A team and a group of individuals. And a proper outcome

Try to find me anyone outside of South Florida today who doesn’t feel at least a little bit good for Dirk Nowitzki.

Really.

For all that guy’s been through, the Finals collapse in ’06, the one-and-done playoff years, the questions about his toughness and suitability as a go-to guy, the vindication that comes with winning a championship has to be extra special.

Dirk’s one of those brilliant players who seems to fly under the radar, eclipsed by his team’s failings, in the past eclipsed by the antics of the team owner and to see him run back up the tunnel overcome with emotion even before he could accept the trophy was to see a guy who had realized a life-long dream.

And it was good to see.

It’s good to see a guy who stuck with his team (and he could have bolted but decided to stay and be part of something special, rather than seek greener pastures (Hello, LeBron and Chris) be rewarded on such a grand scale.

We heard Rick Carlisle talk numerous times over the last few weeks about how the Mavs aren’t flashy, they don’t have great athletes, they don’t play in the air and they aren’t particularly fast.

But what they are is good, and confident, and old.

It’s been said here on more than one occasion that nothing beats experience and that’s what set Dallas apart. When things got tough, they had years of experience – some good, mostly bad – to draw on to get them through it. They just knew how to play and how to stay true to themselves.

It’s fun to watch a “team” play; it was fun to watch them win and, you know, maybe talent doesn’t always carry the day.

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Another good byproduct of the Dallas win?

Moves the HOTH one step closer to solving the coaching issue.

There was no way they were going to get a chance to interview Dwane Casey until the series was over but I figure it’s got to happen this week now.

As Bryan said, his goal was to have someone in place before the draft – June 23 – and while I know he doesn’t want to really rush into anything, if he did some interviews mid-week and some late-week and some on the week, they could very well have someone in place a day or two before they have to make their pick.

Might be a whirlwind few days but may as well get it done when they can.

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Now what for me?

I wish I knew.

There’s a coach to hire and a draft to get through but, in all honesty, there’s a wee bit of a void.

No games, no IGBT, no nothing really. Kind of an odd feeling, to tell you the truth.

But I guess when I show up at Mother Star later today, we’ll get it all figured out.

Trust me, though, we’ll be here at least each weekday morning with our usual brand of fun and jocularity, even if we have to do nothing but TV shows and “they still didn’t hire a coach” stuff.

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Hmm.

16-4

14-1

It’s going to make the late-season run all the sweeter for the TOD.

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So what of the Heat?

Big changes?

Tinkering?

Karma?

Seriously, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a group of players – and in particular those three stars – looks some discombobulated, worn out and simply beaten down as James, Wade and Bosh were at the end of that game.

I know they didn’t say it very often during the season, but the few signs of overt cockiness and the “us against the world, everyone hates us” mentality kind of made me feel like they figured a championship was their destiny and birthright.

And then they screwed it up with a series of increasingly selfish and desperate play that showed them what they were: A trio of talented players who never really meshed.

Sure, there were moments when they looked unbeatable in the regular season, when all cylinders were firing and life was grand.

But when it got really tough, they couldn’t handle it.

And James was, of course, the focal point.

This was really the first time when people were coming after him, all those years in Cleveland he was the undisputed man who was lifting up a lesser team to significant heights but it was easier that way. In Miami, he was cast a villain for the first time in his life and he didn’t handle it all well.

It’s probably not fair to fixate on him, he was part of a team and the Heat were, as it turns out, a bad one.

They had no point guard to speak of, their bigs were suspect (Joel Anthony’s a backup on many other teams) and I think they were coached poorly, with no imagination on offence and a cliché-spouting head coach who resorted to the ‘they hate us, let’s show them’ school of motivation rather than finding some unique way to exploit the talents available to him.

Do they need to make change?

As we’ve been saying all along, it’s impossible to predict exactly how they’ll be able to change with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement looming but they need to do something.

Maybe not hugely significant – those three guys are still pretty darn good – but change has to be afoot.

Now, I know a lot of you will wonder if they should – and hope they do – trade Bosh for a centre and/or a point guard and I guess if they’re going to move one, he’s the logical one.

But I think maybe a coaching change is in order, I think a couple of pieces are needed but this isn’t the last we’ve heard of the Heat.

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Mighty Rockies tonight. Keep your fingers crossed.

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Two more notes on the final before we put it to bed.

How sneaky of Mark Cuban to drag out some old dude in a cowboy hat to accept the trophy so that Cuban didn’t have to take it from David Stern. That would have been something to see, each of them holding their noses while taking part in the ceremony.

And I have been an admirer of Rick Carlisle’s coaching abilities for quite some time, stretching back to his Detroit days, and while Dirk was a worthy MVP and it couldn’t happen anyway, the guy who maybe turned the series was Carlisle.

Putting Barea in the starting lineup, massaging a bigs rotation that included Ian Mahinmi and Brian Cardinal and getting his team through Portland, the Lakers, Oklahoma City and Miami was as good a coaching job as I can remember in years and years and years.

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Comments

[Paul B]

Pat Riley is the obvious person for the coaching change!

