Heated Playoff Run
So, I'm not the biggest basketball fan in the world (far from it, actually) but Dwyane Wade's MVP performance in the NBA playoffs deserves mentioning. For all those who've been more focused on the World Cup, NHL, or the Red Sox suddenly not sucking, the Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks last night 95-92 to win their first championship. Down two games to none, the Heat surged back against Dirk Nowitski and Jason Terry (my vote for MVP, had the Mavs won it all) and made club history. The Mavs held Shaq to just 9 points last night, which gave Wade the opportunity to really do some damage. He scored 36 points in Game 6 and averaged 34.7 points in the series, despite mediocre performances in Games 1 and 2. But Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Playoffs just might be his legacy. With 1.9 seconds to play, Wade hit two foul shots and gave Miami a 101-100 victory in overtime. Ridiculous. The guy gets the points when it matters most. He gets the crowd excited. He even gets the media giddy, with comparisons to Michael Jordan around every corner. He brushes those off, of course, for how could anyone truly fathom having a career on par with their childhood idol? "The comparison is flattering but at the same time there will never be another Jordan."
Not so sure about that, D-Wade.
On another note, I don't know whether to admire or despise Mark Cuban. A manager THAT passionate about his team is refreshing in a way, but Cuban takes it too far. (If I were an NBA ref, I'd dread every Mavericks game, all the while petitioning David Stern to somehow ban Cuban from his courtside seat.) I feel bad for the guy, though. As a diehard Red Sox, Patriots, and BU Hockey fan, I know what it's like to see your team come so far and then blow it. And I can only imagine the extreme disappointment Cuban is experiencing right now. That goes for all Mavs fans.
But then I think of guys like Alonzo Mourning (whoever thought he'd really play again?) and Gary Payton (first title in 16 seasons with the league). They deserve this. So congratulations, Miami Heat. Maybe (just maybe) you've rejuvenated America's interest in the once-dynastic NBA.
EDIT: When I said the Heat might have "rejuvenated America's interest," I didn't exactly mean in a "Wow, I LOVE the NBA again!" kind of way. There are a lot of people out there who are totally disgusted with the league right now, mostly because of the playoff refing. But at the same time, EVERYONE is talking about it. That's a huge step. So while they may not necessarily be reading articles about and discussing the NBA in a positive manner, people are taking an interest in the goings-on. I see that as a definite good thing.
Not so sure about that, D-Wade.
On another note, I don't know whether to admire or despise Mark Cuban. A manager THAT passionate about his team is refreshing in a way, but Cuban takes it too far. (If I were an NBA ref, I'd dread every Mavericks game, all the while petitioning David Stern to somehow ban Cuban from his courtside seat.) I feel bad for the guy, though. As a diehard Red Sox, Patriots, and BU Hockey fan, I know what it's like to see your team come so far and then blow it. And I can only imagine the extreme disappointment Cuban is experiencing right now. That goes for all Mavs fans.
But then I think of guys like Alonzo Mourning (whoever thought he'd really play again?) and Gary Payton (first title in 16 seasons with the league). They deserve this. So congratulations, Miami Heat. Maybe (just maybe) you've rejuvenated America's interest in the once-dynastic NBA.
EDIT: When I said the Heat might have "rejuvenated America's interest," I didn't exactly mean in a "Wow, I LOVE the NBA again!" kind of way. There are a lot of people out there who are totally disgusted with the league right now, mostly because of the playoff refing. But at the same time, EVERYONE is talking about it. That's a huge step. So while they may not necessarily be reading articles about and discussing the NBA in a positive manner, people are taking an interest in the goings-on. I see that as a definite good thing.
posted by Pam at 9:47 AM
2 Comments:
Mark Cuban is the best owner in sports. The problem that he has is that he's in a league where, much like the NFL, it's for the old boys. If he complained about the refs in game 5, he should. Wade had as many foul shots as THE ENTIRE MAVERICK TEAM. That's ridiculous. The NBA is horseshit.
Maybe if Dirk was as aggressive as Wade, he would have been rewarded with some foul shots. Wade: relentless. Dirk: not so much.
And like I said, Cuban's passion is certainly something to be admired. But conveying to fans that it's fine to be beligerant, swear at refs, and run on the court is NOT okay.
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