A masterful performance and the draft prep gets going

Chris Bosh gets off the canvass with a bad eye that was verging on swollen shut and hits the game-winning basket in the final 40 seconds of a NBA Finals game?

Yeah, we all saw that coming, didn’t we?

Anyway …

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How good is Dwyane Wade?

I’m sure it’s something we’ll explore more fully this afternoon at practice but whatever was bothering him in the Chicago series sure isn’t now and Game 3 was as good as I’ve seen him the entire playoffs.

It started early, with three forays to the basket in the first quarter, and continued unabated all night and he may very well have won his team another championship with that effort.

This may sound odd, but I think we tend to take Wade for granted because he’s not as flashy as, say, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, he’s not as noticeable at Kevin Durant or Dirk Nowitzki and he has a tendency to blend in a little bit every night.

But, man, is he good.

Not sure anyone in the game goes side-to-side with the ball as well as he does, he can defend and shoot jumpers and he’s as complete a player as there is in the game today.

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Quick question:

Is the series over?

It was being openly debated when we were lounging in the hospitality suite into the wee hours of the morning and the consensus was, yes, it is.

Think about it:

Except for about a five-minute stretch of the fourth quarter of Game 2, everything the Mavs done, the Heat have had answers for and the “other” Dallas starters have been relatively bad.

Maybe it is going to unfold as some of us thought before this thing began: The Heat are just enough better that it could be a five-game series with every game decided by eight points or less.

That would make it close; one-sided but close, if you know what I mean.

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Okay all you draftniks.

You can get serious now because things are starting to really heat up for the HOTH.

But, as always, there’s an aspect of tail wagging the dog.

kind ofKemba Walker and Brandon Knight are scheduled in Toronto but, sadly, not to work out against each other. They’ll do two separate workouts, I’m told, which is nice to see how far they jump and how fast they are and how they shoot the ball but lacks any true competition between two guys really close to each other in all the fabricated mock drafts out there.

Then the HOTH are off to Europe to see Jan Vesely and Bismarck Biyombo in Europe mid-week before taking in the Eurocamp in Treviso on the weekend.

Kinda sucks that they have to travel to another continent to get a look at kids they might want to draft, in my opinion, but if you’re going to do your work, you’ve got to go where the people are.

In a perfect world, guys like Vesely and Biyombo would make a tour of North America and maybe workout with, and against, some top-rated NCAA kids.

But it’s not a perfect world; in many respects it’s an agent-driven world, and NBA teams have to grin and bear it.

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Give the folks at the NBA credit for one thing: Good media seats in Dallas.

Far too often – like every city other than Detroit, where they put us right on the baseline for those two Finals – the out-of-towners are banished to the nether regions of the arena, either a hockey press box, the upper bowl or some farflung corner.

This series? Seats in stands at the top of the lower bowl in Miami – a bit cramped but not bad – and seats at the top of the lower bowl on a concourse kind of set up in Dallas that were the best I’ve had since those Pistons series.

And, as we know, it’s all about me. And my buddies.

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I forgot tell you yesterday that warmed the cockles of my heart to turn on the TV in my room Saturday afternoon and see basketball from the Key Arena in Seattle.

And it was my beloved Storm laying waste to the Phoenixes in their WNBA opener.

Yes, I am way back on that bandwagon again.

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Sign of creeping age?

Not sure how I feel about having to proofread Super Son’s first resume yesterday but “old” would be among the adjectives.

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Speaking of the WNBA, and I do every often for those of you who might be new Irregulars, we’ve got two Canucks to track this year.

There’s Old Friend Tammy Sutton-Brown, who’s back for another run with the Indiana Fever, and she’s joined now by London’s Miranda Ayim of the Tulsa Shock.

Two to watch.

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Is there a more compelling rivalry in all of sports than Nadal-Federer?

I don’t watch much tennis at all but when those two hook up, I’m sure I’m near a television because they never seem to disappoint.

And I guess that’s a big a testament as you can get, a guy who doesn’t care about the sport, really, makes sure to see those two play it.

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LeBron can be a cranky pants.

Now, maybe it was a stretch for the questioner to suggest James was “shrinking” from taking control of games in the fourth quarter but that word and that kind of question got James all riled up.

