After a month and a half of Derrick Rose, Growl nation, Kevin Durant backpacks, and excessive T-Mobile commercials, the Playoffs are over and it's time for the Finals. It's down to the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat and both teams are playing fantastic basketball, very deserving of playing for the Larry O'Brien trophy. A rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals, let's see who will be crowned champion when it's all said and done:
Dallas Mavericks
This year's Mavs team is very reminiscent of the team in 2006 that lost in 6 to the Heat, a team with a lot of depth that has no weaknesses. Unlike the mid 2000 Mavericks however, these Mavs aren't soft and certainly don't crack under pressure. They've thrived in comeback situations this year and have won all their series-clinching games at the first opportunity. The Dirk Nowitzki who once was intimidated by smaller, more athletic defenders (Matt Barnes) and taunted for loving the Hasselhoff is no longer being ridiculed. He's been the best player in these Playoffs and he's become the most difficult cover in the NBA. He defines the saying "practice makes perfect" and his work ethic has gotten him another chance at a title as the Mavs window of opportunity closes. Besides the German, the Mavs have also played great defense allowing 93 points per game and shutting teams out in the final minutes of games. Tyson Chandler and Brandon Haywood have made it difficult to score in the paint and Shawn Marion continues to be a pest on defense and offense. Jason Kidd has reinvented his game as he ages, and he along with JET, Peja, and J.J. Barea continue to keep defenses honest spreading the floor with the 3 ball and creating room for Dirk to work.Miami Heat
In comparison to the 2006 championship team, this year's Heat team is the 2006 team on steroids. Unlike a team assembled of aging superstars (Shaq, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, etc.) this team has three superstars not even in their prime yet and they're clicking at the perfect time. After all the scrutiny, and embarrassing moments during the season, the Heat have overcome all their past drama and are clearly focused on one objective, winning basketball games. The big 3 have been excellent and are only getting better with each series. Mike Bibby, Mario Chalmers, and Joel Anthony have done exactly what is asked of them and the Gator boys (Mike Miller & Udonis Haslem) have provided difference making performances in the Playoffs that was lacking in the regular season. Chris Bosh looks like one of the best big men in the league again, Dwyane Wade hasn't been stellar, but he's been a good enough Pippen to Mr. Clutch in these Playoffs, LeBron James, and the "Decision" maker himself has been absolutely wonderful. LeBron might be playing the best basketball of his career and he's doing it on both ends of the floor. He's closed games out with hard drives and jumpers, but most importantly, he's done it with his defense. In the previous series against the Bulls, he locked down Derrick Rose to 6% shooting when defending him in the 4th quarter and used his incredible athleticism and size to suffocate the MVP. While everyone criticized LeBron for not having a killer instinct, it seems like he finally understands the full extent of his talent and he may get the last laugh when it's all said and done, proving all haters, including myself, wrong. Key Players:
Shawn Marion (DAL) - He was the key to the previous series and he will be again for this series. Dirk will get his on offense and of course is the most important player on the Mavs, but The Matrix has the most important task on the team, and that is to stop LeBron James on the defensive end. These Playoffs have been a resurrection of the all-star Shawn Marion, and he needs to continue to provide that energy and make the opposing team's star player work to get his on offense. Marion will also need to keep LeBron honest on defense and continue to score as well. Dwyane Wade (MIA) - He and Udonis Haslem are the only guys left from the 2006 championship team, and he will need to take that experience of winning it all and show the rest of the guys how it's done. In 2006, D-Wade single-handedly won a championship himself and introduced himself to the world as a league superstar for many years to come. This time around he has greater parts around him, but it's still his job to be the main scoring threat and lead by example. Although it seems that the Heat are now LeBron's team, Wade is the one that has been there and done it, and he will have to be the difference of this series.
The Edge:
Although this is a series that I definitely did not want to see, I'm positive it will be an excellent series. I don't see any blowouts and I see hard-fought defensive games throughout, similar to game 4 of the Heat/Bulls series. The Mavericks have a hungry veteran squad that knows this may be the last opportunity to win a championship. While the Heat have an opportunity to quiet all the haters, and validate their preseason plans of beginning a dynasty in South Beach. The Mavericks will have one advantage in this series and that is Dirk Nowitzki. He will be a huge problem for the Heat, but that will be it. The Heat play excellent team defense that I have not seen since the Detroit Pistons of the mid 2000s. The Heat will close on passing lanes and contest those threes that were open in previous series for the Mavs and it's going to be very difficult for Dirk to get offensive help. Since the Celtics series, I've been convinced that no one will stop LeBron on this journey for his first title. The man is determined and it's a shame he couldn't play with this desire in Cleveland. Even if the Mavs find a way to throw him off his game, did I forget to mention they still have a guy named Dwyane Wade on their team, oh and Chris Bosh as well. If Dirk couldn't beat D-Wade by himself in 2006, what makes me think he will beat them this time around when the Heat have two more superstars. I understand that this Mavericks team is better and Dirk is a much better player now, but no one is stopping this Heat team. No one is stopping this team from changing the league and beginning an era of super teams. All hail the King. Series: (4-2) - Miami Heat
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