1. The match-up of coaching will put the experience of Rick Carlisle versus the new gut Eric Spolestra. What you will see with the Mavs is that 95% of the time they will score when coming out of a timeout. This gives them a decided advantage because Carlisle is a fantastic X and O guy. Spoelstra has kept the heat together but has had trouble drawing up plays. The Heat's favorite play is an isolation with either Wade or James. It won't work all the time.
2. Pippen saying LeBron will be greater than Jordan is crazy. Pippen's logic comes from seeing how well LeBron is playing on the defensive end. I guess he forgot that Jordan won Defensive player of the year and was runner-up twice. Scottie forgot who got him six rings and got him in the top 50 players of all-time. Never bite the hand that feeds you.
3. Can we stop with Dirk and Larry Bird comparisons!!! Dirk is not a top ten player in NBA history. He is not the rebounder nor the passer that Larry legend was. Dirk is a great shooter and having a terrific playoff run but he does not compare to Larry.
4. Watch in the Finals the amount of former teammates that are playing each other. Starting with Mike Bibby and Peja. They had a terrific run together in Sacramento.
5. D-Wade and Shawn Marion played on the Heat together. They actually traded Marion to help clear cap space to get James and Bosh.
6. Here is another dynamic to watch as LeBron James will be guarded sometimes by DeShawn Stevenson and these two do not like each other. When Stevenson payed with the Wizards he would routinely call LeBron a fraud and actually started a feud with Jay-Z and LeBron. Bron will want to torch him and Stevenson can easily get persuaded into shooting his team out of a game.
7. Where have you gone Mike Bibby? Bibby used to hit big shots and was a play maker on the Kings and Hawks. He looks really lost with the Heat and his shot is way off. For the Heat to win, Mike needs to find his stroke. Its like he is lacking confidence. I know not having the ball in his hands takes a little bit away from his game but his is missing wide open three's which he used to never miss.
8. My cousin Sterling pointed out something to me about good players conserve their energy until the 4th quarter and then make a run. Just notice how the Heat like to keep the game close, for instance to within 5-7 points and wait for the 4th when the other team is tired and then close the game with fresh players. They did it to the Bulls twice in the Eastern Conf. Finals. The Mavs also took advantage of the Thunder in the same fashion. Cagey vets understand how to conserve their energy.
9. Bench play will decide this series ultimately. I believe the Mavs will win if they get big games from Barea and Stojokavic and Terry. The heat have to minimize the damage these three players in the series. The one problem facing the Mavs is they like to play up tempo and if the Big 3 get in the open court they are tough to stop, especially with the way the have been defending. The Heat will need big points from Miller and Haslem to offset the points the Dallas bench gets.
10. I believe everyone had this thought when watching the heat roll through the East" "Dwight Howard is not staying In Orlando and Chris Paul is leaving New Orleans." The Heat are and will only get better. Yes the Bulls are young but they are missing some parts. Howard and Paul will team up together and try to win a championship. New Jersey or Los Angeles will be possible destinations. Also, the Bulls will try to trade some parts to get Rose some help. Eric Gordon, one of Rose's best friends, who is on the Clippers is a possibility. There are going to be more super teams which will bring in viewers but hurt the rest of the league.
No comments:
Post a Comment