After UNC let a huge opportunity to steal a National Title slip away, it took me a while to want to write another blog. After watching the NBA playoffs up to this point, I decided to make a comeback.
The playoffs have gone just about as I expected, except for the ease with which the Mavs took out the 2-time defending champion Lakers in the conference semis. I correctly predicted the finals matchup in my February 19th blog at the all-star break, and after taking a 2-1 lead on Sunday night, it looks like the Heat will make my championship pick correct as well. I hope I'm wrong so Dirk and JKidd will get a title, but it just seems like the Heat have too much talent for the Mavs to deal with.
Miami has two of the best players in the league (arguably the two best) in Wade and James. Both players are spectacular on both ends of the floor, and each one is capable of making a play for themselves or their teammates at any time. These two guys just play at a completely different level than anyone else on the floor, and it looks like they aren't going to be denied. Dirk Nowitzki is clearly one of the best players in the league as well, but he's not nearly as explosive and isn't as good on the defensive end.
The only thing keeping the Mavs in this series is the Heat's propensity to relax when they jump out to a big lead. Miami has run out to leads in each game, only to fall asleep and let Dallas back in the game time and time again. When it comes down to the waning seconds, the Heat are often getting wide open looks, while Dallas is usually forced into a contested fadaway from Dirk Nowitzki. While Dirk is playing unbelievably well and makes an absurd amount of those kinds of shots, it's looking like he's just not going to have enough help for Dallas to get the ring that's barely eluded them over the years. The Mavs are being overwhelmed by younger, faster, more talented players, and it appears they are going to fall just short yet again. I hope the wily veterans on the Mavericks can find a way to win the next two games and force the series back to Miami with a 3-2 lead, but my gut's telling me the Heat will get at least one and close this one out. If Miami does indeed win the title this year, it will likely be just the start of a dynasty that could last for a while.
The playoffs have gone just about as I expected, except for the ease with which the Mavs took out the 2-time defending champion Lakers in the conference semis. I correctly predicted the finals matchup in my February 19th blog at the all-star break, and after taking a 2-1 lead on Sunday night, it looks like the Heat will make my championship pick correct as well. I hope I'm wrong so Dirk and JKidd will get a title, but it just seems like the Heat have too much talent for the Mavs to deal with.Miami has two of the best players in the league (arguably the two best) in Wade and James. Both players are spectacular on both ends of the floor, and each one is capable of making a play for themselves or their teammates at any time. These two guys just play at a completely different level than anyone else on the floor, and it looks like they aren't going to be denied. Dirk Nowitzki is clearly one of the best players in the league as well, but he's not nearly as explosive and isn't as good on the defensive end. The only thing keeping the Mavs in this series is the Heat's propensity to relax when they jump out to a big lead. Miami has run out to leads in each game, only to fall asleep and let Dallas back in the game time and time again. When it comes down to the waning seconds, the Heat are often getting wide open looks, while Dallas is usually forced into a contested fadaway from Dirk Nowitzki. While Dirk is playing unbelievably well and makes an absurd amount of those kinds of shots, it's looking like he's just not going to have enough help for Dallas to get the ring that's barely eluded them over the years. The Mavs are being overwhelmed by younger, faster, more talented players, and it appears they are going to fall just short yet again. I hope the wily veterans on the Mavericks can find a way to win the next two games and force the series back to Miami with a 3-2 lead, but my gut's telling me the Heat will get at least one and close this one out. If Miami does indeed win the title this year, it will likely be just the start of a dynasty that could last for a while.
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