“I think you’re concentrating on one side of the floor. All you’re looking at is the stat sheet. Honestly, I’m a two-way player. Since D Wade had it going offensively … we allow him to handle the ball, bring it on offensively.

“You should watch the film again and see what I did defensively. You’ll ask me a better question tomorrow.”

Now, this is not solipsism, James was not particularly good last night. A few of us were discussing it post-game and while, yes, Wade had it going and maybe it was time to defer, but for all his talk about being more aggressive, James was entirely too passive offensively through most of the game.

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No surprise that Detroit coaching job is open but it does mean competition for Bryan

Now with a third job open, it’s a bit different than last week and if you’re one of the usual suspects seeking employment – Lawrence Frank, Dwane Casey, Mike Curry (well, maybe not him in Motown), Mike Woodson, Mark Jackson, Mike Budenholzer (what the heck is it with all the Mikes?) – you’re going to throw your name in all three spots and see what transpires.

But you know what I think?

Maybe one of these teams makes a bold move and does something off the wall.

It doesn’t strike me as it’d be Toronto – the criteria laid out by Bryan last week sort of points to a recycling program and that’s certainly can be defended – but maybe the Warriors or the Pistons, both with new owners, do something considered off the wall.

And why not? If a GM screws up, what’s the worst that can happen? He can get fired. What’s the best that can happen? A new owner says, ‘hey, thanks for taking a shot, let’s do something calmer the second time around.’

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Comments

[Steph]

It seems to me that the Mavs are happy trying to win the game in the final few minutes. Everybody waits to put the ball in Dirks hands late in the game.

[Andre]

Woodson and Casey are my finalists.
Do you think Dallas really has anything left? they are not scoring, jason terry is playing poorly and Miami's supporting cast is playing way better... I hope dallas wakes up

[Jas]

Dwyane Wade is not as flashy as Lebron and Kobe? What?!? You cannot be serious. His drives to the basket are the most exciting in the league; no one can drive to the basket like him. Did you see the way he split a double team with a behind-the-back dribble yesterday? Doug, sometimes I get the feeling you don't know the first thing about basketball.

Blogger's note: And sometimes I wonder why I put up with stuff. But thanks for being a loyal reader

[VikZ]

"I'm sure I'm never a television because they never seem to disappoint" I would say that being a living human being is enough to be sure that you're not a television.

Blogger's note: Yeah, thanks

[Mike D.]

Two questions:

First, never mind Walker and Knight, isn't Enes Kanter also working out for the Raptors today?

Second, just how much hand and elbow work is permissible to prolong a screen? I admit to a degree of bias, but on Bosh's game-winning shot Udonis Haslem really looked like someone trying to impress the Miami Dolphins with his pass-blocking skills as he kept Dirk away from Bosh.

Blogger's note: Last night and today in Chicago, yes; and as much as you can get away with

[ro]

at least ettore messina is with LA now, so everyone can stop suggesting that.

[Dave]

Doug:

I sent a comment before the playoffs started saying that if I was starting a team I would take Wade over Lebron. I still feel that way. Wade just quietly goes about doing his job. I find Lebron is getting more arrogrant all the time with comments like "no one in the League can guard me one-on-one". Maybe that is his way of becomming like Jorden.

Be careful with those late Dallas nights. There are more typos than usual today my friend.:-)

[JHK]

Whoa... I know it's Monday but some people had a bad weekend it seems by their comments :s
What is your take on Bayless?
I honestly am on the anti-side; he doesn't provide play making nor scoring, none of leadership or experience and not much potential left.
Nothing against the guy but just never saw anything positive from him.

Blogger's note: He's a 23-year-old kid learning to play a difficult position and doing okay

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Thanks for the mention of Miranda Ayim! She's got some interesting team mates on Tulsa: Sheryl Swoopes, Marion Jones, the exciting rookie Elizabeth Cambage and her coach - former Arkansas Razorbacks coach Nolan Richardson. I'll be following her rookie season with great interest! And this Mavs-Heat series; I was trying to make some sense of the game last night, it was at times a really bewildering series of plays and unusual occurrences. And what I came up with was to think of it in military terms So, considering it within a military frame of reference, it seems to me the Heat are for the most part successfully executing a season-long strategy for victory, and the best the Mavs can do is to respond with tactics. As someone who reads a bit of history now and then, does this make any sense to you in any way? Or is it too simplistic an interpretation? Cheers!

