Please, somebody, tell me how the Mavericks are going to beat the Heat.  I need some kind of hope.

 

Windhorst said that the Mavs are the perfect team to beat the Heat, FWIW.  I can see his point in that they have the Heat beat at every position except LBJ and Wade.  They have the veterans in Dirk and Kidd who are both hungry for a title.  They have an inside defensive presence in Chandler.  They are waaaaay deeper than the Heat.  They have a guy who can muscle up to LBJ in Marion.  They have offensive firepower in Terry and Barrea to keep the Heat on their heels defensively.

 

If I was a betting man, I would not put my money on the Mavs.  But it is not totally out of the question.

^^^Not really the kind of encouragement I was looking for. 

I think the Mavs do have two great individual defenders in Marion and Chandler.  I can't believe how bad the Bulls looked at the end of that game yesterday.  I couldn't help but think this is virtually the same team (except for Boozer) the Cavs eliminated in 5 games last year.  Ugh!

I'm not even watching. It's not even about Lebron so much for me anymore. I have a bigger problem with if they win everything (or even if they make it to the finals, truthfully). Have we now established the new benchmark for success? Do you have to have 3 superstars on your team (or 2 superstars and Chris Bosh) in order to contend now? What's that going to do as far as the overall competitiveness of the league?

 

If the NBA regular season just turns into a 5 month waiting game so that the teams with the supers can take off in the playoffs, well, then I have no interest in following that product.

 

Agreed.  I'm hoping for a long and bloody lockout that leads to the owners sticking it to the players in the form of non-guaranteed contracts and a lower, harder salary cap.  And I think there's a good chance of a lot of that happening, which is great for a lot of reasons but most of all that it will give small markets like ours a fighting chance and put the clamps on these "superteams."

Cleveland is not a "small market" in the NBA.  It isn't NYC, LA, or Chicago, but it has a bigger market than MIA, for instance.  There are no NBA teams in Cincy, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo.  That greatly expands our already "mid-size" market.  There are no border wars with Youngstown or a split in Columbus.  Erie, Pa., the Stuebenville metro, etc. are all up for grabs.  As a season ticket holder, I constantly sat next to people from these areas who were Cavs fans.

 

What hurts us in free agency is hardly our market size.  It is the prospect of spending November-April (and possibly beyond) living on the North Coast.  The only exceptions are the supersized markets of Chicago and NYC, and Boston because of the lore (which I think is going to go away when the Big 3 retire).  No modifications to the CBA will change that.

I would narrow that even further.  I think that LA and NY are the only cities that can attract players based on market size.  I think places like Chicago and Boston like to think they are big market cities, but that sh!t only works with baseball and Richard Florida.  Who's the last big free agent who signed with Boston or Chicago? 

Boston did draft Pierce and Rondo, and traded for KG and Allen.  But once they had the "Big 3", they were able to..... wait for it..... 'recruit' some quality FA's to fill holes when needed.  Chicago actually has an awful record in terms of attracting big name FA's.  They wiffed on Wade, Bosh and Lebron.  They thought they had Kobe, until he resigned in LA.  They thought they had McGrady at some point too.  There were a few others that I can't remember at the moment.

 

NBA players, the good ones at least, make plenty of $$ to live anywhere they want in the off-season.  I really can't blame them for favoring the Miami's and LA's when it comes to FA destinations.  I know if I could afford to live somewhere else from New Year through March, I probably would.

What, you don't like sitting on a crowded Healthline bus in your nearly frozen and wet galoshes as the acrid admixture of polish boys and homeless body odor waft through the air?

I love the homeless!  Some of my favorite people in the City.  And I love crowds too.  It's not even the snow or the cold that get me.  It is the grey skies.  I need a sprinkle of sunshine every now and then.  Cleveland in Jan-March does not offer much of that.

Apparently neither does Apr-May.

Cleveland is not a "small market" in the NBA.  It isn't NYC, LA, or Chicago, but it has a bigger market than MIA, for instance.  There are no NBA teams in Cincy, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo.  That greatly expands our already "mid-size" market.  There are no border wars with Youngstown or a split in Columbus.  Erie, Pa., the Stuebenville metro, etc. are all up for grabs.  As a season ticket holder, I constantly sat next to people from these areas who were Cavs fans.

