Monthly Archives: June 2011

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LeBron James A Great Athlete

A friend and I once shared stories about our childhood. I told him how I was born left-handed, which my father believed was a curse. My father tried everything to stop me from using my left-hand including tying it behind my back and making me write hundreds of lines each night with my right hand. Once out of frustration he grabbed my left-hand and bent my middle finger back so far, it felt broken. I went to my room and cried not so much because of the physical pain but because I was being punished for the way I was born. It was not natural for me to be right handed.  I told my friend how later when my father wanted me to excel, instead I sabotaged myself. Failing gave me more pleasure. I admited that after a lot of growth if I had it to do all over again I would win for me.

My friend then told me his story about how his father told him to climb to the top of the ladder and jump reassuring him that his father would catch him. His father nurtured him with enough self-confidence to climb and developed enough trust that his father would be there for him in his descent. With confidence that his father was on his team he climbed the ladder and jumped. His father let him hit the ground. Then said, “Don’t ever trust anyone. Not even me.”

In 2008 when Dewayne Wade and LeBron James were Olympic bound there seemed to be a clear fit between the two star players. So it seemed odd, when I woke up on Sunday, June 12, 2011 excited about game 6 of the NBA Championship between the Heat and the Mavericks to read the opinion of Dan Le Batard, published on the front page of the Miami Herald. He questioned whether LeBron and Wade really fit and implied that they had not fit all season. In his article, Batard found the problem was in 2010 celebrating a dynasty before a basketball had been bounced. What I found odd was the timing of his article. Before one basketball had been played in game 6, the Heat was being doused with gasoline although the Heat had demonstrated its ability to come back from being down and out. The article high lighting the under-achievements of LeBron James seemed more appropriate for the Dallas Morning News. What I found most odd was Batard’s statement in the Miami Herald that LeBron or Wade would be “all alone;” fame and money would not help him now. “Now” I wondered, it’s the morning before game 6 and there is a game 7 scheduled for Tuesday so what is this reporter really trying to say?  Batard went on to say, “…America has pushed you way, way up toward that unreasonable/understandable shelf…  And now only one of you is going to fall very far and very  hard.                                                          

How odd, the article announced to the entire circulation of the Miami Herald the write-off of a key player on a come-back team. And how odd the timing, before the 6th or 7th game is played. How, I wondered, could this news writer be so adamant about LeBron (or Wade) falling, unless, it has been pre-determined; like a bet in the movie, “Trading Places” where actor Eddie Murphy’s life is sent spiraling up side down over a one-dollar bet. Batard’s article mentioned something about “trouble at home,” I thought about the rumor I had recently heard and its timing. What an opportune time to pour gas on a flame. I remember something my father taught me. “Whenever there is conflict between two people there is always a third unidentified party lurking in the bushes.”

That evening, I found it odd that game 6 of the NBA play-off between Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, a most important game of the season, bar none, was treated like a pre-season game. When Dallas players went to the free throw line to shoot, there were no colorful “white hot heat” banners or shakers waving in the background to distract them. Unlike Play-off Game 5 – Miami Heat v Boston Celtics, you could hardly see through all the banners and signs held by fans. The shouting and screaming in Game 5 against Boston was overwhelmingly distracting. As I watched each game of the play offs I always admired the gadgets and widgets handed out to each fan as they entered the American Airlines Arena to make noise and distract the opposing team. It seemed that nothing was spared for player support. Even when the players were out-of-town, fans at the American Airlines Arena had so much energy it could be felt miles away. I was always impressed by the marketing machine that contributed to the hype and energy of each game.

I also found it odd that in the 4th quarter of game 6, there were no fans shouting “Defense” or “Go Heat” even though the 4th quarter started with the Heat down by 9 with a score of 81-72. It was not unusual for the Heat to go on a tear and breeze back from being down. In the 4th quarter  when Wade had the ball (87-77) just before he dribbled it off his foot there were no fans shouting “Go Heat.” I found that odd. This is D. Wade, not LeBron. There were over 8 minutes left in the game. The fans were missing in action.  In prior games, the Heat had come back from being 12 or more points down with 4 minutes to play and won the game. In the 2006 NBA Final Championships against Dallas, the Heat started out the gate losing the first 2 games but, came back with Wade scoring 36 points in each of the next 3 games and went on the win games 3, 4, 5 and 6 in that Final Championship.

I suffered through the loss of that night, thinking that the 2011 NBA Championship and basketball season were over. But, I woke up the next morning to learn that it was not over. I found it odd that next morning, Monday, June 13, 2011, when CNBC aired a poll showing LeBron James to be the most hated athlete. “But why,” I wondered? The poll of some 400 responses did not expound, yet, the commentator compared LeBron to O.J. Simpson. There was some reference to Tiger Woods not being on the list. O.J. Simpson defied the odds by initially winning against a legal system where he was perceived as a murderer but subsequently went on to lose. That seemed like a comparison of apples and oranges.

The only similarity I saw was that LeBron James had defied the odds by letting go a certified sports agent, Aaron Godwin in 2005 to be managed by a team of trusted peers and friends that appeared to have little experience. That was a gutsy move and I soon heard that it would be LeBron’s down fall. But LeBron seemed to take Michael Jordan’s suggestion from his high school days, “Keep your head on straight.” Despite what some Cleveland fans said, LeBron seemed to have made a smart business move to Miami in 2010. It also seemed a smart move to join the EPL’s Liverpool Football Club (At least as far down the road as I can see). LeBron’s decision would probably have been made by a majority of others, given the opportunity.

