Interesting story making the rounds that several players and coaches from other organizations have been contacting the Mavs players and coaching staff with suggestions on what is required to beat Miami. The prevailing feeling is that few want the Heat to win.
Wasn't it cool seeing Marion jawing at Lebron, getting into his head?
I also liked the way the officials called the game, rarely bailing out players on out of control moves. I just wonder whether the refs will get whistle happy for the Heat in Miami.
Too bad Hubie Brown is on radio instead of the telecast.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
167Hubie loves him some LeBron.
Refs need to let the players play in Miami.
Not surprised that other players want to help. Everyone wants to see Dirk win and LeBron go away.
Refs need to let the players play in Miami.
Not surprised that other players want to help. Everyone wants to see Dirk win and LeBron go away.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
168I just like the way Hubie breaks down the game.
Webber and McHale on the NBA channel really have been ripping Lebron.
Even James' version of Ahmad Rashad(to MJ), Broussard, has lost faith in Little Queenie.
Any word from Windy on this?
Webber and McHale on the NBA channel really have been ripping Lebron.
Even James' version of Ahmad Rashad(to MJ), Broussard, has lost faith in Little Queenie.
Any word from Windy on this?
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
169I like Hubie a lot too. Always learn something.
Windy was on WKNR this morning. Did not hear it and there is not a podcast posted.
Windy was on WKNR this morning. Did not hear it and there is not a podcast posted.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
170Heat in Dallas: 'coulda, woulda, shoulda'
June, 10, 2011
By Brian Windhorst
ESPN.com
The Heat will look back on their trip to Dallas with a laundry list of regrets.
DALLAS -- The Miami Heat are wading deeper into a pool of regret, one that now threatens to drown them.
Ironically, not much of it will come from what happened in Game 5 as the Dallas Mavericks took their first lead of these NBA Finals with an impressive 112-103 win Thursday night. The Mavs flat-out beat the Heat in this game regardless of LeBron James’ triple-double, marginalized due to another weak fourth quarter, or even Dwyane Wade’s bum hip.
No, the Heat are not going back to Miami on the brink of elimination because Jason Terry backed up his trash talk like a champion prize fighter, J.J. Barea rediscovered his little-man mojo and Dirk Nowitzki conquered the flu.
No, not because Dallas made 13 of 19 3-pointers, because of Brian Cardinal’s timely hip check on Wade and because of the most important charge Tyson Chandler has taken in his life.
The Heat aren't down 3-2 because a great offensive and home team finally put together a great offensive game on its home floor. The Heat aren't facing a summer of sheer misery and a lifetime of avoiding the 2011 Finals on ESPN Classic because of anything that happened in what was a wonderful-to-watch Game 5.
The Heat are in trouble because of all the woulda, coulda and shouldas that defined Games 2 and 4. The Heat gave away -- or some would say the Mavs expertly stole -- those two games. It is said that a seven-game series is long, but it's not long enough to afford such missteps.
Could’ve won that Game 2 had James not outrageously air-balled an uncontested layup chance in the fourth quarter that seemed to trigger a bizarre and so far unshakeable slump. Then James wouldn’t be facing a crisis of his legacy he’s so keenly aware of that he freely hopped into a boiling pressure cooker by declaring Thursday’s game to be the “biggest of his life.”
Would’ve been a good idea to have Udonis Haslem guard Nowitzki instead of Chris Bosh in the final moments of that Game 2 loss. The potential Finals MVP shook Bosh like folding chair in what might prove to be the biggest basket of the series. Then Bosh’s game winner in Game 3 isn’t redemptive but instead currently holds the title of “biggest hoop” in a Heat 3-2 lead going home to clinch.
Should’ve maybe waited to celebrate or, more fairly, waited to let their guard down with a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 2 against a team that already was one of the best late-game comeback teams in playoff history. Then Terry wouldn’t have so thoroughly enjoyed extending his arms and flying back to the Mavs' bench after a deep dagger 3-pointer over James in Game 5.
“Well, only time will tell,” Wade said that night when asked whether the Heat would regret that collapse. Time is telling.