 

What hurts us in free agency is hardly our market size.  It is the prospect of spending November-April (and possibly beyond) living on the North Coast.  The only exceptions are the supersized markets of Chicago and NYC, and Boston because of the lore (which I think is going to go away when the Big 3 retire).  No modifications to the CBA will change that.

 

You think people in Cincy and Pittsburgh are cheering for the Cavaliers in large numbers?  I just don't buy it.  People, generally speaking, in those very provincial cities have a strong dislike for Cleveland and if anything most of them are cheering against the Cavaliers.

 

I think there are about a half-dozen or so markets in the NBA in which players truly want to play.  These may not be the largest six markets in the country, but, they're near the top of the list.  Cleveland is at a huge disadvantage.  I also disagree with you about the CBA being able to change that: If done correctly, the new agreement could most certainly put franchises like Cleveland, Milwaukee, Indiana, Utah, etc. in a more competitive position.  If you severely limit the amount of money that the big markets can spend, players, including some good ones, are going to have to go somewhere else to get paid.  Now it may not work out exactly as I want it to, but after the lockout ends (hopefully not until the 2012-2013 season), smaller markets like Cleveland will be in a better position to compete, and the clamps will be put on the development of these silly superteams. 

I don't buy Cleveland being a "small market" either, it is the only team in a state with 11M people, and there probably is some pull from Western PA, Western NY, and WVA, especially if the team is winning.

 

But, put yourself in the typical NBA player's shoes, when they're looking at where they want to play/live.  The NBA season is from Oct-Apr, when Cleveland's weather is at it's absolute worst.  And Cleveland (and Ohio) metro may be a good place to raise a family, but it's not exactly a mecca for the typical NBA "player". :wink:

 

At least the Indians get the weather on their side, where it's much easier to play from May-Sept here than it is in Dallas or Atlanta for example.  Not to mention, there are many more things going on in the summer month's, while things grind to a halt in the dead of winter.

Whatever the explanation, Cleveland has been a traditionally strong supporter of its NBA team.  People always point out that the Cavs were last in attendance the year before LeBron arrived, but fail to mention they were middle-of-the-pack and better in the late 90s-early 200s for some truly putrid 30-52-type John Lucas/Randy Wittman teams.

You think people in Cincy and Pittsburgh are cheering for the Cavaliers in large numbers?  I just don't buy it.  People, generally speaking, in those very provincial cities have a strong dislike for Cleveland and if anything most of them are cheering against the Cavaliers.

 

Some do.  But you missed my general point.  The gain from not having teams in Cincy, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, does not necessarily come from those cities (although to some small extent it does), but rather from metros like Youngstown, Columbus, Erie, etc...... areas where Browns-Steelers or Indians-Reds allegience is more split.  Trust me, I have met many of people from a wide geographic range at Cavs games.

 

I agree that most people from Cincy would not root for the Cavs simply because they have "Cleveland" on the front of their jerseys.  The animus in these other areas is not nearly as deep.

You think people in Cincy and Pittsburgh are cheering for the Cavaliers in large numbers?  I just don't buy it.  People, generally speaking, in those very provincial cities have a strong dislike for Cleveland and if anything most of them are cheering against the Cavaliers.

 

Some do.  But you missed my general point.  The gain from not having teams in Cincy, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, does not necessarily come from those cities (although to some small extent it does), but rather from metros like Youngstown, Columbus, Erie, etc...... areas where Browns-Steelers or Indians-Reds allegience is more split.  Trust me, I have met many of people from a wide geographic range at Cavs games.

 

Yeah, I see what you're saying and I'd agree with that.

 

Right now, I see the NBA as having a pretty black/white dichotomy:  Large market/glitzy franchises (Lakers, Bulls, Heat, Celtics, Knicks, maybe Nets) and then everyone else.  Since 1983, only 7 different franchises have won titles.  SEVEN!  Even before this whole superteam movement, things weren't entirely fair, San Antonio's impressive run notwithstanding.

 

Things have to change to make things more fair to the "everyone elses."  Either that or Stern should stop with the charade and contract the league down to 10-12 franchises if he's not serious about giving all a fair chance.

Since 1957, the Celtics or the Lakers have won a combined 28 championships.  The rest of the league has won 26.  Yeah.... parity is crap in the NBA.

