[Note from the writer: I apologize to my readers for not posting for a month or so. I have been dealing with some personal issues that have kept me from writing. That being said, thank you for checking back and I look forward to producing quality writing moving forward.]
There comes a time when a journalist has to become accountable for their words. It's an interesting concept, I'm far from a recognized expert but I still consider myself a solid, valuable voice of reason in the world of sports. Since I never wrote anything down it would be easy for me to take the easy way out and say that I had Dallas the whole way, but that would neither be honest, or right. I made a prediction about the NBA finals and I was 100% wrong.
Looking at the finals on paper, I gave more value to individual talents than I did to the concept of team and vision. Basketball is a game unlike any other where one player can be the difference and change a game, team or series. I submit two examples, both of them ended up facing one another in the finals this year, Le Bron James and Dirk Nowitzki. Last Season the Cleveland Cavaliers had the best record in the league, Le Bron infamously left his hometown last summer and with out that one player, the team went from first to worst. Last season, Cleveland was sniffing at the finals, this year they're #1 in the lottery. That is a remarkable effect on a team generated by one player. Cleveland went from 61 wins in the 09-10 campaign to 19 this previous season. It's reasonable to come to the conclusion that the presence of Le Bron James accounted for 42 wins. An effect unseen since Jordan retired the first time.
Hands down, the MVP of the playoffs was Dirk Nowitzki. The leadership he provided and with every clutch shot he hit, it became more and more obvious that he was hitting his stride at the perfect time, put the Mavericks on his back and carried them to the Larry O'Brien trophy. It may sound obvious but without Dirk, the Mavericks don't get past Portland in the first round, let a lone win the whole thing. Yet, this is my point, the drive, leadership and determination exuded by Nowitzki carried his team to the title. He had help, don't get me wrong. Marion locked down James and the role players hit big shots down the stretch but Dirk was the best player on the floor when he had to be and Dallas has their first championship because of it.
This being said, I looked at what Wade, James and Bosh had done together as a squad in the Olympics and it made me believe that Dallas would be lucky to mop the floor after the Heat walked away with the series. Miami was a more talented squad, but Dallas was the better team. When it came down to it, no matter how big of a run Miami went on , no matter how much they were up by early, Dallas would chip away at the lead and be in striking distance down the stretch. The last 5 minutes belonged to Dirk Nowitzki and it seemed like he hit another gear when it came down to it. Personally, I have never liked Dirk but throughout these playoffs, I will say it again; he was the best player on the floor.
In summation, I was wrong about several things in the playoffs. I thought a Miami win was a sure thing. I guess that's why they play the games and why I ask sports in the first place. You never know.
Showing posts with label Dallas Mavericks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dallas Mavericks. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
NBA Weekend Wrap
Dallas Vs. Los Angeles Game 4: Mavericks Win Series 4-0
As goes Jason Terry, so go the Dallas Mavericks. As far as three point shots that is definitely true. Both Terry and the Mavericks finished the night 1 three point shot short of a NBA record for three pointers made Sunday afternoon as the Mavericks routed the Lakers 122-86. Terry shot 9-10 from behind the arc for 27 of his game high 32 points.
On a normal night, that would have been the top news story. This was far from a normal night. While the game started to get out of reach for the frustrated reigning champions, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum resorted to thuggery to get their point across. Odom's elbow on Dirk Nowitzki got him tossed early in the fourth quarter. Less than a minute later Andrew Bynum committed one of the more egregious flagrant fouls of the season throwing a forearm into a driving J.J. Berea's ribs. Berea hit the floor hard in a scary play which saw Bynum remorselessly leaving the floor, removing his jersey as he did so to a chorus of boos.
Dallas awaits the winner of the Oklahoma City/Memphis series. They figure to be well rested as those two teams battle it out.
