hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Jun 21, 2006 13:32:24 GMT -5
Obviously Dwayne Wade was "the" reason the Heat won the title, but like any championship team, without the role players there would be no title.
At one point or another during the playoffs, we saw Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and James Posey have great games. When it all mattered with the title on the line the leaders of the supporting cast were Mourning and Haslem. Mourning officially finished with 5 blocked shots although I think they shorted him at least one. Haslem had more offensive rebounds than any player on either team during the series and in the final game accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds. Hats off to both of these athletes and class acts.
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hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Jun 22, 2006 14:34:26 GMT -5
These feats are even more amazing given the circumstances. Of course Mourning had to recover from career threatening ailments and performs in spite of having half the kidneys as everyone else. I just read that Haslem had to play with 2 broken fingers and a sore shoulder. Now at this point in the season, I think that everyone on both teams has two sore shoulders, but to play at that level with two broken fingers is commendable.
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
Posts: 5,419 
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Post by the_way on Jun 22, 2006 17:35:18 GMT -5
You raise some great points.
Haslem is important cog on that team. His 15-footer is deadly. Solid player. And also has leadership and respect in the locker room for a young guy.
Zo, you can't say enough. Actually, the Heat don't miss a beat when he replaces Shaq, and sometimes they play better with Zo then they do with Shaq in stretches. Plus, Zo gives them that defensive presence.
Antonie Walker is also another leader. There are many flaws to his game, but his intangibles are what I always liked about him. He is a leader and is mentally tough and brings a lot of spirit.
Gary Payton chipped in too. He had two big baskets in that series, and played great during the regular season as well.
Sure you need great supertstars, but role players were the difference. Its the difference between championship teams and runner ups. Its why the Lakers last 2 years with Shaq and Kobe didn't win a title because their role players had declined in quality.
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VelvetElvis
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
pka MrPathetic
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Post by VelvetElvis on Jun 22, 2006 22:51:36 GMT -5
Gary Payton = Pee You IN Kay.
Take your GP slurpfest somewhere else. He is an idiot and he needs to go away. I was happy that they won b/c I won't have to see his mug anymore! He is a selfish grandstander.
I also liked how he chipped in by talking to the referees.
Antoine Walker is also terrible.
Why don't you and Mcnamara run off and teach basketball camps together in a far away place? Idiot!
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