Could’ve taken advantage of the Mavs' shooting just 39 percent overall and only 31 percent in the fourth quarter of Game 4. At one point, Dallas missed eight straight shots down the stretch, begging the Heat to take another game from the Mavs on their home floor, which probably would’ve ended much of the suspense. Then when the Mavs couldn’t miss for the better part of two hours in Game 5, it would've been seen as the law of averages, which it was, and not the Heat’s defense coming apart at the seams.
Would’ve been so valuable for James to bring the kind of energy to Game 4 that he did in Game 5 when he posted up strongly, drew defenders aggressively to free teammates for easy baskets and wanted the ball late when his team needed points. If James had perhaps gotten even one more rebound, assist and basket two nights before, the balance of the series would be so much different.
Instead, even as he filled all three statistical categories with more production Thursday night, his triple-double wouldn’t seem so negligible. His play as a late-game point guard would be more at the forefront than the two misses and untimely charge in the fourth quarter that will be added to his heap of failures in these Finals. Nowitzki’s 52-11 edge on James in fourth-quarter points would be an intriguing but not defining factoid at this point because James’ position about not caring about the stats would feel more meaningful.
Should’ve made Wade’s 32-point masterpiece in Game 4 hold up, especially that second half when he had 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Wasting it by failing to close in the fourth quarter was just as foolhardy as not taking advantage of his amazing 36 points in Game 2. The Heat don’t just usually win when Wade plays this way; they have to win.
Then his hip injury in Game 5, which took the teeth out of his attack and taxed the rest of the team’s role players, wouldn’t have been such a potential turning point in the series. And the Heat would be headed back to South Florida with a cushion instead of Wade's needing one as he limped to the bus with a stim machine strapped to his leg and questions about what he’ll have for Game 6.
“Against very good competition, you’ve got to be better,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, summing up a week of missed opportunities. “Even while we’ve had a lot of success during the playoffs up until this point, we have to close.”
The Mavs deserve to be where they are; there’s no questioning that. But back in their mirrors in Miami, the Heat players will look at themselves and know that they could have already won the title had they just done what was within their grasp. There are no leaps of faith required, because there are so many different reasons they could claim to have been the better team for the majority of the first four games.
But now self-inflicted wounds, unexplainable performances and ill-timed decisions have reversed matters. The Mavs have never stopped believing they were going to win this series, and the Heat have helped them along, so often giving them an out. Now, Dallas looks like the more confident team even as it will have to overcome the Heat’s last resort -- home-court advantage in the final two games of the series.
When Game 6 and then maybe Game 7 are close at the end, the Mavs will have no problem believing they can pull it off. They did in Games 2 and 4, and those achievements made Game 5 felt like a haymaker.
“We just got to push through it,” James said. “At this point we have no choice, honestly.”
June, 10, 2011
By Brian Windhorst
ESPN.com
The Heat will look back on their trip to Dallas with a laundry list of regrets.
DALLAS -- The Miami Heat are wading deeper into a pool of regret, one that now threatens to drown them.
Ironically, not much of it will come from what happened in Game 5 as the Dallas Mavericks took their first lead of these NBA Finals with an impressive 112-103 win Thursday night. The Mavs flat-out beat the Heat in this game regardless of LeBron James’ triple-double, marginalized due to another weak fourth quarter, or even Dwyane Wade’s bum hip.
No, the Heat are not going back to Miami on the brink of elimination because Jason Terry backed up his trash talk like a champion prize fighter, J.J. Barea rediscovered his little-man mojo and Dirk Nowitzki conquered the flu.
No, not because Dallas made 13 of 19 3-pointers, because of Brian Cardinal’s timely hip check on Wade and because of the most important charge Tyson Chandler has taken in his life.
The Heat aren't down 3-2 because a great offensive and home team finally put together a great offensive game on its home floor. The Heat aren't facing a summer of sheer misery and a lifetime of avoiding the 2011 Finals on ESPN Classic because of anything that happened in what was a wonderful-to-watch Game 5.
The Heat are in trouble because of all the woulda, coulda and shouldas that defined Games 2 and 4. The Heat gave away -- or some would say the Mavs expertly stole -- those two games. It is said that a seven-game series is long, but it's not long enough to afford such missteps.
Could’ve won that Game 2 had James not outrageously air-balled an uncontested layup chance in the fourth quarter that seemed to trigger a bizarre and so far unshakeable slump. Then James wouldn’t be facing a crisis of his legacy he’s so keenly aware of that he freely hopped into a boiling pressure cooker by declaring Thursday’s game to be the “biggest of his life.”