I don't like the idea of a "Super Team" era any more than anybody else, but that doesn't explain why only 7 teams have won championships since 1983.  It can be explained by good management (good trades and drafts) and being in position to draft the right player.  The Bulls drafted Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (six of those championships), the Spurs drafted Manu, David Robinson, and Tony Parker (three of those championships), even the last couple of Laker championships have been won in the front office.  The only recent champions I can think of who won by "stealing" an player were the 200-2002 Lakers who won with Shaq.  I think what we see happening with the...ugh....Heat....is more of an aberration that can be quickly quashed.  I think the reason the championships are so lopsided is that basketball is a sport that can be dominated by one great player.  If you're lucky enough to get that player (Kobe, Bird, Jordan) you're most likely going to get a few rings.

The Lakers stole Gasol too.  Or maybe it was just a gift from Jerry West.

Yeah, that trade wasn't great, but you can't blame the Lakers or the league for Memphis being silly.  As a note, at the time of the trade, Gasol was a ONE TIME All-Star and seven-year vet.  The Grizzlies did get Marc Gasol (is that the only time that's ever happened?) two first rounders, and two recent first rounders (Javaris Crittenden and Kwame Brown), which makes them seem not quite so stupid now, but only because Marc Gasol miraculously turned into a top-ten center.

It's one thing to draft a superstar, it's another to be able to keep him.  I'm not entirely convinced that had Jordan and Kobe not started off in those particular cities/franchises that either one or both of them would have left after their initial contract expired.  Houston only won their titles because Stern gave Jordan a double-secret suspension for his gambling problems.  Otherwise we're looking at an eight-peat for the Bulls in the mid-90s.

 

The San Antonio Spurs are the true small market success story of the last three decades.  Give their front office and management great credit, but I'm not sure it's entirely repeatable across the league.  But why should small markets like that even have to?  Why not make things more fair? 

it also helps to not have a carpetbagger new money owner who runs his mouth and scares off free agents who may be on the fence about coming to town. ugh. we'll see how he handles his draft picks, maybe he can redeem himself there.

Don't believe that.  Dan Gilbert and his antics have not scared off one single free agent who would have otherwise signed here.  A bunch of Lebron's jock boys came to his defense, perhaps rightfully so, when Gilbert's letter was released.  But nobody turned down a Cleveland offer BECAUSE of the letter, which is Gilbert's only black eye.  Don't forget that it was Gilbert who told Paul Allen and the TrailBlazers to piss off when they wanted to screw Darius Miles out of the money on his contract by preventing him from playing for another team.  I'm sure there are a few players who haven't.  Don't forget that it is Gilbert who pampers his players (perhaps too much) and provides the best facilities in the NBA arguably.

I think he is a great owner, mainly because he is willing to spend money inorder to win.

i'd like to not believe that, but we have as much of an idea that gilbert is not scaring off players as we did that lebron was going to sign with the heat. players talk. fans talk too and i dont hear anything good except for definately giving him a break to see how the cavs draft bonanza is handled. we'll know for sure when this so-called great owner signs top FA's....or doesnt.

 

I loved this tweet!

 

@ThBlackSquirrel: Why is it unwise to ask LeBron James for change for a dollar? You never get the fourth quarter.

 

MTS is Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved this tweet!

 

@ThBlackSquirrel: Why is it unwise to ask LeBron James for change for a dollar? You never get the fourth quarter.

 

 

Bahahahaha.  So true, and we saw evidence of that again last night!

 

One more game, Mavs!

I am not counting my chicks before they are hatched....2 games to go...

 

I haven't watched any of this series because I couldn't stand watching the Heat win, but I do follow the score on my phone.

 

Also remember that the Heat weren't expected to get to the finals this year, and neither were the 2007 Cavs and they never made it back....Bahahahah!

I can't watch either.  I'm hoping the MAVS keep their composure and win it!  Everyone in America, out side of S. Florida, is rooting for the MAVS!

How LeBron James is Introduced in Dallas

Ive been watching. Sometimes I get pissed during the games but so far they have been great to watch.  The Mavs have been a really fun team to watch, especially Nowitzki. Fourth quarters are the best because Lebron falls apart and is usually the one that is missing the shot that lets the Mavs come back or defending the 3 that puts the Mavs ahead. He has been terrible in the fourth quarter, it gets comical. Definitely fun to watch.