[Juan]

It was a great series. As you've said a few times Doug, not the most stylish basketball ever played but some great games nonetheless.
And it has answered a couple of lingering questions for us:
How many championships? "Not one....."
And now we know who has been crying in the Miami locker room most of the season.
Gotta hand it to Dirk though for the business-like way he handled himself at the end of the game. Reveled in the moment without resorting to any gloating or showboating.

[Eddy]

It looks like spending money on a professional franchise is even more potent than conspiring to put together an all-star team. We can open act like spectators in Toronto to both circumstances. At least the good guys won.

[Dave]

Doug, not to nit-pick, but even you must admit that these words "It’s probably not fair to fixate on him, he was part of a team and the Heat were, as it turns out, a bad one." are pretty over the top... A Bad One? I would suggest that any team that is playing in the finals (any sport, any league), whether constitued of a group of great individual players, or a group that plays exceptionally as a team, is not a bad team. They were the lesser team this go around, but not a bad team by any stretch of the imagination! Just my two cents. Fun finals this year -- lets hope the CBA talks go smoothly (I'm sure they won't) and we can have basketball, as normally scheduled around Halloween again. Congrats Dallas! Let the "Dirk is one of the greatest of all time" assertions gain momentum! They siad at the presentation yesterday that he is surely one of the top 20 players ever...tough seel for me, but boy, can he shoot!

[EricNS]

In Mr. Feschuk's article on the game he quotes the Miami coach as saying, "We thought this was going to Game 7, and we thought that’s where we would be our best.”
Thinking beyond the game at hand. Immaturity. They lost it right there.

Thanks for another excellent, daily season of commentary Doug. For real fans you are the gold standard. For instance, last night I eventually turned off the blather on tv (endless speculation re: the impact of little scuffle, plus promo for game 7) and simply watched the game and followed the IGBT.

[Ewandro]

Hi Doug

I should confess ... I'M SOOOOO HAPPY!!!

Cheers

[Felix]

Why do you surmise that the heat just kind of gave up at the end of the game? for a team as explosive as they can be, i was still worried as a mavs fan when they were up 10 or 12 with 2 minutes remaining. all you saw was wade and chalmers jack early 3-balls and then not even picking up full court pressure. as much as i dislike the celtics, i can't see their big 3 having done that. speaks volumes about being mature and professional. the heat owed it to their home crowd to give it 100% even though I hate extending the game fouls and TOs (I have learned to accept that it is a legitimate technique). if i was a heat fan, i'd feel let down. but as a mavs fan since 2000 i can't help but be over-the-moon for dirk as it must seem like eons ago that he was part of an up-and-coming team that knocked off the more experienced jazz 3-2 and was expected to make a lot of noise in the early 00's. thunder fans, hope you don't need to wait that long.

[Rob.V]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis]

Doug, excellent comment on Rick Carlisle, he utilized his roster to the best of it's abilities. He made all the right adjustments needed to beat the heat.

[sam]

Well said today, Doug.
The Mavs showed what building a team, good coaching and working together are all about. They are worthy NBA champions.
The first year of the big 3 in Miami proves that three strong players doesn't a team make - However, if and when they figure it out - They just might be unbeatable.

[Dadeo]

Remeber Doug, coaches get far too much credit when things go right ;)

Blogger's note: Yep

[Dadeo]

...and far too much blame when thngs go wrong! You must have known that at least one of us would call you on that one :)

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Well, this game, this series and that season is going to be analyzed and dissected and debated until games start up again, I guess (and pleeeease....no missed games next fall!). And you know, I don't wish harm or ill will on anyone, but I've gotta be honest here: I'm not sure which of the two was more satisfying - seeing the Mavs win, or the Heat lose last night. Seriously, the win for Dirk and the rest of the Mavs was terrific. And it shows that good teams take time to build. And dynasties can't be bought. (And as Three Dog Night once warbled, "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do...". And that first 'one' is still a ways off for these Big Three Alpha Dogs.) So, thank you so much for another wildly entertaining season of the IGBT, Doug: it makes the tough games less distressing, and the wins even more thrilling. Cheers! Now...what's that word...Chill??? (And let's all keep Clarence Clemons in our thoughts today.)

[Rob.V]

Seriously though, LBJ is going to have a looong summer and I sort of feel bad for the kid. It's been said a million times however although the "decision" was a bad one it did raise money for charity.
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By all accounts LBJ is a good kid. The truth is (the same with Dirk for years and years) that Dallas was the better "team".
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There was nothing LBJ, or the Lakers, (or other) could do.... it was the Mav's time!!
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What LBJ is going to have to endure will simply not be fair. Magic Johnson (and others) can say what they want about "stepping up" however I didn't see Lou Alcindor on the court anywhere for the Heat??
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Now Dwayne Wade? He may be talented however he IS "immature". I (personally) think he has a BIG mouth as well. I believe he is the catalyst when it comes to the immaturity and shennanigans. Like the mocking of Dirk's fever (the media actually blew that up, not Dirk)
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... or like when he was here in T.O and at the press conference he made a comment about how Toronto wasn't on his radar... he was "never coming here".
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He likes to poke fun at people (which I'm totally cool with) however those types of jokes should be left in the locker room with your buddies.... "off camera"... the loss looks good on him!
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I know Dirk would never say this but wouldn't it be nice if he made a statment something along the lines of:
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.... please tell MJ and Pippen down there in Florida to... "enjoy their summer".
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You know, just freaking step on their throats (with immaturity).
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Of course Dirk wont do that, he'll take the high road... and that is precisely why I am thrilled that his EXCELLENT career has finally been vindicated.
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When you talk Dirk Nowitzki now it HAS to start with NBA Champion, and NBA Finals MVP.
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Raptors note: wouldn't Barea and Chandler look good in a Rap's uniform this coming November? Make the calls BC... get that bat phone warmed up brother... make the calls!!

