I Was Wrong: An editorial

[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.

Miami Uses Late Run to Burn Celtics

Mario Chalmers scored only three points against Boston Tuesday night, but they may have been the most important three points of the game. Boston had started the fourth on a 13-6 run to tie the game and looked to swing the momentum their way until Chalmers connected from deep to stop the run.

Wade rises for a jumper of Paul Pierce. Wade scored 28 in Miami's win Tuesday night.
(Photo Credit : Issac Baldizon)

Miami never looked back. Chalmers ignited a 14-0 run which put the competitive contest into the win column for the home town Heat. Jermaine O'Neal came close to stopping the run but his slam dunk attempt was partially blocked by Joel Anthony leading to a long jumper from LeBron James. Boston quickly called a timeout but the damage had already been done. The Celtics got no closer than 8 and now must return home to TD Ameritrade Garden with a 2-0 deficit, the first the squad has faced since Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joined Paul Pierce. In the storied history of Boston basketball, this marks only the ninth time the Celtics have fallen behind 2-0. The only time Boston has come back to win was in 1969 when Bill Russel lead them to the title against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Both teams feature a trio of all stars but the production discrepancy has been staggering. In two games, Miami Thrice has outscored the Boston Three Party 80-36 and are shooting 49.1 from the field compared to 39.5 for the visitors. For Boston to contend in this series they are going to have to get more production from their big 3. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for only 20 points before each of them left with injuries; a strained left Achilles and a bruised chest cavity, respectively.

Miami seems to be peaking at just the right time and are looking to be the aggressors in the series while Boston has never quite been the same team since Kendrick Perkins was traded to Oklahoma City. Perkins provided a staunch inside presence that seems to be missing as the Heat continue to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.

Still, Allen isn't worried, "Being down 2-0 doesn't scare any of us, doesn't make us nervous," Allen said. "It's just an opportunity to come out shining." Frankly, he's right. There isn't a more seasoned and battle tested team in the Eastern conference and playing at home they have the opportunity to claw their way back into the series. Still, it will be an arduous task for Boston, needing to win 4 out of their next 5 to advance. They accomplished that same task twice last year, but neither of those teams were this year's Miami Heat.

Allen's sense of urgency isn't lost on coach Doc Rivers who stated "We've got a third game and we've got to take care of that. Whatever the past is, it is. They've won two games at home. But we can't allow them to play like this, or it's going to be tough at our place." The Celtics are in a must win situation Saturday night whether they want to view it as such or not. The Celtics were 33-8 at home this last season and the friendly confines yield them 3 in a row. Boston should be rocking as they welcome their team and try to shift the momentum back their way.