Would’ve been a good idea to have Udonis Haslem guard Nowitzki instead of Chris Bosh in the final moments of that Game 2 loss. The potential Finals MVP shook Bosh like folding chair in what might prove to be the biggest basket of the series. Then Bosh’s game winner in Game 3 isn’t redemptive but instead currently holds the title of “biggest hoop” in a Heat 3-2 lead going home to clinch.
Should’ve maybe waited to celebrate or, more fairly, waited to let their guard down with a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 2 against a team that already was one of the best late-game comeback teams in playoff history. Then Terry wouldn’t have so thoroughly enjoyed extending his arms and flying back to the Mavs' bench after a deep dagger 3-pointer over James in Game 5.
“Well, only time will tell,” Wade said that night when asked whether the Heat would regret that collapse. Time is telling.
Could’ve taken advantage of the Mavs' shooting just 39 percent overall and only 31 percent in the fourth quarter of Game 4. At one point, Dallas missed eight straight shots down the stretch, begging the Heat to take another game from the Mavs on their home floor, which probably would’ve ended much of the suspense. Then when the Mavs couldn’t miss for the better part of two hours in Game 5, it would've been seen as the law of averages, which it was, and not the Heat’s defense coming apart at the seams.
Would’ve been so valuable for James to bring the kind of energy to Game 4 that he did in Game 5 when he posted up strongly, drew defenders aggressively to free teammates for easy baskets and wanted the ball late when his team needed points. If James had perhaps gotten even one more rebound, assist and basket two nights before, the balance of the series would be so much different.
Instead, even as he filled all three statistical categories with more production Thursday night, his triple-double wouldn’t seem so negligible. His play as a late-game point guard would be more at the forefront than the two misses and untimely charge in the fourth quarter that will be added to his heap of failures in these Finals. Nowitzki’s 52-11 edge on James in fourth-quarter points would be an intriguing but not defining factoid at this point because James’ position about not caring about the stats would feel more meaningful.
Should’ve made Wade’s 32-point masterpiece in Game 4 hold up, especially that second half when he had 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Wasting it by failing to close in the fourth quarter was just as foolhardy as not taking advantage of his amazing 36 points in Game 2. The Heat don’t just usually win when Wade plays this way; they have to win.
Then his hip injury in Game 5, which took the teeth out of his attack and taxed the rest of the team’s role players, wouldn’t have been such a potential turning point in the series. And the Heat would be headed back to South Florida with a cushion instead of Wade's needing one as he limped to the bus with a stim machine strapped to his leg and questions about what he’ll have for Game 6.
“Against very good competition, you’ve got to be better,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, summing up a week of missed opportunities. “Even while we’ve had a lot of success during the playoffs up until this point, we have to close.”
The Mavs deserve to be where they are; there’s no questioning that. But back in their mirrors in Miami, the Heat players will look at themselves and know that they could have already won the title had they just done what was within their grasp. There are no leaps of faith required, because there are so many different reasons they could claim to have been the better team for the majority of the first four games.
But now self-inflicted wounds, unexplainable performances and ill-timed decisions have reversed matters. The Mavs have never stopped believing they were going to win this series, and the Heat have helped them along, so often giving them an out. Now, Dallas looks like the more confident team even as it will have to overcome the Heat’s last resort -- home-court advantage in the final two games of the series.
When Game 6 and then maybe Game 7 are close at the end, the Mavs will have no problem believing they can pull it off. They did in Games 2 and 4, and those achievements made Game 5 felt like a haymaker.
“We just got to push through it,” James said. “At this point we have no choice, honestly.”
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
171Rusty2- Thanks for that Windy piece.
He must have forgot his dentures because that piece had little bite and lots of delusion. Those plays he detailed are just the sort that usually crop up in any game between evenly matched teams. Some of the outcome is determined by luck, but usually it's the smarter, hungrier team that grabs the win.
There is lots of talk among the experts and Lebron himself that he's at his best in the open court. Why? Because he doesn't have the moves to get off good shots that are contested in the paint. And despite his physique, he hasn't proven that he can consistently take the pounding inside unless he is getting friendly whistles. He wants the Sportscenter highlight play, the ones where he can preen after the fact. He is a front runner, reflected in his love of the EE and Cowgirls.
