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

[Lee Z]

It was really shocking to see how LBJ wanted no part of putting his stamp on the game. Time and time again in the second half and especially in the fourth, he would drive the lane with ZERO intention of shooting, looking (and I do mean actively LOOKING) to pass the ball to the likes of such scoring threats (ahem!) as Haslem, Chalmers and Jalen Rose's old Fab Five teammate. He even passed up wide open midrange looks on a few occasions. I've never seen such a big-time player actively eschewing the spotlight. And Spolestra (sp.?) was asleep at the wheel. They were double or even tripling Lebron when he had the ball in his hands at the top of the key. It was obvious that they needed to have Chalmers initiate the offence under those circumstances, and indeed, the ONE time they had Lebron coming off a screen at the elbow and receiving the pass from Chalmers, he scored easily on a midrange jumper against SINGLE coverage (hard to double or triple team someone coming off a screen). But Spolestra didn't make the adjustment. And that, plus Lebron's bizarrely deferential disappearing act, cost the Heat the series. Miami does NOT need a pg who can distribute. But they do need a coach who can recognize and adjust to what is going on on the court.

[shane]

Any chance the Heat can become the Bills of the NBA? Lose a few more finals and it could be done!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
Experience pays off once again. Hell of a run by the Mavs since late April. I have little doubt, though, that LBJ and DWade will figure it out next year (with the help of a new coach)... and then watch out, world!
Too bad the American League East team that's running off that 8–10 game win streak right now isn't the one we were hoping it would be... like you say, all the sweeter later (maybe much later, but what the hey). Looking forward to your Yardball Blogs! Cheers.

[Bill]

I totally agree that Rick is an awesome coach but how much of the Miami's failure falls on its coach inability to counter Rick's "strategies"? I think it was game 4 that Rick switched to JJ Barea and for 3 games Eric couldn't find a cure. Goes to show how important a coach can be when things really matter.

And how much of Miami's failure was due to its "relaxed" defence? They were a different team defensively since game 3. How much of that is due to fatigue? I mean it must have been exhausting to run that kind of defence every single game.

[David in Oakville]

Nicely summarized and well written Doug.

Thanks for another season.

I think you're right about a coaching change... like Riley needs an excuse. But to be fair, what's that saying.. "feeling listless, make a list". Perhaps that's what Lebron needs, more structure, more set plays to keep him involved. Certainly, give the ball to Wade or James and let them create did not work out well for them at crunch time.

Quite frankly, this loss looks good on them given all the preening I saw in Game 2.

I think Bosh is gone. (Let me be the first to start the ridiculous rumours.. Bosh to Boston for Garnett.. youthfulness for right now and a guy with a sense of urgency)

Have to say you are right... I am happy for all concerned, Dirk, Terry, Kidd, Marion, Carlisle and Mark Cuban.. but I wish Steve Nash was still there to enjoy as well.

Peja has a championship? I am starting to think the Raps are like a lucky omen for guys at the end of their careers wanting to be released so they can play on our dime for a championship bound team. Here's hoping they trade for Nash in the off season and then release him in February.... hahaha.

[The Other KG]

Good game last night, and love the outcome.

Never pleased with how LBJ, Wade and Bosh ran up their spectacle last year. So happy to see them go down, but also happy for Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Peja and others get their championship.

One note on the Raptors coaching vacancy - wouldn't this be an opportune time for Rudy T. to make a return to coaching? Any word on how he is doing these days?

Blogger's note: Talked to him a month or so ago; he's doing fine and is done coaching

[chili]

If Nowitzki can divide that MVP trophy into two, he should give one half to J.J. Barea. Not Terry, not Chandler, not Marion. Barea. He was the difference maker. Since Carlisle inserted him into the starting line-up in Game 4, he was the one holding the team together.

[Phil A]

Congratulations to the Mavs for winning the Championship. They truly deserved it after beating the likes of Portland, LA, OKC and Miami. Here is the problem I have with the Heat. During the 4th quarter, Wade and James have a tendency to play one on one basketball and this usually leads to a very difficult shot to make. Why not move the ball around and try to get your most effcient player (Bosh) some good looks? There is a reason why he was 7-9 in the game. There are situations in a game where calling an iso is the best play but if I recall correctly, they ran isos throughout the whole 4th quarter and they were being stopped.

I really hope people don't start wanting the Raptors to acquire Barea. I'll give the guy credit, he did have a few good games in the Finals but he is still at best a backup point guard in this league.

