The Rematch... Mavericks vs Heat.... 2011 NBA Finals

 

2006 Finals MVP D-Wade

It all comes down to this.  2 teams highly who were scrutinized.  2 teams with elite players' legacies on the line.  2 teams with very similar paths to the Finals who are on a collision course to see who is best.  2 teams starving for a championship. 

In 2006, the world witnessed maybe the greatest Finals performance by an individual for 1 whole series when Dwayne Wade rallied Miami back from the dead in the 4th quarter of game 3 against a Dirk Nowitzki led Mavericks team that was up 2 games to none in the series with a 89 to 76 lead with 5 minutes left to play.  And much like he did last night to help LeBron & the Heat get passed Chicago when they were down 77 to 65 with 3:48 to play in the Eastern Conference Finals clincher, D-Wade did not conceive to losing, he took that game and more importantly the series over.  D-Wade would eventually lead the Miami Heat to the 1st & only NBA Championship.  Dirk, Jason Terry & Mark Cuban has let that missed opportunity haunt them for the last 5 years.  Now it's time for payback.  Now it's time for the Mavs to have their revenge, or is it?

Yes this Dallas team is different, but this Miami team has a new cast of characters as well.  From now up until the start of the Finals this Tuesday night, Mike McClendon & myself will give our opinions on how either 1 of these exciting teams can bring home the gold.   You got Wade, LeBron, Dirk, Kidd, Bosh, the Jet, the Matrix, Riley & Cuban all in one series.  It will be a star-studded event.  In the words of the great T.O... GET YOUR POPCORN READY!!!!

Haz Bey





The Heat is on...Charlie Murphy style!

   



 Blog by Mike McClendon

Don't Hurt'em

The Chi-town Stylistics are lacking a few backup singers while their lead man D. Rose is suffering from the bumming it up bug. The Bulls are probably one of the few teams that can match up defensively pretty well against the Miami Heat but the only problem is they can't score buckets against the Miami Heat. In game 1 of the East Finals the Bulls looked unstoppable and had the momentum and energy. Game 2 and 3 showed that it was just a facade, or was it? Miami has owned the Bulls on the boards and are shooting better percentage wise them the bulls from behind the arc and in the paint. The Bulls rely heavily on the their MVP Derrick Rose, rightfully so, but he can't beat them by himself. Allen Iverson proved that being a small guard and the best player on the floor for you team is not enough to get it done. They spent $85 Million on Booze, who spends that type of money on alcohol? I'm just saying. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are getting @#$%^ slapped Rick James style on Charlie Murphy by Christopher Bosh, where they do that at? I give much credit to the Dukes of Hazards Mr. James and D. Wade though, they have brought their A games in game 2 and 3. Mr. James showed his "clutchness" in Game 2 and Wade sparked two different runs in game 3 to keep the Heat on top. I mean all in all the series is definitely in the Heats favor but it can all be turned around if the Bulls can steal game 4 and go back to Chicago tied in the series. If Eddie Cane can get clean off Dope and sing "Nights like This..I wish..Raindrops will fall all all all" Then the Bulls can get there act together and take their show back home. Just Saying!





Young Guns Shoot Blanks

Blog by Mike McClendon





The Durantula

OKC tried to tie the Western Conference Finals match up with the Dallas Mavericks at 2 games a piece by playing balls to the wall for 4 quarters, just about. The Mavs fought hard in the last 5 minutes of the game to come back from a 15 point deficit in the 4th quarter to keep the game interesting and take it to overtime where they completely dominated the young pups of OKC. Dirk was Dirk and scored a BUNCH of points as usual and showed he is the most clutch German player that ever lived. Putting together a complete game now is a huge problem OKC, that is something they haven't done all series, even in their previous win in the series they were not able to put a full game together, they did just enough to get the W. In a pivotal game 4 the Thunder let their youthful attitude and abilities show-out in front of the home crowd. Thunder had more spring to their steps, they got to all loose balls and crashed the boards heavy. The Mavs look weak and slow, similar to what they made the Lakers look like in their previous series, but above all they couldn't find that three point rhythm they rely on heavily. When you live by the three you die by three. BUT, in the final 4 minutes of regualtion Dallas showed heart, gritt and determination and took the Thunder by storm, so to speak, no pun intended. KD and Westbrook showed their age in that 4th quarter and loss some clutch points by taking bad shots and committing bad turnovers. I think the true death of the Thunder is yet to come though, the Thunder winning in Dallas before gives the young and proven inexperience Thunder some confidence, if they can survive Game 4 loss. My recommendation to them is steal game 5 in Dallas and try to get to a game 7 in Dallas which is a tall task in itself. Just saying!

