Buckets
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by Buckets on Jun 2, 2011 23:26:53 GMT -5
Couldn't believe LeBron wasn't on Dirk on that last play, but considering his pitiful effort helping, maybe Terry was the right matchup for him.
Wade taking flopping to new heights on thirty footers at the buzzer of an NBA finals game, good for him.
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by prhoya on Jun 3, 2011 0:34:14 GMT -5
Terrible shooting (35% & 30%) from 3... there might be a need for a leaner Austin...
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Jun 3, 2011 0:46:32 GMT -5
Admittedly as a guy who wants the Heat to lose but likes Lebron as a player, I have enjoyed opening 2 games. The overreaction from everyone to each game has now been put aside and we've got a series to enjoy. The overhype (Wilbon talking up viewership, etc.....due to Heat being "evil" was just typical ABC/ESPN hype at it's worst) now is done. Best of 5 from here on out with Dallas having shot to not return to Miami--but realistically the goal is to win 2 out of 3 because teams at this level are usually too good to not get 1 of 3 on the road and with James/Wade capable of winning a game by themselves, it's hard seeing them not getting at least 1 game.
Ken Mauer atoned for his robbery of Dallas in Game 3 back in '06 with a few non calls that annoyed Wade/LEbron--which seem to be the only 2 guys in league who can pretty much say/do anything without getting T'd up in the Postseason??? Wade's tantrum that didn't result in a T was a joke--considering what Taj Gibson was called for back in ECF in deciding game. Of course Wade did same thing in that series so guys will do what they get away with.
Mario Chalmers hits big shots--like when he's in game late. Has that "Cassell/Horry/Fisher" DNA in him. Lots of guys are left wide open-stilll got to make it. (GREAT PASS by Lebron--despite how open Chalmers was, had to have pace to allow him to get it off in rhthym and not give Mavs time to close out on him--perfect amount of zip and accuracy better then any QB college or Pro in city)
Dirk has been amazing his entire career but good to see him getting his due in this Postseason. He's a tough competitor, always accepted the losses like a true FRANCHISE PLAYER does--he could've went to another team in offseason, but stayed when everyone was giving title to Lakers for 3peat, and he's been as much of an MVP as Lebron in Postseason.
Jason Terry finally showing up was nice--for his arm. They might have forced laser removal of a tat prior to Game 3 if he continued to gag--although if they lost and the flogging he correctly took for his defense on Chalmers shot (looked like a Hoya game the past 3 years) it would've been UGLY in Big D.
Looking forward to Game 3 and hopefully the fans will enjoy series without having 1 game be end for a team. It was opening games--like we saw last year--split and same scenario likely to happen--a team will win 2 of 3 upcoming and Game 6 in Miami will be factor. Last time I remember a team not returning home from 2-3-2 format after hosting opening 2 games and splitting was Lakers in '04 against Pistons. (might be wrong but it's near 1 am and going off top of my head)
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nychoya3
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by nychoya3 on Jun 3, 2011 13:36:07 GMT -5
Fun game. The Mavs were strategically superior in every way down the stretch. Loved how they trapped off the pick and roll. The Heat lost this game because they started settling for tough shots because Lebron and Wade had been hitting those this series. But neither of those guys is a great three point shooter. They need to be more aggressive earlier in the shotclock, but the Mavs made it really tough on them. In terms of players I have come to appreciate more this playoffs, Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler are right at the top. Great defenders who play winning basketball.
All the flack from press about the Heat "celebrating before they won" is pretty absurd. What team doesn't celebrate a big run? Jason Terry was Editeded about it, but as someone pointed out, Jason Terry likes to celebrate big shots by pretending to be an airplane.
Putting Bosh on Dirk was a huge mistake at the end. You're better off with Haslem, Anthony, or even Lebron. Anyone. Dirk will get his shot regardless because he's a monster, but at least make it hard on him.
Anyway, I expect the Heat to come out hard in Game 3, and I'd still give them the edge.
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 3, 2011 13:44:17 GMT -5
re: "the early celebration"
Whether you think the Heat did, or didnt, it was appropriate or not, it was typical, it was outlandish, it was nothing.....
I listened to the post game interviews of the Heat who were all denying everything.
But, I also listened to the post game comments of the Mavs. As far as THEY were concerned, it was a celebration, right in front of their bench, and there were still 7 minutes to go. They took it as a slap in the face and it motivated them to fight back. I think that's all that really matters here -- the Mav's perception ... for the Mavs, it was big time motivation.
And, by the way, it sure looked like the Heat lost a little edge at that point because.. well, it LOOKED like they thought this one was already in the bag.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Jun 3, 2011 14:08:30 GMT -5
I imagine the Mavs were plenty motivated regardless, what with it being the NBA finals and all. I prefer Dirk's steely, German resolve to the chest pounding stuff, but EVERYONE does it, and it's only after the fact that people assign it any significance.
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TBird41
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"Roy! I Love All 7'2" of you Roy!"
