The Morning After: Game 6 - Mavericks 105, Heat 95 (4-2)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20110613-sturm-mavericks-doubters-begone-lebron-arrogant-to-the-end.ece



World Champions? Dallas Mavericks?

Yes - They - Did.

Surely, to fully understand how far-fetched that concept was before last night, you had to sit through some sad nights at Reunion Arena before Mark Cuban bought the franchise. You had to hang in there over the course of 10 consecutive playoff endings that included disappointment and the wonder of whether next year would ever really be the year.

Sports does not follow a script. Sports does not always travel in a linear path. And in this case, it certainly did not.

Because 2011 was after "the window had closed". There was simply no way that a team was going to be able field a squad with this old of a roster - especially packed with players who had never won a championship - and sustain what it takes to survive the NBA Playoff meat-grinder. It just wasn't going to happen. Those in the media all seemed to agree that whether it would be Round 1 against Portland or Round 2 against Los Angeles, the Mavericks would just put another brick in their wall of playoff failures. And when they do, it will again remind them of blowing their big chance in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

So, this spring, when the Portland Trailblazers took them down in both Games 3 and 4 in Portland (and in doing so rocked the Mavs to their core with a 23-point comeback on the day before Easter) you wonder how anyone could believe this team would have the inner resolve to win a NBA title which requires the ability to win on the road against the best teams in the NBA. The Mavericks at the time sat on a playoff trend where they had gone 2-18 in their last 20 playoff games.

Who amongst us knew they were about to go on a 7-1 run on the road in the playoffs? I sure didn't. But, they did. After that game in Portland, the Mavericks had to check their guts and discuss how badly they wanted to survive the adversity that the Trailblazers were providing.

But, the fact is, this team went on a run that for the next 50 days gave us all a ride we will never forget. And when it all was ending last night, the circumstances were somewhat familiar;

They were in Miami, with a big lead and a title in their grasp. These circumstances were not unlike Game 3 of the 2006 NBA Finals. The ghosts that have haunted Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry for 5 long years. Would they get so close to the trophy only to have it slide through their fingers again?

Not on your life.

This whole unexpected run has been so perfectly put into place with redemption as the theme at every turn. And when there was a nice lead with 6 minutes to go like that fateful night in 2006, this Mavericks team closed the deal. This Mavericks team proceeded to attack on both ends of the court. To fight for every inch in every situation. To not be denied. What that 2006 team may have lacked in intestinal fortitude and late-game composure, this team taught a clinic. Sometimes having an old team is another way to say you have an experienced team that knows what to do and what not to do. And the fingerprints of a winner were everywhere.

First, Dirk Nowitzki quieted a Miami flurry with a basket in the paint with the left hand to push the lead back out to 10, at 94-84. But, Miami kept coming. And when they forced a Dirk turnover, Mario Chalmers was off to the races. Only, Jason Kidd stood in his way. And after a block and a rebound, Kidd was quickly fouled by Chalmers to stop any momentum change. And when the Heat went on another late rally, Dirk - who had fought with a poor shooting night all game long - was there to seal the deal with two vintage Nowitzki daggers to end the proceedings.

The deal was closed. And the two biggest nights were from the two Mavericks who were shedding that 5 year burden. Jason Terry's 27 and Dirk's 21 included another 4th Quarter show where those two would not be denied.

The final 5 on the court were all such amazing and vital stories. They finished nearly every game during this stretch together on the floor and were the crew for closing time. That bunch was able to win at the end over and over again in these past 50 days. And they all wanted a ring and fought valiantly together to get it:

Shawn Marion - A player who was always asked to guard the most impossible match-up of them all. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James have no doubt pushed Marion's body to the limit. His energy never wavered, and he always seemed to grab a demoralizing offensive rebound at just the right moment to help stick a dagger in the opponent. And however unorthodox his offensive game may appear, he was able to supplement the scoring big time. In the victorious locker room, there was little doubt the level of pride and accomplishment that he enjoyed from scaling this mountain. He had waited a long time to get this title.

Tyson Chandler - The big man who was certainly considered table scraps in the summer of 2010 when musical chairs were being played throughout the league, the Mavericks found an emotional heart and soul who could push them just a little further anytime adversity was staring them down. His fearless attitude and a game that could back it up and do something about it inspired his mates all season long. He was the perfect compliment to Nowitzki as a big man who didn't need the ball, but also wasn't going to ever leave the paint unattended. His leadership was his biggest attribute, and for it to come from the center position made him the perfect fit. But, again, nobody seemed to see it coming last year when the transaction was made.

Jason Kidd - The oldest player in NBA history to ever win his 1st ring while starting, this 38-year old point guard brought the perfect composure and calm to a team that perhaps lost the 2006 Finals because they did not possess composure or calm. There was nothing that Kidd had not seen in his long NBA career, and as controversial as his acquisition seemed at the time, the fact that he steered the ship all the way to an NBA title, clearly the move is not controversial anymore. It is flat-out genius. Kidd was always there to make shots, make stops, and lead the team into the right move at the right time. Kidd's defense was also gigantic, and at his age, that was supposed to be his biggest weakness. But, his performance against Kobe and Dwyane Wade certainly speaks for itself.

Jason Terry - The man who was never going to stop believing in himself or this team, Terry is a player that talked with great confidence no matter what the situation. He was not going to be disrespected and he also had no plans of backing down. He was always willing to take the big shot at the biggest moments, and no place was that more evident than in these Finals when Miami decided to take him out of the game by putting LeBron James on him in crunch time. Through 3 games, it was working pretty well. But, then when the talking was stepped up (from LeBron, from Terry, and even from Dirk) Terry found his scoring touch at just the right time. You cannot measure the enormous size of some of his clutch shots, but know that the Mavericks rely so heavily on his shot-making from areas with great degrees of difficulty. And yet, he carries on and knocks them down. And, his reputation as a scorer in this league is largely based on his effectiveness in road games - and in Game 6 of these NBA Finals he went 11-16 for 27 points. Keep in mind his Game 6 in 2006 was 7 for 25, including 3-21 in the game's final 3 quarters. Terry worked as hard for this ring as anyone.

And Dirk Nowitzki - there are so many parts of his story that I enjoy pondering now that the final piece was put in its place. Dirk worked so hard for this franchise over the years that so many of us wanted him properly recognized for his greatness from all the countless battles he had won. But, he had never won the big one. And many suggested his window had closed and that he might have to take a complimentary role elsewhere to ever get to touch the trophy. But, his hard work never wavered. In fact, he developed his game and even became even more driven. He was now comfortable challenging his team and himself to do more. He was never backing down from a challenge. And he had one goal on his mind - so much so that he disappeared from the Western Conference Trophy presentation to send the message that there were still 4 more wins to find. That leadership was a great cue for his mates who maybe didn't require one. He had to win that ring. And he had to come up big. And with his exceptional play and his domination of the 4th Quarters (where he scored the same 62 points in the Finals that Wade AND James combined for) his place in NBA immortality is secured. He dedicated everything to win that title, and now nobody can take it from him.

Those 5 did solid work throughout this 16 win journey. But, the plot of this most solid team effort was based on the remarkable contributions up and down the bench. In the Heat series, where was this team without DeShawn Stevenson? But, do the Mavs beat Portland without Peja Stojakovic's efforts? Or, do they dominate the Lakers if JJ Barea doesn't frustrate them? The back-up bigs, Brendan Haywood, Brian Cardinal, and Ian Mahinmi all had games of great contribution. Corey Brewer helped the Mavericks rally against the Lakers in Game 1. And on and on we could go. The fact is that the 2006 Heat and the 2011 Mavericks have a lot in common. And it starts with a roster and specifically, a bench full of veterans who united to get a ring and knew how to make plays at the moments of truth.

You see, the way this champion was built restores faith in the team dynamic. Sure, you need your stars to do the heavy lifting, but you also need a resolve that flows through every guy who wears the jersey. When their time arrives, they will need to seize their moment. You simply have to be so proud of this team that was brought together to do one thing.

Let's not forget the coach, either. Rick Carlisle proved to be of championship caliber, too. At every turn, he had an answer for his opponents. The Mavericks always seemed to be the better coached side and that was no easy task with some of the issues he was dealing with. But, he certainly took this team to a level it never went before. Ball movement and zone defense? These are seldom discussed prominently about NBA Champions. But, this is no ordinary champion.

And across the arena, a large part of the entire narrative involved their opponent. And the Mavericks feeding off of it. Whether it was Miami being the winner in 2006 or Miami putting a giant and unnecessary target on their chests back in July. The Heat were the perfect opponent for Dallas in the NBA Finals for all sorts of reasons of symmetry. This is the team that Nowitzki and Terry wanted another shot at. It took 5 long years of quietly hearing everything that was said and allowing it to fuel them through long training sessions all year long. There was no guarantee that they would ever get another shot at Dwyane Wade and the Heat. Wade had called out Dirk's ability to close back then. So, when they did get a chance to settle it on the court, you could see that Dirk and Jet were not going to let that chance get away if they could help it.

And they could.

