Good series, empty feeling and whither LeBron

By all measures, this has been a pretty good series so far.

Largest margin of victory through four games is eight, each of them went down to the final few minutes, it’s tied and reduced to a best of three.

So why do I feel a bit let down by it?

Really.

Maybe it’s because there have been so few “wow” moments and outside of the two Dirk shots – the make to win Game 2; the miss at the end of Game 3 – there really haven’t been a lot of good things that are creating memories.

We talk about LeBron’s disappearing act in Game 4, there was Bosh’s slow start, the absence of production from anyone on the Dallas bench for a couple of games and the same old, same old from just about everyone else.

I presume as we get to Game 6 and, perhaps, Game 7, something will emerge to make us remember this one for good plays and drama rather than missed shots and failures but, right now, this is the most disappointingly close series I can recall.

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So, LeBron.

Was another rather odd day for him yesterday after the oddest of nights imaginable on Tuesday.

Yes, he sat at the podium and gave all the right answers to all the right questions about wanting to be more aggressive, be more active, have a greater impact on the game than he did in his Game 3 disappearing act.

But the thing that got me was that he was, um, a bit passive doing it.

I expected a higher level of anger or determination or defiance or something. I kind of expected him to get after a questioner or two who doubted his talents, to get his back up a little bit.

He didn’t.

Now, he might have been seething inside – and if you’re a Heat fan you hope that he is – but he kind of sat there and took it.

Not normal.

But, then again, there’s been very little normal about that guy this whole series.

It’s all well and good that he said he plans to make a much bigger mark on Game 5 tonight but, right now, I have my doubts.

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Things I hate: Long-winded interview room questions that include the words “I think” or “talk about” in them.

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Rick Carlisle is not prone to colloquial expressions, which is somewhat odd for an NBA coach.

Not sure that in all the interview rooms I’ve been in, a coach has come up with this one.

Carlisle’s asked if he ever steps back and appreciates what’s going on in the game when the game gets good:

“At times. You know, we’re all so immersed in this, both teams. It’s such a binary situation. You win or you lose.”

Binary?

Not bad.

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Well, this certainly isn’t good news.

Stopped by the labour talks yesterday after practice to hang out and see what was up and the mood was, well, a bit dark.

Darker than it was the day before.

Now, they’re going to meet again twice next week so that’s a good thing and they said they’d commit some things to paper so that’s a good thing.

But …

They were tossing around words like “far apart” and “little movement” and the three big issues from ownership – a hard cap, no guaranteed deals, shorter contracts – are still unresolved.

That’s three huge issues with just three weeks until the deadline and I don’t know whether they’ve got enough time.

I also think they won’t miss games next fall because I don’t think they’re that stupid but I do think we’ll have a nice, lazy summer. And I’m quite all right with that.

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Yes, the Mighty Rockies are on a bit of roll, with little thanks to, well, to me.

Guess we beat The Dastardly Other Team in a 12-11 thriller last night to go 3-1 on the season.

Considering we went 2-13-1 last year, we’re at dizzying heights.

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Mail?

Yes, please.

Click here and send.

Here’s one that’s series-specific because I like the more esoteric ones for the mailbag.

Q: Hi Doug. In the last couple of games I've watched on TV there have been different times when LeBron and Wade have looked completely gassed. Wade last nnigth at the free throw line in the final minutes (he missed one) In game 3 when they were drying up the floor and LeBron was sitting under the basket he was huffing and puffing even though he was sitting there for like 3 minutes.

I am wondering if a) players who play heavy minutes always look tired like that but the fans just don't see them close enough to notice and b) Are the minutes D-wade and LeBron have played in the playoffs starting to wear on them and maybe contributing to LeBron's poor performance?

Jeff M, Saint John

A: There is a theory floating around here that, indeed, that fatigue is a factor, especially with LeBron, who has taken off about 19 seconds in total of all the second halves of all these games.

My reaction?

Balderdash.

I’m not buying it at all. These are exceptional athletes in the prime of their career in an NBA Finals and if they’re tired, they should be ashamed of themselves if it affects their play.

You don’t think the Mavs are just as tired? Think Dirk might have been worn out late in that Game 4?

And, besides, if LeBron was worn out late in the game, how do you reconcile the fact he was detached and uninvolved in the first quarter as well?

Tired? An excuse. A bogus one, too.

But it is something that’s been floated around year. Yawn.

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Another oops.

Brain cramp or reading bios wrong or whatever but had one big glitch in this little rundown of the two finalists for Jay’s job.

Dwane Casey’s been here in Dallas for three years and was a finalist last year for the Atlanta job.

Oh, dopey me.

Anyway, I think we’re maybe a week from getting resolution to this one and that should give the new coach and his staff lots of time to be involved in the draft process, just as Bryan wanted from the get-go.

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Okay, you Irregulars know I seldom do this because you could spend all day sitting around shooting down stupid rumours and I have better things (coffee, rest, work) to do with him time.

