NBA Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat

It really is a shame for Dallas and their fans to have that for their 1st Finals apperance. After all those years and failed attempts they finally got there and leave with a bitter taste.

I cannot recall a Finals series more slanted. We have our phantom call on Laimbeer but that was just one call not a whole slew thoughout the game. I know Wade falls down a lot but they never used to give guys calls when they were out of control.

The NBA is calling out its 2 main battleships for damage contol
1) No one likes a sore loser
2) Stop Whinning about the officials
Lets see if they are able to smash back any discontent over the Finals.

I hope this does not go away. And its not sour grapes either as I have no complaints about our series with Miami. Wade got some calls but nothing like what he got against Dallas.

That is very true. Up to Feb the Pistons were playing that kind of ball and thats the reason why the world was really starting to appreciate the Pistons.

I will give Stern co. one scrap. The only guy I saw consistently taking it to the hoop challenging the refs was Wade. If Terry had approched it with the same agression would he have gotten the same calls? Was it Wade or a more general goal of desperately trying to increase scoring by the league? Mike Breen ( that ABC cronnie calling the games ) said in game 1 that Miami would have to score over 100 to beat Dallas in any given game. Only game over 100 was the one that took an OT.

Really simple.

The team that was the most aggressive defensively and attacked the basket won this series.

The biggest difference between this Miami team and last year's squad was defensive intensity, hungrier veteran players and a savy playoff coach. I know its after the fact, but I was suprised when I saw Miami was down 2 in the series. I expected them to win in 6 based on how they had performed during the playoffs. Dallas has nothing to be ashamed of, they just went up against a player who would not be denied. I'm definitely not willing to call Wade the next Jordan or even be disrespectful enough to make any comparisons with the Greatest of All Time......but the boy is good!

It wasn't too long ago when folks were saying that the Pistons got away with too many calls (never called for fouls with our agressive style of defense..remember???) so I don't really buy into all of the conspiracy hype. More often than not, the team that puts forth the most effort and is the most agressive gets rewarded by the referees.

The right team won. Alonzo Mourning, more than anyone, deserves this victory. Say what you want about the guy, but that dude is a warrior! That being said, they will have a helluva time repeating. If the Pistons could not handle the success in a league that is growing increasingly competitive, it's hard to see Miami keeping that intensity. Alot of that veteran talent could be looking for retirement. Shaq will be a step slower. The supporting cast will not have as much hunger as before.

But be very afraid. We still might be watching history in the making. Shaq and Wade may be the next aging Kareem, Magic combo for the next couple of years. We will learn alot about Wade's intentions on making his mark on history next season. Realistically, I don't see this guy Wade having any motivation issues. His drive may be just enough to keep this team playing at a high level for years to come.

Joe Dumars has alot of tough decisions to make this summer. First order of business, make a decision on the identity of this team. Will we win with defense as our mantra or not? No doubt we have the talent to return to greatness, but it means nothing if the organization and the players are not on the same page.

Congrats Miami! Watch your back though. The heart and soul of the organization, Joe Dumars, is not going to sit back and watch you snatch titles while we still have the best starting five in the league. As pissed off as all the fans are about our poor showing this playoffs, I can only imagine how intent Dumars is at insuring that we do not have a repeat performance in 2006-2007. Watch closely, because something has to give and it could get messy.

The Pistons lack of height eventually caught up with them. And no, I don't think Darko would have been the answer.

There is some truth to that joke.

I wonder how much Cuban's constant whining about the refs ended up hurting his team. A little of that can put an us versus the world chip on a team's shoulder and do some good. A lot might just get the players believing that nothing that can do will matter because the refs are going to give the game away anyway.

And once you're thinking that way it's all over.

This 3 PF rotation fell short this year just like last year.

Cuban? Interesting photos. Who cares. Not like he is running for a public office. Lady in the photos is not exactly a 10.

Cuban could have hurt them. Could have pitted the refs against his team a bit.

Yes I can see that. My 1st thought actually was that he could have done better but I can see how that was something innocent. All in the eyes of the beholder.