****OFFICIAL**** NBA Finals Thread

[thelanx]

I know the Heat beat the Pistons, and my friend is a Mavs fan, but this game has just become painful. As much as I want the Mavs to win, I didn't want this, I wanted an entertaining series.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: thelanx
I know the Heat beat the Pistons, and my friend is a Mavs fan, but this game has just become painful. As much as I want the Mavs to win, I didn't want this, I wanted an entertaining series.

I agree, this is getting hard to watch. The Heat need a rally just to get some confidence back. If the heat let this funk carry over to game 3 they go down 3-0 and the series is over

 

[RagingBITCH]

Wait Shaq who? Wade who? Where's all the craptalkers saying the Mavs have no answer? They've had all the answers.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: ornament
Antoine Walker is the cancer of this team.

The guy takes too many idiotic 3 pointers. REmember when he was back on the Mavs? LoL. How about when he was with Atlanta? HGAHAHAHAHA

 

[iamme]

damn you Shrek, for making me think that you were somehow rejuvanated. he was the only reason i thought that Miami was going to have good chance vs the Mavs. he's looked like old, slow, fat Shrek for far. 5 points last night??

i really can't imagine Miami being a title contender for much longer if Shrek continues to get older and look his age. as great as Wade is, you can see that he can't carry this team by himself. then considering Payton and Zo are on their last legs......this just might be Miami's best shot at a title.

 

[Miramonti]

Remember when Horace Grant went down against Shaq's orlando team early in the series against the Bulls in '96?

The outcome:

If Haslem is out or limited, ITS OVER.

Shaq's not letting miami down, his other players are letting him down (udonis aside.) Getting smothered, he needs everyone else to hit shots and be aggressive.

That said, Dallas has taken these games from Miami by their quickness and savvy play. Avery Johnson is also outcoaching Riley with his adjustments, as well has having Dallas prepared to shift their double teams on shaq. Few teams in the league are disciplined enough to make all the necessary constant rotations to get it done.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: jjsole
Shaq's not letting miami down, his other players are letting him down (udonis aside.) Getting smothered, he needs everyone else to hit shots and be aggressive.

i don't care if they're quarduple teaming Shaq......5 pts, 2/5 FG, 1-7 FT, 6 rebs, 0 blks in 27 minutes is HUGE let down in a Finals game.

JWill and Flexo Mourning had 11 each. Walker even had 20.

Shaq blew it with his 5 pts.

 

[vi edit]

Avery Johnson is easily proving his coach of the year honors. Let's see how things roll down in Miami. This is looking like it could be a very short series.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: jjsole
Shaq's not letting miami down, his other players are letting him down (udonis aside.) Getting smothered, he needs everyone else to hit shots and be aggressive.

i don't care if they're quarduple teaming Shaq......5 pts, 2/5 FG, 1-7 FT, 6 rebs, 0 blks in 27 minutes is HUGE let down in a Finals game.

JWill and Flexo Mourning had 11 each. Walker even had 20.

Shaq blew it with his 5 pts.

Maybe so but I don't entirely agree because its not all that it looks on paper.

Dallas has strategically done a great job drawing him away from the basket and the ball. Also some of the opportunities he's had for blocks he's elected to make hard fouls instead, which isn't a bad decision either. Those coupled with the fact that Dallas players are not going right at him like they are with the other defenders.

So I don't see 'no blocks' much of a factor...Shaq still owns the paint and makes dallas go away from him. But its his weakside help where he needs to step up his energy, and cover more ground quicker. Dallas knows this and that's why they're doing what they're doing, to make it harder for him.

Excellent coaching by Dallas..minimizing shaq's influence in the game has been a lot more than just smothering him when he gets the ball.

 

[iamme]

i agree the Mavs have done a great job on him. fact remains he's the highest paid Miami player and proclaimed most dominant force of all time. him and Wade are the superstars of the team and should be leading them. 5 points from Shaq is appalling.

i understand what you're saying, jjsole....i'm just saying that Shaq's poor game is much more of a detriment to Miami than if, say, Zo or Walker has a poor game.

 

[Bumrush99]

Pretty sad showing by Miami.. Now they are forced to win game 6 and/or 7 in Dallas.

Miami is done. Sad to say it, but the Heat will not win a game 6 or 7 in Dallas.

The Heat is the type of team that needs to start a series strong. They have never been the type of team that rises from adversity against good teams. They set the tone against Detroit by winning game 1. Now that Dallas has set the tone in the first two games, I don't think they are capable of rising up. Dallas will probably win this in 6, Miami wins game 3, blows 4 at home and then wins game 5. Dallas has proven to be a far more athletic team, and their D has been very impressive. All of this without Dirk having a standout offensive game.. With Haslem down, it can only get worse.

