12/21/24
June 04, 2006
Cuban: For the first time in my life, I'm speechless: The Dallas Mavericks have made it the first finals since 1971 to have two first-time participants, leaving their owner with nothing to say, a first as well. So, will the Mavs wilt under the Heat? Or the other way around?
posted by donnnnychris to basketball at 02:46 AM - 31 comments
Avery has the Mavs geared up for the championship and Miama will wilt under their heat. Mavs in five!
posted by Husker79 at 08:29 AM on June 04, 2006
I think the Mavs will win it, but not being a fan of either team it will be fun to watch Wade and Nowitzki try to outdo the other each time down the floor. This going to be an exciting series. I hope it goes seven just for the extra games.
posted by seansterps at 08:35 AM on June 04, 2006
Anything that keeps Cuban speechless is good, as far as I am concerned.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 08:45 AM on June 04, 2006
Mavs in 5. they have too much firepower with Nowitski, Harris, and Terry all of whom can get to the hoop or shoot. Nowitski can also post up along with Dampier and make it tough down on the block
posted by bronxbomber at 09:13 AM on June 04, 2006
either way it should be a good series to watch so long as Miami plays as well as they did against Detroit. The better defensive team will always win it and both played great defense in their post season series so far. I still would like to see Dallas win it.
posted by dunesluvr63 at 11:05 AM on June 04, 2006
Seems to me the talk a month ago was the Pistons would run to a title uncontested. The Heat put that talk to rest and now the Mav's are the favorite to blow out the Heat. The way the season has gone, I wouldn't be surprised to see a seven game series with the biggest TV market comming out on top. Heat in seven
posted by mustang71 at 12:53 PM on June 04, 2006
biggest TV market comming out on top. so the knicks are going to come running out of the locker room to hit miami with folding chairs before, or after halftime?
posted by ninjavshippo at 01:00 PM on June 04, 2006
Diaw had a terrific game. 30 points, 11 rebounds, but his team still lost. Anyways, I dont think that it was a shock that the Mavs won, especially the way Dirk has been playing. I like Miami in the finals, but there's no clear favorite.
posted by redsoxrgay at 02:36 PM on June 04, 2006
Hey y'all...first post here for me, though I've been lurking for awhile now. : ) I've really enjoyed all the posts. Y'all are great! No one has brought up something that has been keeping me hungry for a Dallas/Miami Finals. A little while back, Shaq made a lot of noise publicly about how poor a player Dampier was. Damp just let it roll off his back and did not take the bait, but for those of us who are die-hard Mavs fans - we haven't forgotten! I would SO love to be courtside when the Mavs wrap the series to see the smile Damp sends Shaq's way as he prepares to hoist the NBA Championship trophy while Shaq can only watch from the sidelines. To be fair, I have noticed that lately Shaq has started shutting up and putting up, but these are the Dallas Mavericks and he has nothing but a very bad time in store for him and his team now. Check the earlier regular season match-ups between the two teams. Dallas in five - gonna finally win the title and they're gonna do it at home. (the only reason I don't say Dallas in four is that they have won every series this year on the other team's home court....they gotta be really tired of that happening and not being able to celebrate with their home fans. 1am in the airport is just not the same! LOL!) Also - a quick nod to both the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs. Between those two and the Mavs, I honestly believe that ANY of them could have made it to the Finals and had they done so ANY of them would be deserving of the chance. The West is definitely the Creme de la Creme imho.
posted by Daddy Crush at 04:55 PM on June 04, 2006
Both teams have great rosters...but I'm going to have to lean toward Miami in this series. I've always liked Avery Johnson and think he's a great coach. But I can't dismiss Pat Riley's track record. He doesn't play the head games Phil Jackson plays, but he is a master motivator. Gotta go with the wily old veteran over the rookie coach.
