NBA Playoffs 2011: Five Reasons a Miami-Dallas Final Is Great for the NBA
With both the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat solidifying their respective series at a nearly insurmountable 3-1 advantage, it looks as though the NBA Finals stage is set.
With the Big 3 coming together last summer and Dirk Nowitzki finally pushing for his last chance at a championship ring, this series has no choice but to be a jaw-dropper.
But what makes this series more entertaining than a Miami-Los Angeles, Kobe-LeBron show down?
The Long-Awaited Rematch Has Finally Presented Itself
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Do you remember the 2006 NBA Finals where the Mavs took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Heat, and Dwyane Wade decided to cause one of the biggest upsets in Finals history by leading his team to four straight victories?
It was like giving candy to a baby, and right before the baby tasted the candy, Dwyane Wade snatched it back without a struggle.
Dallas still has that nasty taste in their mouth and are not about to be shown up again. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry were part of that team and they're going to do everything they can to ensure that an upset like that doesn't happen again.
Both Teams Believe Their Time Is Now
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This is the last year Dallas can contend for a championship with the roster they have now. With Jason Kidd playing phenomenal at 38-years old, Dirk Nowitzki still knocking down impossible shots at 32, and Jason "the Jet" Terry still soaring up the court after hitting threes at 33, their future as the core of the Dallas Mavericks will break apart very soon.
They all believe their time is now and their play has backed them up every step.
But another unit was formed over in South Beach this past offseason. The Big 2.5 in Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh formed their alliance, and after a rocky start they've claimed dominance in the NBA.
Their highly anticipated first season has led to a finals appearance and they don't look as if they're going to disappoint their fans.
With both teams believing that this year is their year, the reality that one team must lose will never set in.
Dallas will answer every Miami dunk with a three-pointer, and King James or D-Wade will respond with a three-point-play.
Neither team will stand down.
LeBron James vs. Dirk Nowitzki: The Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object
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They might play two different positions with two completely different play styles, but one way or another, a LeBron James-Dirk Nowitzki showdown is bound to go down in the books.
Nowitzki has trained himself so that the shots with a level 10 difficulty are easy, and wide open ones are automatic. It's almost a sin to leave him open, or single covered for that matter.
Yet on the other side of the ball, you've got the soon-to-be best player in the NBA in LeBron James. Though he may be hated by many, you've still got to respect the fact that he can score in a variety of ways.
He distributes the ball and he grabs boards. He's even worked on his jumper throughout the season.
If either of them find themselves guarding their upper echelon counterpart, it would be a Kodak moment.
Neither Nowitzki nor James could put the other player on lock down, but it would be impressive to watch them try.
The series will ultimately come down to the production of these two Hall of Fame bound All-Stars..
At Least Two Double or Triple Overtime Games Expected
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Just thinking about this makes me excited for this year's NBA finals.
On Dallas there's Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd; and in Miami you've got Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh (sometimes), and Mike Bibby.
That's seven different possibilities for game-winning shooters. Well, six-and-a-half, but you get the point!
This is going to be like the 2009 Chicago Bulls-Boston Celtics series where almost every game went to overtime.
Only this time, each team has a plethora of options for late-game decisions.
Could you imagine Nowitzki silencing the Miami crowd with a fall-away shot over Chris Bosh, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade just before the buzzer sounds?
How about Dwyane Wade hitting a step-back jumper over Shawn Marion to send the game to overtime in Dallas?
The possibilities are endless!
We Get to Watch Dirk Take Chris Bosh Back to Pre-School
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Former coach Avery Johnson said it best,
"If they triple-team you, find the open man. If they double you, score on 'em. If they single cover you, KILL 'em!"
If Erik Spoelstra decides to let Chris Bosh play Nowitzki in single coverage, I expect just that to happen.
There's nothing I would like to see more than Bosh get lit up for 48 points and cry to the media about how hard it is to guard him.
No matter what he does, Nowitzki will shoot over or drive past him.
If the Heat choose not to double or triple him, Nowitzki's series average should be around 33 points each night.
Wrapping It Up
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Although it would be absolutely beautiful to watch Kobe handle LeBron James in the grandest stage of all–the battle of the decade at the NBA Finals–this series will be more than entertaining and fun to watch.
Nowitzki is going to hit big shot after big shot, and LeBron and D-Wade are going to compete at the highest level that they can to bring a championship to South Beach.
But in the end, I think Dallas is going to get their first hard earned championship in six games.
What do you think?
Will Miami scorch the Mavs, or will Dallas extinguish the Heat?
