NBA FINALS

[e0y2e3]

Since I know Cleveland will be watching (you're obsession with LBJ only gave you third place in the conference finals viewing market standings!!!!)

Mavs in six.

Say it with me……………….. FLOOR SPACING.

Seriously, Miami’s defense is built to beat the East teams. The body up with Wade and LBJ then just pack the living shit out of the lane. This is why KG was able to go for 28 and 18 when he felt healthy. If a PF can exploit his one on one or pull the trap you can score on the Heat, especially when the corpse of Bibby is on the floor and especially when you are going to have either undersized Joel Anthony or Bitch Chris Bosh forced to account for Chandler’s oop effect all series long.

I’m not immune to retarded and am as in shock as everyone else to see the Mavs here, but now that they are here they need to be recognized. MVP of the playoffs (runner up: LBJ; third place: Z-BO; obligatory mention: Chris MFin Paul) combined with the best passing offense the league has seen in years is something Miami doesn’t even understand at this point. The best part is, they can’t even put LBJ on Dirk because of how good he is a drawing fouls.

Only way the Heat win this series, IMO, is if 2 of the big 2.5 go insane. If the Marion/Stevenson/Kidd (seriously, did you guys see Kidd switching on to Durant for an entire playoff series??? WTF) trio can contain Wade and LBJ (and by contain I mean less than 70 a game out of both) I don’t see how the Heat win this series.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

[e0y2e3]

Also of note, Dallas getting a work week off is huge.

[Orenthal]

Being a jilted Cleveland Fan has left me in complete doubt. While I agree with that analysis after watching both teams in these playoffs, I'll have to see Game 1 before I feel good about Dallas. Miami has done a good job of overcoming their opponents strength, and exploiting their own. Dallas meanwhile has steamrolled their opponents with great outside shooting, and that monster Dirk.

I'll be watching Chandler abuse Bosh on the defensive end. Will be interesting if Barea can be effective against Miami's length? Brenda getting another shot at James...

[pup]

Heat win.

Should be in 4. But the NBA needs drama so it will probably be in 7.

Nobody to stop LBJ.
Nobody to stop Wade.

Power forward is the only "bad" matchup for Miami, but they can just slide Bosh to Chandler and have James shut down the German in crunch time.

Jason Terry won't be able to get on the floor, because Wade will torch him every time he is.

[e0y2e3]

Dallas:

Nobody to stop KD

Nobody to stop Westbrook

Having length to protect the rim and a savy crew of vets to work the P & R is a big deal.

[e0y2e3]

PS: If LeCharge didn't shut all of the Sterners up about the NBA being fixed nothing ever will.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Vegas has the series at Heat -200, Mavericks +160.

[e0y2e3]

Homecourt and the public, makes sense.

[mattvan1]

There is no justice in professional sports.

Déjà vu all over again.



In more important news

Half-centuries from openers Tharanga Paranavitana and Tillakaratne Dilshan guided Sri Lanka to stumps on a rain-shortened day one of the opening Test against England on 133 for two. Play did not begin in Cardiff until 15:30 local time and Sri Lanka would have been pleased with their efforts having won the toss and decided to bat first despite the changeable weather conditions

[FUDU]

I'm totally in the Mavs in 6 camp, obviously with LeBron & Wade anything can happen for Miami, but Dallas is so much more complete than any team the Heat have faced. Plus the Heat have had the luxury so far of LeBron (or Wade) being able to take a stab at guarding the opposing stud, not going to happen zis time, can't, neither canz cuver Dirk the cluzer he hazen zuh bull to zuh hoop. If Dirk iz guut, Mavs vin.

Miami will not have the 2 best players on the floor thanks to the man named Dirk, you could make the case that Dirk is actually playing the best right now out of him, LBJ & Wade.

Come on Mavs, gotta make it happen!

[Ziner]

I wish you guys wouldn't get your hopes up, you can analyze all you want, but Miami is winning it all. This place will be epic when the Heat win in 5 though. Ugh.

[e0y2e3]

Geezes christ, did FUDU just agree with my call out?

