[Cody Dawg]

Of course the Miami Heat deserve to win. Wade is coming out as nothing short of a Michael Jordan in-the-making. He was brilliant on Sunday night and he's definitely the MVP.

Who else is watching the finals?

I loved this article about how the Mavericks are acting like losers, including Mark Cuban, Nowitski, and their coach Avery Johnson. What a lack of class...can't they lose graciously? No, apparently not. Nowitski even kicked a ball up into the stands that hit a guy in the face. What a loser.

I love basketball and the Heat are making Florida proud.

GO MIAMI!

[Dakar]

It's a little late to ask that question.

Edit: I'm not a Mavericks fan, but they have every right to be upset about how that game ended -- that said, they had planty of opportunity for none of that to affect the outcome. Bottom line: After tip-off tonight they shouldn't mention it again.

[Cody Dawg]

Why?

They didn't have ANY right to be upset and the way they acted afterwards was childish and immature...kicking a ball up into the stands and hitting someone is acceptable? C'mon! The Mavs are the ones who yelled "Time Out" after the first free throw and screwed themselves over on that call...they can't accept responsibility for that either.

As far as fouls called, the Heat could blather on forever about supposed fouls - yet they don't.

The Heat played a great second half. First half wasn't good (and O'Neal was sure disappointing - especially his "free" throws) but the second half was a riveting game. Payton was great with a couple of shots and Wade was a star.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

They didn't have ANY right to be upset

COnsidering a few irregularities, I think they have every right to call them into question.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

and the way they acted afterwards was childish and immature...kicking a ball up into the stands

Yup. Dirk threw a grade D hissy fit.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

and hitting someone is acceptable?

Proof pls?

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

They're the ones who yelled "Time Out" after the first free throw and screwed themselves up.

That's one of the points of contention!

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

As far as fouls called, the Heat could blather on forever about supposed fouls - yet they don't.

The calls have been falling their way at home. Earlier when Shaq was beng given no room to operate, a very different story.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

The Heat played a great second half. First half wasn't good (and O'Neal was sure disappointing - especially his "free" throws) but the second half was a riveting game. Payton was great with a couple of shots and Wade was a star.

After Game 2, I noted that Wade had yet to live up to any of the respect the media gives him (as far as the series was concerned). His output the last 3 games has been almost legendary. (And yes, nice to see Payton earn his pay)

[scaught]

ill give it up to the heat. they came and played through detroit like they wanted it. detroit really phoned it in in that series. wade is amazing, i hate him so much.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by scaught

detroit really phoned it in in that series.

An injured Rasheed Wallace and absolutely worthless head coach had a little bit to do with that one.

[Ghoser777]

Childish? Sure. It is pretty amazing how everything seems to have started going the Heat's way since the game 3 debacle. I still think that the Mavs are the better team, so we'll see if they can calm down and get back to work. The hardest thing about sports is to live with lousy refereeing calls - they're only human, but sometimes they decide the game instead of the players. I still hate John Starks, especially because of those three foul shots he got off the touch foul from Pippen at the end of Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.

[Dakar]

The Mavs are a better team. But what Wade has is intangible, as he clearly has shown. Also, Dirk is M.I.A.

[Cody Dawg]

Well, we'll see what they all serve up tonight, won't we?

[Dakar]

I totally own this thread.

[Cody Dawg]

Why? Are you going to say that when the Heat win the finals?



I'll make sure that we send Avery Johnson, Dirk, and Mark Cuban a pacifier when they lose.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Why? Are you going to say that when the Heat win the finals?



I'll make sure that we send Avery Johnson, Dirk, and Mark Cuban a pacifier when they lose.

Where did I claim any affiliation?

That's right, you're reading into things, as usual.

Oh yeah, where's the article that claims Dirk's kicked ball hit someone?

[Cody Dawg]

Uh, about Dirk The Jolly Green Giant kicking the ball into the stands?

READ the Miami Herald article that I linked to and...

it was all over the news?

He was fined $5000 for it also.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Uh, about Dirk The Jolly Green Giant kicking the ball into the stands?

READ the Miami Herald article that I linked to and...

it was all over the news?

He was fined $5000 for it also.

Ok, there we go, reportedly hit a fan in the head. I hadn't seen anything about that on ESPN. I did know about the fine, though. Thanks, anyway.

Edit: Yup, ESPN says nothing about a fan being reportedly hit.

[iREZ]

dwyane wade is ridiculous good...

for somebody to be that good and have such a level head on his shoulder goes to show how good a player he really is.

imma bulls fan, and a lil bitter bout my team losing to miami...but im still definitely rooting for miami to win.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by iREZ

dwyane wade is ridiculous good...

for somebody to be that good and have such a level head on his shoulder goes to show how good a player he really is.

imma bulls fan, and a lil bitter bout my team losing to miami...but im still definitely rooting for miami to win.