To make matters more theatrical, the principles in Miami thought they would mock Dirk back in Dallas by questioning whether he was really sick in Game 4. At certain points, you actually wondered if Miami wanted to be the villain. Until you saw on their faces - one in particular - how they certainly were not cut out to be villains. The weight of the world was crushing. And when the smoke cleared, James and Wade looked like they really didn't understand why the neutral observer was cheering for their defeat. They just didn't get it. But, something tells me that this experience might demonstrate to them that championship rallies should never precede a championship.

But, back to the 2011 NBA Champions, they completed their mission. They woke up this morning (assuming they slept) with no further opponents to vanquish. It is just the players and their trophy. They had done something that took these athletes their entire career and this franchise 31 years. Dallas is a city that had sports failures in Miami so many times - Super Bowl V, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII, and the '06 NBA Finals - but, this time, they fly back to Dallas with that coveted title, a shiny gold basketball, and a spot in the annals of basketball history that can not be erased.

Only on this day will the last of their doubters finally concede. And for those of you who suffered for years following a franchise that never looked like they would get to the top of the mountain, well, this is your year. Congratulations to you.

And congratulations to this franchise. This owner - who never stopped trying to figure out the right combination around his star and was not going to let expenses stand in his way. This coach - who always put this team in a great spot to make a shot or make a play. This GM - who seems vindicated on a lot of moves as he sits with a trophy. And this organization who is so beloved that they filled their arena for games that were in South Florida.

This is your day. Enjoy it for all it is worth. LeBron James reminds you that your life will still contain many of the same circumstances and he will still have his. Well, good for him. He is arrogant to the end.

But, the Mavericks have the Championship. And, the loyalty to your home team pays off.

Enjoy it. And finally, plan your parade. It is well earned.

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The Morning After: Game 5 - Mavericks 112, Heat 103 (3-2)

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/sturms-morning-after-game-5---mavericks-1.html


Win #15 in this race to 16 wins will not be soon forgotten. For the 20,443 in attendance, it might be labeled as the single greatest sporting event they have ever attended. The place was electric from start to finish. They were there to celebrate their best season ever - and they were there to get one more win on a journey that they hope ends in a trophy.

And they did not leave disappointed.

The Mavericks, as their calling card has been, won the late stages of the 4th Quarter yet again and took Game 5 from the clutches of the Miami Heat. So much of the national narrative will again be focused on what the Miami Heat did not do. If you will forgive me, I choose to focus on what the Dallas Mavericks DID do.

There was a moment late in the 3rd Quarter in Game 5 where Jason Kidd found Tyson Chandler uncovered underneath the basket. Chandler unleashed a furious dunk to give the Mavericks their biggest lead of the night, 80-71, with 3:46 to go in the quarter. The arena went absolutely bonkers and victory seemed to be on its way.

And then, the Heat answered with a giant body blow. For the next 11 minutes of high-stakes basketball, the Heat put on an offensive clinic that gave everyone in the arena and millions more at home indigestion. The end result was a 99-95 Heat lead with 4:47 left in the game. That stretch was 28-15 in favor of Miami over 11 minutes. And the way Miami was scoring was most demoralizing. The run started with a LeBron James jump shot and ended with a Dwyane Wade 3-pointer. But, in between, there was no basket scored from outside 5 feet. And that is where Rick Carlisle had to be in some state of panic. It was lay-ups, dunks, put-backs, and possession after possession where the Miami offense was making the Dallas defense resemble a sieve.

And before anyone discounts the contributions and resolve of that Miami star-studded group, know that the tip of the spear during that surge was most definitely LeBron and Wade. They were slicing up the Mavericks defenders and dishing to their big men in the most simple of pick and roll strategies. A pick and a roll to the basket by the man who set the screen was giving Dallas fits. James had 4 assists early in the 4th Quarter and Wade had 3. And a comfortable Mavericks lead had disappeared and now, the Heat had put themselves in another position to win a gutting contest on the road.

When Wade hit his 3 to make it 99-95, we can only imagine what was said in the Mavericks' huddle. We can only wonder what defensive adjustments Rick Carlisle made. Clearly a big part was getting his final line-up in place didn't hurt. It was clear what was going to be needed for victory. I tweeted at that precise time: The defense must save them. The defense must rise up.

And now, we know the results. The results were that in the final 4:37 the Heat would only score 3 more points - 2 of those on an uncontested LeBron James lay-in with the game already decided. And Dallas, would go on a shooting spree that will be talked about for years to come if this season ends with 1 more win. A 17-3 run to end the game made the Mavericks victors in their final home game - and for the first time in these NBA Finals they take a lead in the series, 3 games to 2.

It happened again. Somehow, in a series that appears so has appeared even up and down the boards, there appears to be a clear difference in execution in the 4th Quarter. This is unexpected to many, because Miami is known for having an extra gear at "winning time" after their 4th Quarter destructions of Boston and Chicago. But, not in these NBA Finals. In these Finals, we have seen two ends of the court that suggest Miami runs out of answers when the game gets late. And Dallas happens to have many answers themselves.

Looking back at Game 4's win on Tuesday, when breaking down the story of that game, I was sure to discuss the contributions of Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, and DeShawn Stevenson as warriors who stepped up and carried the Mavericks along while Dirk was feeling the effects of a fever. It is a true testament to the "team construction" of the Dallas Mavericks that in the Game 5 win, I feel compelled to look at 3 totally different Mavericks who made the majority of the plays and shots that brought along victory.

This was a victory that was largely a result of two guards who have been very quiet in this series (JJ Barea and Jason Kidd) and one guard who is never quiet (Jason Terry). Barea, after absolutely destroying the Los Angeles Lakers, has suffered the flattering notion of being the defensive focus of Oklahoma City and Miami when he enters the game. No longer is he an after-thought. To beat Dallas, you have to keep Barea under wraps. But, in Game 5, Rick Carlisle continued to show faith in him and gave him significant minutes to put his stamp on the contest. And he delivered in huge fashion. A 17-point performance and a 14-point 2nd half that was vital to the victory. Barea seemingly has unshakeable confidence in himself (which seems like a recurring characteristic of your 2011 Mavericks) and he picked a great time to dominate.

Meanwhile, Jason Kidd played his 100th game of the season last night, and had gone since May 23rd since he had scored in double digits. His Game 4 was 0 points, 3 assists, and 4 turnovers and when games like that happen and your point guard is 38 years old, your natural reaction is to simply wonder if he has hit the wall. Especially given his defensive responsibility to chase Wade and James around. In the pregame, many felt that Kidd would have to have 2 more big efforts in his season for the Mavericks to complete their mission. Well, his Game 5 was a thing of beauty, as he buried a 3-pointer that brought the roof down with 1:26 left to go to make the score 105-100. With time ticking down and clinging to a 2-point lead, he took dead aim and did what you thought he would do at the most important juncture. He delivered with 13 points, 6 assists, and just 3 turnovers, and showed his tank is not empty.

And finally, the guard who is never quiet. The guy who felt some premonition that resulted in tattooing the NBA trophy on his arm before this season started. The guy who constantly make people cringe because of his bold claims to the media that may anger an opponent at just the wrong time. If anyone has confidence that borders on irrational confidence, it is Jason Terry. Those of us who have never done what he has done cannot process how he does what he does, and how many of his shots that seem to be poor shots still go in. He is often a target of ridicule when those shots don't fall. But through it all, he never stops believing that his next shot is going in. So there he is - after a week of verbally challenging one of the best defenders of all-time to stop him - knocking down the dagger right in James' face with :33.3 to play. To suggest that he earned the right to extend his Jet arms in celebration might be an understatement. In a night of unforgettable moments, that one might be the signature memory.

That is what makes you fall in love with this team. In Game 4, a game they had to win, it was Chandler, Marion, and Stevenson stepping up. In Game 5, another game they had to win if they wanted to win it all, it was Terry, Kidd, and Barea. Of course, the constant in all of this is the superb efforts they continue to receive from their leader, Dirk. Dirk's dunk with 2:45 to play gave the Mavericks a lead they would never surrender, and his 29 points led all scorers yet again. But, this team is getting to where it is going based on having a group of guys who are seizing the moment. This is the ultimate basketball test. Can a team with contributions from all sectors strike down an opponent largely built on a few dominant players? In a sport where we have been taught that the victor has the best singular players, are we seeing the team concept re-emerge at the finish line of the 2011 season?

We won't know until these two combatants reunite in Miami. And, both teams are still in a great position to end this series with a happy ending. But, I assume you can find plenty of Heat discourse by simply turning on any radio or tv station. So, instead, once again, I want to focus on what this could mean for Dallas.

I am reminded this morning by a colleague that in 1993-94, in the midst of the Cowboys' Super Bowl dynasty runs, the Mavericks were limping to a 13 win regular season. That season put Dallas in a position to draft a guard, named Jason Kidd. Comparing that to a post-season where the Mavericks have 15 wins in the playoffs shows you how far this journey has come.

And every winner has people jump on the bandwagon, but the reason this story means so much to so many is because they did not jump on the wagon. Oh, sure, maybe it took Mark Cuban to buy the team and a young German star like Dirk Nowitzki to capture their imagination, but for a decade and more, this fan base has been spending every spring enduring playoff-pain. Don't get me wrong, making the playoffs each year is nice, but when it ends in a painful defeat, the disappointment mounts.