Welp, that was fun while it lasted.

[RickNashEquilibrium]

Dirk is putting together one of the best post-season performances in recent memory. Watching him bring it every night, its hard for me to pick against him regardless of the South Beach trio. I don't think Dallas can be denied this time with Dirk and Co. dialed in like they are. Scientific, I know.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Dallas. They have the German and that's the tops.

[e0y2e3]

I heard Dirk's ancestors chilled with CDT's ancestors after they were done with their days work running the gas chamber at Auschwitz

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Always with the Nazi jokes.

[Rat_Tail]

Heat win. Then bron bron demands a trade back to Cleveland.

[e0y2e3]

Why couldn't the Nazi's have let the Jews be and instead killed Rat Racist's ancestors?

[e0y2e3]

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/05 ... -the-ball/

[pup]

Dallas:

Nobody to stop KD

Nobody to stop Westbrook

Having length to protect the rim and a savy crew of vets to work the P & R is a big deal.

Marion could play enough D to be an asset against KD. James will just go through him and over him.

You aren't telling me Kidd outsmarting Westbrook is the same as being able to defend Wade, are you?

And with OKC, you didn't need to shut those 2 down, because OKC couldn't defend them back.

Miami is going to defend Dallas like they have not been defended yet.

[e0y2e3]

Westbrook took Kidd off the dribble when he wanted, team D was what worked there.

What Kidd did that was impressive was his ability to switch onto KD.

And Miami hasn't played a rim defender like Chandler yet.

And Miami hasn't played D against a team that could space the floor yet.

I can rubber/glue your arguments all day. If you are going to call out Miami's D as being something dallas hasn't seen (which isn't all that true, the Lakers were made to defend the Mavs) then at least look at both sides of the court.

I'm so sick and tired of this "who guards LBJ" shit when no one can tell me who guards Dirk or the array of 3pt shooters around him.

[NoWearMan]

"Come on Mavs, gotta make it happen!"

Love that one. Gonna be using it for the next couple weeks.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Can't LeBron just guard them all? Plus they can fall back on Bosh's defensive prowess.

LeBron will dunk the ball.

[pup]

Westbrook took Kidd off the dribble when he wanted, team D was what worked there.

You are comparing Westbrook finishing to Wade. Stop it. Not even the same ballpark. Shit, not even the same sport.

What Kidd did that was impressive was his ability to switch onto KD.

Kidd gonna switch on LBJ? Hell no. So he is going to stand out front and get blown by.

And Miami hasn't played a rim defender like Chandler yet.
They will pull him away from the rim. Just because Scott Brooks couldn't design a plan to do it...


And Miami hasn't played D against a team that could space the floor yet.
Rubber/glue? Well, Dallas has not played a team that can defend the spaced out floor yet.


I can rubber/glue your arguments all day. If you are going to call out Miami's D as being something dallas hasn't seen (which isn't all that true, the Lakers were made to defend the Mavs) then at least look at both sides of the court.
How are the lakers made to defend Dallas? They are a horrible defensive matchup for LA. Kidd is a nightmare for DF. Kobe freelances just enough to leave Terry looks. Artest is beyond a lost cause anywhere on the floor. Pau cannot defend 15 feet from the rim. Their best defensive matchup is wasted with Bynum covering Chandler.
I'm so sick and tired of this "who guards LBJ" shit when no one can tell me who guards Dirk or the array of 3pt shooters around him.
In the meaningful stretches, LeBron covers Dirk. Locks him down in fact. Miami won't leave guys as often as the Open Gym West playoff teams do. Leaving those 3 pt shooters a little less room and a little less comfort.

[e0y2e3]

This pretty much sums up you having gone completely insane:

"How are the lakers made to defend Dallas? They are a horrible defensive matchup for LA. Kidd is a nightmare for DF. Kobe freelances just enough to leave Terry looks. Artest is beyond a lost cause anywhere on the floor. Pau cannot defend 15 feet from the rim. Their best defensive matchup is wasted with Bynum covering Chandler."

Additionally, Westbrook and Rose are as good as Wade at taking people off the dribble.