They're certainly the more amiable team.

For some reason it struck me this morning how soft-spoken and humble Riley has become. 20 years without a ring will do that to you of course, but I honestly believe he's more concerned with fulfilling the promise he made when he took control of the Heat years ago. The rest is just icing.

[tavilach]

Avery Johnson is a prick.

Q. Are you upset at all that Jason Terry did not drive on the last shot of regulation and maybe try to get a foul there?

AVERY JOHNSON: You know, he was kind of in between right there, pretty much his shot. We've seen it go in quite a bit. Didn't have much time to work with, so when he caught it, he was kind of in between right there.

Q. Do you feel like the free throws cost you the game at the end?

AVERY JOHNSON: The free throws cost us the game?

Q. I'm asking you.

AVERY JOHNSON: You know, obviously they are free and, you know, we normally make them. So we had two or three at that point that didn't go in for us. It's kind of disappointing. But I don't know if that's why we lost the game.

Q. Can you talk about having to win two to win a championship now?

AVERY JOHNSON: Well, we just need to focus on one. That's what we've done a good job of all year. It will be good to get a little home cooking.

Q. What was your impression of Wade's drive to the basket when he got the free throws?

AVERY JOHNSON: You tell me. What was your impression?

Q. Unfortunately nobody cares about my impression.

AVERY JOHNSON: No, you tell everybody here. You tell us. What was your impression?

Q. My impression was he got two free throws out of it.

AVERY JOHNSON: No, that's -- all right. That's a political answer. So let me ask you the question again. What was your impression on that play? We're waiting.

Q. Did he get fouled?

AVERY JOHNSON: I'm asking you the question. What was your impression?

Q. I don't know what to say. What do you want me to say?

AVERY JOHNSON: No, I want you to give everybody an honest answer. We have people from Israel and Minnesota, Chicago, all over, Dallas, Germany.

Q. I'll follow up with another question if that's all right.

AVERY JOHNSON: Yeah, well, go ahead.

Q. The --

AVERY JOHNSON: Don't stutter.

Q. The free throw issue, the time-out at the end, I'm still confused, was it supposed to be called after the first one?

AVERY JOHNSON: Pretty much most people who have ever been involved in the NBA for 20, 30 years, no, we wouldn't want one anyway with only one time-out anyway.

So we were pretty dumbfounded that that couldn't get relayed.

Q. You said it was assumed that you wanted a time-out after the second one, was it assumed by one of your players or by one of the referees?

AVERY JOHNSON: No, we gave the signal, second free throw, time-out, and we'll have to look at the replay. One of our players was saying time-out. I said, yeah, after the second one. So -- but that's not -- that's not, you know, the game. There are a lot of other situations that we're disappointed with.

It was worse to watch that interview. Such a prick. He totally humiliated that reporter, who would have been fired if he had given his own opinion on the matter. It's his job to get Avery's opinion, never to present his own.

I also shudder to think about what Avery did to Josh Howard after the game. Some form of sodomy, perhaps. Avery was pissed, but he's the one who miscommunicated, and therefore that timeout was his fault, not Howard's fault and not the referee's fault (as he states in that interview).

[quesera]

I was disappointed with the way Avery Johnson went from being a classy guy on the rise, despite being affiliated with that Cuban spaz, to showing such a total lack of composure in the face of adversity. Even Dirk had my respect before the end of game 5 tantrums. As a San Antonio Spurs fan, I certainly felt the same bitter taste over the officiating in the Spurs-Mavs series, but as seems to be the party line with the Spurs, we should never put ourselves in the position to where it comes down to a call or a non-call. Dallas had the firepower and the opportunity to win, and they haven't in three games. We'll see what happens tonight. And yeah, I like that Wade kid, he plays phenomenonally, and he seems to be appropriately modest about it. Not too whiny, not too ghetto, not too egomaniacal. Go Heat.

[lavar78]

Above all else, I just want to see Alonzo Mourning win a title. He's probably the most charitable basketball player—indeed, one of the most charitable pro athletes—alive. He's also a living testament to the value of hard work and determination. It's really sad the kidney ailment hit him in the prime of his career.

[Dakar]

Heat 2006 NBA Champions. Congrats Wade, Riley, & Shaq (You too, Zo).

[exca1ibur]

Great game. D Wade MVP? Ya think? LOL

[Ghoser777]

Wow... I can't believe Dwayne missed those two free throws - thought the Mavs were set at that point. Heat played a great game defensively.