In 2001, Dirk lost a tooth and the team lost to San Antonio. In 2002, the Mavericks bowed out to the Kings. In 2003, it was all the way to the Western Finals before Dirk's health and Steve Kerr's shooting took them down at the hands of the Spurs again. IN 2004, it was the Kings again. In 2005, Steve Nash and the Suns punched Dallas in the stomach. In 2006, it was Miami with maybe the most gutting ending of them all. In 2007, the humiliation of losing to Don Nelson and Golden State. In 2008, Chris Paul threw lobs to Tyson Chandler as New Orleans celebrated. In 2009, it was Denver. In 2010, it was back to a defeat to San Antonio.

As one reader points out, "you need the sour, to appreciate the sweet". Upstart organizations that go right to the title without ever enduring heart-breaks don't feel the same. But, this Mavericks team - its superstar, its owner, and its fanbase - is very familiar with pain and disappointment.

And yet, here they are. With only 48 minutes separating them from the end of the rainbow. The course of this franchise is going to change forever in Miami, one way or another. Either they will win their first ever title that will rival any sports fairy tale this city has ever seen, or they will suffer a disappointment that will send this city into a serious funk.

The stakes are high. The tears are forming. The nerves are shot. This thing is not over by any stretch, but this franchise has never been closer. You just know the Mavericks would play the next game right now if the league would allow it. They know their opponent is on the run and is starting to question itself.

How are we ever going to wait until Sunday to see what happens next?

Unforgettable.

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The Morning After: Game 4 - Mavericks 86, Heat 83 (2-2)

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/sturms-morning-after-game-4---mavericks-2.html


What an amazing night in the life of the Dallas Mavericks franchise. There are dozens of threads we could follow in this "Morning After" column, but rather than following any sort of strategy thread (which I surely love to do) I feel compelled, instead, to focus on the primary characteristic of this band of brothers who wear the Mavericks logo on a night to night basis. Win or lose - and who could possibly know which way this is going to go - this 2011 Dallas Mavericks' team will be best remembered for their resolve, fight, and character.

This team simply won't die.

They showed it last night. They showed it throughout this run. And they plan on showing it the rest of the way.

What makes these characteristics so remarkable would be that this team had a reputation that was quite the opposite around the league. Over the years, they did not seem to have a steely resolve. They seemed to crumble against difficult circumstances. And they did not seem to possess the heart of a champion.

Well, toss that reputation in the trash. That was then. This is now.

This team is full of warriors. These last 2 months of playoff basketball has showed us that heart and resolve can cover some other deficiencies a roster may have.

And no night showed that more than last night. Here is Dirk Nowitzki, the unchallenged star of this show, weakened considerably with illness from the performances that he has proven are somewhat like clock work. Whether it is the injuries or the sickness, he didn't have anywhere near his normal arsenal of weapons last night. But, when the team had no choice but to look to their leader, he rose up in the 4th Quarter and helped bring the game home. As vital and imperative as his Game 2 left-handed drive turned out to be, the same can be said for his Game 4 right-handed drive that sealed things last night. He stood tall in a game where he had very little in the tank and struggled for most of the night. But, because this team had a "team effort" in Game 4, they stayed around until Dirk could do what he is known for doing.

And while the headlines will focus on the finishing touches that he put on the victory, I believe we must dig far deeper into the DNA of this squad to properly recognize what we saw in Game 4 from a team that is clearly the best team Dallas has ever seen.

In the last two summers, the Mavericks made moves each off-season that did not rock the league. They were far more subtle than any "Decision" that was carried live nationally on the networks. But, for the Mavericks story, only now do we realize how vital they both were.

First, in the summer of 2009, Dallas was part of a 4-team deal that brought Shawn Marion to the Mavericks. Marion was 31 at the time and signed a 5-year deal that seemed to be a bit ambitious and added to the collective age on this squad. But, it provided something Dallas has never had. A player who would be asked to match-up each round with the best offensive player the opposition can bring. He would guard Kobe Bryant one round, Kevin Durant the next, and then switch constantly between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in the next. And in every case, he would hold his own very well. And, if that isn't enough, he will also be your second scorer behind Dirk Nowitzki in the NBA Finals. And through it all, he would always appear as ready as anyone on the team to battle for any loose ball - above the rim or on the floor - and always be present and accounted for when crunch time needs a play to be made.

In this particular game, he actually was not on the floor in the 4th Quarter almost at all. And yet, his stamp was all over this game. In the 3rd Quarter he was leaned on heavily to score as he scored half of the Mavericks' 20 points and still defended very well throughout. Shawn Marion may not get the proper amount of recognition or ink during this run, but there is no question in my mind that his presence is amazingly vital and they are not where they are without his contributions. His scoring was considered a bonus on top of his play on the glass and on defense, and yet, he is outscoring every player on this Dallas team besides Dirk in the NBA Finals.

Then, in the summer of 2010, Dallas pulled the trigger on the deal with Charlotte that we have discussed quite a bit for Tyson Chandler. At the time, very few people were suggesting that this move could not only be a great addition, but even a franchise-altering addition, but I am compelled to elaborate yet again. What makes Tyson Chandler so important to the team is his total package of skills and intangibles. He is a born-leader who players automatically respect and follow. It was clear last night in the 1st Quarter that Miami was swarming the glass and the paint and if Tyson himself did not take it personally and battle them all by himself, the Mavericks would have been run out of their own gym. Chandler is a true warrior and the perfect compliment to Dirk inside. He does dirty work with great routine, he protects the rim, and he rallies the troops. He sees what the team needs and does whatever he can to fill that need.

Lost in all of his numbers - And the Mavericks needed all of his 13 points and 16 rebounds - was the simple fact that he is a very smart player. Chandler knew that without Brendan Haywood in Game 3 and almost without Haywood in Game 4, it was vital that Chandler not fall victim to foul trouble. He had to stay in the game. And he has. He has played 32 minutes a game in the NBA Playoffs, but in these last two games, he has played 83. He knows everyone is counting on him to not only play, but to play very well. And Tyson Chandler is not letting his team down.

And when it was clear Haywood was not capable of defending last night, Chandler basically puts himself back into the game. "I told Coach, 'You have to get me back out there. I will play 48 if I need to.'" Legendary stuff from the man in the middle. Chandler's play is contagious, and his fight is something that this team needed in the middle. Erick Dampier never possessed an inner competition fire anywhere close to Chandler's. Like so much else in this story, there is no question that this team relies on Chandler's battle.

Those players (Dirk, Marion, Chandler) are at the tip of the spear, but, when you have players like that at your core, others follow and stay ready. And that is where DeShawn Stevenson gets recognized as well.

When word began to circulate before Game 4 that Stevenson was not going to start because Rick Carlisle decided to start JJ Barea instead, the easy conclusion was that this was a move based on finding more favorable situations to play Barea. Obviously the result seemed to be a lesser role for Stevenson. Whether that was the intent or not is unclear, but what is clear is that Stevenson scored his playoff-high in points (11) while playing his 2nd most minutes (nearly 26) in a playoff game.

If any player is interested in a chance to bother LeBron James, it is Stevenson. He has made his name in this league for incidents involving James, and he seems to rise to the occasion against the star. Nobody expected that history to come into play in this series, but last night, the job DeShawn did early with his 3-pointers and then in the 4th Quarter he was on the scene for many defensive stops that were so necessary. After many assumed that Carlisle's move would result in almost no role for Stevenson, he actually turned into one of the key players of the game.

The way to tie all of this together is that this is a team. The narrative after Game 3 is that "Dirk needs help". And to an extent, especially scoring in the late stages of the game, that is true. He did need his side-kick in 4th Quarter offense, Jason Terry, to step up to another level. Terry did so and together they scored just enough to seal a victory.

But, through 3 Quarters, Dirk and Jet combined for just 20 of the 65 Dallas points. The supporting cast was not only doing their normal jobs of defending some of the most gifted scorers in the world, but they also picked up the primary scoring as well. Marion had 16, Stevenson 11, Chandler 10, and Barea had 8. They were there to pull Dirk along through the middle of the game where Dirk couldn't buy a basket.

In the 4th Quarter, Dirk and Jet scored 18 of the 21 points, and the rest of the Mavericks did a magnificent job of locking down the Miami attack late (again).

In a post season of gutty wins, this might be the gut-check masterpiece. There was every reason to go quietly into the night, but this team doesn't ever go quietly. There are enough warriors up and down this roster that they are either going to be victorious or they are going to die trying. You have to admire these characteristics. Talk is cheap, but this Mavericks' squad backs up all of its tough talk with actions.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat look a bit off balance. They have a well chronicled soap opera that is continuing to gain momentum with each contest. They have received about 80% of the attention in this series and today much of the national discussion will be about how the Heat lost the game rather than how Dallas won. And deep inside they have to be wondering why their opponent is not caving in and conceding. This is turning out to be much more difficult than they must have been expecting. They continue to build leads in the 4th Quarter and Dallas continues to battle until the last second and often leave with the victory.

Obviously, when you are an underdog in a series, the first objective is to create doubt in the minds of the favorite. There can be no question that doubt is in the Miami room. They still have every chance to overcome that doubt, but they must now deal with it. We have a series.

Can any team win 2 games in a row? Or will the team that is forced back to the wall always take the next game? If the Mavericks want a trophy (and there is every indication that they surely do) then they must get Game 5. Winning 2 games in Miami in this series is going to be difficult enough. Don't make it even more difficult by having to win 3 times in South Florida. Get Game 5 and then we will see Miami pushed to the breaking point. If pressure bursts pipes, it will have every chance to be the Mavericks' best weapon in a Game 6.