Seriously, do you just want to blow Wade and LBJ?

PS: KD is 7 feet tall and as much of a match-up problem as LBJ for Kidd on the switch, it is just a different type of match-up issue.

And yeah, Joel Anthony is certainly going to pull Chandler away from the rim.

Wait... you mean they aren't going to be ablet to play Anthony? Their best help defender won't be on the floor.....

Serious question, have you watched the Mavs play more than six minutes of basketball this playoffs? Because you have no idea how they are playing right now and your take on the Lakers is HILARIOUS.

Kidd certainly abused Fisher, he was just a maniac in that series!@$!!!!

[e0y2e3]

BTW: you cannot do a better job defending Dirk than Collison did down the stretch in game 4. Collison was literally playing PERFECT D on Dirk. That didn't matter. Yet you think LBJ is going to somehow defend one legged 45 degree angle fade-aways.

[pup]

No dude, you are the only one that actually watches the games.

The Lakers were what, the 3rd worst defensive team in the playoffs this year? Ooooh.

So, since I think Miami is going to win the series, I want to blow LBJ and Wade. You thinking Dallas is going to win is because of your superior knowledge and brains. OK. Got it.

You should take some time and get over yourself.

[e0y2e3]

I have no problem with you saying Miami is going to win.

My problem is saying ridiculous things about LA's team on the whole and pointing out one mismatch without even acknowledging that it goes both ways.

There is making your call and then their is saying stupid shit and refusing to even consider that things go both ways.

[Kingpin74]

I'm sure Lee's basketball analysis is correct (haven't watched the Mavs enough this year to break it down) but the only information I need is the middle word of this website's title.

Antichrists in 5.

[FUDU]

FTR I enjoyed the SI link.

[e0y2e3]

Only part 1 from SI!!!! MORE TO COME!!!!

Seriously, Lowe is really effing good at SI.

[FUDU]

Is there a counter RE: when Dallas has the ball?

He's right about Bosh, regardless of how big a puss Bosh is. He can really flourish in that 3rd wheel role when Miami recognizes the switch and sees him high post cutting.

[Orenthal]

LBJ great defender and all, but why is it all the sudden a given that he can shut down the taller, longer, Nowitzki? Guy has that step back fade going and there isn't a guy on the planet stopping that shot...

Having the speed and length to stop smaller points and wings is one thing...

[e0y2e3]

Is there a counter RE: when Dallas has the ball?

He's right about Bosh, regardless of how big a puss Bosh is. He can really flourish in that 3rd wheel role when Miami recognizes the switch and sees him high post cutting.

Being worked on, I'll link it when it comes out. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go out 3 or 4 parts here.

[e0y2e3]

Seriously, when Dirk is going Dirk no one on earth can shut him down.

At least Pau was tall enough to try and get in the way of the fade. Only thing is when Dirk is hitting that thing he almost hits the arena's ceiling with it.

[pup]

I have no problem with you saying Miami is going to win.

My problem is saying ridiculous things about LA's team on the whole and pointing out one mismatch without even acknowledging that it goes both ways.

There is making your call and then their is saying stupid shit and refusing to even consider that things go both ways.

So Gasol is built to cover Dirk?
And Kobe doesn't hedge enough to give Terry space?
And Bynum isn't wasted covering Tyson Chandler?
And Artest is a good defender?
And they don't use Fish to help, leaving Kidd alone to do the one thing scoring that he can do, knock down wide open threes.
And the Lakers were not the 5th worst defensive efficiency team in the playoffs?

What is the Dallas mismatch? Dirk? Obviously it is. And since you think Collison did a better job than James can do, we should be expecting 45 a night from Dirk, right?

And how is Dallas defending Miami?

[rebelwithoutaclue]

The refs already gave Miami one title over Dallas; with all the LBJ/DWade media suck-fest, they've got even more reason to do so this year. I give Dallas no chance.

[e0y2e3]

Pup, until you can admit that Miami's preffered D is packing the lane and taking the drive and kick away while LBJ and Wade live on the perimeter and that Dallas is the best passing team in the league you are just being a fuck for the sake of being a fuck.