posted by forrestv at 06:12 PM on June 04, 2006
Shaq, all but put critics to rest against Detroit.....I thought, he is the big Aristotle! The baddest man on the planet. Not only will they win this year but here comes a dynasty! He has (a) great coach, fans, teammates, and size advantage. The "sexy" pick would be Big-D, but something tells me we are all in for an epic. HEAT in 4.....maybe 5!
posted by BigSpizznizzle at 06:41 PM on June 04, 2006
don't forget Josh Howard. Mavs always make it hard on themselves when they're up so this could go the full 7
posted by evereternal at 08:05 PM on June 04, 2006
Cuban speechless? I just saw the cow jump over the moon.
posted by dbt302 at 09:41 PM on June 04, 2006
Well, he's not entirely speechless. Even better, he's very classy (by his standards) in the "hats off" and "thank yous". Watching as much live ball as I do in a year, I don't get to watch much NBA ... but I have tuned in during these last two rounds. That said, I'm going to pick the Heat ... but this it's gonna take six games to do it. The Mavs have got a couple wins in 'em for sure (maybe even a third). But as Cuban brings up in his blog, between Riley and Shaq the Mavs combined don't have as much playoff experience. That, and I've been a Riley fan since way back in the day ... "shoot 'em up and sleep in the streets!" Should be a fun series to watch!
posted by Spitztengle at 11:59 PM on June 04, 2006
Hey Daddy Crush- good first post. Glad you're hear, stick around and keep posting now that you've de-lurked. :) I'm leaning towards a Miami win, but I do think the Mavs are a little deeper in talent and bench. Not much, but enough they may be able to pull this out. I'm expecting a bunch of close games, as opposed to alternating blowouts... should be a good series, in any event!
posted by hincandenza at 12:36 AM on June 05, 2006
Cuban speechless. THANK GOD. I didn't like hearing anything that came out of his sorry ass mouth anyways.
posted by The Toz at 12:47 AM on June 05, 2006
Alright, I'll say it: I'm a huge fan of Mark Cuban, both as an owner and as an opinionated fan. Like him or hate him, he always has the health of the league (and of course the Mavs) at heart, and he understands the concept of hype. Same goes for Shaq. They both know exactly what they have to do, and what makes good copy. May neither of them ever shut up. Ever.
posted by chicobangs at 01:07 AM on June 05, 2006
Well said chicobangs. I enjoy Cuban, he's a breath of fresh air in the stuffy world of professional team ownership. Half the stuff he says about the refs everybody else wishes they could say as well. Most of the time he's pretty close to being right on, it's just you never, ever hear owners say what he says. I think it's fun. As for Shaq, his resurgence has been fun to watch. He's playing like he did in L.A. and if he continues, I find it hard to think the Heat won't come out on top in the finals. I'm saying six games (seems to be the trendy pick) but if Shaq falters then all bets are off. This is going to be the most entertaining finals in quite a while. It should be exciting.
posted by donnnnychris at 01:27 AM on June 05, 2006
On the subject of Cuban being speechless, just a brief aside, why is it that when you become an owner or player etc. you lose the right to free speech? I understand that when I was in the Army we had to maintain good discipline but I don't see the need in pro sports. I can understand fines or suspensions for in-game incedents but why is it guys get fined for badmouthing refs and league officials after the game?
posted by kyrilmitch_76 at 06:13 AM on June 05, 2006
kyrilmitch-the NBA predetermines who wins these games/series. if anyone one person draws too much attention to the piss-poor officiating, someone in a high profile enough position might get hip to what's going down. so they fine them to shut them up. NBA has become no better than WWE, the only difference being, at least WWE admits their fights are predetermined....
posted by ksb122 at 08:14 AM on June 05, 2006
FINALLY! Cuban's near ONE BILLION dollar investment will pay some dividends.Now, about 245 more trips to the NBA Finals and about 200 titles and he just may break even! You have to like the guy though... anyone who has so much cash that he can say whatever he wants, regardless of the pending fine from the commish.