Atlanta Vs. Chicago Game 4: Series Tied 2-2
The Hawks used a late run to break open a tight game late as Atlanta tied up the series Sunday night. This game did not come without controversy as Bennett Salvatore blew an inadvertent whistle on a three point shot by Derrick Rose. Salvatore later admitted fault saying, "I blew my whistle and didn't mean to. I didn't think it was a foul. Having watched the replay after the game, it was a foul and I should have called it. I made a mistake." The Bulls were down 6 at the time and three free throws could have made the contest even closer. However, the rules dictated a jump ball at mid court which the Hawks recovered and extended the lead to 8 at the time.
Atlanta got their work done under the basket scoring more than half of their points in the paint. On the defensive end, they limited Derrick Rose to 34 points while shooting 12 for 32 from the field. Rose can't do this on his own and it showed Sunday night with only two other Bulls in double figures. Game 5 is Tuesday night in a game that will go a long way in deciding the outcome in this series.
Memphis Vs. Oklahoma City Game 3: Grizzlies Lead 2-1
With 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Memphis looked dead in the water. Kevin Durant had just put the Thunder up 11 with a driving dunk and the Grizzlies were forced to call a timeout. O.J. Mayo wasn't ready to call it a night and a 3 pointer out of the timeout ignited the crowd and the home team as they came back to send the game into OT.
The extra period belonged to Memphis, scoring 8 of the first 10 points in OT. Memphis went on to win the game 101-93 before a raucous crowd. fourth quarter and overtime Memphis outscored OKC by a score of 38-17.During the regular season, Memphis only managed 4 sellouts, but the arena sold out in less than 30 minutes for the first home game of the second round in franchise history. Game 4 is tonight back in the FedEx Arena in Memphis and the Grizzlies could take a commanding 3-1 lead in their improbable playoff run.
Miami Vs. Boston Game 3: Heat Lead 2-1
Boston showed signs of life early, taking a 16-7 lead in the first and never really looked back as Boston staved off the Miami Heat Saturday night. Kevin Garnett lead the way with 28 and Paul Pierce added 27 as the Celtics got on the series scoreboard with a win.
The story of the game was not the resurgence of Boston's big three, but the dislocation of Rajon Rondo's elbow. Late in the third quarter, he and Dwyane Wade got tangled up and Rondo landed awkwardly on his elbow, dislocating it in the process. However in a great example of mind over matter, the point guard re-entered the game at the start of the fourth and continued to play one handed with his bad arm dangling at his side. Both a MRI and CAT scan of his arm came back negative but it will be interesting to see how it affects his performance tonight in game 4.
As goes Jason Terry, so go the Dallas Mavericks. As far as three point shots that is definitely true. Both Terry and the Mavericks finished the night 1 three point shot short of a NBA record for three pointers made Sunday afternoon as the Mavericks routed the Lakers 122-86. Terry shot 9-10 from behind the arc for 27 of his game high 32 points.
On a normal night, that would have been the top news story. This was far from a normal night. While the game started to get out of reach for the frustrated reigning champions, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum resorted to thuggery to get their point across. Odom's elbow on Dirk Nowitzki got him tossed early in the fourth quarter. Less than a minute later Andrew Bynum committed one of the more egregious flagrant fouls of the season throwing a forearm into a driving J.J. Berea's ribs. Berea hit the floor hard in a scary play which saw Bynum remorselessly leaving the floor, removing his jersey as he did so to a chorus of boos.
Dallas awaits the winner of the Oklahoma City/Memphis series. They figure to be well rested as those two teams battle it out.
Atlanta Vs. Chicago Game 4: Series Tied 2-2
The Hawks used a late run to break open a tight game late as Atlanta tied up the series Sunday night. This game did not come without controversy as Bennett Salvatore blew an inadvertent whistle on a three point shot by Derrick Rose. Salvatore later admitted fault saying, "I blew my whistle and didn't mean to. I didn't think it was a foul. Having watched the replay after the game, it was a foul and I should have called it. I made a mistake." The Bulls were down 6 at the time and three free throws could have made the contest even closer. However, the rules dictated a jump ball at mid court which the Hawks recovered and extended the lead to 8 at the time.