I want the Heat to lose so he can take the pounding he deserves for the extended off season. No matter how good you market yourself, no one can be given the heart of a champion and the class to carry it.
I hope the Heat get down double digits and the 'fans' in South Beach boo him off the court.
He must have forgot his dentures because that piece had little bite and lots of delusion. Those plays he detailed are just the sort that usually crop up in any game between evenly matched teams. Some of the outcome is determined by luck, but usually it's the smarter, hungrier team that grabs the win.
There is lots of talk among the experts and Lebron himself that he's at his best in the open court. Why? Because he doesn't have the moves to get off good shots that are contested in the paint. And despite his physique, he hasn't proven that he can consistently take the pounding inside unless he is getting friendly whistles. He wants the Sportscenter highlight play, the ones where he can preen after the fact. He is a front runner, reflected in his love of the EE and Cowgirls.
I want the Heat to lose so he can take the pounding he deserves for the extended off season. No matter how good you market yourself, no one can be given the heart of a champion and the class to carry it.
I hope the Heat get down double digits and the 'fans' in South Beach boo him off the court.
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
172Here, here. LeBron never learned how to play in an actual offense. Just think how devastating he would be if he would set a pick for D Wade and play a little pick and roll. LeBron may be one of the dumbest fundamental players of all time. They should just have him play point guard.
Knew he was a problem when he had to wear the protective mask his rookie year and he took it off because he thought he was "too pretty" to wear it.
Knew he was a problem when he had to wear the protective mask his rookie year and he took it off because he thought he was "too pretty" to wear it.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
173I don't remember the mask.
One reason the Mavs are so tough in the 4th quarter is because they have players who actually run an offense and know what it takes to make it work. Heat is all one on one.
Someone asked Webber why Lebron doesn't utilize his size by working consistently on the block and in the paint. Webber answered that James probably wasn't comfortable in that position.
Barry added that James simply goes through the motions when he does post up and has developed nothing in that aspect of his game. he noted that Lebron got the ball 8 times on the block in Game 5 and ended up only taking one shot, and missing it.
McHale quickly chimed in that he did alot of things in his career that he didn't like because the coaches told him to and he learned the necessary skills because they proved to be what was necessary to make his team a winner.
James has never fully accepted coaching from anyone. My mother used to call it selective hearing. You hear what you like and nothing else.
For all Lebrons' talk about only caring about winning, you can bet your bippy that he wants his numbers too. And he wants to do it his way, as he has been allowed to do his entire life as a basketball player. You get your butt kissed so many times and they give you a crown made of fools gold.
And is someone really a superstar, candidate for GOAT, who let's the opposition impose their will on him instead of the flip version? Jordan and Kobe were never so passive when the lights shined on the biggest stage.
One reason the Mavs are so tough in the 4th quarter is because they have players who actually run an offense and know what it takes to make it work. Heat is all one on one.
Someone asked Webber why Lebron doesn't utilize his size by working consistently on the block and in the paint. Webber answered that James probably wasn't comfortable in that position.
Barry added that James simply goes through the motions when he does post up and has developed nothing in that aspect of his game. he noted that Lebron got the ball 8 times on the block in Game 5 and ended up only taking one shot, and missing it.
McHale quickly chimed in that he did alot of things in his career that he didn't like because the coaches told him to and he learned the necessary skills because they proved to be what was necessary to make his team a winner.
James has never fully accepted coaching from anyone. My mother used to call it selective hearing. You hear what you like and nothing else.
For all Lebrons' talk about only caring about winning, you can bet your bippy that he wants his numbers too. And he wants to do it his way, as he has been allowed to do his entire life as a basketball player. You get your butt kissed so many times and they give you a crown made of fools gold.
And is someone really a superstar, candidate for GOAT, who let's the opposition impose their will on him instead of the flip version? Jordan and Kobe were never so passive when the lights shined on the biggest stage.