Blogger's note: Makes sense, tactics are strategy and they need a different strategy to get others going

[Pipit]

Predictable last play by Dallas last night. Dirk, isolated on top of the key, one-on-one with Haslem (no more Bosh - Spoelstra, you learn your lesson well). Nothing much to complain about that decision but I was just hoping that Carlisle will be bold and go for the a 3 point play winning basket rather than going for a tie. With the way Dallas played catch-up basketball all night, it would have been nice to struck a dagger on Miami's hearts by going to a game winning play. What will you have done, Doug if your Carlisle?

Blogger's note: Just what they did, put the ball in the hands of the team's best player.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

How do, Doug,
Ah, THAT's what it is about DWade – his side-to-side movement. Good call. D Rose has similar slippery skills.
Isn't the stat something like 75% of teams that win game 3 after a 1-1 split go on to win the series? Even so, might you have jinxed your "series over" call after just 3 games? But yeah, I know entirely what you mean about it being "close", no matter how many games they play or who takes the ring.
That's some tough news about Oak being crippled up. Do you have any info/insight to add to that sad story?
Cheers. Good luck with beating the heat (okay, pun somewhat intended).

[Peter]

I'm ok with it all being about you. But what's this about it all being about you and "your buddies"??? Shouldn't it all be about you and the irregulars? Buddies come next? Just looking for a little clarification. :)

[sam]

When Bosh hit the the floor after getting hit in the eye last night - I thought it was a performance worthy of HWSNBN . . . .Seeing the replay and post game interview it appeared a little more serious....It looks as though CB should be ok.
Wade is an amazing player - and I think really the guy that holds the other 2 knuckleheads and hangers on together. As much as I hate to say it - The Heat are a pretty darn impressive team.

[Lorie]

Oh, and a quick thought on that passage of time thing...having been through an assortment of resume preps, graduations, engagements, weddings etc. etc., I've got to say that the cruellest reminder that my "best before date" had passed was when a (very!) young gas bar attendant addressed me as "Ma'am". There's not much that's more humiliating for a girl than to hear that word and realize he's talking to you.

[The J]

I read something from a Cavalier blogger earlier this season that really fits with Bosh too. To paraphrase and flip it:

It's not my job to worry about whether he takes too much time with the ball and slows down the offense. It's not my job wonder how much better he'd be with a little more muscle like he had at the start of the last season. Or to question if he is a 1, 1a or 2. Or to point out how 3 rebounds in a crucial game was not enough. But he left Toronto for a reason, and that was for this, to win a championship. Well now is his chance. So he better do it. Give it his everything and lay it out on the line. Forget the stupid tweets, the "bad cable", and mediocre finish to his last Raptor season. If he wants to justify why he left, now is the time.

[Tim H.]

"solipsism" Thank goodness, the "Word of the Day" feature is back!

And, I had to Google it to be sure, but it's "Bismack" Biyombo. (Maybe your spell check just automatically changed it?)

[ikonn]

@Lorie, how about being a dude and hearing that word? Not me of course, just saying.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Further on the passage of time, sign of creeping (hell, leaping!) age thing: Maybe the day will come when you will have a grandchild make his or her first-ever phone call, all on his or her own, and choose you – his or her very own grandfather or grandmother – to phone on this momentous occasion. And maybe – this whole grandfather or grandmother thing simply not registering, because how in the world could you have ever gotten to that grandfather or grandmother stage already to begin with – you'll pick up the phone and hear "Hello, Grandpa?" or "Hello, Grandma?" in a perfectly angelic little, okay somewhat muffled, voice... and you'll respond, without a lick of hesitation... "Sorry, I think you've got the wrong number." And you'll hang up. And your wife or husband or significant other will suggest you've probably just proven yourself to be one of the larger nincompoops on the planet... again...
I'm just saying, something like that is possible.
The good part is, you probably have far fewer years left to live that one down than some other stuff you've probably had fall out of your mouth somewhere along the line, right?
And @lorie, even better than being called "Ma'am", wait til they ask if you're a senior at the movie theatre. I suggest you do what, well, someone I know, does. Just say "yes" and keep the change... Cheers!