I listened as CNBC discussed hatred towards LeBron, who had just played in six games where the Heat won games 1 and 2, lost games 3 and 4, then lost games 5 and 6 where LeBron scored poorly in game 3 but had a triple double in game 4 against tight defense and the Heat lost game 6, where LeBron scored 19 points.

Later on the afternoon of Monday, June 13, 2011, CNBC interviewed Jack Brewer, CEO and a former Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants foot ball player who said that LeBron’s image was tarnished because, LeBron caused the “economy” of Cleveland to fall, caused people to lose jobs and caused the team to tank. Several things struck me as odd about that interview. Foot ball and basket ball compete for the same household disposable income but have different fans. Why is a former football player being interviewed about the performance of a basket ball player? To me, that is like interviewing a Republican, as the voice, the morning after the Democratic National Convention. It seems that would be comparing apples and oranges, not to mention denying equal access.

I also found the timing odd. The front page of Batard’s Miami Herald article stated that LeBron James (or D. Wade) would fall very far and very hard. Then, a day later, hatred is being spewed at James for a decision LeBron made a year before in 2010. During the 2010-2011 season Cleveland fans had quieted down and seemed to forget until Batard’s article and CNBC media poured gasoline on the flame again. Blaming Cleveland’s economy on LeBron James, come on. LeBron is not Boeing. Just because Comcast, owner of the Philadelphia 76er’s now has a financial interest in CNBC should not be a reason to stretch economic news to reach basketball.

In April 2010, before LeBron announced that he was leaving Cleveland the unemployment rate in Cleveland was over 9 percent. Today the unemployment rate in Cleveland is down to 7.6 percent. This means that unemployment has actually decreased since LeBron left Cleveland. Hello, that means more people have jobs.

In 1950 Cleveland’s population was 914,808. In the 2000 census, Cleveland’s population declined to 478,403. In 2010, it declined another 17 percent to 396,815, making Cleveland one of the fastest declining cities in the United States in the past decade, despite a favorable business environment. ESPN records show that Cleveland has not won a trophy in any major professional sport since 1964. ESPN shows Cleveland to be the most tortured sports city. Also, before LeBron James left Cleveland, Art Modell in 1995 relocated Cleveland’s entire football team, (Former Browns) to Baltimore.

I also found CNBC’s story odd because when Wilt Chamberlain left Philadelphia for the LA Lakers and when Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley left Philadelphia and when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar left Milwaukee Bucks for L.A, all were superstars, similar to LeBron James. These superstars were not blamed for causing the economy of their former cities to tank. In fact, when Allen Iverson left Philly in 2006, his fans created a “Tribute to a Legend.” His fans were just as emotional, but instead of hatred, they gave him love as a going away gift. Fans wrote on a blog, “I think you will go down as Philly’s most loved athlete of all time… You can pretty much say Basketball has left the city.” Other fans dedicated Evanescence’s “My Immortal.” Fans defined him as a warrior, with a Heart of a Champion.” While Iverson’s situation may have since changed, consider the love that his fans gave him instead of hatred.

Charles Barkley, like LeBron James was a rebounder, dominant defender, 3-point shooter, dribbler and play maker. Barkley left Philadelphia in 1993 for Phoenix. LeBron shares these and other traits, except, LeBron James never spit on a fan and LeBron never threw a fan out the window. However, Barkley was never hated. Yet, LeBron James, a star athlete gets a bad rap for making a business decision to move to Miami.

After disparaging LeBron (or Wade), Batard’s article suggested that the solution is to win. This is an oxymoron. Who can perform their best after waking up to see yourself being ridiculed on the front page of the newspaper circulated to between 173,000 and 1.5 million readers, predicting that you (or your side-kick) will fall very far, fall very hard, and be all alone.

LeBron gave some of his best years to Cleveland and played hard to win a ring. If Cleveland did not win a championship while LeBron was there giving his best, is LeBron’s absence really the blame now.

What LeBron did when he came to Miami was to share the basket ball with his teammates. He inspires them to greatness, but also gives tough love. LeBron , Wade and Bosh’s artistic athletic abilities helped the TV Nielsen ratings to rise to 15, the highest in 11 years for an NBA Finals game 6.

LeBron is getting an unfair rap at both ends. While being blamed for causing the economy in Cleveland to tank, LeBron came to Miami, and was blamed for workers at the Miami Heat losing their jobs after all the Heat tickets sold out when there was no more work for them to do. It was a smart business decision by the Heat management to close the Heat ticket office with no more tickets to sell. Likewise, it was a smart business decision for the downtown bar owners in Cleveland to close when the customer/fans stopped coming on game nights as they had in the past.

It seemed strange even Governor Kasich of Ohio is joining the act of LeBron bashing. With the amount of free media Cleveland has received by LeBron leaving, the city could have used that valuable airtime to show the positive aspects of Cleveland to entice other businesses to move there, instead of complaining how doomed Cleveland is without LeBron. The situation makes me think about the song, “50 ways to leave your lover; get on the bus, Gus; make a new plan, Stan…”  It is not unreasonable to think that without a new fan plan, all the lovers will get on the bus (headed to Dallas maybe for a sports fix) leaving only the haters behind in Cleveland to complain.

Remembering back to the 2006 NBA championship series; Dirk Nowitnski finished 3rd in league MVP behind LeBron James. After scoring 50 points to take the Mavs over Phoenix, Nowitnski faced Shack, Wade and the Miami Heat in the Finals. Before playing the Heat, ESPN Columnist complimented Dirk Nowitnski saying that he was playing at a higher level than any forward since Bird. The Mavs won games 1 and 2 against the Heat but then Nowitnski played poorly in game 3, ESPN then criticized him as not at his best. It is said that the criticism impacted his performance in the remaining games where Nowitnski made only 20 of his last 55 shots and Wade went on to score over 35 points in each of the next 3 games and to win the Championship. That next morning the Dallas Morning News generally read that Nowitnski was soft but there was no hatred.