Atlanta got their work done under the basket scoring more than half of their points in the paint. On the defensive end, they limited Derrick Rose to 34 points while shooting 12 for 32 from the field. Rose can't do this on his own and it showed Sunday night with only two other Bulls in double figures. Game 5 is Tuesday night in a game that will go a long way in deciding the outcome in this series.
Memphis Vs. Oklahoma City Game 3: Grizzlies Lead 2-1
With 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Memphis looked dead in the water. Kevin Durant had just put the Thunder up 11 with a driving dunk and the Grizzlies were forced to call a timeout. O.J. Mayo wasn't ready to call it a night and a 3 pointer out of the timeout ignited the crowd and the home team as they came back to send the game into OT.
The extra period belonged to Memphis, scoring 8 of the first 10 points in OT. Memphis went on to win the game 101-93 before a raucous crowd. fourth quarter and overtime Memphis outscored OKC by a score of 38-17.During the regular season, Memphis only managed 4 sellouts, but the arena sold out in less than 30 minutes for the first home game of the second round in franchise history. Game 4 is tonight back in the FedEx Arena in Memphis and the Grizzlies could take a commanding 3-1 lead in their improbable playoff run.
Miami Vs. Boston Game 3: Heat Lead 2-1
Boston showed signs of life early, taking a 16-7 lead in the first and never really looked back as Boston staved off the Miami Heat Saturday night. Kevin Garnett lead the way with 28 and Paul Pierce added 27 as the Celtics got on the series scoreboard with a win.
The story of the game was not the resurgence of Boston's big three, but the dislocation of Rajon Rondo's elbow. Late in the third quarter, he and Dwyane Wade got tangled up and Rondo landed awkwardly on his elbow, dislocating it in the process. However in a great example of mind over matter, the point guard re-entered the game at the start of the fourth and continued to play one handed with his bad arm dangling at his side. Both a MRI and CAT scan of his arm came back negative but it will be interesting to see how it affects his performance tonight in game 4.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Preview: Portland Vs. Dallas Game 6
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| Jason Terry and the Mavericks are flying high, going into game 6. (Photo Credit to Ronald Martinez/Getty Images ) |
Fast forward to tonight, game 6 in Portland where the Mavericks attempt to close out the home team. Both teams are looking to exorcise some playoff demons as the Blazers have never come back from a 3-2 deficit and the Mavericks are a combined 1-9 in game 6's and 0-5 on the road. If the Blazers plan on playing another night, they are going to need a big game from their two time all star, Brandon Roy. In their 2 wins, Roy has averaged 20 points off the bench and has provided a much needed spark that conversely has been absent in the team's 3 losses in which he has combined for only 7. If Portland hopes to send this series back to Dallas for a winner take all game 7, Roy is going to have to carry his team once again and be a factor.
For Dallas, they need to continue to go to the low post. Tyson Chandler repeatedly punished Portland down low, getting several trips to the line and keeping possessions alive with 13 offensive rebounds. If he can stay out of foul trouble and be effective in the post it could be a long night for Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Speaking of Aldridge, his point production has dipped in each successive game starting game 1 with 27 but only managed 12 in the game 5 loss. It's possible that Dallas' physical brand of basketball has taken it's toll on Aldridge, but when asked about his fatigue level, he brushed the topic aside stating, "I can be tired later."
Brian Cardinal stirred up a little controversy in the closing seconds of game 5, sending Portland guard Patty Mills to the deck with a hard screen. The Blazers bench was up in arms as the smaller Mills went sliding across the American Airlines arena floor but Cardinal doesn't feel remorse.
"They said there is no time on the clock, the game is over and yet they’re going to play hard, full court and press. I’m just doing the same, playing hard just like they are..." Cardinal went on to cast the blame on the Portland squad on the floor. "If they are mad, they should be mad at Earl [Barron], [Nicolas] Batum or whoever else was in the game, for not calling out that screen.”
It will be interesting to see how the Portland faithful respond to Cardinal, if and when he steps onto the court tonight. The Rose Garden crowd is often regarded as one of the best and most passionate crowds in the league and their presence is sure to be felt.
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