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Post by TBird41 on Jun 4, 2011 1:06:35 GMT -5
I imagine the Mavs were plenty motivated regardless, what with it being the NBA finals and all. I prefer Dirk's steely, German resolve to the chest pounding stuff, but EVERYONE does it, and it's only after the fact that people assign it any significance. Yeah, you say that, but the celebrating can be what it takes to get to the level necessary to make a run / claw back b/c it refocuses you as things seem to be slipping away or it helps you to bounce back after you've taken a figurative punch in the mouth. See Pitt celebrating in 2007 for another example of this.
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nychoya3
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by nychoya3 on Jun 4, 2011 6:34:35 GMT -5
That's one theory, but I have seen many games where the team that is celebrating uses that intensity to continue beating the crap out of the other team. Whatever. Dead horse.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 4, 2011 10:00:34 GMT -5
Yeah, you say that, but the celebrating can be what it takes to get to the level necessary to make a run / claw back b/c it refocuses you as things seem to be slipping away or it helps you to bounce back after you've taken a figurative punch in the mouth. See Pitt celebrating in 2007 for another example of this. You know Tbird, you almost had me persuaded you were right. But then I re-read nychoya3's comments: I imagine the Mavs were plenty motivated regardless, what with it being the NBA finals and all. And I realized he nailed it. The Mav's were plenty motivated being the NBA Finals and all. It's just that even with that motivation, they were down 0-1 in the Series and trailed by 15 pts with 7 minutes to go in the 4th Qtr. Yet just at that moment, the Heat hit a big three and the entire world thought they were celebrating. But NYC knew they weren't. Or, if they were, it didn't impact the Mavs at all. Didn't provide an ounce of additional motivation -- even though that's what the Mav's players (falsely) claimed right after the game. And even though the Mav's immediately went on a 20-2 run to ultimately win the game. Right at that point in time! Amazing. But, it was all just a coincidence. I mean really, who would you believe. A bunch of spoiled, millionaire NBA players who were actually in the game and made the shots, defended the Heat, grabbed all the boards? Or a Hoyatalk poster who really knows what happened based on his ---, um, assumptions? A clear slam dunk to me!
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Jun 5, 2011 22:49:44 GMT -5
Another entertaining game--but Dallas is playing with fire if they keep spotting double digit leads--eventually you just get your ass blown out.
As much as I absolutely despise the guy, Chris Bosh hit a game winning shot--so have to give him full credit for that. He was ready to shoot/didn't pass it up (which is respected even if he missed) and he nailed a tough shot with game on line.
Dirk was amazing and was hoping he'd make it to send game to OT--but got a good look and missed. Just a helluva player and some of those shots he hits are impossible to duplicate--just tip your hat and move on.
Loved Van Gundy trashing the NBA system on reviewing plays/rewarding acting--Kidd's travel which drew a foul on Wade, the over and back 3 Chalmers hit, flop by Wade, Dirk/others which gets rewarded, he's been on point about all of that.
Game 4 coming up and Heat seem a bit surprised Mavs take their hits and come back--but Dallas has to play better defense/stay in game/get leads or they'll get smoked. James has a monster game coming and whena role player wins a game, that's trouble because Wade/James have 2 games in them they can win on their own. Dirk needs Barea, Kidd, or Peja to hit some shots in Game 4 or they are done.
Chalmers has been huge--but one thing I think I'd throw at Heat despite them having Wade/James is a full court press --not consistently but specifically late in a game--they didn't handle it well at all against Chicago, and if Chalmers is on court and near ball-he's shaky against pressure. Want ball out of James/Wade's hands and force them to give it up to others. If Bosh/Chalmers/Haslem beat you, live with it late in game.
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by prhoya on Jun 6, 2011 13:54:32 GMT -5
In local news, Barea is pretty upset with his missed lay-ups after sick moves. S--- happens! Haslem did what he's suppossed to do to disrupt Dirk.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
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Post by MCIGuy on Jun 6, 2011 18:42:10 GMT -5
As entertaining a finals as I've seen in awhile. The only thing missing are the tripple digit scores and if we got those then this would be like the 80s all over again.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Jun 8, 2011 1:12:09 GMT -5
Another great game in terms of competition--not the best played out of the series, but still great ending to game.
Love Dirk, but he's joined the "if you are on the court" you're healthy club. This is becoming an automatic "go to" move for so many--and in Dirk's case--think that fever/illness got a little more intense after calling out teammates (which he's got every right to do without feeling bad about his game). Dirk did what Dirk does-kick ass in the 4th.
Worst game I've seen Lebron play in Postseason. Expect a big bounce back game from him in Game 5. Of course he's getting destroyed by so many who just hate the guy for reasons that are far more then "The Decision". If Heat win, and he's not the MVP it's "Wade's team....." and my response is simple--who gives a rip? He's already been validated for making the correct decision. Heat don't get past Chicago or Boston without him playing at the level he did and they don't get past Philly if he stayed in Cleveland. He's proven he can carry a mediocre group to Finals in Cleveland--so not like he's never been there before. Just getting strange at the hatred he's taking from media for things that don't matter. All that matters is winning. Criticism is part of the job--and he stunk tonight--but last game he caught crap for not hitting a 3 that would've put game away? Odd.
