RI-DIRK-ULOUS

[MSP4LYFE]

no Kareem. Lebron did not show up in these finals. That is why Miami lost. not because of supporting cast. Next year if he learns from this Miami can win with this exact same team.

You obviously don't watch basketball often... Lebron was far from a "no show" in the finals; the point production in the 4th quarter was sub par by James standards, but the overall performance was far from useless. Even if one were to isolate James production in the 4th frame, you have to understand that he was a leading contributor on the glass and as a playmaker. Not to mention his rundown defense... Lebron routinely put up double doubles throughout this series, with a couple of triple doubles in there as well. Again, far from a "no show."

Aside from that, you neglected to mention that Dwayne Wade, and not Lebron is the go to option for Miami, Dwayne cuts and Lebron dishes the ball. Had Lebron been given free reigns to drive the paint like he has in the past his point production would be a different story, but on a team with Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, Lebron's talents are best utilized as a playmaking big.

As for Dirk Nowitzki, he too had poor quarters throughout the Finals, granted he was clutch in the 4th, but production is production, be it the 1st quarter or the 4th. Had Miami won tonight Dirk likely would have been the target of criticism for his weak 1st half, but the depth came through for the Mavs yet again, both offensively, and in the set half court defense, and to the victor go the spoils, and vice versa. It's one of the aspects I dislike about sports media, the winning team is largely painted with a positive brush, and the losing team a negative one, when in reality it is seldom as cut and dry as that.

and Lebron is hated on because he left. how he left is just the cherry on top. no one really gives a shit about Bosh other than Raptors fans lol.

I'm not even going to comment on this, it is so blatantly false.

[Robin Hood]

no Kareem. Lebron did not show up in these finals. That is why Miami lost. not because of supporting cast. Next year if he learns from this Miami can win with this exact same team.

You obviously don't watch basketball often... Lebron was far from a "no show" in the finals; the point production in the 4th quarter was sub par by James standards, but the overall performance was far from useless. Even if one were to isolate James production in the 4th frame, you have to understand that he was a leading contributor on the glass and as a playmaker. Not to mention his rundown defense... Lebron routinely put up double doubles throughout this series, with a couple of triple doubles in there as well. Again, far from a "no show."

Aside from that, you neglected to mention that Dwayne Wade, and not Lebron is the go to option for Miami, Dwayne cuts and Lebron dishes the ball. Had Lebron been given free reigns to drive the paint like he has in the past his point production would be a different story, but on a team with Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, Lebron's talents are best utilized as a playmaking big.

As for Dirk Nowitzki, he too had poor quarters throughout the Finals, granted he was clutch in the 4th, but production is production, be it the 1st quarter or the 4th. Had Miami won tonight Dirk likely would have been the target of criticism for his weak 1st half, but the depth came through for the Mavs yet again, both offensively, and in the set half court defense, and to the victor go the spoils, and vice versa. It's one of the aspects I dislike about sports media, the winning team is largely painted with a positive brush, and the losing team a negative one, when in reality it is seldom as cut and dry as that.

and Lebron is hated on because he left. how he left is just the cherry on top. no one really gives a shit about Bosh other than Raptors fans lol.

I'm not even going to comment on this, it is so blatantly false.

what? kareem. everything you just mentioned about miami as a team and lebrons performance in the finals is 1) common knowledge and 2) does not address what you initially said:

Miami has the star power but this series has once again proven that you cannot win without a strong supporting cast, Dallas had one, Miami didn't.

In regards to your second point, Lebron and Bosh are chastised for the manner in which they left, not because they left. Every athlete has the right to do what's best for them come FA.

this Miami team has what it takes to win on paper but you dont seem to think they have enough depth. If Lebron performs in the 4th quarter, miami dominates this series. this exact team with chalmers and haslem can dominate if they play it right. they are a solid team.

as far as Cleveland only being pissed with Lebron because of "how" he left, you clearly do not understand how much hatred Cleveland fans have for Lebron leaving at all. He was a Cleveland native. He grew up there. Dominated high school basketball to #1 in the country from a high school in OHIO which is unheard of. He was the Cavs fans' native son. Him leaving at all is a HUGE part of it. How he left only accentuated it.

[MSP4LYFE]

You claimed that Lebron was a "no show" in the Finals, that is invalid and I demonstrated why. If it was such common knowledge, you wouldn't have stated in the first place, of course common basketball knowledge requires that one actually watch basketball.

In regards to depth, I did not elaborate on the topic because I assumed it was self explanatory, but it is clear now that I was wrong, so allow me to discuss further...

Dallas has the depth to play Jason Terry off the bench, match up Barea against Chalmers/House off the bench, place Stojakovic on the perimeter in the half court set when in need of a three point shot, and utilize Haywood and Brewer as athletic bigs. That isn't even mentioning Caron Butler, who when healthy is a top forward on both sides of the floor.

These options create an advantage on both sides of the floor. It allows Dallas to utilize multiple setups, and gives them the advantage in the match-up game, whereas with Miami you essentially know what you are getting.Further on topic, when the big 3 need a break, Dallas' bench matches up against Miami's, and as demonstrated throughout the Finals, and in the season it is no competition. Defensively, the Mavericks also have more options to stifle the Heat's attack, defensively the Heat feature the top defensive perimeter players, but in the paint have a weak 4/5, which made it difficult to contain Nowitzki and Chandler. Which goes back to depth, so long as all the money is going to the big three, Miami do not have the funds necessary to acquire a 5, or a back up 4 to make up for Bosh's short comings on D.