[Monty]

Doug if the Heat were to move Bosh for a centre or point guard (lets say Dwight or Chris Paul), who would the Heat benefit more with, an all star centre or PG.

Blogger's note: Sorry, I don't like to do "what-ifs" for the team I cover, let alone one in Miami

[Johnn19]

Doug:
That "some old dude in a cowboy hat" just happens to be Donald Carter, 78, the founder of the expansion Dallas Mavericks in 1980 and owner for the 1st 16 years wearing his trademark white hat, a very classy gesture by Mark Cuban, having him accept the trophy, which you are dissing.

Blogger's note: I'm more interested in the fact Cuban wouldn't take the trophy from Stern and found an easy way out

[Mike kovacs]

For a sports Psychologist to work, the player must have some level of self-awareness and realization of a problem.

[Matt G]

Same sentiments here too Doug: your dedication and illumination on a sport that we love is truly appreciated.

I haven't been that happy with the outcome of a final since the first Spurs win. Bulls and Rockets were teams were easy to respect but seldom felt compelled to root for them the way I felt the last week for Dirk, Kidd, et al. And then once I read Adrian Wojnarowski's column this morning, the reasons became a little more apparent to me - love it when someone can explain exactly why feel the way that I do. Also, easy to see why that column is getting so much love in the twitterverse and beyond.

[sam]

Where's kelsey?

[drew]

Doug glad to see that the team won over the individuals. Proof. It goes back to the old school approach of having 1 or 2 big time guys with an amazing supporting cast. You cannot over look support and the team approach, over individuals. I`m extremely happy to of watched and enjoyed the games. I hope that in the coming months teams will look at the make up of their teams and understand that it is just that...Team. Thank you for the great year and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts.

[Ewandro]

Doug

Joe asked earlier: As for Dwayne Casey, does the Dallas win catapult him to the top of the Raptors coaching list?
My questions is the following: Does it catapult him out of Raptors reach?

Blogger's note: Only two, maybe three, jobs out there and he wants this one

[gabe]

"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." -Doug

I must say that I find this statement kind of shocking. A bad team? I disliked Miami just as much as pretty much everyone out there, but they were 2 games away from being the BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE... I would love the Raptors to be this bad; that would be better than any of the teams I've had to root for, and I've liked a lot of them, and thought some of them were quite good.

Poorly coached? ok, there were some issues, but he got them all the way to the finals with all the media attention, the egos and so on. His role players were particularly good I might add, so I certainly wouldn't refer to him as a bad coach, despite the frequent lackluster offensive sets. He also made them into one of the best defensive teams in the league.

And the cliché spouting coach comment is unnecessary: it's a sport, there is nothing to say! Seriously have you ever really had an interesting answer to a question about a game or play. Perhaps controversial but nothing interesting in terms of content.

[Mike]

Great synopsis Doug. A pleasure to read as always. I'll plan to send this in for future Q&A's presuming that you continue with them, but Bosh seemed to be the most...um...emotional member of the Heat after the game. What do you think this says about him as a player?

[charles n.]

Coach Carlisle said "We win when we stayed tied together'".
What an apt and vivid description of how Dallas played.
Their spacing on the floor was wonderful...they were 'tied together'.

Thanks for another excellent season of reporting-blogging Doug.

Off season: Keep us posted on NBA bargaining + if possible, spare us a few moments to offer your view on what it means to 'stay tied together'.

PS I like HOTH. Especially when it is the plural 'heroes'.But maybe Dallas is trying to teach us something: a team 'without heroes' can do very well!

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I'm happy for Dirk but I'm just as happy for Carlisle. The guy seems to be a great coach and it's nice to see him get his due. But I think I'm even more happy to see new blood hoisting the trophy-not Boston or San Antonio or the hated Lakers. The Mavericks were in danger of becoming the Utah Jazz of their generation--great team but not great enough. Now they are champs and next year they will be challenged by OKC--which I also think is really cool. I hope this changing of the guard continues, because it makes the NBA more fun to watch.

Finally, how cool is that JJ Barea, a guy who went undrafted out of college and toiled in the D-League, was drinking the champagne last night and not LeBron James, D Wade or Chris Bosh?

Karma indeed...

AG, Toronto

[Kelsey]

@ otello Im surprised you went into archives to pick out my comment. I wanted Dirk and Mavs to loose badly + plus I wanted him to break down and J terry to remove tatoo. He is a great player but I dont like Dirk, J Terry or M Cuban they all bother me. .. But the better team won hands down!! Miami fell apart!!

