I guess you could say I “pulled a Cuban” by not writing about the NBA playoffs until the very last game. The playoffs was just too darn entertaining that I stopped analyzing games, matchups and plays and predicting stuff that I just sat back and enjoyed the show… and what a show it was.
The Bulls was a pleasant surprise this year although there won’t be a parade along Wacker Drive this year. In the end, they proved that the current team has too many weaknesses that can be exploited by a team with the right personnel. They proved that Derrick Rose still has a lot to learn despite winning the league MVP award. They proved that Boozer was useless in both offense and defense but we already knew that a couple of months ago. It would be interesting how the management will tweak the existing roster by adding another dependable scorer especially with only a handful of free agent shooting guards available.
Of course the Bulls loss also meant the other end of the double whammy Easter Conference Final result, the Heat won. Not only that, they did so convincingly. They rolled over Boston with ease that they even gained momentum entering the ECF and the Bulls ran right into a LeBron who was hitting shots all over the court (literally). I don’t like the Heat at all this year especially with how the team was formed but I give credit where credit is due and LeBron looked like the real deal during that series. It was scary to believe that LeBron has an on switch for greatness, that LeBron has finally developed that killer instinct and that 2 superstars, a not so superstar, a couple of washed up players and some statues could beat a traditional ten man team – a theory that was going to be tested again when the Mavs finally let Westbrook self destruct en route to the Western Conference championship.
I picked the Mavs to win in 7 in the Finals. The formula I had in mind was for them to win one of the first two games in Miami, win two of the three games in Dallas then win one more in Miami. Doable but difficult considering Miami has never lost at home during the first three rounds. The Mavs is almost a complete opposite of the Bulls where anyone can score and they play a good zone defense and it’d be interesting if the Heat winning formula would still work. I also predicted that the Finals MVP will be the elephant in the room and that James will try to do too much since winning the championship but not the finals MVP will further cement him as Wade’s sidekick.
Fast forward to today. A perfectly likable Mavs team won the whole thing in 6. Stojakovic, Dirk, Terry, Marion, Kidd, Barea, Haywood, Stevenson and Brian Cardinal are going to get championship rings. You really have to give it to them as they fought back after a backbreaking game 1 loss. The formula above was correct. The Mavs kept tweaking their roster until they found the right combination and the Heat counter was too little too late. The Finals MVP no longer mattered and as we’re still hearing in the news two days later – LeBron LeChoked again, multiple times. Even during the post game interview of game 6 when one reported asked LeBron if he choked, he was shocked by the question then quickly redirected and pointed the question to Wade. Even when answering a question about choking, he choked and passed it on to Wade.
What happened to LeBron? Everyone who followed the playoffs had their own valid explanation on what happened. Whenever my brother and my nephews play basketball and it comes down to “crunch time”, I only do one of two things: (1) post up and shoot a jump hook or (2) shoot a long quick three. Maybe that’s it. Maybe he doesn’t have a reliable go to move. Kobe has that fadeaway. Pierce has that stepback jumper. Dirk has that one leg fadeaway. Rose has that lefty spin into a weird hook. The construction worker across the street has an unguardable up and under move. LeBron is just fast and athletic. Maybe that’s it. It’s like each kitchen gadget has its own specialty except for this LeBron-like steel gadget which can only do one thing – be metal.
In the end, we were treated to a very memorable 2011 NBA playoffs. The young heroes lost but have gained experience. The villains were thwarted, repelled but not killed. An old hero (who I didn’t even pick would get past the 1st round) won it all but we’re almost certain he won’t be back next year making next year’s sequel even more interesting.
This is of course, barring a lockout… oops, I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t want to jinx it.
Personally, I enjoyed the playoffs like a good cheesy sports movie and I got to watch every game with Jaye who had to go through me teaching her every aspect of the NBA from the magical traveling calls to the art of fouling people without really fouling.
At the end of the day, yeah he's right. I still have the same problems and I'll go back doing the things I do but everything just feels better. A LOT better.