 

[Miramonti]

On the offensive end for miami, in theory, dallas is playing right into their hands...double or triple team shaq and the other players make you pay.

That's been the case on every team shaq has played on. He's never been someone to split double teams. But against dallas passing isn't working, because 1) his supporting cast isn't very supporting 2) dallas is very quick and disciplined to rotate *and* recover and 3) dwayne wade is covered very well, and doesn't have much of an outside shot.

Wade must expand his game, or show that games 1 and 2 were poor because he's been sick.

So I guess my point is that aside from free throws, shaq really hasn't been playing very poorly or 'un-shaq-like'. If he had any other players that could step up consistently, he'd be looked at as 'unselfish' and an 'ultimate winner', sacrificing his stats to win the game, not to mention that it would make dallas change their gameplan, which would help open up shaq's game.

 

[wyvrn]

So what jjsole is basically saying is, Miami is pretty much devoid of talent beyond Shaq and Wade. Which is what many people have been saying before the series started, and why we thought Miami would lose.

They simply do not have the talent to compete with Dallas. Once Dallas got past SA, the competition lightened up. First PHO, and now Miami. Shaq, in his heydey, could fight through double teams. Now he cannot do that anymore.

Shaq is not the same player he once was. I heard some idiot Dallas radio guy claim that Shaq was still top 5 player in the league, and he would start a new team with him instead of Lebron. I still don't get why people cannot see that Shaq is nearing the end. I am a huge fan of his, but when you are so exhausted in the finals, thats a serious sign. Miami really has to be thinking of how it can add depth behind him and generally on their bench for next year, because the Mavs are really exposing their weaknesses.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I predict the series never makes it back to Dallas, the Mavs will close it out in Miami.

And whats the deal with the 2-3-2 format? Why not 2-2-1-1-1 like all the other series in the playoffs?

 

[Schfifty Five]

LOL, mavs are going to win in 4.

Who even though miami could win hahaha....

We'll see though, at this rate, it's over in 4...but I'm sure Miami will win at least 1.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
So what jjsole is basically saying is, Miami is pretty much devoid of talent beyond Shaq and Wade. Which is what many people have been saying before the series started, and why we thought Miami would lose.

I disagree with this. The problem is not that they are devoid of talent. There is a serious coaching problem here. This is the same type of stuff that the lakers did against the spurs a few years back, before the spurs overcame it. They would make duncan wait for the double and then pass to an open guy who would choke.

Riley needs to look back just a few years ago to see what he needs to do. If you are going to make the offense go through shaq, your other guys must have some movement, preferably towards the basket. Motion offense. This is exactly why I was worried about riley. The guy just doesn't get it. I am convinced now more than ever that riley is one of the most overrated coaches in the league right now.

 

[Mermaidman]

OK, I admit I had not followed the Eastern Conf playoffs very closely.

How the heck did Miami make it to the finals if it's as bad as you guys say?

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: wyvrn
So what jjsole is basically saying is, Miami is pretty much devoid of talent beyond Shaq and Wade. Which is what many people have been saying before the series started, and why we thought Miami would lose.

I disagree with this. The problem is not that they are devoid of talent. There is a serious coaching problem here. This is the same type of stuff that the lakers did against the spurs a few years back, before the spurs overcame it. They would make duncan wait for the double and then pass to an open guy who would choke.

Riley needs to look back just a few years ago to see what he needs to do. If you are going to make the offense go through shaq, your other guys must have some movement, preferably towards the basket. Motion offense. This is exactly why I was worried about riley. The guy just doesn't get it. I am convinced now more than ever that riley is one of the most overrated coaches in the league right now.

He's one of the most decorated coaches in history. I don't know how you could say that. I think coaching is the least of their problems.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
OK, I admit I had not followed the Eastern Conf playoffs very closely.

How the heck did Miami make it to the finals if it's as bad as you guys say?

1st round: Bulls, who probably wouldn't have even made the playoffs in the west.
2nd round: Nets, who only did so well in the regular season becaues they could turn it on and win 10 or more in a row.
Eastern Conf Finals: Pistons choked, had nothing to do with the Heat.

I previously posted about this on page one:
"What have the heat done at all this season that makes people think they can beat the mavs in dallas? They had a mediocre regular season, beat the nets who were only in the playoffs because they could get hot and win 10 games, they beat the pistons, who had a great season but FOLDED in the postseason and I might add were beat by the mavs in dallas by 40 POINTS. Oh and I forgot, they beat the bulls. whoop de frikin do. If they didn't beat the pistons the way detroit was playing miami should have been kicked out of the NBA. Seriously, the east is a joke. I am not saying sweep or even that the heat suck, just saying they can't keep up with the mavs. That being said, mavs in 6. I think it will be 3-1 after 4, heat will win 5 in miami, then Mavs close it out in Dallas in game 6. "


Looks like my prediction might come true, although Mavs might win in 5. I would hate that though, because Dallas fans have been great this year and the win should happen at home.


Also, people need to stop and realize that the defense has something to do with the play of Shaq and Wade. Erick Dampier has been doing a GREAT job on shaq as well as the team defense. Devon Harris has shut down Wade. If you watch close, Wade can't even get the ball unless he steals it on defense. Harris is all over him. Wade has never been able to shoot the jump shot at a high percent and the mavs aren't letting him get to the rim. I can't believe Bill Walton and Dan Patrick think the Heat are a better team. Did they even watch the western conference playoffs?


edit: I tried to read through the rest of the thread but I could only make it to page 2 without laughing histerically. Just because I say the mavs will win and I live in Dallas doesn't mean I am a homer, it means I knew who the better team was/is. Is anyone going to apologize to wyvrn now for calling him a homer?

 

[cheezy321]

Mavs will win it all.

the eastern conference has been so damn weak all year. Teams UNDER .500 made it to the playoffs. If the mavs didnt make it to the finals, the suns would of kicked their arse. If the mavs or the suns didnt make it to the finals, the spurs would of killed them.

The only team worth talking about in the eastern conference is the pistons. And they have been kicked out.

Mavs in 4. This is a weak weak series.

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I predict the series never makes it back to Dallas, the Mavs will close it out in Miami.

And whats the deal with the 2-3-2 format? Why not 2-2-1-1-1 like all the other series in the playoffs?

I heard that Stern is considering doing 2-2-1-1-1 next year...

the reason they don't do is because since it is now a Western team vs an Eastern team, the travel is more of an issue (as opposed to the 1st three rounds where teams in the same conference play each other)...having a team on the east coast playing a team on the west coast would be a pain in the @ss for on a 2-2-1-1-1 series...

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
He's one of the most decorated coaches in history. I don't know how you could say that. I think coaching is the least of their problems.

Because the game has changed, and he hasn't. He had the same problem with miami quite a while back when charlotte trounced miami in the playoffs.

If the problem isn't coaching, then it is players not listening to the coach, which may ultimately still be a "coaching" problem.

 

[vi edit]

On a related note, anyone see this - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A...nbafinals-onealfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

DALLAS (AP) -- Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal was fined $10,000, and the team an additional $25,000, after he did not make himself available for interviews after Sunday night Game 2 of the NBA finals.

O'Neal had a career playoff-low five points on 2-for-5 shooting in the 99-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat are down 0-2 hole heading to Tuesday's Game 3 in South Florida.

The NBA announced the fines about an hour after the game ended.

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You can get fined for not speaking to the press? I never knew that.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
On a related note, anyone see this - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A...nbafinals-onealfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

DALLAS (AP) -- Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal was fined $10,000, and the team an additional $25,000, after he did not make himself available for interviews after Sunday night Game 2 of the NBA finals.

O'Neal had a career playoff-low five points on 2-for-5 shooting in the 99-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat are down 0-2 hole heading to Tuesday's Game 3 in South Florida.

The NBA announced the fines about an hour after the game ended.

------------------------------------

You can get fined for not speaking to the press? I never knew that.

Old news. You should have read the column after Game 1 in the Dallas Morning News. Tim Calishaw, a reporter, wrote "Miami never had a chance" and wrote an indepth article on why he gave Miami too much credit before the series started. He absolutely trashed Miami in that article, and it was funny.

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
On a related note, anyone see this - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A...nbafinals-onealfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

DALLAS (AP) -- Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal was fined $10,000, and the team an additional $25,000, after he did not make himself available for interviews after Sunday night Game 2 of the NBA finals.

O'Neal had a career playoff-low five points on 2-for-5 shooting in the 99-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat are down 0-2 hole heading to Tuesday's Game 3 in South Florida.

The NBA announced the fines about an hour after the game ended.

------------------------------------

You can get fined for not speaking to the press? I never knew that.

if he got fined for not showing up to the press, how much should he get fined for not showing up during the game???