But that is all predicated on getting the win on Thursday. So, if there is still any resolve left in the tank, it must be summoned. They need as many healthy bodies and as many warriors as they can to defend Dallas turf for the final home game of this magnificent run.

Regardless of what happens from here on out, Dallas will never forget this team. The resolve, the fortitude, and the will is enough to capture the imagination of a city. But, to get their spot in NBA immortality, they need to find 2 more wins. They know it, and quite clearly, they want it.

Sports gets no better than this.

Rest up, boys.

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The Morning After: Game 3 - Heat 88, Mavericks 86 (2-1)

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/sturms-morning-after-game-3---miami-88-m.html


How could anything be underrated on a team that is constantly discussed and critiqued everywhere you look?

I am here to tell you that after watching them for 3 straight contests in person, there is no question that Miami's defense is even better than we were told. The suffocating defense is enough to make any offense look out of sync. And, the Mavericks' offense certainly looks out of sync this morning after losing 88-86 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Dallas.

Look at what is going on to the Mavericks; They shot 47.5% all year long, but in these NBA Finals, the shots are not falling. They have been limited offensively to a FG% of 42%. In a season where they routinely scored 100 points (100.2 per game) and playoffs where they were able to flex their offensive muscle routinely, they are now scoring just 88.3 points per game. That number is a grand departure from Portland (93.3 points per game), Los Angeles (102.3), and Oklahoma City (105.2).

Now we can suggest that the pressure of the NBA Finals and the bright lights of the stage is causing too much for the Mavericks between the ears and causing shots that normally fall to miss their mark for our heroes.

Or, we can consider that this Miami team is a very formidable foe in the NBA Finals because for all of their reputation of having so many choices and routes to get points with their dynamically stacked lineup, the same can also be said for a defense that just doesn't give you an inch to breathe. Like Philadelphia (41%), Boston (45%), and Chicago (39%) before them, Dallas is missing shots they normally weren't missing - mostly because they are taking shots that they have to find rather than having shots given to them.

Miami, with superstar talent in many spots, have players that stress you on both ends of the court. They can prove to be impossible match-ups on offense and then, to make the game even more difficult, those same players can guard you on the other end with ease.

And this is Rick Carlisle's seemingly impossible challenge. He has to figure out how to attack this Miami defense - which is hard enough - but, he also has to figure it out while not using players who are seen as a liability when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have the ball on the other end of the court. This series is asking the Mavericks to play true "2-way basketball" which shortens up your roster considerably.

So, when the Mavericks have the ball, we see the Heat at their strongest. They challenge every pass. They push out Dirk Nowitzki just a bit further than he would like to be pushed out to catch the ball. They make lob passes a thing of the past by being able to cheat off Tyson Chandler, but not so far off him that Jason Kidd can find him for an easy deuce. They jump passing lanes. I swear, LeBron and Wade get their hands on more passes than just about any players I can remember since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen played defense like this back in the 1990's. And like those players who won ring after ring back then, what makes this pairing so powerful is that they seem to be able to play as many minutes as you wish to play them. LeBron in particular plays about 45-46 of the 48 minutes of an NBA game. And there is never a time where at least one of them isn't on the court.

And, if that wasn't enough to deal with, once they turn the ball over, they are off to the races. If the Mavericks could figure out a way not to give 4 or 5 unchallenged fast break dunks each game, they would be winning this series with great ease. But, of course, that isn't how this thing works.

Miami has players who are dominant on both ends of the court. And they make you either match them in that ability or try to play "catch-up" all night when you can't. And Game 3 was a great example of never feeling like you could quite get up the mountain. Every single time the Mavericks thought they had reached the Heat, it seemed to be only an illusion as the Heat were still above them.

What the Heat have on defense is what makes everything else possible. They honestly have a very basic offense, it seems. Very special players who can pull up from 24 feet when nothing else is working on their offense and bailing out the play with another Wade launch that goes right through the rim. But, it all starts back on defense. They have dominant range on defense. They cheat on those who do not require their full attention to help out on those who do. They fly around in passing lanes and sneak up on players from behind to steal the ball. They are truly a pack of dobermans on the prowl. And, when they get the ball, those same top defenders - James and Wade - can take the ball and attack you with it on the other end. They are All-NBA on both ends of the court.

And that is what the Mavericks are up against if they want to achieve their dream of the NBA Title. They, too, have unstoppable players on offense and very strong defenders, as well. But, they are not the same players. Nowitzki, arguably the best offensive player in the league these playoffs, is a guy you try to expose on defense. The same goes for when Jason Terry, JJ Barea, or Peja Stojakovic are on defense. As skilled as they are on offense, you can not ask them to guard top players on defense without great concern and attention.

Meanwhile, the Mavs also have very strong defenders - Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, and DeShawn Stevenson. But, as good as they are at getting stops and causing major stress on those they cover, they are of little or no concern offensively for set plays or intended offense. Sure, Marion and Chandler can both score, but it usually comes on scramble situations where points are a result of Dirk getting all of the attention.

And it has worked throughout the entire regular season and all through the Western Conference Playoffs. The Mavericks figured out a perfect combination and rotation to navigate through a 48 minute game while always keeping their opponents off their balance and from ever finding comfort. They would keep rolling fresh bodies out there and Dirk could match Kevin Durant or LaMarcus Aldridge, and then the Dallas bench could expose the opponent badly when it became a battle of the benches.

But, Miami is a different animal. Even when you perform well against their starters, when you try to rotate to your bench, they keep LeBron on the court. When Wade is on the court, LeBron is your #2 option on the offense. But, when Wade sits, you still have one of the best scorers in the world taking shots rather than a guy off your bench trying to create offense. And of course, you cannot attack the Heat bench on defense because James is still running the defense when you normally have JJ Barea and the Mavs' reserves dominating a game.

They are just so loaded.

The good news is that this Mavericks team is proving to be one of the most resilient and persistent teams we could ever imagine. They will not negotiate a peaceful surrender or hang their heads in defeat. They play with a passion and resolve that is flat-out admirable. And no matter how big of a mess they find themselves in, they put all of their efforts into working their way out of it.

But, this one is the biggest challenge yet. They are painted into a corner of not being able to play to their strengths. There are guys on the roster that have been used the entire journey who have a very limited role against the Heat. James and Wade force your hand or attack your weak.

And as the coach, you try to solve this very complex and rare problem on the biggest stage of your coaching career. Do you ask Dirk and Jet to play offense with very few threats around them? If you do, you realize Dirk will attract 2 or 3 defenders most of the time because Eric Spoelstra doesn't have to worry about playing honest on the other Mavs. He knows only 2 Mavs can beat him offensively and he can attack them accordingly. Or, you can put better offensive weapons out there with Dirk (or ever less attractive, when Dirk is resting) and concede defense because Peja and JJ cannot guard for very long or with very much effectiveness.

It is the ultimate "classic conflict" or in today's cliches it is known as "picking your poison". Do you short-change your offense or your defense? There is no correct answer, really. And, it looked like that for much of Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3. The Mavericks could easily be up 2 games to 1 this morning, but if you were to consider who has played while leading in this series, surely it would be the Miami Heat by a large margin. The problem that Dallas faces may not have a solution.

The Mavericks must scratch and claw. They must fight and battle. And when the game comes to its climactic conclusion, the Mavericks must play perfectly because they are always coming from behind. In Game 2, it worked. Everything they tried in the final moments fell right and they made all of the big shots and Miami missed all of theirs. But, Game 3 would not smile upon the Mavericks.

4.4 seconds to go. Surely, Miami would be talking in their timeout about how they cannot let Dirk beat them again. 88-86, Miami, but Dallas has the ball side-out. The question would be whether the Mavericks would attempt a 3-point shot and go for the win or play by the books and attempt to tie the game and win it in overtime.

To look at the final sequence is actually quite interesting, because it appeared that Miami was not going to run a 2nd defender at Dirk until the last second - as they appear to be very intent on not leaving the Mavericks' shooters open at the 3-point line. Terry, Peja, and Kidd are never left open, and therefore, Dirk keeps the ball and goes to his trademarked spin and fadeaway from straight on.

If we all had a dollar for every time Dirk hit this shot - even when heavily guarded - none of us would need to drag ourselves to work today. But, on this occasion, his shot hit the rim and the American Airlines Center collectively sunk. The attempt to rescue a game that they never controlled from the jaws of defeat was unsuccessful at the finish line. Dirk, who made every big shot all night long finally missed. He played amazingly well - and yet it still wasn't enough. And that is their margin for error against this formidable foe. As long as Dirk makes every shot down the stretch, the Mavs have a chance. But, Miami seems so strong that if he misses even once, they are in big trouble.

Yikes.

Home court advantage swings back to Miami, as does momentum in this NBA Finals. In any proper best-of-7 series, the roller coaster of emotions is part of the agony and part of the fun. This series will hopefully be no different.

Mavs' Coach Rick Carlisle placed the picture in the frame last night in the postgame: "Look it's seven games. Any notion that it was going to be easy would have been foolhardy by us or anybody else."