People keep on saying oh look at Miami, just a 3 player team, see see, you have to have a full team. Which is true to a point..but just a reminder what happened to the team "San Antonio,Lakers, Celtic, Bulls, OKC,Portland etc...Where were they with the team!!!! They were fishing early!!! Miami just didnt get it done.

I didnt like Lebrons aura or comments last night after game. With that being said. I still think its stupid for people to be upset when players choose where they want to go, but when management does it its ok!!!!
There was nothing wrong with Bosh leaving our sad sack Raptors team, a lame head coach thats been axed, a butter soft point guard, a deer in the headlights, no motor player in Bargnani a Assistant GM Gheradini who wants a Euro squad....Good for you Bosh, keep doing your thing you will have another chance.

[Kelsey]

I keep hearing these idot callers on sports station talking bad about Bosh and how he cried last night, so what it was emotional....Dirk admitted that he cried like a baby because he won. Its emotions..

You guys are the same people that say oh Bargnani is better than Bosh.

[Beans]

Thanks for the season Doug. The playoffs were great. Every time I think of Miami, I think of that last Raps game where Eddie House had a career high. The IGBT sure helped make the bad Raps games more bearable - there was always some snarky comment that would make me laugh. Now if the Raps could somehow draft Derrick Williams to play SF...

[Kelsey]

Im sorry I have to keep making comments. Like you have heard other former players say, What Wade and Lebron did in the coughgate incident happens and much worst all the time. It was just caught on camera. It was stupid, but there has been much worst.

If Miami won and Lebron walked off the court without congratulating the other team, they would saying oooh LBJ has no class etc. Dirk does it balling with tears and I havent heard more than 1 reporter mention it!!! its a double standart world!!!!..Lebron put the target on his back but that is partially his fault. I

Blogger's note: No, it doesn't "happen all the time" at all, NO players openly mock others knowing full well the cameras that are eight feet away rolling. It was punkish and disrespectful and totally classless.

[Stew]

LeBron is the player I would be looking to trade if I were the Heat.
This team has awful role definition.
Congrats to the Mavs!

[The J]

As happy as I am for Dirk, and I am, I much more happier for J. Kidd. He has been around the league for a long time, playing the game well, and the right way. He too has had his final appearances that left him empty handed. So I am definetly happy to see him get a ring before he retires. Not to mention people questioned the Dallas trade a few years ago that brought him from NJ. They were trading away there youth (what's Devin Harris doing these days?) and J. Kidd was old and busted. Well he found a way to be the man his team wanted, even if it took a few years to get there. I am sure he would feel very vindicated today, if that was something he even cared to feel.
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One thought on Dirk, and not to stir the pot. But anyone else think if things were reversed and the Heat won, and Lebron ran off the court to the dressing room before shaking the other team's hands, that he would be getting killed in the media today. They sure did it to Sydney Crosby when he missed a couple of handshakes, and we know what they did to Lebron a couple years back (BTW I was right when I said nobody would mention how Russell Westbrook did the same thing). If you are expected to be a gracious loser, aren't you expected to be a gracious winner (emotions or not)?
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To be honest, part of me was actually cheering for the Heat, but I wasn't even slightly dissapointed with the outcome. The better team won, and the better team should always win. If the Heat had pulled it out, it would have been slightly empty knowing they were a team that hadn't put it all together yet, but still were too talented to lose. It's just too bad the story today will be about the Heat falling apart, and that story will grow through the summer (and maybe a lockout), but the real story should be about how complete the Dallas team was. How they were counted out through the whole season, all of the playoffs, and until about Game 5.
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So as I gather it, a lot of teams will be making a lot of trades this year. Following the comments over the last couple of months I've gathered: The Spurs, Lakers and Celtics will completly dismantle and sell off superstars; Boozer is out in Chicago; Russel Westbrook is on the move, and now our old friend CB4 is getting shipped out. Heck, JVG even suggested after the game trading one of LBJ and D.Wade for Dwight. Either this will be the craziest summer ever, or some teams might want to give their teams more time to gel. I mean Dallas did do that over the last couple of years and it definetly worked.
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So I guess score a point for the "There's nothing wrong with having European players" commenters, and a loss for the "The European experience has failed, trade everyone, and fire everyone else".
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Sorry for the long post, but it was a big day.