After considering Batard’s article, and ESPN’s comparisons of Dirk Nowitnski to Bird, it gives significance to the McDonald’s commercial, which aired during the 2011 NBA Finals where Bird eats LeBron’s lunch (Pun intended).

Batard’s article sheds light on other odd co-incidents throughout the season. Until recently, some broadcast journalist and commentary have sent LeBron James up the ladder praising him as the greatest athlete in basketball today. Then, recently I started seeing a trailer advertising the yet-to-be-released movie, “Bad Teacher.”  A student, arguing on the side of LeBron James challenges the teacher who argues on the side of Michael Jordan. Comparing the two, the teacher scolds the student, “…Call me when LeBron has won 6 championships.”  I can understand the student’s point and the trailer seems premature because at age 26 (LeBron’s current age) Michael Jordon had not yet won a championship. However by age 30, Michael Jordon had won 3 championships. He retired from basketball but later came back and by age 35 when Michael Jordon retired a second time he had won 6 titles. Assuming LeBron James wins championships he can match Michael Jordan’s record title by the time he retires.  However, there seems to be significance in the timing for the release of the movie and its underlying message. I suspect Part II will come out next year just as the Heat is preparing to play in the 2012 Final Championship game.

When the 2010-2011 season first started, I initially suffered as I watched the Heat lose 8 of their first 9 games. That uneasy feeling of having my left-hand tied behind my back would not let me rest. Although the new players on the Heat team were adjusting and jelling, the team seemed to be playing an awkward game as though their hands were tied behind their backs? There seemed to be a lot of thinking instead of natural playing. Out of frustration, on November 27, 2010, I fired my first fax to the Heat c/o Pat Riley, “Untie their hands and let them play their game.” Someone upstairs must have been listening, because from that point the team played with more freedom in their movement and the Heat went on a winning streak.

After the Heat v Sacrament game on February 22, 2011, I sat in the player interview press room at the American Airlines Arena listening as questions were being asked to LeBron James and Dewayne Wade. I raised my hand and first introduced my Blog then asked LeBron and Wade a question. I found it odd that after I said, “I am with MiamiHeat… but before I could finish (Florida.WordPress.com,) or ask the question, both LeBron and Wade put their heads down. I went on to ask a question about Carmello Anthony’s trade. After I finished both LeBron and Wade hesitated then LeBron muttered a response keeping his head down. Now, it is true that my question fell into that stereotype that media in general ask the same old lame questions over and over with nothing new. But what struck me as odd was that before I asked the question when I said “Miami Heat…” both heads dropped. Neither Wade nor LeBron really had ever seen me before (except pictures taken). Their body language when they heard the words, “Miami Heat” gave me a clear impression that there seemed to be a negative relationship between the players and the Heat.

I found it odd that before the first NBA Play-off game against Boston, the Heat media telephone line announced that the media would be allowed in the American Airlines Arena between 12:30 and 1:30.  I sat in the lobby listening to other media representatives talk about the Heat and Boston. They were adamant that the Heat would not win against Boston. I voiced my two cents and said, “I do not see any reason why the Heat will not beat Boston.” (I distinctly remembered back on February 13, 2011 when the Heat lost to Boston towards the end of the game. I believed the Heat very well could have won that game.) When the Heat staff came to escort the media in with the players I was told that because my credentials were not approved by the NBA, I could not enter and was asked to leave. (My subsequent requests for approval went without response).

On another occasion I was asked to leave because I had improper credentials so I was considered a “fan”. Other media representatives expressed strong feelings against the Heat. What was odd was that I favored the Heat.

Late in the 2010-2011 season during a game I saw a commercial for LeBron’s shoe. During that same game I then saw a commercial for Wade’s shoe. Both commercials for LeBron and Wade aired during the same game. My first response was, “Why do that? It makes them compete against each other. Why not air one shoe commercial during one game, then air the other shoe commercial during another game.” You don’t normally see a McDonald’s commercial aired back to back with a Burger King commercial. What I also distinctly recall is that from that point I began to see more tension between Wade and LeBron and between them and other team members.  It was odd the way Wade’s tension exploded against Mario Chalmers # 15 in the playoff series. That was not normal for Wade. I thought, “What’s up with that?”

Then I noticed that the tension increased as the media gave Udonis Haslem # 40, (a championship player who had spent injury-time on the bench most of this season) entitlement status because of his championship ring. It is true that Haslem is a very good player but the media appeared to create friction by pushing LeBron off the ladder in order to push Haslem up the ladder. I wondered, “Why can’t they promote both players?”  In the end Haslem went up the ladder but fell down along with all the other Heat players. Or should I say that the Heat players jumped off the ladder thinking there was support but found no safety net.

It seems like the haters want LeBron James to translate a 50-page technical manual into Portuguese by tomorrow.

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6-12-11 Playoff Game 6 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks take the 2011 NBA Final Championship. NBA Commissioner, David Stern awards the Bill Russel Award and Larry O’Brien Trophy to Dallas owner Mark Cuban and former owners Donald and Linda Jones for their first championship in NBA history.

6-9-11 Playoff Game 5 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks
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6-9-11 Playoff Game 5 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

Let’s Go Heat

 For Dallas this is the last game they will play with their fans- Both go home happy. How can the Heat defend when it’s raining 3’s?   