Game 4 is surely now of the "must win" variety. And frankly, Game 5 is pretty much in the same bin.

And Carlisle and his team between now and Tuesday Night must continue to try to figure out the problems that may not have solutions to keep their NBA Title dreams alive.

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The Morning After: Game 2 - Mavericks 95, Heat 93 (1-1)

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/sturms-morning-after-game-2---mavericks.html


On May 23, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the most improbable victories in team history. They rallied from 15 points behind in the final 5 minutes of a game that was completely dominated by the opponent and the loss seem assured. The next morning I threw out some pretty bold claims that;

What followed was some of the most unexplainable, historic, and chaotic basketball most have ever witnessed.

Years from now, this was the type of game that those who weren't at the arena will claim they were and those who went to sleep when the lead was 15 will always deny it.

This was the win that you had to see to believe. And really, it still is not easy to comprehend.

You can watch 1,000 NBA Games and never see that. The Dallas Mavericks did something so unlikely in Game 4 in Oklahoma City after a night of such disappointing results, that one can easily summarize the moments late last night under the heading of, "It might just be their year".

1,000 games? Was that writer-hyperbole? Given that 3 games later, they did it again - this time in the NBA Finals - either says I was guilty of a gross exaggeration or we just witnessed the 2nd basketball miracle in 10 days.

This time the 15 point lead was with 7:14 to play, but a comeback seemed all the more unlikely given the architects of this lead were veteran superstars who had almost no peers on the planet when it comes to measuring their abilities.

There had been one demoralizing moment after another. One monster dunk after another. One ridiculous shot made from great distance after another. One thunderous celebration after another. The Mavs looked beaten. Demoralized. Even a little whiny about the way they were being bullied and pushed around on the court.

This 2011 NBA Finals was Dallas' shot at redemption. They finally could get critics off their back by showing up huge in these Finals. They are a team loaded with different stories, but they all have one big thing in common - no trophies (Save for the one tattooed on Jason Terry). They are veterans unified in the "close, but no cigar" club.

And here, in their moment of need in Game 2, those who wanted and needed this the most were the ones having the worst night. Dirk Nowitzki was having a very tough shooting night. He was 3-10 at the half and appeared to be struggling. Jason Terry looked awful yet again offensively for most of the first 3 1/2 quarters. And very unexpectedly, their veteran point guard, Jason Kidd looked his age of 38. Kidd committed many turnovers and his always dominant assist to turnover split was a very average 4 to 4.

During breaks in play, observers were allowed to jump to conclusions. And when Dwyane Wade hit a 3 in front of the Mavericks bench to make it 88-73 with 7 minutes left, almost everyone watching across the world felt that was the dagger in the heart of Game 2 and maybe the entire series. The Heat were too strong. They were too good. And the Mavericks veterans, led by Dirk, Jet, and Kidd, were a nice story, but there would be no fairy tale ending.

But, I keep coming back to the Mavericks marketing slogan for these playoffs; "This Year is Different". Trust me, the trash bins are full of cheesy and pointless playoff slogans from all of the local teams over the years that didn't connect. But, this one is so perfect that I want to personally congratulate who every came up with it. Because, that is the issue with the Mavericks and their fandom and it captures the vibe so perfectly. Every time something goes wrong, the emails and tweets come pouring in that "it is the same old Mavericks" and "why don't we ever learn from these guys?" I am as guilty of this feeling as anyone. When you watch a team that seems in reasonable position to contend for a title for almost a decade - but something always goes wrong - you are conditioned to expect the same results. Perhaps it is a defense mechanism in many of us to soften the death blow when it inevitably arrives.

Regardless, despite seeing a similar miracle 10 days prior, I believe all precincts reporting last night around the time of the Wade 3 (followed by an elongated Wade/Lebron celebration right in front of the Mavericks bench) showed that there was no optimism to be found. This team was being dismantled in Miami; a sports city that has also given Dallas disappointment as the sites of Super Bowl V, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII, and the 2006 NBA Finals. Miami is not where Dallas miracles occur.

And then, slowly, the game started getting back in range. Granted, at the time, nobody knew what we were looking at, but Jason Terry started hitting a few shots. The defense started looking able. And perhaps most importantly, the Miami Heat took their foot off the gas.

Anytime there is a historic comeback, there are certainly two sides to every story. Just ask fans of Oklahoma City. What Dallas sees as an amazing rally in their city is categorized there as more of a showing of immaturity from their young studs. The Thunder allowed the rally because of poor shots, poor composure, and inexperience.

Well, last night, as wonderful an effort it was from the Mavericks to pull this victory from the jaws of defeat, it is easy to find those who wonder if the rally last night told us more about Miami than it did about Dallas. You see, last night revealed the biggest weakness on a Miami team that appears to be without weaknesses. They play an extremely arrogant brand of basketball. It is amazing and unmatched for all of its excellence, but they also have all of the symptoms of a team that falls victim to believing they are invincible.

And the Miami arrogance struck them right between the eyes last night. Credit the Mavericks for taking full advantage, because that was not easy, but when forced to tell the story of Game 2, I feel compelled to lay this one right at the feet of those stars that were willing to have a "Yes, We Did" rally before they ever played a game.

It is arrogance that launches 30 3-pointers. As we suggested in Game 1, even if they hit those long perimeter shots, they are still playing into the Mavericks hands. The Mavs have a very hard time dealing with teams that drive the ball to the rim. And it seems when the Heat are aggressive, they can get to the rim with ease - especially against the zone. But, the cheese in the mousetrap is so inviting. Especially when the first few go in and the crowd goes nuts. They average 16 attempted 3-point shots a game, but in the NBA Finals, they are taking 27 per game. More of those shots mean fewer trips to the line and the rim. Advantage Mavericks.

It is arrogance that causes the team to stop running offense when the game got tight. Lebron on one possession with less than 2 minutes to play dribbled the ball 20 times outside the 3-point arc before launching a 25-foot heave as the shot clock went down. Why run plays when you can just make a 3 anytime you want, right? Well, the shot missed and the rally door was left open. And what is more arrogant that one star ignoring his star-teammate who had 36 points for much of the final few minutes?

And yes, it is arrogance that causes you to not use a foul or a double team on the last possession of the game. Dirk had the ball up high and he knew that the foul was coming because Miami still had a foul to give. Pretty much any team in that situation would foul Dirk and make the Mavericks use some of those last precious seconds. Also, pretty much any team would double-team Dirk in those final seconds rather than risk getting beat by an opponent's best player. But, Miami was sure they could just play him straight up and swat whatever he attempts into the 2nd deck.

And in the post game, the players on Miami pretty much admitted that they were supposed to foul him. Just like they admitted they were supposed to run their offense instead of dribble the ball into the ground 20 times. Eric Spoelstra told his players what to do. But, they made evidently made decisions on the floor that seemed to dismiss what they were asked to do by their coach.

But, regardless of the reasons that both Oklahoma City (youth and inexperience) and Miami (arrogance and carelessness) left the doors open for Dallas, this Dallas team had to hit a very high amount of clutch shots to take full advantage. And make them they did. They also scrambled for loose balls and were able to steal the ball away. 5 players were on the court during this stretch (Dirk, Jet, Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler) and every single one of them had moments of greatness down the stretch.

Dirk Nowitzki, however, stole the show late. A player who has much of the basketball world finally recognizing as the dominant player that he is, took over late in the game - like he did in that miracle in OKC - and scored the team's final 9 points. A largely forgettable performance from the big German for much of the night ended in our memories as one of his most heroic efforts. Using the left hand that was much discussed over the last few days for the game's final drive was just another brick in the wall of his legend. So clutch. So sure. He had to make Miami pay for that disrespect of not double-teaming one of the league's most "unguardable" scorers on the final possession. And make them pay he did with a finishing drive to the basket that will be long remembered.

It was a comeback that seemed to be stolen from the famous fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare", the Mavericks might have saved their chance at a World Title. Somehow, they survived one of the more absurd dunking exhibitions ever seen in a NBA Finals game and left with the only thing that truly matters; the victory. There is no doubt that Miami has a multitude of match-up advantages up and down the rosters, but after two games, this series is all squared at 1-1. This seemed like the ultimate "smash and grab" heist, but it doesn't matter how a team achieves a victory.

What happens from here will be very interesting. The Heat are so powerful that this might be the wake-up call that makes them understand that games are not won until they are over. On the other hand, the drama in their room could spark up if adversity continues in Dallas.

Meanwhile, for Dallas, they had to work very hard to get their road split. But, now, they are quite sure that they can play with Miami. They won a game in Miami and were only trailing by 4 in the other game with 3 minutes to play. They fully understand that the most amazing dunk in basketball history was still only worth 2 points. The fans can go crazy and the networks can show the highlights over and over, but in the end, it is still just 2 points. Now, they have 3 straight home games and even get an extra day of rest for their old legs before the battle resumes.

The Mavericks have shown us that they do not give in. They came back huge on the Lakers at the Staples Center, on the Thunder in Oklahoma City, and now this in Miami. They have calm in the storm and often survive to get the last laugh. This is a veteran team that makes veteran plays at just the right time to survive. They are going to need better performances across the board - take care of the ball better, shoot better, and get performances from more players (Peja!) to have a chance to beat this Miami team 4 times.