[GM]

* I'm not surprised Bosh hit the game-winning shot, just as I wouldn't be surprised if Miller did, or anyone else on the Heat. I remember when Steve Kerr hit the game-winning (championship-winning, if I'm not mistaken) shot for the Bulls, too. What I would be surprised at is if they gave Bosh the ball on a clear-out and he held the ball and then hit the winning shot. Any NBA player can receive a pass when he's wide open and hit the game-winner. That's team basketball. That's what I wanted to see last year with him on the Raptors. But he's not that type of player. He's not good enough to win a game on his own unless he's got better guys around him who can take away some of the defense he'd see.

* So the series is over now? What happened to no momentum from game to game? Miami held on last night. Even in the game when they led by 15, prior to that the Heat looked dominating but never led by more than a few points. So it's not inconceivable that Dallas could make an adjustment and win the next game, making it 2-2. Yes, the winner of game 3 wins 75% of the time, but what that tells me is that 25% of the time, the loser of game 3 wins. In other words, it tells me nothing except what's happened in the past.

* Key Arena, you say? You mean that place wasn't condemned? To hear David Stern talk about it, you'd think it was falling apart and ready for the bulldozer. It couldn't have been that his good buddy just wanted a team in Oklahoma, could it? Nah.

* I tend to agree that Frank isn't much better than Triano. But what he is is different. Sometimes a team just needs a new voice at the helm.

[Matt M]

I wonder if it was like this pre-Jordan. Did people care whether McHale scored more points than Bird or if Kareem scored more points than Magic? Did West ever have to answer a 'shrinking from the moment' question? It's pretty obvious that some media members like to rewrite old story lines. The 'Lebron' angle of some media outlets (not this one) after every single win or loss (He's clutch, he's not clutch, Jordan and Kobe did it all by themselves, why can't Lebron?) gets kind of old.
If I was Lebron I would have just gave the media a cliched response such as 'Who cares who scores in the final minutes? We won the game. I was an important part of that win. We have too wins to go'. After all if he was really worried about being perceived as winning without being part of something more than 'Lebron and eight other guys' he would have stayed in Cleveland.
There. Rant over.

[RK]

Re: Ettore Messina.
I was just wondering about the lack of European coaches in the NBA a couple of weeks ago and, voila, one of the most prominent franchises in the NBA hires one of the most prominent European coaches (Ettore Messina coached two different teams, Kinder Bologna and CSKA Moscow, to 4 separate Euroleague championships). I may be a clairvoyant after all!:) Either that or Doug has some very strong connections throughout the league:)

[Lorie]

@GM
If all that they need is different then who cares who's at the helm. It could even be you. Or me. Well, you. Sorry. Not to minimize your point and the worthiness (or not) of Mr. Frank or any of the other candidates for the job. And, yes, I'm still struggling to understand Colangelo's rationale for Jay's firing. I still don't get it. But to make it mean something - something worth not having Jay Triano as coach - then I'm looking for something a whole lot more significant. More profound than a new name. More meaningful than change for the sake of it. Better than merely different. Cause if all they needed to hear was a different voice, maybe Jay could have tried speaking with an American accent.

[Dave]

Has anyone in Dallas raised the point that, according to the ESPN analysts, the buzzer-beater that Chalmers hit at the end of the first quarter should have been a back-court violation? By my count, if that shot is not counted, then...1...2...3...yep, that would have Dallas winning the game by 1 point, right? I'm surprised that that fact has not been more prominent...Should Dallas be upset?

Blogger's note: Too big a leap to simply do arithmetic

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Horrors--but I think I agree with you: this series might be over. Miami's defense is just too stifling. But I wonder how different this series might be if Caron Butler is healthy--he'd give Dallas that extra swing-man who could play some D on Wade.

I'm not keen on a Heat victory though--because I'm still stuck on how this team came together and how they behaved in the pre-season. Maybe it's generational on my part--I don't know. With two Canadians on the roster and Bosh there, I should be rooting for Miami. But that would mean I'd be rooting for LeBron James which means I'd be rooting for a jerk. It's the same feeling I get when I watch Kobe Bryant play--can't abide him, either.

I really wanted Dallas to win this because I think Nowitzki should get a ring before he's through. And this might be his last chance.

AG, Toronto

[chili]

So who gets their head coach first, the Raptors or the Pistons?