The mismatches go both ways.

Geezes this is like you running around declaring that Ron Artest can't hang with Marion anymore.

Or like pretending Pau isn't athletic and long.

If you think the big two outscore Dirk and the three point shooters, fine, but I want to you show me the team Miami has played in the playoffs that could space the floor and was shooting well.

Please show me that team and provide me examples of Miami's superior ability to shut down a team where there is a putback problem in the middle, Dirk, and a shit ton of shooter.

Please show me the team Miami played like that.

And seriously reb, LeCharge really should have shut up the Sterners.

[e0y2e3]

PS: The Lakers efficiency was somewhat impacted by the Mavs, who are playing the best offense in the league right now. Which you apparently just don't care about because LBJ is going to shut Dirk down???

[pup]

Pup, until you can admit that Miami's preffered D is packing the lane and taking the drive and kick away while LBJ and Wade live on the perimeter and that Dallas is the best passing team in the league you are just being a fuck for the sake of being a fuck.

The mismatches go both ways.

Geezes this is like you running around declaring that Ron Artest can't hang with Marion anymore.

Or like pretending Pau isn't athletic and long.

If you think the big two outscore Dirk and the three point shooters, fine, but I want to you show me the team Miami has played in the playoffs that could space the floor and was shooting well.

Please show me that team and provide me examples of Miami's superior ability to shut down a team where there is a putback problem in the middle, Dirk, and a shit ton of shooter.

Please show me the team Miami played like that.

And seriously reb, LeCharge really should have shut up the Sterners.

As soon as you show me a team Dallas has played that defends like Miami.

Dallas is better offensively - Slightly
Miami is better defensively - Huge

[rebelwithoutaclue]

And seriously reb, LeCharge really should have shut up the Sterners.

Sorry but one charge call on Lebron in the closing seconds doesn't erase the fact that Wade had nearly as many FT attempts as the entire Dallas team (Wade-46, Dallas-48) in games 5-6 of the Finals or that many of the fouls on Wade were the result of zero contact.

Again, the NBA seems to have a vested interest in Lebron getting a ring now that he's not in Cleveland, and Dallas will be done no favors by the refs in the series.

[peeker643]

I think the last 4 minutes of last night's game give you the worst of my fears. Those guys came from 12 down against a really good defensive team and won a championship-caliber game.

Neither of the big two (and we need to stop with the Big 3 thing because it's simply not the case) is gassed, both have the wind, the legs and the ridiculous skills to take over and win games and both can lock up almost anyone with their ability to play on the ball defense.

I don't know who's going to win it. I don't study the game like Lee does or have an opinion of my own on spacing, matchups, etc. I happen to think Dallas's roster is deeper and better and they have the hottest thing going in the post season with Dirk on a mission from God (or Cleveland) to win the thing.

But beating the Heat 4/7 seems a lot to ask anybody.

That was a lot of words to say I expect a long series and it's hard to pick against 2 1/2 Men winning it all.

I'll be watching though. So even if Lee is wrong about the outcome he was right about that.

[e0y2e3]

WOW: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0015/0 ... jpg?100133

And Pup, I can live with that take. That is more fair. We'll just have to wait and see.

[e0y2e3]

And whatever reb. If the NBA were actively trying to get LBJ a ring the NBA doesn't call that charge, period.

If Thibs and Rose don't go insane that costs them the game.

[e0y2e3]

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/05 ... -the-ball/

[Orenthal]

Miami pack it in D in numbers...
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/ ... ctOpponent

Will Dallas be able to get all its shooters on the floor???

[e0y2e3]

Getting the shooters on the floor is going to be damn interesting.

This really is going to be a chess match between Spo and Carlisle.

[Rat_Tail]

Why couldn't the Nazi's have let the Jews be and instead killed Rat Racist's ancestors?

Benito Mussolini

[daddywags]

I got Miami in 6. Win 2 at home, 1 in Dallas and finish it out in Miami. If the Mavs can't pick off one of the first two games it's hard to see them winning three in a row in Dallas.