The Finals start tonight and those who were going through playoff withdrawals, your fix is coming tonight at 9 EDT. So, we got the same teams who were in 2006 NBA Finals and I kind of have enough of NBA Network replaying the games the outcome will not, I said WILL NOT be the same. And here's why:
First of all, on the Miami side of things, the 2006 Miami Heat was a lot tougher than this current roster. The 2006 Miami team were led by Shaq and Alonzo Mourning who had a complete dominant presence in the paint and an injury-free Dwyane Wade. Sometimes, I wonder if this current Miami Heat team could win in a best of seven series against the 2006 Miami Heat.
Both Miami teams kinda mirror each other in the fact that they did not get off to great starts in the beginning of the season, but really found their groove after the All Star break. But this were the comparison ends. That 2006 Miami was a lot maentally tougher than the current Heatles. They did not sweat the rough start or all the time that Shaquille missed in the middle of the season. When the current Heat lost about 6 games in a row, they all crying in the press conferences, Dwyane Wade talking about the world is happy the Heat is losing. I know #thelasttimetheheatwon was a trending topic on Twitter, but get over yourself! You're not that important! I know people were probably hyperventilating in Miami, but the rest of the country was watching the NFL. It became a big story because Dwyane and 'em made it one. So, this is why I will take the 2006 Miami team over the current one. Yeah, Stan Van Gundy AKA Ron Jeremy left or got forced out, but they kept rolling and madde no excuses for when they didn't win and/or got blew out one game night. Also, Pat Riley didn't air out the team business if the team was highly upset about a loss. But if anything, the current Heat players sure could learn some things from that 2006 team since they have something everything on that roster except Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade has: A NBA Championship.
Now let's talk about Dallas who have two players who were on the losing 2006 team: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. So, I look at the rest of the roster on the current team and the 2006 team and I would my money on this current team. The reason why the 2006 team lost to Miami was the mental and physical toughness. Keith Van Horn, Erik Dampier, and DeSagana Diop were in over their heads against Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, and Udonis Haslem. Devin Harris was overmatched aginst Gary Payton and Jason Williams who found their game and the fountain of youth in the NBA Finals. Now, this team has all the toughness that Avery Johnson was dreaming and screaming of with the major pickup of Tyson Chandler,Shawn Marion, and Brendan Haywood. They have that steadiness at the point guard position with Jason Kidd and they got a extra bonnus with J.J. Barea. Devin Harris is no slouch but he was so green with the NBA Finals came. But the elevation of Dirk's game from just the last 3 months was been quite major to be see on the TV screen.
So, we're back to 2011 and the game tips off in about 70 minutes. So, let's see how the current Dallas and Miami team matchup against each other.
POINT GUARDS: The edge belongs to the Mavs. Jason Kidd has seem to have discovered the fountain of youth. He is playing the way he was when he was in Dallas the first time plus a better jumpshot. Mike Bibby seem have left his game in Sacramento and Mario Chalmers was struggling against full court pressure against C.J. Watson. So, what's he gonna go against future hall of famer Jason Kidd?? Jason has 33 steals throughtout these playoffs and I see about 5 more against Mario Chalmers.
SHOOTING GUARDS: The edge belongs to Miami. Dwyane Wade is one of the best finishers in the league. His experience winning a ring is a extra notch in his belt in comparison to Deshawn Stevenson who made out of the first round just last year.
SMALL FORWARDS: The edge belongs with Miami. LeBron James is probably the most physically gifted player on both teams. Since Caron Butler is out, his absence can hurt Dallas in its play against James.
POWER FORWARDS: The edge belongs to the Mavs. There is not a shot that Dirk Mowitzki can not make. Chris Bosh is no slouch but he is not guarding Erik Dampier who is not known for his offensive dynamics. But regardless on what happens, the only person that can stop Dirk Nowitzki is Dirk Nowitzki.
CENTER: Even. Both Joell Anthony and Tyson Chandler are the constant defensive presence on their teams and they will beat each other up as the series prolonged
BENCH: This is the true equalizer of this series. Miami's bench has been real inconsistent, period. Mike Miller has not played up to level of game that we have previously seen in Memphis. Meanwhile, Dallas' bench has played better than some teams starting lineup with the defensive and ugly jump shot of Shawn Marion and the sharp shooting of Jason Terry. And I wonder where did Dallas find J.j. Barea? For real, he has made himself a factor in teams defensive schemes. So, this edge truly belongs to Dallas.
SUMMARY AND PREDICTION: I just want to say that there WILL NOT be a sweep. I repeat, THERE WILL NOT BE A SWEEP! However, this sweries will com all comes down to who can make a play whose name is not Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, and Chris Bosh. So, excluding out the 5 players I mentioned which will make a serious sarting lineup, I will take Dallas in 7. Miami's Big 3 accounts for 53% of their team points.So, if one of those 3 have a off night, the other two have to be perfect whereas it completely differs with Dallas. They spread you out and everyone except Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood are offensive threats. Dallas knows, well they should know, that their championship window quest is closing faster than they want to admit and I believe that fact will be their extra driving force for Dallas' first NBA Championship. This should be a very interesting finals to watch. Time to get my nachos!!!
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