I've been watching and mostly enjoying the games -- especially the fourth periods. Not so much because of LeBron's disappearing acts, but because the Mavs' comebacks have been great basketball and great drama.

 

And I'm not sure what is meant by the Heat not expected to win the championship this year. All I've been hearing since last fall is to just finish the regular season so the Heat can go on their championship run in the playoffs. I realize the Big 3 are expected to play together for several years, but this is the first I've heard anyone say they didn't expect the Heat to make a serious run at a championship.

 

Oh, and by the way, this series shows that while the Heat may have better players, the Mavs have a better TEAM. And Rick Carlisle is outcoaching Erik Spoelstra big time.

The Finals have been very entertaining so far.  And they have been doubly enjoyable for me.  Both Tuesday and Thursday our softball team came from behind to win, then at the bar celebrating we have watched the Mavs come from behind and win.  Hopefully they can close out Game 6, even though we don't play Sunday I hope that the karma is still on our side.  :)

Go Mavs!

Lets end it all tonight.  :shoot:  Cryami cHeat gotta go down

/rickflairwooo

Ringless still....

I'm at an international conference right now, and everyone and their mother was just cheering AGAINST the Heat.  That was almost as satisfying as I imagine a Cavs title would be.....  Almost.

Hopefully a Cavs title will feel nothing like this....it just feels good, shallow but good to have the superfriends lose, nothing like winning though....

Go Mavaliers!  Seriously... I wasn't rooting against Lebron.  I actually feel sorry for the guy now.  This summer is going to be BRUTAL for him.  I was rooting against Miami.  I was rooting against the 'superstar' formula.  I love how Dallas just showed that the 'team' concept is still the way to go.  If Miami would have won, it would have been bad for the league.  But, what do ya know, the superstar who stayed loyal to his team through all the tough times ending up winning it all with a sold albeit not star-studded supporting cast.  Nice little tidbit is that not one player on Dallas' team had ever won an NBA championship.

 

I have a feeling Lebron is going to go into seclusion at his fortress in Bath for awhile.

I was and will continue to root against Lebron for as long as he laces up and apparently according to Lebron in his postgame interview it's because I don't want to face my personal problems.  Seriously, attacking the motivation of sports fans (and really fans and enthusiasts other things) with that argument is getting old. 

 

But yeah I also want to see the Heat fail to save the NBA from itself like Hts said.

Who else saw Lebron's presser? When asked about all the people who are happy he failed he went on to give the most passive aggressive rant I've ever seen. He said that those people (the ones rooting against him) had to live their normal lives with all of our problems while he goes on and does what he does and lives a happy life.  :wtf:  He claimed that he doesn't listen to or let the naysayers get to him. What a pompous jackass, I wish nothing but the worst for that guy, not just in basketball but in everyday life as well.

fanFREAKINGtastic!

 

What a pompous jackass, I wish nothing but the worst for that guy, not just in basketball but in everyday life as well.

 

Congrats to the Mavs!!!! I am very happy for the guys who have been there for a long time like Terry, Kidd, Stojakovic, Marion and I'm especially happy for Dirk Nowitzki for putting that team on his shoulders and taking them to the promised land. I always love it when these guys let their emotions out when working their asses off to accomplish their ultimate professional goal.

 

I feel bad for Zydrunas Ilgauskas who followed LeBron to Miami because he wanted to win a championship before his career is done. Doesn't look like it's going to happen for him.

 

As for LeBron, I think Dan Gilbert tweeted it best:  "there are no shortcuts" to hard work.

 

EDIT: just saw this........

 

Anyone up for a new holiday..... Lebron James Day...... everyone gets to leave work 12 minutes early!

Anyone up for a new holiday..... Lebron James Day...... everyone gets to leave work 12 minutes early!

 

I feel like a 3-day work week would also be appropriate since he usually only shows up for the first 3 games in a series.

That image is great KJP. But wow that was a great game to watch! Very exciting! Maimi appeared to just give up at the end when they didnt foul when down by about 8 and with about a minute left on the clock I believe.

Definitely puzzling the way the whole Miami team checked out at the end of that game.  Spookily similar to the Boston series last year.  Maybe Eddie House slept with LeBron's whole family.

I just returned from MIA (I was the dude with the CAVS jersey) and I'm in such a good mood today!

 

This was my screen saver when I logged in today.