In short, the Heat need to add depth or swap Bosh for a strong interior 5 for a smaller cap to win a Championship in the NBA. Their current outfit is not good enough, IMO. They may achieve a Final Berth again next year, but the current team does not match up well with the beasts of the West, and if New York or Orlando acquire CP3, I don't like their chances against them either.

The Heat, as constructed are reliant on three players, one of whom does not fit into the setup, and cannot defend his position against elite 4's (Bosh). This in turn places the strain on Wade and Lebron to essentially do the lions share of work at both ends, which is difficult for two perimeter players, even the best in the world. Typically championship teams are built with a combination of perimeter players and interior defenders, or in rare cases a 1 and 4 who can create off the pick and roll, and defend.

[MSP4LYFE]

as far as Cleveland only being pissed with Lebron because of "how" he left, you clearly do not understand how much hatred Cleveland fans have for Lebron leaving at all. He was a Cleveland native. He grew up there. Dominated high school basketball to #1 in the country from a high school in OHIO which is unheard of. He was the Cavs fans' native son. Him leaving at all is a HUGE part of it. How he left only accentuated it.

Restating his life story doesn't validate your argument...

[Robin Hood]

You claimed that Lebron was a "no show" in the Finals, that is invalid and I demonstrated why. If it was such common knowledge, you wouldn't have stated in the first place, of course common basketball knowledge requires that one actually watch basketball.

Kareem, it was obvious I was talking about the 4th quarter but you took it literally. Stop the "it's obvious you don't watch basketball" crap lol.

As far as The argument you make about Dallas' "depth" is the same argument one could make about Chicago or Boston. Miami's team as it stands right now could have EASILY won with one change: a Lebron who showed up in the 4th. If you disagree, you don't understand basketball (yeah I can do it too )

Everything else in that essay of yours is either common knowledge or opinion which you are trying to pass off as fact.

[Robin Hood]

as far as Cleveland only being pissed with Lebron because of "how" he left, you clearly do not understand how much hatred Cleveland fans have for Lebron leaving at all. He was a Cleveland native. He grew up there. Dominated high school basketball to #1 in the country from a high school in OHIO which is unheard of. He was the Cavs fans' native son. Him leaving at all is a HUGE part of it. How he left only accentuated it.

Restating his life story doesn't validate your argument...

actually it does. it proves why Cleveland would have been pissed regardless of "how" he left.

[hong57]

Hong > Life.

I will spare your life if you give me your best player from ur roster

[Shep]

Lebron played fine, a couple of his 4th quarter appearances were questionable, though..

[MSP4LYFE]

Kareem, it was obvious I was talking about the 4th quarter but you took it literally. Stop the "it's obvious you don't watch basketball" crap lol.

Everything else in that essay of yours is either common knowledge or opinion which you are trying to pass off as fact.

This will be my last topic on the subject, it is clear you have not read, or even made an attempt to understand my argument.

To be clear, whether or not you were referring to Lebron's performance in the 4th quarter, or his overall performance, you point is invalid, Lebron was not a "no show." Lebron made large contributions defensively, on the glass, and by distributing the ball. You are oversimplifying the game of basketball by assuming that more points from Lebron leads to more points by Miami. The more Lebron shoots the less he passes, the less he passes the less effective Wade is on the drive and slash, the less Miami exploits the double team, the less Bosh gets touches, and the less Miami is able to expose the mismatch between Wade and Stevenson/Terry.

An additional aspect you have failed to account for is the defensive play of Dallas. The play of Marion and Chandler played a significant role in limiting Lebron's perimeter and inside game.

As far as The argument you make about Dallas' "depth" is the same argument one could make about Chicago or Boston. Miami's team as it stands right now could have EASILY won with one change: a Lebron who showed up in the 4th.

Chicago is a young and inexperienced team, few predicted them making it past the second round. There is alot to be said about playoff experience and Chicago (Noah, Gibson, Rose) still lacks that with their young core. The Celtics by contrast are a victim of time, Garnett is no longer a dominant inside presence, and both Pierce and Allen have lost a step. Not to mention the injury to Shaq which limited their options at the 5.

If you disagree, you don't understand basketball (yeah I can do it too )

You can do it, but it doesn't have the same effect.

[MSP4LYFE]

Lebron played fine, a couple of his 4th quarter appearances were questionable, though..

The defensive play of Shawn Marion had alot to do with that, as did his role as the primary distributor (a byproduct of no true 1). Wade was the mismatch all series long, without Caron Butler Dallas lacked a true 3 that could guard off the dribble, and create some offense, so it only stands to reason that Miami would look to get Wade the ball in a mismatch situation.

[anton]

i knew this was going to be a brown fight before i even clicked

[MSP4LYFE]

i knew this was going to be a brown fight before i even clicked

Brown people don't fight, we get into heated debates which are followed shortly thereafter by a cup of chai.

[Robin Hood]

i knew this was going to be a brown fight before i even clicked

Brown don't fight, we get into heated debates which are followed shortly thereafter by a cup of chai.

+1. lol i didn't have the energy to respond to your post.

[MSP4LYFE]

i knew this was going to be a brown fight before i even clicked

Brown don't fight, we get into heated debates which are followed shortly thereafter by a cup of chai.

+1. lol i didn't have the energy to respond to your post.

I wouldn't want to reply to my posts either, it must be hell trying to locate a flaw.