Dirk Diggler

McNabb Disrespected

Blog by Haz Bey

Mike Shanahan has absolutely no respect for Donovan McNabb.  I am totally OK with Mike thinking McNabb is not the quarterback he needs to win a Superbowl, but to constantly embarrassed the man day-in & day-out is an outrage.  McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in this league for a longtime.  Is he past his prime, yes, but by no means is he warranted with such disrespect.  Donovan will never lead a team to a Superbowl trophy, but he can still make a team competitive if surrounded by the right pieces.  Washington's pieces were flawed to say the least last season and McNabb suffered all the blame for it.  Mike Shanahan is a good football coach with two Superbowl rings, but anytime you say that Rex Grossman gives you the best chance to win, then you are completely insane.  Now the starting quarterback position is John Beck's to lose... WHO THE HELL IS JOHN BECK?  McNabb needs to walk in Shanahan's office once the lockout ends and pimp-smack the him in the face, literally with an ice-cold Colt 45 in the other hand.  Something has to give seriously.  I know Donovan won't go the route I suggested, but demand a trade at least man.  Don't just sit there and take that verbal abuse, get some help or something.  I can't wait to see how this story ends.

Phils' Aces Need Some Run Support

Blog by Haz Bey

Phillies are struggling at the Plate

The Philadelphia Phillies has the best pitching staff the MLB has seen since the '90s Atlanta Braves.  So there is no surprise that the Phillies have the best record currently in the NL.  So should Phillies' fans, like myself, have any concerns about this years Phillies?  Absolutely we should.  The Phils are struggling out the gate and are failing to score runs.  Scoring no more than 2 runs in all, but 1 game so far.  This is only putting more pressure on the starting pitching staff to basically pitch shut-out ball.  That's too much to ask for from batting line-up that is missing a former MVP in Ryan Howard and an elite ball player in Chase Utley.  Even an all-time pitching staff deserves 4 to 6 runs a game from their line-up.  Grant it, the Phils are legendary for having slow starts with this current group that has won 1 World Series Championship, 2 National League Titles & 5 straight NL East titles, but the Phillies need to let this terrific starting pitching staff of Halladay, Lee & Hamels play with a lead to oppose to just keeping the Phillies in the game.  This team has the ingredients to win another World Series Title, but they have to play better offensively to stay afloat until Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return to the line-up.  The Braves, Mets, Marlins & Nationals are all gearing up to end the Phillies reign on top the the NL East and if the Phillies can just change their approach at the plate from looking for big hits to playing small ball and manufacturing runs.  This team is older and do not have the "Pop" in their bats that they used to and haven't really had it for the last 2 years.  So it is Charlie Manuel's job to get these guys to put the ball in play rather than trying to smack balls out of the park.  Former MVP Jimmy Rollins must control the clubhouse and make sure everyone is buying in to Charlie Manuel's game plan.  The Phillies resume has been fantastic the last 5 years, but there is still more to accomplish with this group.  Lets just hope they can generate some offense to not fall too far behind the elite teams in the National League to give the city of Brotherly Love a fighting chance at another World Championship.

Can't blame the staff for their problems...

KOBE PRESS CONFERENCE SPOOF FROM FUNNYorDIE.com

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/5msa

Adjustment Bureau

What's up Doc

This time of year the Boston Celtics coach, Doc Rivers always has a lot on his mind. In recent years it's usually because his Celtics are on their way to the Conference Finals and are beating up teams on their way there. This year is a little different, they are down 2-0 to the Los Heat aka Miami Heat, home of the 3 Biggest Taco's, I mean the "Big Three".  This is unfamiliar waters to the defending Eastern Conference champs, only because after winning in 2008 they didn't have KG, Kevin Garnett, for 2009 and 2010 they lost Kendrick Perkins in the Finals. Fully healthy with the exception of the Big Aristotle, Shaquille O'Neal, the Celtics has taken two heavy blows to the mouth, no pun intended, one named D.Wade and the other named Mr. James. Doc needs to find a way to not only slow these dynamic players down but also generate some more offense for KG and Paul Peirce. With point guard Rajon Rondo running the show it shouldn't be that hard, yea right! Miami has the best perimeter defense and help side "D" in the playoffs right now and Doc is going to have to figure out a way to slow the game down to a half court game which would favor them over the heat and their 3 Amigos or 2 "Compadres", whatever the world calls them now a days. To me the Adjustment is to try to keep Miami out of transition by getting better offensive sets and shots. Defensively try to get better help side D and crowd James and Wade to make them shoot tough jump shots. But I'm no Doc, seriously.

Philly Phil

The Los Angeles Lakers are down 2-0 to the Dallas Mavericks. This is the first meeting in over 20 years between the two franchises in the playoffs. Not really important but some people like to hear those facts. The fact of the matter is they loss both games at home and are going to a Dallas arena that is going to be loud and excited for game 3. The Lakers have been in this hole before under Phil Jackson and won against the Spurs in 04' in 6 games and lost to the Suns in 07' in 5 games. The Lakers also were up 3-1 against the Suns in 06' and lost that series in 7 games so, there is hope. The problem is the Mavs are shooting the lights out and playing better than average Defense like they usually do. Also the Lakers are having "trust" issues on Defense as Laker Center Andrew Bynum said after game 2 blow out loss. The issue is the second unit and them not playing through Lamar Odom and Bynum on offense and their guarding nobody on defense. Phil has to find a good mix with his subs and maybe keep more of the first unit on the floor to match up with the Mavs explosive second unit. With out mad man Ron Ron Artest in Game 3 the Lake Show has a tall feat but it can be done. It Phil wants this to be his last stand then he better start standing his tall a$$ up and coach.

The Memphis Beat or ATL Stomp!

Josh Smith needs a big game

The Atlanta Hawks are one of a few surprises thus far in this years playoffs. Not only did they knock off Superman and his Marvel vs. Capcom team in the Orlando Magic, they are now in a real series with the MVP led Chicago Bulls. The night D. Rose received his award was game two, a game that was in Chicago and "EXPERTS" thought Chicago would be going for their second win in the series to take a 2-0 lead in the series but instead they were trying to get there first win of the series and tie it at 1-1

Jo Jo Dancer

The Hawks failed to be the Mavericks of the East and beat Chicago twice in a row in Chicago but still did what most teams want to do and that is get a split. Now going back to the ATL is going to be a great homecoming for them because not only are they tied in the series they have a chance to win both games at home and take a 3-1 lead in the series. Highly unlikely though, especially if they can't get the tough defensive guard and former Bull Kirk Hinrich back from injury. D. Rose hasn't been putting up stellar numbers but I'd be damned if you think Jamal Crawford or George Teague can guard him the rest of the series. I have to call it like I see it and say the Bulls pull it out and win the series. But, in the famous words of college football analyst Lee Corso, "It will be closer than the "EXPERTS" think"

Allen is playing great "D"

The biggest suprise in the playoffs right now is the Memphis grizzles. The 8th seeded Memphis grizzles. This isn't your dads grizzles with, Michal Dickerson, Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, Mike Bibby, Shareef Adur-Rahim, Lawrence Moten, yes he played there too. That team was also in Vancouver so you get the point. The "Grizz" knocked off the top seed overall in the San Antonio Spurs and did it in convincing fashion. Now the tall test ahead of them is the flashy, flamboyant, and maybe a little arrogant OKC thunder. Led by Kevin "Durantula" and Russell "arms are not brook let me shoot" Westbrook, the Thunder are a clear cut favorite in this matchup. But again to quote my man Corso, "Not so fast my Friend". The Grizz stole game 1 in OKC with a huge inside presemce from Zach "where the hell has your game been" Randolph and Marc "I am not my brothers keeper Gasol". Just like most people thought the Lakers would do after losing game 1 at home the Thunder showed there bottoms and beat the pants off the Grizz in game 2.

Hold the Mayo add the Juice

Confidence plays a huge part in Memphis success but it could be their downfall as well. ZeBo aka Zach Randolph opened his Jabroni eating pie hole after the game 1 win and told the world Thunder Center Kendrick Perkins can't guard him nor can anybody else. That's what losers say ZeBo when they are not use to winning. "SheesH" I have to admit though I really feel if they can split game again in Memphis or if the Grizz can when both home games they have a great shot of another upset. Also Russell "I cant feel my shoulders from all this shooting" Westbrook could be a deciding factor in the series. If he continues to take bad shots and turn it over then OKC will have to put everything on KD and that could be too much for him.

Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin

Blog by Haz Bey

Blake Griffin has blessed us all season long with some of the best highlights we have ever seen.  Blake along with LeBron James are the two most physically gifted athletes the NBA has ever had.  His game is so raw right now, but look at all the production he has giving the Clippers in his first true season.   He's a 20 & 10 guy that does not need the ball in his hand to make an impact.  He's a willing passer who can recognize where the double team is coming from & hit the open man.  Most of all he is a very humble superstar who is only going to get better & you know what, that is very, very scary for the rest of the league.

MVP Derrick Rose

Blog by Haz Bey

Derrick Rose has had a monster season & is very deserving of this year's NBA MVP award.  He has led the Bulls all the way to the league's best record.  No one in their right mind before the season started had picked the Bulls to have the best record, but with D-Rose playing out his mind, the Bulls are position to make it to their first NBA Finals since MJ wore the red & black #23 jersey.  Some think LeBron should have won it for a 3rd time.  To me LeBron had a better record with the Cavs for both MVP seasons with less talent compared to his newly formed powerhouse down in South Beach that finished 2nd to D-Rose's Bulls.  So congratulations D-Rose.  Now let's see if your MVP Trophy equates to a championship ring.