Last edited by rocky raccoon on Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
174Probballdraft Zing RT @FisolaNYDN Since Wade & Bron mocked Dirk being sick guess theyll be ok if he shows up for Game 6 pretending to be limping & choking
42 minutes ago · reply ·
42 minutes ago · reply ·
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
175Lebron Sufferes Fracture, Will Wear Protective Mask
Dec 30, 2004 1:45 PM EST
Lebron James found out on Thursday that he will have to wear a protective mask on his face, but shouldn't miss any games. James fructured his left cheek bone after being accidentaly elbowed by Houston Rockets' C Dikembe Mutombo in the 2nd quarter of a 98-87 loss on Wednesday.
James admitted that he briefly lost consciousness after receiving the hit. He will be fitted with the protective mask once the swelling in his face goes down.
Head coach Paul Silas was relieved the injury wasn't more serious and thinks Cleveland's leading scorer will be back Monday at Charlotte: "I am so happy. That's the best present I could have received. Your worst fear is that he's going to be out a long time. If they had to operate, he could have been out four to five weeks."
Via SportsLine.com
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/17 ... z1Ow4ItK3S
Dec 30, 2004 1:45 PM EST
Lebron James found out on Thursday that he will have to wear a protective mask on his face, but shouldn't miss any games. James fructured his left cheek bone after being accidentaly elbowed by Houston Rockets' C Dikembe Mutombo in the 2nd quarter of a 98-87 loss on Wednesday.
James admitted that he briefly lost consciousness after receiving the hit. He will be fitted with the protective mask once the swelling in his face goes down.
Head coach Paul Silas was relieved the injury wasn't more serious and thinks Cleveland's leading scorer will be back Monday at Charlotte: "I am so happy. That's the best present I could have received. Your worst fear is that he's going to be out a long time. If they had to operate, he could have been out four to five weeks."
Via SportsLine.com
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/17 ... z1Ow4ItK3S
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
176Good tweet, I thought the same thing.
NBA channel had a show with the sights and sounds from Game 4. In the locker room after the contest and walking out of the arena, Lebron had the demeanor of someone you'd really enjoy slapping upside the noodle.
NBA channel had a show with the sights and sounds from Game 4. In the locker room after the contest and walking out of the arena, Lebron had the demeanor of someone you'd really enjoy slapping upside the noodle.
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
177I thought Wade tried to pull a Willis Reed in Game 5. He sure wasn't limping as he left the court or when he was on the floor in the last period.
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
178BTW- I haven't followed Wades' career as close as James, but he sure seems to be showing similar behavior this season.
" I am not young enough to know everything."
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
179Difference is that Wade has a championship and was the Finals MVP. Wade is one of the great Finals players of all time now. If Miami wins (hope not) he will have another.
Difference between Wade and James is that Wade did not have everything handed to him since he was a teenager like LeBron. Wade was a pudgy teenager who had to work for what he has.
As far as entitlement now, unfortunately they are pretty much the same now. Of course Wade has to be full of himself having the so called greatest player in the NBA come play with him.
Notice in the videos who walks in front and who follows.
Difference between Wade and James is that Wade did not have everything handed to him since he was a teenager like LeBron. Wade was a pudgy teenager who had to work for what he has.
As far as entitlement now, unfortunately they are pretty much the same now. Of course Wade has to be full of himself having the so called greatest player in the NBA come play with him.
Notice in the videos who walks in front and who follows.
Re: Cleveland Cavaliers
180Dirk Calls Wade and LeBron's Behavior Childish
Jun 11, 2011 2:44 PM EDT
"I just thought it was a little childish, a little ignorant," Nowitzki said before Saturday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I've been in this league for 13 years. I've never faked an injury or illness."
Wade, who referred to Nowitzki's sinus infection Thursday as "the fun-loving story of him being sick," claimed Saturday that he didn't pretend to cough.
"I actually did cough," Wade said. "And with the cameras being right there, we made a joke out of it because we knew you guys were going to blow it up. You did exactly what we knew.
Via ESPN
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1P0G3k6T4
Jun 11, 2011 2:44 PM EDT
"I just thought it was a little childish, a little ignorant," Nowitzki said before Saturday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I've been in this league for 13 years. I've never faked an injury or illness."
Wade, who referred to Nowitzki's sinus infection Thursday as "the fun-loving story of him being sick," claimed Saturday that he didn't pretend to cough.
"I actually did cough," Wade said. "And with the cameras being right there, we made a joke out of it because we knew you guys were going to blow it up. You did exactly what we knew.
Via ESPN
Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1P0G3k6T4