[Ozmodiar]

Dwyane Wade is my hero. I love that guy. Go Heat!

[jaydon34]

man Mourning made some power plays. Those blocks were just plain crazy

[IceEnclosure]

[Dakar]

Zo knew he could give every single ounce he had left in the tank.

[d4nth3m4n]

goddamn i love watching wade play. he's the future. goddamn.

[Dakar]

God help the league next year, when he learns the 3.

[lavar78]

He doesn't need the 3. That shot stunted Kobe's growth for a few seasons.

Zo was magnificent! That was the best-case scenario for me. He was the best player on the court for a long stretch in the 3rd quarter! He may be a backup, but no one can say he didn't do his part to earn the championship. I'm glad Hubie admitted they were better with Zo than Shaq tonight. Way to go, Zo!

[Cody Dawg]

I enjoyed watching Payton. I loved that guy back when I was living in Seattle and he played for the Sonics. He and Dana Barros were awesome together.

GO HEAT...YEAHHHHH!

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by lavar78

He doesn't need the 3. That shot stunted Kobe's growth for a few seasons.

The three is valuable. Few realize the wisdom to not use it just as valuable. I think he can do that.

Edit: Great heartfelt speech by Zo.

[Cody Dawg]

I just wanted to say that the Dallas fans were classless when they booed the Heat accepting the championship trophy. What losers.

Avery Johnson was gracious in concession speeches afterwards, though; I decided that we all have to cut Johnson some slack because he's working for such an a$$hole (that would be the owner of the team)...Mark Cuban's histrionics during the game were just over the top...that guy is a total clown.

[Dakar]

I like Cuban. He's more of a fan than an owner. Sometimes that means he runs at the mouth, but at the end of the day, you know he'd committed to that team in a way many owners aren't.

[Cody Dawg]

He has a personality disorder and his comments directed towards Stern and the NBA in general were tasteless and immature. Furthermore, he went into the last game with negative energy and I honestly think that his diatribes and negative energy led his team to a loss. Contrast him with Pat Riley, a class act and in control of himself, and you see what a loser he is - for him and his team. His team didn't deserve that negative input, that's for sure.

[lavar78]

Originally Posted by Dakar

The three is valuable. Few realize the wisdom to not use it just as valuable. I think he can do that.

I don't disagree. However, it shouldn't be more than a small part of his game. Wade is a player who needs to go to the basket and attack. He'll get plenty of old-fashioned 3-point plays.

Edit: Great heartfelt speech by Zo.

Agreed. Love that guy.

I also like Mark Cuban. He's like a goofy Al Davis. It's fine as long as he's the only maverick (pun intended) owner.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

He has a personality disorder and his comments directed towards Stern and the NBA in general were tasteless and immature.

I'd have to hear which ones. One of the reasons I like Cuban is because a lot of times, he says what everyone else is already thinking.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Furthermore, he went into the last game with negative energy and I honestly think that his diatribes and negative energy led his team to a loss.

I think loosing two close game and being under the gun killed the teams will and confidence, and that led to the loss.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Contrast him with Pat Riley, a class act and in control of himself, and you see what a loser he is - for him and his team. His team didn't deserve that negative input, that's for sure.

Apples & Oranges. Further, they're in two completely different positions.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by lavar78

I don't disagree. However, it shouldn't be more than a small part of his game. Wade is a player who needs to go to the basket and attack. He'll get plenty of old-fashioned 3-point plays.

Oh yeah. The finals showed what his M.O. will be.

[Cody Dawg]

"Oh yeah?"

Dakar, that's why he's been fined $250,000 by the NBA today? 1.6 MILLION in total? Yeah, that guy exercises a LOT of self control.

You're a smart guy, Dakar. Do some homework and read the news and figure out what your boy said on your own. There was a reason why he's been fined and he's been ridiculed on all the networks and media outlets. He is his own team's biggest liability.

[tavilach]

The Heat are a real team. Shaq was explaining that they all hang out together, that he is great friends with Zo, etc. Wade's humility has kept this team together.

While I lived in LA for 7 years, and only lived near Miami for 4, Kobe can bite me.

And like others, I'm thrilled that Zo finally won a ring .

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

"Oh yeah?"

Dakar, that's why he's been fined $250,000 by the NBA today? 1.6 MILLION in total? Yeah, that guy exercises a LOT of self control.

Don't think I claimed he did. And let's face it, they fine him so much because they know they can.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

You're a smart guy, Dakar. Do some homework and read the news and figure out what your boy said on your own.

Sorry, I won't do your work for you. If you wanna make claims, then you can back them up.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

There was a reason why he's been fined and he's been ridiculed on all the networks and media outlets.

