Blakewilder said:
WHAT IS UP WITH THIS THREAD???? Why can't we keep at least some trash talking going??? Is Dallas that boring?????? HEAT IN 6
Hahaha. Okay, so THATS what you want.
Okay then.
The matchups of this series are an absolute clusterfuck from Miami. I don't even know where to begin. You've got either Posey or Haslem trying to guard the most un-guard-able player in the playoffs, Mr Nowitzki. Not gonna happen without double teams (which help open up Dallas's O). Dallas has several athletic types they can send at Wade, (Josh Howard, Adrian Griffin and Marquis Daniels), and Shaniulle O'Queal (Erick Dampier, DeSagana Diop and DJ Mbenga after game 4), and can create even worse matchups with their endless flexibility in lineups, that will even further disrupt what kind of lineup Miami can send out on the court. For example, if Dallas runs with Van Horn (frickin hate him) and Dirk down low, that brings Shaq daddy out of the lane on D. And Mourning? Heh, well, he would have to watch with that lineup on the court, rendering him useless. They have unbelievable talent at the guards, and have plenty of guys that go to the hole, and plenty of SCORERS when Miami makes the mistake of double-teaming that one guy, you know, the 7'1" guy that hits fadeaway's like Parquay, and a shot that is realesed from behind his head, in other words, indefesnible. Dallas likes when teams DT Dirk. He'll just hit anyfugginway, and that sends an extra rebounder to the boards, or it creates huge problems with the slashers and shooters left open. If Miami double teams Dirk, they will be one pass away everytime. And Dallas WILL make that extra pass. Extremely patient team out of a DT. AJ preaches being methodical. He makes sure they take advantage of this everytime.
So riddle me this. How does Antoine "Gumby" Walker, stay in front of Josh Howard? (BTW, interesting tidbit, when Howard scores 20 or more, Dallas is 25-0) This is the absolute WORST one I see off the top of my head, and I doubt Riles will stay with that, having to prolly switch Posey (another Eastern Conf speeder ((LMAO))) over to him, which puts Walker on Splashhouse (yikes). This is a clusterfuck. The whole thing. Then they use Haslem (like his effort), and Walker both in the power Forward slots, which once again, benefits Dallas and their pace. This Dallas team was built to play anyone at any pace, but I dont see them having much problems with setting the pace wherever they want it in this series. And then there is that Jason terry guy.
He makes a FEW a game.
In 1995, had this matchup happened, I would say that Miami had a reasonably good chance at winning this thing. But the way they call the game these days, and the way theyve made it if you look at a person too hard, it's a foul, I just don't see it. If they could play '95 Magic type of O with Shaq backing everyone down the whole time, maybe. But that won't work in 2006, the whole Heat frontcourt would be fouled out before halftime. And speaking of free throws, check each teams ft %.
Some people are buying the hype that Haslem can guard Dirk. This makes me laugh. Nothing against Yudonis, but shit, what CAN you do to Dirk? One piece of advice, don't call Dirk a bitch and blow him a kiss (see game 4 DAL-PHO series) like Tim Thomas did. Thats a good way to get 50 hung on your ass. Haslem has good size, good heart, and good attitude, but sometimes, it just comes down to skill. Dirk quicker than he looks (because of his extreme length), you'll see what I mean when he goes to the hoop if Haslem has him.
I know Shaq is Shaq. And Wade is Wade. But the rest are role players. And their is no team better at having their guys step up and fill 'roles', than the one across the court from Miami in this one. Shaq will get his, but expect him to be double quite often, then Dal recovering to defend against basket cuts/drives. Duncan was able to get his (and Shaq will still get some), but they (Spurs) have a fuggin arsenal of 3pt specialists. Miami does not. Dallas could not double Duncan like they wanted to. And Howard will be able to least somewhat slow down wade. (Although, he is indeed, a badass)
Hell, I guess I could have said simply (if all you wanted wash trash talk), "No team that has A. Walker in their starting five will ever win a 'ship." (Or Posey, or Haslem, Or White Chocolate, LMAO) I'm just hoping he takes HALF as many ill-advised three's as he did when he played for our Mavs.
'Grats to the heat for making it this far, and grats to them knocking off a Detroit team falling apart at the seams (since game 3 when Detroit Pistons were playing Lebron James, or I guess, since about 20 games left in the season), but this is where the rainbow ends.
Good luck, Heat fans. You'll need it, some pepto, and some excedrin for this one.
:rock:
