Antoine Walker: Role Player Extraordinaire.

Boy, if the Celtics knew how to keep their draft picks they might actually be somewhere today (hi Chauncey).

Wow, the Pistons were out of this game halfway through the first quarter. Even though D-Wade was fighting the flu, he was still able to go out there and contribute to his team's victory. Shaq had a stellar, dominant game as well. Also, Jason Williams suprised the hell out of me... and from the looks of it, the Pistons too. He really went off in the 3rd quarter.

When it comes right down to it, the wheels of the Pistons' offense feel off midway through their first round matchup against Bucks. They were able to squeak by the first two rounds, but it caught up with them when they ran into the Heat. THEN they lost their lockdown defensive intensity and that sealed the deal for them right there. Miami was simply the better team this time around. Congrats to them for making it to the Finals for the first time in franchise history. I'm rooting for them so hopefully Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton can get rings.


Still a bit too early for that. But, right now, I'm interested in seeing if either Allen Iverson or Kevin Garnett get traded. It's starting to look like they're both beginning to wear out their welcome, especially Iverson. Both of them could use a change of scenery though.

I lost some respect for Alonzo after he refused to suit up and play for the Raptors. He didn't even report to the team, essentially forcing the Raptors to let him go. I mean, as a professional athlete, you should honour contracts and trades as part of the sport.

And I love Gary Payton, and I think he deserves a ring. But he's been a ring-chaser the past couple of years, basically latching himself to whatever team Shaq's on.

I've always found curious, ring-chasers in the twilight of their careers, signing with contenders just to win a ring. The most blatant example is the 2003-2004 Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

I wonder how much that ring would worth to them had they actually won it that year. Imagine how the annals of NBA history would talk about them, as ring-chasers jumping on teams virtually guaranteed to win it all. Imagine them explaining to their grandchildren years down the road, "Oh, I couldn't win a ring after leading my former team for 10-15 years. But then I began to age and decline, and so I joined a team led by Shaq and Kobe as a last desperate attempt to win it all. And that's how I got this ring. See how shiny and big it is."

Or in Payton's case this year, Shaq and D-Wade.

As far as Alonzo Mourning goes, yeah that was a very low-class move he made. People are investing millions of dollars in him, he should have went out there and honored his contract as you said. It was a mistake, and a big one, but I don't think that should tarnish his whole career or anything.

I dunno about this "ring-chasers" thing man. I mean, when Karl Malone and Gary Payton left their respective teams, the Jazz and Sonics were beginning to move in a different direction. Malone and Payton had given them all they could. Neither were good enough to carry a team anymore but they still had talent. So, I don't have a problem with them singing with a contending team to contribute. What, you expected them to sign with the Hawks or Raptors? :P

Oh no, definitely wouldn't tarnish his career accomplishments. But people have lost some respect for him, after admiring him for his passion and tenacity coming back from kidney ailment.

Well ... not the Hawks or Raptors. Haha.

But it's just that it was so blatantly obvious what they were trying to do. I mean, how much would you value that ring, knowing that you only won it because of Shaq and Kobe (Wade) and another hall of famer?

I think it's unfortunate that many sports pundits judge your career by how many championships you have. And I think it's unfair that such an emphasis is placed on it, above all else. So much so that aging superstars on their decline feel it necessary to latch themselves onto a contender, just to win a ring to solidify their greatness.

But I think most people would rather have a Charles Barkley career, rather than a Robert Horry one. Or a Reggie Miller, rather than a Rip Hamilton. Or a John Stockton, rather than a Steve Kerr.

Allen Iverson put it very well this year: "I think I deserve to win a championship for everything I put in as far as trying to win one, but I'm not going to chase it. I can end my career without a championship and be happy with the effort I gave to try and win one."

It's the same way I feel about Kevin Garnett. But the only difference between the 2006 Garnett/Iverson versus the 2004 Malone/Payton is that the former two are still in their prime. They can join a different team right now and instantly be the focal point. Hence, any success they have with their new team can be directly attribute to them.

It's like in 1993, had Barkley won a ring with Phoenix after leaving Philly, that ring would've meant everything to him.

That quote from Allen Iverson is golden. I wish more atheletes took that approach. The media puts WAY too much emphasis on winning championships. I just hate when they use terms like "greatest player never to have won a championship" or "most postseason games played without reaching the Finals". I hate crap like that. Yeah for the great players, championships should be something that is looked at, but it shouldn't be the main identifier of how successful their career was.

I think the part of your post about most people rather having a Charles Barkley career over a Robert Horry one, ect., is true too.

I'm still hoping for a Garnett-Iverson tandem. I'd be buggin' out :)



On an unrelated note, I came across this article: The reason Carmelo Anthony doesn't wear a Detroit Pistons uniform.

So the Mavs win it tonight, pitting them against the Heat in the finals. Even though they've managed to get this far, I still don't think they will win the whole thing. There's just something about the way they've been playing in the playoffs that leads me to believe that they can't beat the Heat in a best of seven series. I predict the Heat will win the series in six games.