But there’s some nonsense that’s been out there about Toronto and Minnesota and I’m getting soooooooo many questions it’s ticking me off.

No.

Never talked about.

Hasn’t been discussed.

Not going to happen.

Hasn’t been contemplated.

Forget it.

And, no, I won’t reveal my sources but, trust me, they’re good and they’re right and whoever started that crap needs to turn off his or her internet connection and go get a job.

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Speaking of the draft, the last I heard was the next workouts for the HOTH are scheduled for the middle of next week and could include Tristan Thompson of Brampton.

Other than that, there are four other days scheduled for workouts but because they have such a short list of possibilities at No. 5, I don’t imagine they’ll include any legitimate candidates for that pick.

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Places I wish I were.

The Euro camp in Treviso this week.

Not to see the players as much as to sit in the restaurant at La Ghirada and have some of their outstanding pasta with clams and pour my own Moretti from the draught pump that’s in the middle of the table. Best.

Invention.

Ever.

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Comments

[Jacques]

Doug, you had 3 yawns today. Is that a record?

[David in Oakville]

@Rob V.

I agree. This series has been compelling in a frustrating sort of way and no one can say they knew how each of those games would have turned out.

Wade has made some spectacular blocks and I keep yelling at Jason Kidd to take a shot or do something. (Peja, who expects anything from Peja, if he gets his name on a trophy I will cry)

This series has shown me two things.. Dirk is way better and tougher than I would have given him credit for and I now know why Lebron and Bosh are in Miami... because Dwayne Wade made it happen (not Pat Riley). This is Wade's team, if they win, he's the MVP and going forward, he calls the shots.

and I agree, let the reporters call out Lebron... the Mavs should shut up.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Couldn't agree more with your gripe about reporters using "talk about" in their questions, rather than taking the time to compose a real question. "Talk about" has even seeped into the handbook of several CBC Radio hosts, who take annual courses about conducting interviews and should know better.

To me "talk about" is up there with "going forward" and "scoring the basketball" as the most crazy-making viral phrases in sports coverage these days.

AG, Toronto

PS: As an extra added irritation, I've heard sportscasters and politicians say "on a go-forward basis." Ugh-double-ugh.

[TMF]

Doug,

With the news of the Knicks forming a sole affiliation with Erie, any news on who the Raps' new D-League team will be?

Blogger's note: Not sure; trying to reach someone to find out, unsuccessfully

[The J]

Rob V. - I agree I've found this series to be highly entertaining. Especially watching a game like Game 2. How exciting was it to see the Heat cdown and start to run away with the game, only to have the unexpected happen and Dallas storm right back. I can't step away from these games as you never know what my happen in the end. And I understand what others are saying about missed shots, etc. But I think that's more a function of the tough defenses not letting the offenses get into a flow than anything else. The NHL just had two games where no one could score, followed by two games where only one team could score (plenty) to get to the same point in their series. I'll take four down to the wire games over that anyday.

Lorie - I agree, I am not looking forward to the possibility of a Lockout, because it would be incredibly boring. Not to mention I don't think I could stand a year of Groundhogs Day, being locked into the same arguements in Raptors-Land : Bayliss vs. Calderon, New Coach vs. Triano, and endless trade vs keep Bargnani debates. At least we would have the draft pick we never saw play to debate for a year, but that would still be excruciating. So bad I might even start watching the Leaves.

I sure hope the Raps don't get fleeced by Minnesota. Because if Minnesota somehow becomes smarter than you, what does that make you? The new Tmberwolves. Oh man, that would be bad.

[pain777pas]

This is a defensive series a series for true baskeball fans. This is just like the first 2 games of the NHL playoffs. Defense is not boring. However, Lebron is not taking over the game like some want like MJ so people are angry when he makes the RIGHT play. Anyway offensively Lebron did not comethrough but was the leader in rebounds and assists. Look Lebron handles the ball unlike Andrea or anyone that is on the raptors who has to where every hat as defensive stopper, scorer and facillitator. Lebron will be tired and so will Wade because they run for like 45 mins in a game for the last 19 games. It is not easy if it was we would be in the finals playing.

[Tim H.]

"Speaking of the draft, the last I heard was the next workouts for the HOTH are scheduled for the middle of next week and could include Tristan Thompson of Brampton."

Shouldn't that be "PHOTH?" (Potential) :>)

[ET]

In your honest opinion, does L. Frank or Casey much of an upgrade over Triano?

Blogger's note: No

[doug]

I have seen many finals and this one has to rank near or at the bottom , there is nothing compelling about it...if this is compelling then BJ and the Bear was one of the greatest sitcoms to air on television...come on people yes the storylines are interesting, but the b-ball has been nothing short of awful, missed shots, one team that has no offensive sets, no intensity, soft centers, a power forward not to be found, no stunning offensive plays or memories and on top of that 2 crowds that are colour co-ordinated in their attire...and the defenses have been good but to say they are the over-riding factor just isn't true, Terry for 3 games just missed open looks, Barea has missed so many gimmie lay-ups I have quit counting and there have been blown defensive assignments at key moments, ...don't believe all television tells you, they are trying to spin it anyway they can for ratings, JVG is the only sensible one of the bunch...and something else that is just gawd-awful is that ABC/ESPN pre-game/halftime crew, they don't add to the whole let's all just sit and watch paint dry feeling of this series...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Brother, if you have a moment or two to spare... here's to intensity, chippiness and excellent execution (1970 style): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqI81Xa2mFk&feature=related
Play ball! Play your asses off! Cheers.