posted by FtheRedSux at 08:15 AM on June 05, 2006
Mark Cuban, for those who love a great cigar Cubans are still the best... And Mark is just like one of those genuiune Cubans, a breathe of fresh air. Avery is like his mini me in spirit. I favor the Mavs. However, if Shaq continues to play the way he has and if Payton and Walker can maintain their Pat Riley induced team oriented attitude and if Posey can defend, the Heat will be hard to beat. Home court will make a difference in this one because of the inexperience on both sides. Mavs in 6 their backcourt is too fast and tough. Howard will do as good as job as anybody defending and posting Wade. It will be a road victory that determines the winner. Mark Cuban keep blowing that great air, its fresh, surprisingly sensible and very entertaining...He was probably breathless.
posted by Sputnik at 08:49 AM on June 05, 2006
Lets get Mark Cuban a win so he can move on in the sports world and take over my pitiful Pittsburgh Pirates. He has spoke of it before and is a Pittsburgh guy. We would love to have someone to spend a few buck. Maybe give steinbrenner some competition.
posted by Debo270 at 09:39 AM on June 05, 2006
I am officially supporting "The luckiest dickhead in the world" and his Mavs. Mostly because I think Disco Dirk is the third best player in the NBA - and I didn't realize it until this past series. He's friggin' unbelievably better now, and is only eclipsed by Kobe and Lebron. I think Wade is a close fourth.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:11 AM on June 05, 2006
I like Cuban, but this comment from his blog rankles me: " There is an old saying, Those who can, do. Those who can’t, are usually commentators telling as many people as will read, watch or listen why they think someone else who is actually trying to accomplish something, can’t. " He should lose the chip on his shoulder about the mainstream media coverage the Mavs have received over the years. From my perspective, I think the team has been one of the darlings of the media since they embraced the run-and-gun style with Nash, Nowitzki and Finley, because it was an antidote to the half-court rugby match most teams were playing at the time. I think the Mavs take this series in 5 or 6, but the Heat and Shaq are clearly better than I thought before the postseason. So maybe we're in for a thriller.
posted by rcade at 10:18 AM on June 05, 2006
I can't see how Udonis Haslem is going to stop Dirk Diggler. He'll average 35-40 for the series. Shaq will get his 25/10. The wildcard is Wade- can the Mavs stop him like they did Nash in the late games in that series? If they can (maybe with Howard?), this is a short series; if they can't, Heat in 6-7.
posted by tieguy at 10:32 AM on June 05, 2006
I like Cuban, its good to see an owner so into his product rather than a faceless company only concerned with the bottom line. It's really going to suck when the teams start getting renamed after banks and cable companies. This series is going to be so hard to predict lots of matchup problems on both sides. I think tieguy hit on the biggest matchup Howard vs Wade. Shaq will do his Shaq thing and manning up on Dirk is a fuggin' nightmare but if Wade can be contained I like the Mavs.
posted by HATER 187 at 10:42 AM on June 05, 2006
I'm just happy this isn't a Pistons-Spurs year again. Not a lot of people gave either Dallas or Miami a lot of respect because of the aforementioned Pistons and Spurs, but both of these teams were obviously hungrier this year. Should be a good series, but I can't figure out who to back.
posted by sublime4390116 at 10:56 AM on June 05, 2006
Oh, 'who to back' is easy. If you've been a Heat fan, you're a Heat fan, otherwise, you probably have to be a Mavs fan. Mostly because of the luckiest dickhead in the world, as Weedy said.
posted by tieguy at 01:52 PM on June 05, 2006
" There is an old saying, Those who can, do. Those who can’t, are usually commentators telling as many people as will read, watch or listen why they think someone else who is actually trying to accomplish something, can’t. " He was probably talking about himself, since he usually only talks to reporters through email and loves to blog. I think too many people take Cuban a lot more seriously than he takes himself. Go MAVS!
posted by graymatters at 03:20 PM on June 05, 2006
absolutely NOT!!!!