Ridiculed? Perhaps in the media outlets of NBA cities. However, if you watch ESPN (PTI), you'll find many people like him and/or respect him. That doesn't mean they think he never does wrong.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

He is his own team's biggest liability.

Far from it. He publicly and financially goes to bat for his team, and loves all of them like the fans in the first row to the last. I'd take a Mark Cuban over a James Dolan everyday of the week.

[Cody Dawg]

Go play ball somewhere else, Dakar. You're a poor excuse for a poster in this thread with your baseless comments and inability to back up your own arguments.

[Cody Dawg]

Here is a comment about Mark Cuban from his own blog (it's obvious he has a grade school command of English language and grammar in it) and you can tell what a class act he is (NOT) in it:

Last night in the locker room after we lost in overtime to the heat. I was asked by reporters to answer some questions. I told them i would if they asked good questions and didnt ask the same cliche’d questions they had asked after other games. It was interesting how quiet everyone got.

then someone asked “Is this your worst loss ever” . What the **** kind of question is that ? Is this for a VH1 special ? “Worst Losses Ever ?” If it was, then maybe it was a decent question. Otherwise, how do you answer that question…

Let me think. Well we have never been to the finals before, and this is our most recent finals lost. The 3rd in a row. So that could make it the Mavs worst ever. There was a baseball game I played in where I hit the ball into the gap and some guy made a diving catch to end the game instead of me driving in the winning runs and winning the tournament. I cried in the dugout after that one. There have been some tough rugby losses. Am I supposed to get this reporter a thought out answer and catalog my past, or a catalog answer like “this was a tough one… yadda yadda, that sounds like every other answer ever given to this type of question after a lost game.

The reality is that it would be a waste of both of our time if i gave him the “this was a tough one” answer, and a waste of my time to really think about it. Particularly given there were 10 other reporters wanting to ask questions and we had a bus to catch

So I told the reporter to “Ask me a real ****ing question”


Apparently some folks have taken exception to me cursing in my response. Well in this case, the reporter was using my time, we were in a locker room and I was trying to provide a response that had no value to me, but could only help him. If he doesnt think enough of either of our time to invest the brainpower and minutes it takes to come up with something different than has been asked a thousand times.

**** em.

Somehow, I don't think you'd EVER see world class coaches or gracious team owners saying something like that...think Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Lenny Wilkins.

Granted, he doesn't have the same position as Riley, but Cuban routinely puts himself in a coaching position by his very public performances (think histrionics) and his level of involvement with the team.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Go play ball somewhere else, Dakar. You're a poor excuse for a poster in this thread with your baseless comments and inability to back up your own arguments.

Nice try to turn it around on me, but you mentioned Cuban first. You're the one making baseless comments and failing to back them up.

Nothing new there.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Here is a comment about Mark Cuban from his own blog (it's obvious he has a grade school command of English language and grammar in it) and you can tell what a class act he is (NOT) in it:

I have no idea where the grade school dig comes from. I don't see what is grammatically wrong with his post.

Is he bitter? Oh yes. Like I said, he's more of a fan than an owner.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Somehow, I don't think you'd EVER see world class coaches or gracious team owners saying something like that...think Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Lenny Wilkins.

Again, Apples & Oranges. Good coaches are supposed to be calm under pressure. Fans get excited. I think that contrast is well played out here (Allow to state that I think cursing at the reporter is entirely unneccessary).

Cuban's fatal flaw is his emotion. But that's what a lot people love about him. His enthusiasm. Higher highs, lower lows.

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Granted, he doesn't have the same position as Riley, but Cuban routinely puts himself in a coaching position by his very public performances (think histrionics) and his level of involvement with the team.

You have an interesting interpretation of what a coach does, then.

[Cody Dawg]

Cuban's fatal flaw is his emotion?



Yeah, you got that right: He's a woman trapped in a man's body.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Ok, there we go, reportedly hit a fan in the head. I hadn't seen anything about that on ESPN. I did know about the fine, though. Thanks, anyway.

Edit: Yup, ESPN says nothing about a fan being reportedly hit.

He kicked it into the stands.

Where do the people sit?

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Cuban's fatal flaw is his emotion?



Yeah, you got that right: He's a woman trapped in a man's body.

I thought he was gay for a while. Apparently he's married.

[Cody Dawg]

Okay, you got me to laugh, Dakar.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Kevin

He kicked it into the stands.

Where do the people sit?

In their cars, going home.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Okay, you got me to laugh, Dakar.

I wasn't trying to. I was being serious.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Dakar

In their cars, going home.

Got a link showing that is where they were?