[drew]

Doug I watch a lot of gaames and get extremely excited when I see all of the "old school" assistant coaches on the bench around the league! Man, I mean seeing Bob Macadoo sitting on the bench and knowing that he is helping out the players is amazing! We have Alex English who was a killer in the day but thats it. I see Miami, or New york,LA and see the bench help and I see some of the greatest players of all time on the bench. Not that Cartwright was amazing but he has some serious cred! Whats the scoop with the assistant coaches, why not go after Kareem to help out your big man, or ewing to help out with some foot work moves. Is there more of a push to get actual "coaches" rather then guys who played the position? Would be nice for players to learn from the guys who played and all of the old lost skills...thanks

Blogger's note: The push is always on to get guys who'll work hard and teach

[doug]

this is a example and a quite good one of celebrating to soon...wait until the game is over, like really over..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/soccer-goalkeeper-celebrates-miss-too-early_n_873850.html

[lebron]

It has been one of the best finals in a while. Lebron will bounce back in game 5 also. He's too good not too.

[Kent]

This series has been great. I don't know what else people were expecting. Games in the NBA Finals have been like this for a while now because they almost always involve dominant defensive teams. 2005: 7-game series between Detroit and SA. SA won without scoring 100 points even once. Detroit scored 100 points just once. 2006: 6-game series between Dallas and Miami. Neither team scored 100 points in regulation time. 2007: 4-game series between SA and Cleveland. SA scored 100 points just once. Cleveland never did. 2008: 6-game series between LA and Boston. The two teams scored 100 points or more a combined 4 times. 2009: 4-game series between LA and Orlando. A little bit higher scoring but how much did people enjoy watching an Orlando team with virtually no chance? 2010: 7-game series between LA and Boston. Neither team reach 100 points in the last 5 games of the series. So, what wrong with these Finals again?

[doug]

@ Kent ..my history of the NBA finals goes back further then 2005, if I figure it out it's probably more like 1975... as I am sure many others on here is...what exactly is it you proved on that posting??....and to compare this series to Boston and the Lakers from last year is just absurd...this series isn't even close to that series, oh and what about the first 2 games of that series, come on quite playing people for idiots...whether a series is good or not has nothing to do with points a team scores, nothing at all...

[Kent]

@doug. First. I said "for a while". 6 years; that's a while. Second, something that happened five times in a series is more real than something that happened twice. Go ahead, disagree with that. Finally, my point exactly was that the games don't have to be high scoring to be good and that these finals are not atypical relative to recent ones. You were the one complaining about the lack of offense in this series and in the same breath talking how bad it is to watch. Maybe in the excitement of seeing my post, you forgot what your own point was?

[GM]

Put me in the camp that is totally loving this finals. Every game has been a barn-burner. I don't care about misses. I care about close games and wicked comebacks. If they were all hitting their shots, people here would be saying what atrocious defense it was.

(@Lorie, I'm late with this so don't know if you'll even see it, but to respond to your response from yesterday about 'judgement' vs 'judgment', we don't have to choose between British English and American English. Canadian English is a mash-up between the two. We use some American spellings, and some British spellings. The Canadian Oxford English Dictionary, which is the official dictionary of the Canadian Press, lists 'judgment' as the primary Canadian usage... And on a semi-related topic, have you ever read David Foster Wallace's essay on dictionaries? If not, you've got to check it out. I've read it probably three times. Great stuff.)

[Fix Your Credit]

Awesome! It’s like I don’t wanna blink my eyes for this game. It’s really fun watch NBA games, as always.

[Great Food Ideas]

Maybe he did just have a terrible performanc¬e that confirms that he is not Jordan. So what? You can't make the argument that Wade is better or this is Wade's team based on just this series, ESPECIALLY after what happened in the Bulls series. This article was clearly written by one of the many haters out there who was looking for any excuse at all to destroy LeBron for The Decision, leaving Cleveland, or whatever other reason he might have for pulling for him to fail.

Blogger's note: Or written by someone dissecting a series. Don't see bogeymen where they don't exist

[Save On Anything]

The contrast between LeBron James having left the team that helped bring him to greatness in search of more money, and Dirk Nowitzki just having signed a deal to finish his career with the team that gave him his big break (and that he's stuck with through thick and thin) really makes me want to see the Mavs win, if for no other reason.

[Jeff]

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29921671?source=rss_blogs_NBA

Your thoughts on lebron and wade poking fun at Dirk?

Blogger's note: Boys will be boys