But, again, just when people on both sides of this series were getting ready to ponder the possibility of a sweep, the series took a real turn with one Dirk finger-roll. Apparently, the series has only just begun.

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The Morning After: Game 1 - Miami 92, Dallas 84 (1-0)

http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/sturms-morning-after-game-1---miami-92-m.html


It was bound to happen.

The Mavericks were bound to lose another road game. On the final day of May, the Mavericks lose their first road game since that historic night in Portland on April 23.

And, for the first time in this magical playoff run, the Mavericks find themselves behind in a series. They never trailed Portland, Los Angeles, or Oklahoma City in the only category that matters - games won. Well, Miami put a stop to that in short order in Game 1 with a very impressive show of strength as the game wore on, and now the Mavericks trail in a Best-of-Seven series for the first time in these playoffs.

This Miami team appears to be a different animal altogether than anything the Mavericks have seen.

It is not uncommon to see the Mavericks a little jumpy on defense. Frankly, we have seen phases of all 3 previous opponents that the Mavericks had the proverbial "no answer" for. But, honestly, the defensive job for most of the night was just fine. From an expectation standpoint, Dallas had to exceed expectations in many minds since they really made the Heat rely on shots that are considered low percentage. There were obviously some issues on defense, but all things considered, I think you can look ahead in this series and feel reasonably well about the possibility that Dallas can give Miami some issues when the Heat have the ball.

But, it is when Dallas had the ball that should give many of us pause about where this series could be headed. The offense of the Mavericks never look comfortable after spending much of the last 6 weeks looking like they controlled the game with great ease when it was time to go looking for baskets. Shots were tough to come by, especially for the two lead scorers for this whole operation, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. If they stop scoring with the same authority and efficiency that they have demonstrated, then this whole offense grinds to a halt.

Now, before we over-react, we should remember that there are plenty of nights on the NBA playoff road where the ball doesn't drop. People will read all sorts of meaning into Game 1 results in any series, but the facts are pretty clear: In a 7-game series there are going to be nights that teams shoot better or worse based on nothing the defense throws at you - it could simply just be a poor shooting performance.

At the moment of truth, your shot makers simply must knock shots down. And, while Dirk's stat line looked impressive (27 points, 8 rebounds) I think many who saw the performance would concede that Miami was able to bother him and make him work very hard to get what he got. As for Jet, we would also have to look at Miami seeing him as the key to this series.

Jason Terry is not the leader of this offense, but he may be the key. In the last few years, the Mavericks have sacrificed scoring for 2-way players and straight defensive players because they needed to get stops on the other end. So, in bringing in Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, and even Jason Kidd, you count more and more for the consistent 3rd and 4th Quarter scoring that Terry brings to the table when it turns into a playoff meat-grinder like Game 1. And on this night, Terry went 0-3 in the 2nd half with 0 points. I will do everything in my power to not bring up his last Finals game against the Miami Heat, but let's just say that is 2 straight Finals games for Terry where after decent starts, the bottom absolutely fell out of his performance.

Much of the dialogue in the interview room focused on LeBron James moving over to suffocate Terry in the late stages of the game. I can imagine that is a mismatch that is very disconcerting for Rick Carlisle and his staff. Think about it. If Terry cannot score, and you have Chandler, Kidd, and Marion on the floor late to get stops against James, Wade, and Bosh, then who is going to be able to work with Dirk to keep the offense alive? I never even considered James checking Terry, but after seeing it in practice in Game 1, I would have to tip my hat to Eric Spoelstra. That seems like the perfect way to give Dallas offensive fits late in the game.

And make no mistake. The reason most observers will not believe the "shooting anomaly" theory is that this is what Miami does. In the 4th Quarter of their playoff games they turn the energy way up on offense and defense. They suffocate the scorers on defense and then attack with the 2-headed closers on offense. The Mavericks fell victim to what Boston and Chicago already suffered. In the late stages of a close affair, the 2-way performances of James and Wade were too much to match.

The Heat seem to defend the high pick and roll with Haslem and James against Dirk and Jet about as well as we have seen anyone do it. The Mavericks will be asking Terry to hit tough shots against taller (much taller) defenders for that strategy to work in this series. And that is why they were trying to get it to work with JJ Barea and Jason Kidd earlier. Barea may need to play more and more to get offense, but then who does he guard the other way when the Heat have no point guard in the game?

Are there available counter punches? Sure. But, Rick Carlisle is going to have to consider some radical ideas. Down the stretch, he might need to employ more of someone like Peja Stojakovic to get some offense when the Jet/Dirk pick and roll is neutralized. The problem there is that you are forced to take someone off the court. And Marion is likely not an option because of his superb defense on either Wade or James. So, Tyson? That would seem extra crazy. Kidd? No way. Well, you can only have 5 players on the court at the same time. And now, you see the headaches that the Heat can provide. Likely, they are going to need some real big shots from Jason Kidd in these 4th Quarters. And they are also going to need to figure out how to get Terry some better looks.

But, a lot of what failed the Dallas on this night was self-induced to a certain extent. You have to believe that JJ Barea can knock more of his shots down. We have seen him do it against everyone in these playoffs, so I chalk this up to some early nerves. He will do better - and he must. Also, Peja is going to get chances in all of these games to affect the outcome with his shooting. In fact, if he is not knocking down shots, he is not helping the cause. And last night, he knocked down no shots.

We must all keep our heads. It is merely 1 game. But, we must also realize that last night gave us many clues about how some of these match-ups are going to go.

There is no doubt that the Mavericks now have enough defensive talent on their squad that they can make teams really, really work for points. I am so impressed with how Dallas has put a lineup on the floor where defense is not near the issue it has been over the years. I am equally impressed with how Carlisle has designed a zone defense that actually works. Miami took so many 3 pointers last night that they were clearly kept from the places they like to score. In the regular season, Miami attempted about 18 3's a game. In the playoffs, it has dropped to 16.8 3s per game. Last night, they took 24 and made 11 of them. Very impressive work by Dallas to force long shots from all of the Miami offensive threats. But, equally impressive for them to make them. Lebron James is a career 32.9% shooter from 3-point range over 700 games. Last night he shot 80% (4 of 5 from behind the arc). If I am the Mavericks, I am fine with Miami shooting 24 3-pointers. I consider that a big accomplishment. In the NBA, you try to force your opponents to settle for shots they don't want to take. If they make them anyway, you just tip your cap and move on to Game 2.

What you don't like if you are Rick Carlisle is all of the offensive rebounds that were conceded. 16 offensive rebounds is way too many. We talked about the magic number in the NBA for coaching staffs was about 72%. 72% of all rebounds when you play defense is break-even. Last night, the Mavericks only grabbed 65%. If you saw Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka in the last round, this should not surprise you, but clearly Dallas has to keep Miami from getting multiple looks that many times. It is just a killer to get stops and then Miami gets a fresh :24. We saw that in the 4th Quarter and the whole bench sagged. Of course, this is related to the zone defense where you don't have a body on a body in a zone and it is easier for guys to shoot into gaps to get offensive rebounds when they are unaccounted for, but because the Mavericks must employ the zone this is what they are up against.

The bench was outplayed, and then let's not bury the lead. The lead story for most who followed this game was the spectacular job of James and Wade to take over and make amazing shots from great distance. This was not some easy showing for them. They had to work hard to get their points, but then, they knocked down some very difficult shots. James' 3 at the end of the 3rd Quarter was just ridiculous. You are tempted to say that if they are going to do that, there is nothing you can do about it. But, the fact is that James and Wade have been doing that their entire career. You have to assume that at points of each of these games, you will simply shake your head as they will shake theirs when Dirk proves to be "unguardable", too.

But, what else did you expect from the NBA Finals? You never get to play a bad team in the Finals. You get your stiffest test yet. You must slay the biggest giant or you won't get your trophy.

The Mavericks clearly had reality hit them in the face last night. But, this is why you collect veterans who do not get easily shaken. You have a crew of guys who understood it was going to be a long war and that nothing either team accomplished in Game 1 was going to finalize anything.

Thursday becomes very important. A split was the objective all along, and the Mavericks have to consider Game 2 an imperative objective. More need to hit shots and more need to fight for that last rebound. They have fought too hard to begin to give into their doubts now.

It will be very interesting to see what Rick Carlisle and his troops come up with to counter what was done on Tuesday. But, I saw enough from Dallas in Game 1 to feel that there is not some insurmountable gap between the teams. And the coach pledged the following before he wandered into the Miami night:

"We’ll Play Better. I’m Certain Of That."

Let's hope so, Coach. Game 2 approaches.

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1800 Days After The Morning After

Perhaps this is a change-up from your 2011 NBA FInals reading, or perhaps you will decide to skip this altogether because rehashing a painful defeat can be a wonderful way to kill your buzz.

What you are about to read could perhaps be labeled "The Diary of a Madman". I don't know what makes me do some of the things I do with my sports-obsessed life, but I must follow my instincts and do what feels right at the moment.

And for reasons that I cannot quite explain, my mind told me that this weekend I must face one of my demons.

Some people think I am nuts when it comes to my sports. I am an admitted sports-nerd and sports-addict. I have no issues with gambling to report; I am simply just a person who cannot imagine anything more exciting to follow than athletics. I am lucky enough to consider my job and my hobby exactly the same thing. I don't have many vices as a human being, and frankly, not too many hobbies that aren't somehow related to sports.

So, while I love the human dramas that make up our "sports world", I also fall victim to becoming a bit emotionally involved at times. There are some sporting events that I can watch with almost no emotion. But, there are others that leave a scar.

I felt you needed to know all of this because of what this project today is all about. Over the weekend, I did something I did not ever want to do again. There is a vault in the back of my mind with a few sporting moments in my life that I have locked up and - although I acknowledge that they happened - I never want to revisit them again. Going back would be too painful and too damaging. I lived them once live, and that was plenty. At some point, I accepted the defeat as a result that I could do nothing about, so I filed them away and tried to forget as much as I could.

The 2006 NBA Finals is one of those few events that I have avoided for the last 1800 days. I considered the 2006 Playoff run of the Dallas Mavericks to be one of the most magical 2 months of sport in my life, but then I consider the 8 days from Game 3 to Game 6 some of the most depressing days of sport I can imagine. The next week was very bleak. I did not want to accept that it was over. I did not want to consider that Dirk and the rest of my guys were never going to get to the prize. They were so close. Everything was so perfect. And then it crashed. Very few franchises in sports would consider their greatest moment and darkest moment to be basically the same story. But, I would submit the 2006 Dallas Mavericks would be both.

Your memory is a weird tool. It helps you remember things perfectly from your childhood, but it also allows things from this morning to vanish into thin air. It helps you recall your first kiss or your best high school game in perfect clarity, and yet, you forget what your wife told you to buy on your way home from work.

After Thursday night, when Chicago fell in 5 games to Miami to insure that the 2011 NBA Finals would match the two teams from the 2006 NBA Finals, I decided that I needed to allow that dark place in my head to have a little time out of its cage over the weekend. I would attempt to watch as much of Games 3-6 as I could find on Youtube (and just about all of it is on Youtube if you, too, consider yourself a masochist).

It was not enjoyable. However, I will concede that since I knew ahead of time that things were not going to finish well in any of the games, that my head did not ache nearly as much and I was able to get a relatively good night's sleep both nights.

I really hope you had a chance to read Eddie Sefko's piece in Sunday's paper about this very topic. He did it in a far more professional manner, and he also fills in the gaps quite a bit. My review is a more to focus on two things - composure and strategy.

In my memory, and from what I hear and read from many of you, too, the series was won because of A) Dwyane Wade and B) Bennett Salvatore. The further we get from the series the more the popular idea is that the Mavericks had the series taken from them and it was a gross injustice by the NBA and their officials. I accepted it as some level of fact, but I also do not like to blame refs for things that your team does not properly execute and accomplish.

But, over the weekend, I watched the game from a stand point of "How did the Mavericks handle things?" and "How did they counter what Miami was doing?" In both cases, I was very shocked and disappointed with what I saw.

Because at every turn, I kept coming back to the feeling that the Mavericks lost their heads.

Adversity and uncontrollable circumstances come at you constantly in professional sports. In the NBA playoffs, there are so many momentum swings during the course of a game and a series that you really cannot allow your head to hang and to become your own worst enemy.

But, watching the film of the '06 Finals reveal to me that the Mavericks were mostly brought down by their own lack of composure. The evidence is almost everywhere. They dominated both of the first 2 games. In Game 2, the Mavs held a 24 point lead entering the 4th Quarter. The Heat were beaten and as this series headed to Miami, the Mavericks needed to only get 1 game in Florida to set things up to where they only needed 1 win in 2 games in Dallas to win the NBA Title.

In Game 3, that fateful day where the Mavericks held a 89-76 lead with 6:15 to play, the plane began to dive. They held a 10 point lead at the 5-minute mark. And, after that scored 1 basket the rest of the way. My memory indicated that the Mavericks started settling for perimeter shots. But, in watching it with a critical eye on Saturday, I actually came to 2 conclusions. 1) Dallas began to try to milk the clock. This is a dangerous game where you don't begin your attack until the shot-clock is well under :10. When you do this, you risk not getting a good shot. You must take whatever is available when the shot-clock nears zero. and 2) Dallas just stopped hitting their tough shots. Let's face it. Especially in 2006, the Mavericks offense was very difficult to stop because Dirk and Jason Terry were so successful at making tough shots. They seldom were able to get what we consider "easy looks" by NBA standards. But, they could always make tough shots. And this was one of those cases where they were able to get shots they normally hit, but they went cold at just the wrong moment.

As the time started clicking away and the lead shrunk, things started falling into place. Shaquille O'Neal was hit two very important free throws after hitting 2 for 16 in the first two games of the series. Gary Payton, who my memory had given very little credit for his ring, hit the biggest shot in Game 3. With the score tied at 95-95, the game clock was down to :10 and the shot-clock at :01 when he stepped up and nailed a huge 21-footer. It was his only shot of the game! Meanwhile, Dirk Nowitzki went strong to the rim and was fouled with :03 and barely missed the basket and the foul. He had made 25-26 free throws in the NBA Finals to that point, but missed the 2nd free throw that would have tied the game. This confluence of events (Shaq making his free throws, Dirk missing his) was amazing on so many levels.

With :01 to play, the Mavericks had one last chance with the ball on the side and down 98-96. In a very curious coaching decision, the Mavericks made sure that Dirk would not take the last shot because Avery decided he should be the man to inbound the ball. Words could not describe how insane that seemed to take one of your only shotmakers out of the equation - especially since he would be the easiest to find since he is 7-feet tall. Instead, a lob pass to Josh Howard which never had a chance sailed wide and the Mavericks lost a game they never should have lost. Instead of a 3-0 lead, they were hit in the head with a heavy punch.

But, still; they came to Miami to win at least 1 game. Losing the first one should not have derailed the entire train. But, oh, how it did.

As I compare the 2011 Mavericks to the 2006 Mavericks, all I can think of is the composure that I see on this team and the lack of composure and maturity that those Mavs had. Their owner, Mark Cuban, routinely had the media at his disposal during those Finals and seemed intent on poking the refs as often as possible with sharp sticks. Avery Johnson seemed to make one coaching error after another. On the roster, there were very few calm veteran personalities. Dirk was Dirk, but around him at crunch time were the very young Devin Harris, the always unpredictable and young Josh Howard, veteran Erick Dampier - a player who had almost no role in crunch time yet he played plenty of minutes, and two vets who both had moments of lost composure - Jason Terry who was ejected and suspended in the Spurs series for his punch to Michael Finley's groin and Jerry Stackhouse who was ejected and suspended in Game 4 of the finals for a brain dead tackle of Shaquille O'Neal.

If there was one Jason Kidd or one Rick Carlisle or one Tyson Chandler on that team (even an older version of Dirk), maybe they shake off the Game 3 disaster. But, this group took a small problem and made it worse and worse. One game grew into four and the Finals, which require supreme composure and nerve control, showed that Dallas had none in reserve.

The video tells the story. They missed so many big shots. They missed free throws at just the wrong time (Dirk did it in Game 3 and again in Game 5). They lost their temper. And most of all, their two authority figures - Avery and Cuban - lost their minds in front of the media.

Game 4 showed nothing from a Dallas perspective except that they were now damaged. They set the NBA record for least points in a quarter with 7 points in the 4th. They also lost arguably their most veteran presence when Stackhouse lost his mind on O'Neal with the team down 17 points. A 98-74 decision squared the series at 2-2.

Again, at any point, the team could have regained their composure if they had proper leadership. Either on the roster or in management, the right voice could have saved the season. Avery Johnson, like Dirk and Cuban, seemed to show that this stage was a bit more intense than he thought it would be. He challenged the team in the media by saying maybe they aren't getting mad enough to stop Wade. He blamed their night life and vacation-type attitude on South Beach for the state of affairs on the court. He made the team leave the Mavericks entourage and switched hotels to Fort Lauderdale. The team had players room together to attempt to get everyone to band together. If the Mavericks had pulled out the Finals, perhaps the hotel stunt would go into lore as the reason the season was saved. But, given how Game 5 turned out, it looked like another mis-step by a coach who was not finding the answers to keep his ship from sinking.

I remember the Avery Johnson era rather fondly. In my memory, he was the coach who taught the Mavericks that defense wins championships and that emotion is your friend in the playoffs. He was able to reach players better than Don Nelson and challenge their fight and desire for success.

But, the 2006 Finals demonstrate a coaching mismatch that may have decided the series. Being on a list of guys who have been out-coached by Pat Riley is not a very short list. But, I think in viewing the "Meltdown in Miami" over the weekend, I received a much sharper image of how badly the coaching difference truly was. Riley dominated Avery. Some of it was based on Riley's strategies but some of it was back to Avery not thinking clearly.

Avery is calling the "Hack-a-Shaq" repeatedly when the Heat were not in the bonus. He even ordered it when DeSagana Diop had 5 fouls and had to disqualify himself to do so. He signaled a timeout to his team (that he wanted taken after the next free throw) and since they couldn't hear what he was saying, they called the timeout. Player error in truth, but a coaching error because of poor communication. There were moments of single-teaming Wade and quadruple-teaming Wade.