Quarter 1: Chris Bosh # 1 starts the score with 2 then Jason Kidd # 2 with a  steal evens the score at 2. A second steal to Dallas goes nowhere. LeBron James # 6 with a left-hand shot is short. Tyson Chandler # 6 gets the rebound and takes it down the lane for two. Dewayne Wade # 3 drives and draws a foul on Tyson Chandler # 6. Dallas turns over. LeBron shooting against the shot clock is short. (4-4). Anthony gets the rebound. LeBron throws down at the other end from Wade’s long pass. Dirk Nowitnski # 41 quickly responds at the opposite end (6-9). Nowitnski hits 2 from the corner (6-11). Chandler steals and Shawn Marion # 0 hits 2 (6-13). Bosh is sent to the floor with a Dallas steal. A long pass to Wade at the other end results in a turnover; out-of-bounds (6-13). Stevenson copycats and throws out-of-bounds. Foul on Shawn Marion # 0. Bosh gets inside for 2. Nowitnski draws a foul on Joel Anthony # 50. Wade no good, Udonis Haslem # 40 misses the rebound. Shawn Marion is blocked by LeBron. At the other end Wade drives in 2-points (10-15). Marion over tight Heat defense puts it in. Wade spinning is stripped but Jason Kidd # 2 picks up a first foul. Wade at the line adds 2 (12-17).  Chandler goes up but gets fouled by Bosh (12-18). Wade falls sideways after a hit by Brian Cardinal # 35 who gets called with a blocking foul. That was an ugly fall. Wade hits 2 at the line then leaves the court holding his hip. Cardinal hits 3. Miller responds with 3 (17-21). Jason Terry # 31 in the paint gets 2. Mike Bibby # 0 wide open hits 2. Chandler goes up to get 2 adding a foul on LeBron (19-25). Chalmers to Haslem for 2 with the shot clock running down. Foul against Haslem. At the line Chandler # 6 adds 2 (21-27). Chalmers goes up late but does not beat the 24-second shot clock. LeBron gets Terry’s rebound. Chalmers up for 3, it’s good. A foul against Jwan Howard # 5 sends Cardinal to the line adding 1 (24-28). Howard hits 2 (26-28). Terry passes to Chandler for 2 at the rim. Howard hits 2 (28-30). Dallas gets mugged by Chalmers who hits 3 from half-court just as the buzzer goes off. At the end of the first quarter Wade is still in the locker room.

Quarter 2: Bosh up, James finishes (33-30). Terry hits as the shot clock expires. DeShawn Stevenson # 92 fouls on the entry pass. 24-second violation as Bosh shifts eyes off the ball. Ian Mahinmi # 28 drives into the paint and gets fouled (33-35). Bosh drives pass Mahinmi gets a bucket to tie the score and draws the foul. At the line Bosh adds 1 (36-35). Barea drives at James but is unsuccessful. James races to the basket for 2(38-35). Stevenson hits 3. Bosh tips in to finish for LeBron. Mike Miller draws 2nd foul sending Dallas to the line (40-39). Bosh sets up and hits 2. (43-39). Terry flips up with his right hand over the shoulder and its good. Chalmers hits 3 from the corner. Barea answers with 3 (45-44). Heat throws the ball away (47-44). Wade draws the foul and goes to the line adding 2 (48-44). Now Terry throws away. House attempts 3 but Bosh gets the rebound is fouled and goes to the line. Wade is frowning trying not to reveal his pain. Bosh at the line adds 2 (50-44). At the other end Eddie House gets the rebound and sends a long pass to Wade. Wade gets the pass but waits…”Take the shot”… does not take the shot, then the ball is thrown away. Nowitnski drives against Anthony but gets stopped; then shoots at the line for 2. LeBron gets inside of 2 defenders and jumps for 2 (52-46). Marion hits 2 over Wade. Lose ball foul on Eddie House (52-48). Dallas in bounds – Nowitnski hits 3 over Haslem. LeBron up for 3 no good. Lose ball foul against Miami. Inside pass to Chandler is good with 2 at the rim. Shawn Marion’s defense includes talking smack to LeBron. LeBron falls but gets a technical and a personal foul called against Marion. At the line LeBron adds 1. Out-of-bounds by Heat. Dallas ball (54-52). 2:15 before half-time. Wade’s foul sends Nowitnski to the line to tie the score at 54. Wade shoots but Marion gets the rebound. Nowitnski shoots a left-handed shot for 2 giving Dallas a 2-point lead. A throw away by LeBron. Chalmers’ shot is in and out; Kidd knocks the rebound to Nowitnski who punches 2. Chalmers hits 3 (57-58). 47-seconds before half-time. Nowitnski wide open hits 2. A final shot by LeBron before half-time is short. The Heat is down 3 (57-60), both teams shooting over 50 percent; Dallas shoots 66 percent. Heat has 9 turnovers. Chandler with 11 points is 4 for 5.