Excited for Game 5 and for fact NBA has given fans another great series that is going deep--Lakers-Celtics last year, and now Mavs-Heat.
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guru
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Post by guru on Jun 8, 2011 10:16:58 GMT -5
I don't watch a lot of NBA, and after seeing the final 2 minutes of last night's game I was reminded why. That was execution at an Esherickian level - brick after brick. No one seemed to have a plan aside from Wade's moves to the basket.
The college game is way down, and from what I've seen the pro game is way down as well. Something needs to change at both levels - hopefully an age requirement could help both. Because that was a sad excuse for pro basketball on display at the end of that game last night.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 8, 2011 12:09:30 GMT -5
I believe the two teams went from roughly the 5:30 mark of the fourth quarter until Dirk's layup without making a basket. You really can't have that. It did make the game exciting in a nauseating sort of way.
Agree with RDF about the King. I expect a big, big performance in game 5, although I hope we're wrong. I don't bear a big grudge against LeBron (although the way he handled his move - not the move itself so much - was atrocious). I just want the Mavs to win.
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Post by ColumbiaHeightsHoya on Jun 8, 2011 13:11:39 GMT -5
Down with Lebron and his manufactured squad that he is clearly 2nd best on. The "decision" has made the chosen one look like a clown. I have more respect now for all the other superstars who never won it all, Ewing, Barkley, Miller, Malone, Stockton... after having witnessed these finals regardless of the outcome.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 9, 2011 22:53:23 GMT -5
As entertaining a finals as I've seen in awhile. The only thing missing are the tripple digit scores and if we got those then this would be like the 80s all over again. Triple digit scores? Check! Hey, the pressure is all on the HEAT now. They've lost 3 of last 4.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 9, 2011 23:51:07 GMT -5
Per @espnstatsinfo: "Dirk Nowitski has now outscored LeBron James 52-11 in the 4th qtr this series...including 8-2 tonight."
Jason Terry finally hit some big shots down the stretch tonight, too, and that's a good thing for the Mavs.
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alleninxis
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Post by alleninxis on Jun 10, 2011 0:39:42 GMT -5
Time for Spoelstra to stop with the JET/LeBron match up. It takes away from LeBron's strength as a help defender and takes him out of his 'rover' role, and if JET is able to beat him off the dribble then it's pointless to start with now. Was an advantage for Miami early in the series but now he better adjust.
Don't get why he even bothers with Bibby. Chalmers handle is shaky, but no reason to not play him big minutes now.
Also don't understand why you would go away from the cross screen that got LeBron on the block and were successful.
think the guy has done a nice job this year, but Carlisle is handing it to him right now.
but to be fair, it's a players league and LeBron isn't making the plays (or shots) he hit in the prior 2 rounds. Terry and Kidd did late.
and in the end, Dallas was probably due for a shooting night like that at home.
Think this goes 7 and still believe Miami wins.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Jun 10, 2011 0:51:21 GMT -5
This Series has been unreal! Teams going on runs, hatred, guys being sick/ill/hurt and making sure everyone knows, guys with hairlines behind their ear wearing headbands (Jason Terry is as bad as Bron), Dirk being Dirk, Wade doing his " Wade limp", Like a Bosh (who has added fumbling passes to being Like a Bosh), smart ass comments in presser, Cuban, Riley, Jim Carrey coaching Mavs, Brian Cardinal (what?), Brend-A Haywood re-appearing as Brend-A Haywood, Barea the Mascot, Barea the Playoff Assassin, Kidd looking 60 years old, Kidd nailing shots, Bibby looking more like an aging Mini Me or if he shaved his head-a male body part, The Fix in Game 3, Homer calls, flops, Skip Bayless going nuts, Chris Broussard worried he'll have to eat crow, Barkely hating the Heat/Their Arena as much as I did prior to Lebron going there, Juwan Howard acting like Fab Five still matters, Peja still with a $5 dollar haircut, Van Gundy, shot making, dunks, fast breaking, defense--good and bad, and UNFORTUNATELY-Doris Burke--who has been atrocious this entire season despite the mandatory love in she receives from everyone who heard good things about her the past few years. Talk about not ready for Primetime and looking more lost then Shawn Marion on a fastbreak.
Can Mavs give majority of Basketball loving Americans what they desperately want?
Can Heat give a huge middle finger to those same fans?
Will Stan Van Gundy emerge from out the tunnel in Game 6 and Rock Bottom Pat Riley with Jeff Van Gundy using a foreign object on Spoelstra?
Will Lebron be villified if he scores 100 pts and Heat lose? Will he be lauded if he scores 10 and they win? Why does he seem to care? Why was he near tears tonight in presser? Series is far from over.
Why is Bosh acting like a tough guy all of the sudden and calling out Lebron prior to game, and ACTING tough with media?
Who knows-but this is one helluva series!
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