Game 5 was a game that could and should have been won by Dallas. But, lack of composure from team and coach proved to be their undoing when I watched it again on Sunday. And then, after Game 5, Avery and Cuban both blew their stacks again in front of the media. Dirk was being swarmed by the Heat and despite making some huge shots, must have felt by himself. Stackhouse, the de facto leader, was in street clothes due to his suspension. Howard and Harris were not ready to be on the floor in big moments like Gary Payton was ready for. Howard missed 2 gigantic free throws in overtime that would have likely been enough to win it. And, of course, the fouls called that sent Wade to the line again and again.

And with each passing whistle, the more the Mavericks let it into their head. The pressure built. And pressure, as they say, bursts pipes.

Game 6 was the completion of a death that was put in motion back in Game 3. By that point, Antoine Walker and Alonzo Mourning were giving them fits. Jason Terry couldn't hit a shot to save his life in Game 6, and yet he is the one who took the shot to save the season at the end. And it missed.

The Mavericks lost the 2006 NBA Finals largely because they were not composed and mentally strong enough. After watching the unraveling again, I am sure that this is more important than Wade or Salvatore.

Had Dirk, or Avery, or Cuban, or Stackhouse, or anyone been able to take a deep breath and calm the troops, assure them that things are fine, and design a plan to retake the series by the scruff of the neck, things might have been different. Surely, one gut punch should not set a team that was playing so well into a reeling state that it cannot recover from. But, alas. My eyes tell me that the collapse in Game 3 set of a chain of events that were never stopped.

The chance at basketball immortality had vanished. Perhaps, forever, for many players, coaches, and a certain owner. There were a number of strategy issues which we could elaborate on that just didn't make sense. However, more and more, I keep coming back to the idea that the lights were too bright and the tempers were too short. In a way, much of what dismantled Oklahoma City in the last round in 2011 is what took down the Mavericks. They just weren't ready.

And that is what gives me some hope in 2011. This Mavericks crew learned from that one. Cuban is almost in hiding rather than angering the league officials at every opportunity. Dirk looks so much tougher and more refined between the ears. And the rest of the cast is made up of steely veterans who have seen every situation and now unify for one purpose. I don't see their coach having to chase them off South Beach.

In 2006, I believe that lack of composure was the single biggest issue. They just didn't deal with adversity at all. It changed their ability to function; To play through bad calls; To hit shots and free throws that they normally hit.

And for that, they did not deserve to be champs. As much as it hurts, when I look back it pains me to admit that the biggest culprit to the Mavericks' disaster was the Mavs themselves.

Tomorrow, I would like to take items from the 2006 team and compare them to the 2011 team to see what can be learned.

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The Morning After: Game 5 - Mavericks 100, Thunder 96 (4-1)

The Western Conference Finals ended the only way that was fitting on Wednesday Night. With Dirk putting the Mavericks in the lead. Again.

If sports fairy tales came true, then that would mean that we would be assured a happy ending in the Dirk Nowitzki trip around the basketball world in a few weeks' time. In the same category in the fairy tale section as the John Elway Super Bowl victory, everybody had assumed the window had shut on his chance. His greatness as a whole had been pushed down a spot or two when discussions were had after playoff disappointments. Surely, he was not of "championship quality". Surely, he is to blame for his team falling short in the playoffs. In a star-driven sport, the Dallas Mavericks have a real nice player, but not one of those great ones that win trophies.

We don't know how this sports story will end when basketball season is over. But, we know about last night's chapter. The one where the team was down almost 47 minutes into a 48 minute game. The Mavericks were trailing 94-92 with 90 seconds to play when they reacquired the ball on a steal by Dirk. Russell Westbrook thought he saw an open Nick Collison down low, but Dirk stepped in the path of the ball and was able to get his right hand on the pass and the Mavericks had the ball back.

The first priority as they crossed half court was for Jason Kidd to find Nowitzki on the left wing against Collison on another isolation sequence that we have seen over and over in this series. This time, Dirk gets the edge on Collison and heads to the hoop where the Thunder defense collapse on the star. He sees Jason Terry in the corner for a go-ahead 3, but his pass is deflected out of bounds as the Thunder are trying to cover everything.

Inbounds play with 1:24. Jason Kidd will pass it in as all 4 Mavericks start the play at the free throw line. As Kidd looks for options, first Terry and then Tyson Chandler screen Collison as Dirk drops back behind the 3-point line. Because of the double screen, Dirk is free for a split second. Kidd puts the ball in the German's hands and the arena gasps with excitement as the shot leaves his hands and a swish is forthcoming.

But, it doesn't go in. It rims out. And Westbrook grabs the carom as he battles Chandler down low. But, in the scramble, Westbrook loses his balance and as he is falling to the ground (with Chandler's foot helping to knock him over) he tosses the ball back in play and what he hopes is to his teammates. However, in another stroke of fortune, he basically rolls the ball to Jason Terry. Terry goes cross court to Marion. At the point Terry gets the ball, Dirk had already dropped back on defense and was actually on the time-line. He reversed his direction back into the front-court.

Marion sees Dirk rushing back to the play and finds him right as the Mavericks leader was back in position for another try. This time, there is no screen and Collison challenges the shot. But, this time, there is no mistake. The ball rips through the cords and the Mavericks have a 95-94 lead. The 20,000+ expresses their extreme gratitude in a massive sound explosion.

Like the 3-pointer he hit on Monday night in the historic Game 4 rally, his 3-point shot in Game 5 was the moment the tides finally turned all of the way.

On the next possession, the Mavericks buckled down hard on defense and forced an airball from Eric Maynor from the paint and Nick Collison collected the rebound as he was falling out of bounds. With no other option, he also attempted to send the ball in the general direction of his teammates and hope for the best. And like Westbrook's attempted blind pass, the results for the Thunder were not what they had hoped. Like so many moments in this series, when the Mavericks needed a 50/50 play to go their way, it did. Terry and James Harden both leaped for the ball and somehow it tipped over to Shawn Marion - a player that always seems ready to go get the loose ball when they are needed the most.

Marion had nothing but open court ahead of him and was about to make a 1-point lead bigger. As he is heading down the court with 52 seconds to play, you can see Durant trying to chase him down. For a split second, Jason Terry pulls another veteran move and blocks Durant's path for a step. This gives Marion all the space he needs and not only does he get the dunk, but he also is fouled as Durant still tried a desperation block that was called for contact. The place again explodes. The end is near.

It took one more offensive rebound to salt the game away, but in the end it was a familiar theme in this series against the Oklahoma City crew that appears so promising in the years to come. It was the grit and know-how to make the plays in the games final moments that won it for Dallas. They appeared superior in very few ways, honestly, for most of these 5 games. But, in the last 5 minutes of the 5 4th Quarters, the Mavericks outscored the Thunder by 24 points. And that, quite simply was the only difference there was.

Dallas knew how to make shots. How to get stops. How to make free throws. How to get a loose ball. Not all of them, just the ones that really mattered and determined the winners of these games.

It was veteran know-how versus youthful confusion. All of that extra energy did not help them deal with the composed execution of the guys who have been on this road before. There is a ton of resolve on the Mavericks roster. The other 3 teams in the Conference Finals could all discuss their bright futures and the ideas that they could be in a position to be back at this point of the playoffs many, many more times before it is said and done.

But, Dallas knows that they have an urgency that the others don't have. They know that their window is open right now. In a few weeks, it may slam shut for them forever. Many of these players know that they have been in thousands of practices and flights and hotels and games and the only thing they are missing is the right to be NBA Champions.

And how was that best demonstrated last night? You could certainly argue the game's final moments. But, I prefer to dwell on the Western Conference trophy presentation. Sure, there were a few moments of jubilation allowed as Dirk showed the trophy to the fans.

But, as Mark Cuban and Rick Carlisle were being interviewed, the cameras caught Dirk first getting a blank stare on his face, and then saw him turn around, and leave the arena. Nobody understood where he was going when it happened. But, then it clicked. And it gave chills to anyone who has every pulled for that guy to get that title that drives him.

He was done with this moment. He was happy, but he wasn't interested in giving anyone the impression that his mission was accomplished. He was ready to move on. And he wasn't even going to wait for his coach to end his interview with ESPN.

Instead, he left. And his teammates didn't need anyone to instruct them what to do. They do what they have done this entire playoff. They followed their leader. In moments, the entire team had exited the stage. Even though they have days before they engage in the final battle of the war, they were heading back to the room to symbolically move on, too. It was a moment in time that will not be forgotten. It was the moment that best demonstrates how much Dirk has changed over the years. The unassuming fellow who just loves the sport has grown into the leader who is driven by victory and for the moment to personally vanquish his enemies. He has grown into that William Wallace figure that his detractors said he could never be.

Dirk said it last night. He has been this far before.

"We talked about it after the game. This is a great moment and we can enjoy it for a day. But, we got one of those trophies already and it didn't mean anything at the end. I think once you get to the Finals, there is no 2nd place finish. I was already thinking about the Finals. I'm going to stay in the moment, obviously. Like I said, this is nice for a day, but we said our goal in October was to win it all so we haven't done that yet."

The story has unfolded. 3 rounds of basketball have been completed. The Mavericks have won 12 of 15 games. They have won the series in a fashion that has allowed for rest between each round. They have taken all challengers. And they await their final opponent.

They are so close. They are so determined.

Their time is now.

Will the fairy tale have a happy ending? We will know very soon.

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