Quarter 3:  Miller hits 3 to tie at 60. Marion tips one in. Heat with the rebound, Miller steps out-of-bounds. JJ Barea hits 3 (60-65). Miller for 3. Foul on Bibby with Wade still in the locker room. Miller’s rebound to Bosh. LeBron hits over Nowitnski (65-65). Nowitnski hits 2. Heat offense breaks down – Bibby for 2 no good. Bosh, Miller no good. Bibby with the rebound to Bosh who barrels into Kidd # 2 on an offensive foul (65 67). With the shot clock at 3, Nowitnski shoots a rainbow and hits 3. Nowitnski gets a 2nd foul. Anthony hits 2.  Barea hits 3 (67-73). LeBron drives into the paint for 2. Barea banks 2 (69-75). Bosh draws a 2nd foul on Chandler. At the line Bosh adds 2 (71-75). LeBron gets Marion’s rebound. Marion steals.  Nowitnski no good but gets the rebound. Wade checks back in the game. Kidd hits 3. Throw away by the Heat (71-78). Chandler under the basket is wide open to give Dallas a 9-point lead (71-80). LeBron hits 2 (73-80). Terry’s 3 is in and out. Haslem’s shot rolls off rim (73-80).  LeBron drives but is fouled by Marion, his 3rd foul. Wade to Howard, he banks 2 (75-80). Terry open adds 2 (75-80). Wade gets inside to add 2 (77-82). Terry hits 2 with the shot clock going down, down, down. A save by Chalmers to LeBron gets blocked by Cardinal. Ref says, “Not in the act of shooting.” Heat takes the ball off the side. James looses on the dribble; double teamed and a steal. Then Terry throws it away. Cardinal, gaining his 3rd foul sends Chalmers to the line for 1 (78-84). Heat fighting for the rebound gets a loose ball foul. Out-of-bounds last touched by Terry. James gets striped by Jason Kidd. Wade’s tip is after the bell. End of the 3rd quarter Dallas leads by 5 (79-84).

Quarter 4: Jwan Howard # 5 hits a hard foul on Stevenson. At the line the first is good the second goes to LeBron with the rebound. Wade goes into the paint but ends up at the line with 2 (81-85). Barea hits 2 plus draws a foul on Chalmers. A throw away by Wade. Barea drives but gets blocked by Haslem. James gets fouled by Stevenson. Wade passes to Haslem, it’s good for 2. Heat is down 5 (83-88). Blocked from behind Nowitnski gets wacked but adds 2 at the line (83-88). Bosh gets inside for 2 (85-90). Nowitnski loses the ball to Wade who draws a 3rd foul on Mahinmi. Wade at the line adds 1. Misses the 2nd but gets the rebound; it’s in and out Kidd gets the rebound. Chalmers gets his rebound. Wade’s bounce pass to Haslem is good for 2 (88-90). 8 minutes remain. Barea hits a 4th 3-pointer (88-93). James for 2 the rebound goes to Stevenson. LeBron’s pass to Wade’s gets a lay-up (90-93). Nowitnski draws a 2nd foul against Wade. At the line Nowitnski adds 2 (90-95). 6:48 minutes remain. Haslem adds 2. Miller gets stripped. LeBron to Wade to the hoop (94-95).  LeBron with a triple double. Terry throws, it’s a no go, rebound to LeBron. A lob from Wade to Bosh then to Haslem open in the paint gives Miami its 1st lead in the 2nd half. Nowitnski goes up but the ball goes in and out. The rebound is saved by Wade. Terry is out of the game. Wade is good for 3 (99-95). 4:32 minutes remain. A fake by Nowitnski draws a foul. Dallas is down by 4 (99-96). At the line Nowitnski adds 1. James’ pass is deflected to the back court with 4 seconds to shoot. Bosh loses the ball to Dallas. Mavericks’ 11thturnover. Bosh puts up and draws a foul but comes up short at the line (100-97). Heat leads by 3. Terry is wide open for 3 to take away the Heat’s lead and tie the score (100-100). 3:14 minutes to play. LeBron is short. Nowitnski quickly moves to the rim to add 2 taking Dallas in the lead (100-102). Wade to James but Tyson Chandler steps in front drawing an offensive foul. Marion’s shot is no good. Wade gets the rebound. LeBron shoots – no good 1:46 minutes. Kidd hits a 3-pointer. Dallas leads by 5 with 1:26 minutes remaining. Wade trips and loses the ball. Mike Miller gets the rebound. Wade is blocked by Chandler. Bosh does not score but gets the foul adding 1 at the line. The second rebounds to Nowitnski uncontested with no Heat players near the hoop. Heat is down 5 with 56 seconds on the clock. Terry hits a long 3 to give Dallas a 7-point lead with 33 seconds remaining. LeBron hits 2. Kidd at the line adds 2 (103-110). Wade fouls sending Jason Terry to the line for 2, giving Dallas a 9-point lead. (103-112).The Mavericks take a 3-2 lead in the finals with a final score of 103 -112. There is good news and there is good news. The good news is that Miami comes home for the next two games. 2 MUST- WIN games. But never understimate the heart of a champion.

 

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6-7-11 Playoff Game 4 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

Rev LeBron James preaches an inspirational sermon to his teammates in the locker room to, “Play desperate and you will win.”  Prior to the tip-off, the Heat and Maverick players twitch with energy and rock back and forth at the American Airlines Center during a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.  Heat plays with desperation but loses rhythm as the 4thquarter winds down. Heat gives up a lead due to turnovers and lost opportunities. Dallas with a weary Nowitnski plays with more desperation to pull off a three-point win (83-86).  Dallas Mavericks tie with Miami Heat’s 2 games in the NBA Finals.

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6-5-11 Playoff Game 3 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

At the American Airlines Center in Dallas the Heat meets the Dallas Mavericks. Before the games starts Chris Bosh # 1 says he is ready to play. Born in Dallas he attended Lincoln High School. Bosh goes on to make a final shot that determines the outcome of this pivotal game 3.

