Another season has ended. The Dallas Mavericks crowned as the 2011 NBA Champion. Personally, I never really liked Dallas, but you have to give respect on what this team has done. Throughout the playoffs, I have anxiously awaited the elimination of Dallas, but it never did. I am not a hater; I just do not like Dallas. On the First Round, they faced the Blazers; this was a very good series with Dallas closing out at six games. At this stage of the playoffs, the Mavs already showed championship form and composure as they came out strong after they were given a scare by the Blazers on Game 4 tying the series 2-2. They went on to win Game 5 on their home court then closed it on Portland.
The next round I felt sure that the Dallas was to be eliminated by my favorite team but it turned out to be a disappointing series for the Lakers and Phil Jackson. The Mavs were down 8 points at the start of the 4th quarter at game 1, but that lead was nothing as they played great basketball to beat the Lakers, stealing home court. At that moment, I knew the former champions were in deep trouble. The following game, my prediction was correct as they were beaten by 12 points. Right there, I felt the Lakers lost the series. Game 3 was similar to Game 1 losing composure at the ending minutes. Right at the start of the game, the game looked to end the series, and as the second quarter ended it was decided. I felt sorry for my team that time but I was disgusted as I saw Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum giving unsportsmanlike fouls. The latter elbowing Barea. That was uncalled for and immature. Truly a disappointment for Lakers and Mavs fans alike.
The western conference finals further showed how great a team the Mavericks is. When the series was tied 1-1, it appeared as if this could be a long round. Early in game 3, the Mavericks had a 15 point lead looking to blow out the Thunder. The Thunder played great Basketball after a horrible 1st quarter, but the Mavs kept their composure even after late rallies of the Thunder. On games 4 and 5, the Thunder had lead the game coming onto the fourth quarter, but even a 15 point lead with under 6 minutes to go was not sufficient to hold off the Mavericks.
Game 1 of the finals. A rematch for the 2006 NBA Finals where the Miami Heat was down 0-2 but won the next four games to ultimately win the championship. Game 1 ended with Miami playing great basketball, some saying another Miami championship was at hand, others anticipating a sweep. Both predictions were wrong as the Mavs overcame a 15-point deficit at under 4-minutes left to play. The Heat celebrated too early and paid a dearly consequence. Game 3 went to the Heat, but tied the series, when Dwayne Wade could not get the buzzer beater to tie the game. Game 5 was also a classic, as the Heat took a 100-95 lead, it was seeking to become a 3-2 lead for them. But for less than a minute, the Mavs took back control and ultimately clinching a commanding 3-2 lead. On the opening of the sixth game, both teams were fighting hard, trading baskets and runs, but at the start of the 4th quarter, with the mavericks taking the lead, the Heat and its crowd lost energy. As the game came to it 3-minute mark, the Heat looked as if they had lost hope, they were not playing with a championship form and composure, even with just a seven point deficit at the 2:40 min mark, Heat players would hustle, run, rebound and play poorly. The mavericks shot horribly at this time and each shot could have been a fast break point if they were to get the rebounds. Lebron James lost the ball, which, I think, could have made a Heat run to force a Game 7. The game ended a big frustration both for Miami and its fans.
Even after this blog, I still am not a Dallas fan, I do not know why, but I am giving them praise for their great season, you guys rightfully deserved this championship. After playing years of great basketball throughout the seasons and playoffs, even with fevers, his fade away remained unstoppable. I am happy to congratulate Dirk Nowitzki for his first Finals MVP award; nobody else would have deserved it better than you. And with that the NBA 2010-2011 comes to a close, good luck to all teams next season! GO GRIZZLIES, LAKERS, OKC! :D
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