Anyone else watching this epic Chicago collapse?

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Good team defense always destroys one man offensive team. 

For anyone that thinks Dallas has a good shot in the Finals they need to read this.

Dallas will really have to play above their heads and get significant performances from their role players while Lebron and Wade will have to go cold. I could easily see this being another 5 game series for Miami

I would not characterize Dallas as a one-man offensive team.  Terry, Barea, Marion, and even Kidd, Stojakovic, and Chandler can all score at times.

Dallas has multiple players that have showed they can step up and be offensive forces in big moments. 

I think you guys are being a bit generous. Marion, Peja, Kidd, Chandler (especially Chandler) are not offensive forces in any sense of the word. I don't think you can rely on any of those guys to consistenly do much on offense.

As for Terry and Barea I don't really see being much better offensively than Boozer and Deng

Boozer and Deng have stepped up in the regular season.


We have seen Terry and Barea be offensive energizers off the bench in the playoffs.


We have seen Kidd hit big shot after big shot in the playoffs.  Chicago does not have that. 

Yes Kidd has a knack for big shots, big defensive stands, pretty much just big plays.

I agree with Terry and Barea this playoffs all I'm saying is that i those are my primary offensive weapons next to Dirk than I am worried.

Not to mention next to Lebron you got Wade and Bosh, along with their suffocating defense.

I think the Dallas offense is more dynamic than Chicago's, and will present the Miami defense with a tougher challenge. Dallas has several good 3-point shooters to spread the floor and open things up for Dirk in the post. Barea's lightning-quick penetration was a problem for L.A. and OKC, and I can see him creating problems for Miami as well.

[Tai]

Funny.



How many times have we seen a regular season MVP that has no help look less then that in the playoffs against good defense?



Boston did that to Lebron how many times?  Did it to Wade? 



When those two get better help, they suddenly play like top stars again.  Heck, Lebron looks like the best player in the game right now.  (offensively and defensively)



Miami has a very good defense.  The Bulls have one guy to go to on offense. 


Good team defense always destroys one man offensive team. 

Yea, as much as it pains me to say it, the Heat were a monster defensively these series. I bet if it was any other team playing this good defensively as the Heat it would be praised a little more, but since it's Lebron and friends, everyone hates them and mad they're 4 wins away from the NBA Finals. It's understandable, but it won't change the fact that to say their defense has been underrated these playoffs is an understatement.

I also feel like they were step ahead of the Bulls. Putting Lebron on Rose late in Game 4 was genius. It's like Chicago's offense went to the crapper; only 25 points in the 4th quarter & OT combined for the Bulls. Then going big with Wade at the PG at times during the series seemed to bother Rose more than I thought it would, and now matchup problems suddenly pop up on both ends, whether he's on the court or not. Say what you want about Coach Spo, but he may have justified Riley's trust in him right there.

[Who]

Yea, as much as it pains me to say it, the Heat were a monster defensively these series.

I bet if it was any other team playing this good defensively as the Heat it would be praised a little more, but since it's Lebron and friends, everyone hates them and mad they're 4 wins away from the NBA Finals.

It's understandable, but it won't change the fact that to say their defense has been underrated these playoffs is an understatement.

I think it's because they don't have a dominant defensive big man.

Media, and some fans, seem to me to be far more reluctant to praise a team's defense that is anchored by a perimeter player(s).

Prefer to concentrate on Miami's lack of size defensively in the paint and criticize that weakness rather than praise their strengths.

[CelticsFanNC]

 Chicago lost because they don't have a reliable second scoring option behind Rose and because Rose is a very inefficient scorer.

  I know Rose it better but he reminds me a whole lot of A.I. at this point in his development.

[LB3533]

Deng was pretty consistent in the series.

[wdleehi]

Deng was pretty consistent in the series.

Consistent.  Yes


Good defense.  Yes.


A number 2 type of guys on a title team?  No.

[cman88]

Dallas has a better chance than Chicago to beat the heat, because you have a rotation of 9 guys who can give starter minutes and starter Point totals, and all are capable of hitting big shots....Kidd can go to the bench and JJ will step right in like nothings changed....so, you have alot more scoring options whom if are left open can knock down an open shot.

Chicago has 1 scorer. Derrick rose...this series really was 1 superstar vs 2...and when rose got shut down, there was no one else to step up and help him....Boozer was supposed to be that #2 guy, but

plus, we have to realize this team has never got out of the 1st round before, while Lebron/wade have been to the finals....theres inexperience in the loss as well.

[LB3533]

Dallas only has Dirk as their only legit scorer.

The rest of the Mavs aren't that great.

I could throw in Marion, but he only just started to actually elevate his scoring in these playoffs last series.

If Dirk fails to play at his elite level, the Mavs will lose and lose pretty badly.

I just do no forsee the Mavs lighting it up from 3 point range.

The Heat's D is too hot.

[cman88]

Dallas only has Dirk as their only legit scorer.

The rest of the Mavs aren't that great.

I could throw in Marion, but he only just started to actually elevate his scoring in these playoffs last series.

If Dirk fails to play at his elite level, the Mavs will lose and lose pretty badly.

I just do no forsee the Mavs lighting it up from 3 point range.

The Heat's D is too hot.

the same token, I dont see the Heat able to do anything to stop Dirk from scoring. They are going to have to double him...which will open up dallas' three point shooters