I predict the Heat to win too, but I've been satisifed with the way Dallas has been playing. I can't really buy any of that "can't win in a seven game set" stuff anymore. Just have to take it as it comes. Many are saying Dallas has it easy against Miami. Many are saying Miami has it easy against Dallas. It'll be a battle, and I think it's difficult to say now who'll end on top. When either team blows up, they blow up craaazy. And what happens when both explode, it'll be a specatcle to see.

Anyway, congrats to both franchises to making the finals for the first time ever. Wow, just thinking back early 90s... Mavericks were poo. Good times, now.

I think the Heat take the series. They seem like a much more deserving team, and Dwyane Wade and Shaq are hungry players. I can't see anyone stopping them. Diop did a good job against 2 teams with centers he's stronger than, but Shaq will dominate the Mavs inside. Also they have no one to guard Wade.

Heat in 6 or 7.

Mavs in 6.

The Heat have had trouble with perimeter-oriented teams. Especially long, athletic teams with perimeter speed. That's Dallas to a T. They're an absolute matchup nightmare for the Heat.

They're quick, versatile, get up and down quickly, and play some of the most underrated defense. They rotate quickly, have good post defenders and shot-blockers, good guard play, and are just an overall matchup nightmare in the playoffs.

Kind of cool: Not since 1971 have we had two NBA teams who are in the Finals for the very first time. I'm gonna say Heat in 7.


I came across this, Dirk getting Punk'd:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWmuUFKX1QA

The Pistons are the epitome of a perimeter oriented team, and the Heat beat them. All they do is shoot. Billups can drive here and there, and Sheed can post up, but for the most part they shoot jump shots.

Just saw on SportsCenter on some poll that 45 of the 48 mainland whatever states think that Miami will win. The other 3 are Texas (ok), Oklahoma (alright), and... Michigan. Lollin'.

Yeah I saw that too, though it's expected since the Pistons and all of Detroit thought they were going to take the series.


As for the finals, I'll watch the first game and maybe one or two after that due to a constriction of time.

As for my prediction - Heat in 6.

Well, Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat is tonight. Dwayne Wade might not be at 100% but he is giong to give it a go. I think it's going to be a great series. Part of me wants the Mavs to win this win.... and part of me doesn't heh. I have a great appreciation for Avery Johnson, so I'd like to see him win it. But, on the other hand, I can't stand Mark Cuban, and it'd piss me off to see his team get a ring. Dallas has a much deeper team than the Heat, so they have the advantage there. Also, Avery Johnson has given them a good, defensive identity now.... one that was non-existant in years past.

I'm gonna go with the Mavs in 6 for this series. D-Wade and Shaq are gonna be there every night, but I just don't think their supporting cast is going to be able to contribute consistently enough to counteract Dallas' depth.

Heat in 4. There, I said it.

BTW I'm from Michigan ;P

Osnap. :p

GET PUMPED. Two more hours until the main event. I'm expecting this series to be full of awesome.

90-80 Mavs. Comes as no surprise to me, I expect them to win in 6. :)

Mavs win Game 1 as I suspected. And my theory was correct as well, it seems. In the first half, the Heat gained an 11-point lead at one point with a lot of help from guys like Antoine Walker and Jason Williams. However, in the second half, those guys cooled off and the Mavs took full advantage of it. If Miami doesn't find a consistent 3rd scorer, they will not win this series.

Mavs win but this really wasn't Nowitzki's best game... Well at least Shaq sorta sucked as well. I definitely expect the Mavs to make it this year.

Jason Terry carried the Mavs last night. The Heat did a pretty good job on Dirk the whole game. If Terry keeps playing this way the whole series, it's lights out for Miami.

Two stats that jumped out at me:

1) The Heat shot 7-19 from the free throw line. All 19 of those free throws were either shot by Wade or Shaq.
-- This tells me that the Heat are mainly settling for jumpshots. This won't get ti done against Dallas. Guys like Haslem, Walker and Payton need to force the issue and get to the line. 9 times out 10, the Mavs are going to win a shootout.

2) The Mav's bench outscored the Heat's bench 24-2
-- Like I said in an earlier post, Dallas is a much deeper team than the Heat. This stat shows that perfectly. If the Heat don't get more scoring from their bench, they got no shot (no pun intended).

It's just one game but if the Heat don't make the necessary adjustments, the Mavs are gonna be holding up the Larry O' Brien trophy in Miami. Pat Riley is a veteran coach with a lot of veteran players, so we'll see what alterations he makes for Game 2.

Clearly, last nights game is not gonna sit well with Riley. :argue:
By whatever means, he'll get Miami ready for Sunday. And I can't quite understand as to why the highest paid player in the NBA can't make a bloody free throw. :lolsign:

I've read several articles on it, and it has to do with how big his hands are or some crap like that. Whatever the problem is, it makes for some good comedy.

Dallas in 6, I think. A bit late, I know.

So the Mavs win again, and are now up 2-0. They're definitely playing better than I expected them to against the Heat, and now look poised to win the entire thing (though that would look pretty bad for the Heat if they manage to get swept by them in the finals).

The next game is on Tuesday in Miami, so we get to see how the Heat do on their on home court. If they don't win this next one, things will look pretty bad for them.