NBA FINALS THREAD: Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks

[Vertical Limit]

Josh Howard will be on Wade. I dont know where you get the idea that Rip is some great defensive player.....Prince always did a much better job. If Howard cant do the job they have six other guys they can throw at Wade. Personally I think Armstrong would annoy him the most, and could get called upon late in games.

This is the first series that the Mavs will face a Superstar talent like Dwyane Wade.

Josh Howard is no where near as good as Rip defensively. The Mavericks defense has been overrated the entire playoffs and regular season; the Spurs and Suns exposed their defense.

You're going to tell me that Josh and the Mavs will do a better job guarding Wade? You obviously haven't watched enough of Dwyane to beleive what he is capable of doing.

Defensively, the Pistons did as much as they could to guard Wade, and he just kept making every tough shot. This playoff series has made him a great arsenal shooter. 63% shooting against the Pistons throughout the series? Not even Lebron, (and some beleive he's better than Wade) could do that. And Lebron was saying that the Pistons shrunk the court with their defense; Wade was able to get anywhere he wanted anytime.

Also, the Mavs has been weak defending on the post. Boris Diaw and Tim Duncan both had their way against the Mavs. Currently, Shaq is playing with a great deal of energy that he hasn't shown in years.

Mavs will lose.

 

[Amars]

As good as Miami's bench is, Dallas' is even deeper. And Dirk is a nightmare for everyone.

But I don't think age will play a factor the way you think. Miami will come off 6 days rest. And there's an extra day in between Games 1 and 2. And another extra day between Games 5 and 6.

I think age will play a factor in that Shaq and Payton can't move the way they used to. Shaq's immobility hurts us on the offensive glass and in transition, which are two of Dallas' specialties.

It's unfortunate that Mourning still will not be 100% for the series. But at least he's there. :)

Game 1 and 2 are critical for the heats. They need to take one because if they dont the transition basketball will wear down the heats over a 7 game series IMO.

 

[Amars]

Wade will get his numbers.

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

This is the first series that the Mavs will face a Superstar talent like Dwyane Wade

Tim Duncan and Steve Nash aren't superstars?

 

[Muck]

Again, and not to be repetitive, but how does Dallas start a game defensively??

Do they insert the bigger Stackhouse into the starting lineup to get on Wade?? I just don't think either of those guards can handle Wade. It would allow the 6-7 Howard to play Walker, which still isn't a good matchup for Dallas IMO.

All said, they'll probably just stand pat and have Harris guard Wade with help defense.

 

[Roman529]

Dallas is just an average team defensively. I just can't see Dallas beating Miami. Miami just has to slow it down and get it to Shaq down low.

 

[Amars]

Dallas is just an average team defensively. I just can't see Dallas beating Miami. Miami just has to slow it down and get it to Shaq down low.

Do you think the heats are a superior defensive team? They are average at best also.

 

[icephinfan]

Do you think the heats are a superior defensive team? They are average at best also.

It will be a great series, lots of points for both teams.
I hope they run Shaq and Zo together. Big men out on the floor.

 

[King Felix]

It will be a great series, lots of points for both teams.
I hope they run Shaq and Zo together. Big men out on the floor.

whos gonna guard dirk? posey? posey is like bowen he'll do a good job but not good enough. heat will get eaten up with shaq and zo on the court at the same time.

 

[King Felix]

RIP is not better defensivly than howard. where do u come up with these things?

 

[icephinfan]

whos gonna guard dirk? posey? posey is like bowen he'll do a good job but not good enough. heat will get eaten up with shaq and zo on the court at the same time.

Not really Zo can guard Dirk or just rotate Posey in too.They won't run them together, it was great to see them together last year though. They did run together a few times this year though.

They'll just switch off on DIRK.

 

[King Felix]

Not really Zo can guard Dirk or just rotate Posey in too.They won't run them together, it was great to see them together last year though. They did run together a few times this year though.

They'll just switch off on DIRK.

zo cant guard dirk. zo isnt mobile enough and doesnt like to be outside of the paint.

 

[Fresh]

Josh Howard is no where near as good as Rip defensively. The Mavericks defense has been overrated the entire playoffs and regular season; the Spurs and Suns exposed their defense.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down a minute. I agree with you that the Mavericks won't be able to stop D-Wade, but Josh Howard is a much better defender than Rip Hamilton. Rip Hamilton is as average as they come as a defender, but he feeds off of his smarts and energy. Josh Howard has everything you ask for in a defender, including the size and ability. Howard is far better defensively than Rip. However, Howard isn't as quick so he doesn't match up with Wade as well as say, a Kirk Heinrich or Lindsey Hunter. But yeah, Rip Hamilton isn't even NEAR Josh Howard's defensive caliber.

Tim Duncan and Steve Nash aren't superstars?

Superstar scorers? Nah.

LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Vince Carter, T-Mac, Pierce, Arenas etc. - these are superstar scorers.

 

[icephinfan]

zo cant guard dirk. zo isnt mobile enough and doesnt like to be outside of the paint.

That's why I said switch off with POSEY.

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

Superstar scorers? Nah.

LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Vince Carter, T-Mac, Pierce, Arenas etc. - these are superstar scorers.

well I wasn't really talking about just scoring...but overall play. And no one can deny Duncan and Nash are superstars. But I would take the guys you mentioned over these 2 anyday...but never the less, they are superstars.