Quarter 1: A block by Mike Bibby # 0 sends the ball from Dallas to the Heat then Bibby shoots 3. Under the basket Dewayne Wade # 3 adds 2 (5-2). Jason Kidd # 2 adds 2 (5-4). Another shot by Kidd adds 3 putting Dallas in the lead (5-7). Wade climbs into the paint with 2 to tie the score (7-7). Bibby knocks the ball away from Tyson Chandler # 6 sending Chandler to the line to give Dallas the lead (7-9), as the crowd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas scream, “Defense.” With the shot-clock running down Wade scores 2 (9-9). Shawn Marion hits 2. Bosh shoots, but goes down holding his face. No call, the game goes on Stevenson hits 2 while Bosh at the other end is still down holding his face from a poke in the eye by Jason Kidd # 2. Wade goes on an attack to the basket adding 2. A 2nd Dallas turnover sends the rebound to the Heat. Joel Anthony # 50 comes up short but draws a foul on Dirk Nowitnski # 41. LeBron sneaks into the paint over three defenders and finishes at the rim. Wade gets a rebound and attacks the paint but results in a foul called against Wade.  Peja Stojakovic # 16 hits 3 from the corner over LeBron (13-16). Chris Bosh goes to the rim to finish what Bibby started. Marion hits over Joel Anthony (15-18). Heat down by 3. Bosh goes into the paint, hits 2 and draws a foul.  Jason Terry # 31 is fouled by Joel Anthony (18-18). Terry is blocked by Wade sending Terry to the line where he adds a point (18-19). Kidd goes for a steal but instead gets a foul called. The Wade – LeBron show attaching the basket adds 2. Bibby for a rebound but Wade gets blocked. Bibby’s steal goes to Udonis Haslem # 40 for 2 (22-19). LeBron, nearly losing the ball, recovers then the Heat loses the ball on an offensive foul. Terry shoots as the shot clock runs down (22-21). Chalmers picks up his 1st foul sending Jose Barea # 11 to the line to tie the score at 22. LeBron climbs the ladder and throws down in the paint adding 2. A Miller rebound sends LeBron to the launching pad with a dunk while defender Ian Mahinmi # 28 unsuccessfully swipes at the ball trying to give LeBron a ticket for speeding in the zone (26-22). A Dallas turnover out-of-bounds sends the ball to the Heat with 3.5 seconds in the 1st quarter.  Haslem to Mario Chalmers # 15 for 3. Miami leads the first quarter (29-22) shooting 52 percent from the field.

Quarter 2:   Nowitnski knocks the ball away from LeBron but Miller steals it back. A 5th turnover by Dallas sends Chalmers hitting 3 (32-22).  Haslem gets the rebound. Chalmers to Bosh under the basket drawing the foul and adding 2 at the line (34-22). Terry pops 2 over Heat defense. Heat loses the ball to Dallas on a foul called on LeBron. Jose Barea # 11 drives but cannot finish. Nowitnski twirls to the left over LeBron and puts it in (34-26). Haslem gets shoved out-of-bounds. Miami has 16 points in the paint to Dallas’ 4. After a series of mishaps by both teams Nowitnski makes a basket and draws a foul on Miller (34-29). Wade runs into the paint for 2. Wade throws down after a steal by Miller. A bounce pass from Chalmers to Bosh who prepares to throw down but gets blocked. (38-29). Marion gets his own rebound but is unsuccessful getting it back up. Wade hits 3 with a jumper (41-31). Loose ball foul is called against Chalmers. Wade steals from Terry then races to the other end with a dunk. Chalmers with the rebound to LeBron. James drives to the paint and draws a foul then adds 2 at the line (45-31).  Wade to Haslem gets a block from Nowitnski. Terry is fouled by Bosh but advances Dallas 2 points at the line. Marion adds 2 over LeBron (47-41). Wade goes crashing into Jason Kidd # 2 and lands on the side lines just before half time with the Heat up by 5 (47-42). Wade has outscored Nowitnski 19 to 10.

Quarter 3. Bosh hits 2 (49-42). Joel blocks Nowitnski. At the other end Anthony hits 2 (51-42). Wade grabs Marion’s rebound and sends it inside to Bosh for 2 (53-42). Wade steals and sends the ball to James for a dramatic finish (55-42). Nowitnski adds 2. A 24-second violation sends the Heat ball to Dallas. Tyson Chanler draws a foul and adds 1 at the line (55-45). The Heat suffers its 8th turnover. Kidd hits 3 cutting Heat’s lead to 7 (55-48). Nowitnski hits 3 (55-51). Wade responds with 2 (57-51). Barea and Wade on the floor, Dallas ball. A foul on LeBron sends Nowitnski to the line for 2 (57-53).  A save by Chanler results in Nowitnski hitting 2 over Wade (57-55). Heat’s lead is down to 2. With 4:36 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter Dallas ties the score at 57. At the line Wade puts Miami back in the lead (58-57). Marion gets his own rebound while the Heat is temporarily distracted. James comes back to hit 3 and Chalmers copies with 3 to give the heat a 5-point lead. Terry is wide open for 2. It’s Miller life as Mike Miller goes crashing into the 3rd row with hostile fans. Jwan Howard goes to the line to maintain the Heat’s 3-point lead (65-62). Chalmers deflects out-of-bounds. Chalmers to Haslem adds 2 in the paint to end the 3rd quarter with Heat leading by 3 points (67-64). 