[Steven]

Well said today Doug. Having a team like Dallas win was good for the game after the collusion and July championship celebration by the Heat last summer. I was worried that basketball really could be a game where three all- stars could get together and dominate the sport for years to come but hopefully Dallas' win will show the rest of the league that a complementary mix of veterans with some youth and balance at each position wins out against "Big 3s". If the celebration in game 2 by Wade and James in front of the Dallas bench was the turning point as some have said, then karma really is a b**ch.

[Thane]

Doug, what are your thoughts on the Heat calling that time-out with 20 (or so) seconds left?

Blogger's note: None, really. Silly move but what the heck

[joe]

Doug,

Excellent assessment by you regarding the Heat. They really need 3 things:
1. A defensive centre
2. A point guard who can distribute
3. A coach who can be creative both on the offensive and defensive ends. Miami looked completely clueless both on defence and offence.

So, do you think that's it for Coach Spo in Miami or will Riley stick it out with hiim?

As for Dwayne Casey, does the Dallas win catapult him to the top of the Raptors coaching list? I think he'd be excellent for the job.

[John]

Hey Doug, thanks again for the IGBT this year. Its been very interesting and a good perspective on the games. I actually enjoy the ones when you are at home as much as when you are at the game because your comments are based on the same viewing experience as the rest of the cross section of humanity that makes up your viewership.
The best thing I can take from this years Champions is that it gives us all hope that a team with a 7 foot offensive talent with limited defense can win a Championship.
Thanks again!

[otello]

Kelsey wrote: "Im upset because Dirk injured his non shooting hand, now this will give everyone a excuse when Miami takes this series 4-2..Maybe 4-1.. I see hunger in Lebron, Bosh, Haslem and Wades eyes.. Dirk is excellent scorer but a weak defender with his tic tac softy cry baby fouls!!
oooh I cant wait for J Terry to have to remove his trophy tatoo. I know its one game,but Im telling the world Dallas cant win 4 games before Miami..."

Jump to conclusions much?? This is why they play the games friendo - and as the saying goes, championships are not won on paper. Congrats to Dirk and the Mavs on a phenomenal playoff run and a well earned championship!

[Jason G.]

Always mixed emotions at the end of an NBA season, but count me one of the many happy ball fans that Dirk, Kidd, Terry, Marion and the rest got a ring to add that notch of legitimacy to their careers.

Can't say enough about Tyson Chandler though, a true defensive anchor in the middle and should hold a "how to guard the pick and roll as a big man" clinic for every big in the NBA not named Dwight.

Thanks Doug for a great daily read as well. Guessing with the mystery of next season lingering in the air, some solid angles will pop up to keep us fans checking in.

Cheers,

J.

[Wallace]

T think this was clearly a victory for the team of players who are concerned about their game and improving their individual talents inside a collective unit as opposed to working on their individual brand. I'm sure LBJ, Wade and Bosh will continue to sell more shoes and beer and hair products, but Dirk has the ring!

[Dave]

Doug:
I agree with the statement that a "team" beat a group of individuals and that is good for the game. I enjoy team basketball a lot more than a series of one-on-one plays which happens a lot in the NBA. I am happy Miami didn't get a championship in the first year. However, I think if they stay together they will become a dynasty.

During the post-game comments last night, it was mentioned a couple of times that Cuban brought in a sports psychologist. What do you think of this idea? I am thinking if there was ever a team in need of a sports psychologist, it is the Miami Heat. Do you think this would help them come together or are their egos too big to listen to anyone?

Blogger's note: Don't imagine it would have helped much

[fg]

what happened to Avery Johnson,?
I think he would be a good coach for Toronto
He got on his players and was passionate about success...

Blogger's note: Um, he's the head coach in New Jersey for now

[Ken]

So does winning the championship make Dwane Casey the front runner for the Raptors coaching position?

Blogger's note: Not necessarily, no

[Rich]

Hey Doug, correct me if I am wrong but how come Bosh didn't touch the ball in the 4th quarter? He was the Heat's best player for the first 3 quarters and abused anybody who guarded him yet in the 4th quarter all I remember was terrible 3 point attempts from James, Wade and Chalmers and crazy drives to the basket. Are James and Wade's egos so big they couldn't see that Bosh was clearly the best player for them last night?