player of this generation and will easily be top 10 of all time when he's done.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by angryllama

Jason Terry is as good as Pippen? h...Im not too sure about that.
McHale and Parrish were a couple of all-time greats. McHale is considered by many to be the top PF of all time.

Its still early for Terry but i still feel he is the second most important part of that team. And yes, Parrish and Mchale are really great, not sure about alltime PF though at least not by my standards.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Actually, the one I keep hearing people rave about is Josh Howard.

I call Josh "Rodpippen" because he plays like a little of Pippen mixed with a little of Rodman. He has enormous potential in Dallas' system if he can become more consistent. His value comes because of the way Dirk opens up the offense to a player with Josh's skills. Josh will be mismatched much of the time with a big guy if the opponent covers Dirk with a SF. He will also be given free reign to attack the boards if he is matched up with a smaller player. Josh is also a solid man defender. He has the perfect skill set to compliment Dirk...all he has to do is start being consistent.

You'll hear alot Mav fans talk about home Josh v. road Josh. Josh doesnt always show up on the road.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

And we agree on Duncan, he's the best player of this generation and will easily be top 10 of all time when he's done.

Oh, There's no Doubt about that.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Of course. Can't just let him be the first Lebron, he has to be the next Jordan or Magic. Somehow people got obssessed with drawing parallels between players. Hell, when Andre Iguodala was drafted they immediatly compared him to Scottie Pippen.
And we agree on Duncan, he's the best player of this generation and will easily be top 10 of all time when he's done.

LeBron is definately his own player. He's an explosive power player that reminds me alot of Dominique Wilkins, but with more strength, unmatchable court vision, great ball handles, and a complete game. The kid is just a freak. He's like Nowitzki...there is no answer for what he brings. Whenever either of those guys decide to take control, there is nothing that an opponent can do about it. I think that they are the only two guys in the league that present that problem.

When it's all said and done, LeBron might be the best player of all-time.