Quarter 4: LeBron steals and runs down with an easy 2 then takes a rest while the floor gets cleaned. Barea hits 3 to bring Dallas within 2 (69-67). Nowitnski hits 3 to tie the game (70-70). A bounce pass from LeBron to Bosh sends Bosh slamming it down. Barea responds with 2 (72-72). Bosh advances Miami by 2 (74-72). Traveling to the basket James forgets to bounce and gets a call for traveling. Wade gets Nowitnski’s rebound and sends it to Haslem for 2 (76-72). Then Bosh sends Terry’s rebound to Chalmers for 3 (79-72). With a little over 7 minutes remaining, LeBron picks up a loose ball foul, his 3rd. Nowitnski takes a shot over Haslem that comes up short but Chanler finishes with a dunk. Wade backs up for 2 (81-74). The crowd shouts, “Defense.”  A double dribble turns the Heat ball over resulting in 2 points by Nowitnski at the line (81-78). Shot clock running down – Wade hits 3 (84-78). Anthony gets Terry’s rebound then a loose ball foul goes against Chanler. Picking up a 4th foul Bosh sends Nowitnski to the line for 2 (84-80). A loose ball foul on Haslem sends Nowitnski to the line with 2 (84-82). Three minutes remaining Bosh gets a 24-second violation. Nowitnski, with a back door adds 2 to tie 84. Wade responds with 2 (86-84). Nowitnski falling away hits 2 to tie the score at 86 with 1:29 remaining. LeBron is hit by Chanler but no call sending the ball to Dallas. Terry’s attempt is no good. Heat ball with 57 seconds. Bosh hits 2 crucial points to put Miami in the lead (88-86) with 36 seconds. Nowitnski throws out-of-bounds. Heat ball. LeBron’s shot is off. Nowitnski gets the rebound with 4 seconds to score. The Heat lead by 2 (88-86). Nowitnski’s shot bounces off the rim but does not go in. American Airlines Center in Dallas is quiet but American Airlines Arena in Miami erupts with cheers. Captain Dewayne Wade contributed 26 points in tonight’s game.

 

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6-2-11 Playoff Game 2 – Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

Heat fans are stuned as  the game slips away in the final minutes.

Quarter 1: Dewayne Wade # 3 tips-off, putting Miami on the score board followed by Dirk Nowitnski # 41 to even the score. Dallas has a 2nd turnover within the first minutes of the game. Bosh is up and in gaining 2. Tyson Chandler # 6 gets blocked at the basket by Wade sending Chandler to the e. LeBron steals but it ends up out-of-bounds. DeShawn Stevenson # 92 gets his first personal and near injury when he races into the fans after the ball and disappears into a sea of white. Stevenson is wide open for 3 (9-4). Wade’s bounce goes up and in. Jason Kidd hits a 3-pointer (12-6). Wade’s great anticipation results in 2 (13-11). Heat fans shout, “Defense,” as Stevenson is stopped. Wade under the basket passes to LeBron outside for 3 to take Miami into the lead (13-14). Chandler stops LeBron’s lob to Wade then goes to the hoop the other end (15-16). Wade to Mike Bibby wide open for 3 (15-19). Stevenson responds with 3 (17-19). Chandler with 2 (20-19). Wade crosses over in the paint and scores. LeBron tears up the hoop after Mike Bibby’s 3-point is off.  Brendan Hayward # 33 for 2 (22-23). Nowitnski shoots 2 (24-23). Chalmers to Haslem for 2.  James for 3 to tie the score.  

Quarter 2. LeBron jumps for 2 (28-30). Jose Barea # 11 hits 2. LeBron with a behind the back pass, Bosh spins and Haslem anticipates under the basket. Dallas scores to take the lead (32-30).  Chalmers drives for 2 (32-32). Jason Terry # 31 draws a foul on Mike Miller # 13 and adds 2 at the line (34-32).  Nowitnski pulls up to shoot 2. The ball is a hot potato. Barer dives on Mike Miller on the floor results in a technical on Miller. Bosh goes up and Wade races in to finish. Then in a one man show Wade races in to steal and slams in the back door with a 1 arm dunk. Nowitnski’s shot is tipped in by Chandler (42-38). Wade with a jumper adds 2. A turn over to Wade sends him to the line where he adds 2 (42 -40). Heat is down 2. Stevenson shoots 3 (46-40). LeBron hits and draws a foul (47-42). Chandler gets foul a 3rd foul on LeBron that sends him to the bench.  Wade is left fuming over a non call while Marion scores at the other end (51-42). Mario Chalmers adds 1 at the line (51-44) then Bosh at the line adds 1. Heat fans shout, “Defense.”  Dallas with great ball movement gets a 24 second violation. Wade hits 3 to tie the score at 51 at half time.  Bosh drives but is stripped by Nowitnski. Now Bosh takes the ball away and James finishes with a slam. A Dallas turnover sends Wade with a behind-the-back dribble and slam into the basket. Bad pass by Deshawn Stevenson results in a turn over to Miami (52-57).  Marion hits 2 (54 -57). Dallas spinning and backs in (56-57). LeBron’s pass results in a kick ball. Bibby hits 3 (57-62) with 5:32 remaining in the 3rdquarter. LeBron to Bosh, he jumps for 2.   Marion with the shot clock at 6, it’s good. Kidd fouls LeBron to stop his dunk. Wade to Bibby in the corner for 3 (61-69). Joel Anthony blocks Marion. Then Nowitnski gets blocked by Anthony (63-71). Terry makes it into the paint for 2 (64-71).  Fans shout, “Let’s Go Heat,” Heat loses the ball, Kidd misses but chandler cleans up. Bibby responds with 2 (67-73). Nowitnski hits 2. At the other end James drives into the paint with a slam.

In the 4th quarter, Terry’s loose ball is picked up by Chalmers with a pass to Wade and a race to the hoop. (73-77). With 9:35 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter Chalmers says I’m going to the rim. A turnover to Wade then a foul sends Wade to the line. (73-81). At the other end LeBron grabs his 7th rebound but travels on his way to the basket (73-81).  With 8:21 minutes in the 4thquarter, Nowitnski is wide open, LeBron gets the rebound. Chalmers fires for 3 LeBron clean up giving the Heat a 10-point lead (73-83). A turn over to Wade results in a foul by Terry. Wade at the line pushes the Heat’s lead to 12 (73-85). Nowitnski goes up but is blocked by Wade. Marion misses and Wade grabs the rebound with 6:29 in the 4th quarter (73-88). Dallas goes on a tear. Terry, wide open hits 2 (75-88). Terry goes back with a lay-up (77-88). Jason Kidd is wide open for 3 (84-90). Terry hits 2, followed by Nowitnski to bring Dallas within 2-points of the Heat (88-90) with 2:34 minutes in the game. Wade and Haslem both come back empty. LeBron shoots with 3 on the shot clock, the rebound goes to Dallas to tie the game. Dallas hits 3 to take the lead. (93-90). Chalmers is open for 3 to tie the game. Dallas hits 2 to take a 2-point lead. The Heat misfires in the final seconds of the game, down 3, with a final score of 93-90.  

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5-31-11 Playoff Game 1 Miami Heat v Dallas Mavericks

 Regardless which team wins in the NBA Final Championship American Airlines will win. Games one, two, six and seven take place at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Games three, four and five are played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

First half. Heat initiates their first point at the line. LeBron James # 6 adds 2. Tyson Chandler # 6 tries to shoot over Joel Anthony # 50 but it gets rejected. Dirk Nowitnski # 41 jumps higher over Anthony then gets double teamed (20-21). Wade saves the ball but Nowitnski picks it up and races to the other end gets fouled and makes 2 at the line. Blocked, Wade loses to Hayward.  Chalmers on the drive draws a foul and ties the score at the line (22-22). Bosh to Wade with fast ball movement under the basket adds 2. Dallas throws the ball away (24-24). James to Bosh who gets fouled by Peja Stojakovic # 16. At the line Bosh adds 1 (24-25). Marion drives over Miller for 2 (26-25). LeBron finishes adding 2 (26-27).  Bosh with the rebound. Chalmers hits 3 from the corner. A foul sends Shawn Marion to the line where he adds 1 (27-30) – the rebound goes to LeBron.  At the other end Bosh picks up a foul on Marion and adds 2 at the line (29-30). Wade under basket is blocked from behind. Wade comes back to hit 3 (29-33). Nowitnski goes for a lay-up (31-33). Bosh adds 2 (31-35).  Loose ball foul against Miami. Bosh picks up a 2nd foul.  3:17 remain in the 2nd quarter. Nowitnski hits 3 from the corner (34-35). A back door to Wade is deflected out-of-bounds. Miami is shooting 35 % Dallas 31 %. Nowitnski banks a shot as he backs away. Marion in the paint sends Dallas up by 2. Chalmers left open sneaks in for 2 to tie the score (38-38). Bosh draws a foul on Chanler# 6 and adds 1 at the line. Terry’s 2-pointer is not good but he gets the rebound and hits 3. Chalmers responds with 3 from the corner to end the second quarter (44-43). Bosh and Nowitnski each have 13 points n the 2nd quarter.  

Quarter 3. Marion pushes to the rim for a 3-point lead. Nowitnski hits 2 (48-43). Jason Kidd grabs LeBron’s rebound and passes to Stevenson for 3 (51-43). Miami trails by 8. Wade goes into the paint for 2.  A Dallas turnover to Bibby then to LeBron and to Wade who takes it to the rim, landing on the floor and drawing a foul (51-47). Nowitnski shoots for 2 (53-47). Wade at the line adds 1 (53-48).  LeBron wide open hits 3 from the corner. Wade comes into the paint and hits 2 (57-55). Marion to Chanler in the paint for 2. LeBron for 3 giving the Heat a 1-point lead (59-60). Nowitnski headed to the paint gets striped and fouled. At the line he adds 2. LeBron with a long 3 at the end of quarter 3 puts the Heat in the lead (61-65).    

Quarter 4.  Miller hits a 3-pointer (63-68). Brendan Hayward # 33 gets blocked by LeBron. At the line Brendan hits 1 of 2 with the rebound to LeBron (64-68). Defensive foul on 11 Barea. Bosh is blocked by Hayward Brendan # 33 who gets a lay-up at the other end. Heat gets a 24-second violation. Haslem wide open knocks down 2 Miami leads by 4 (66-70). Heat fans shout, “Defense” as Stevenson attempts a 3-pointer that results in a loose ball foul on Nowitnski. Bosh to Haslem for 2 and a foul. Heat is up 5. Marion gets Bosh’s rebound. Terry in the corner for 3. LeBron gets his 4th foul sending Chanler to line. Miami with the ball, a 5-point lead and 4:27 minutes remaining. Wade hits 2 (70-77). Shawn Marion backs into Miller but the call is on Miller. In a bounce pass to Bosh he gets fouled by Nowitnski.  At the line Bosh adds 2 (73-79). Heat Fans shout defense as Nowitnski’s pass to Marion is block by D. Wade. Wade for 3 (73-82) with 3:06 minutes remaining. LeBron throws down and draws a foul. Nowitnski adds 2 with 2:00 minutes. Heat leads by 8 (77-85). Heat gets a 24-second violation with a minute 41 seconds. Nowitnski does not get the basket but draws a foul on Haslem. At the line Dallas advances 2 points (79-85). A foul against Jason Terry sends Chalmers to the line for 2 (79-87). Under a minute Dallas goes for 3 but Wade grabs the rebound. Miami goes on to maintain its lead in game 1 against Dallas with a final score 84-92.