Here are my thoughts on the NBA Finals (two days later)

1. LeBron James failed again in the big moment, basically removing himself from being a scorer. His first few shots, which were just that shots and not drives to the basket, seemed to be a “see I can score, IF I wanted to!” moment. Need I say more?

2. James’ after game comments were not directed to poor people or the common man (in my opinion), Dan Gilbert and Skip Bayless are not poor, but they are two of LeBron’s biggest detractors, we all have problems in our lives.

3. The Mavericks helped bring balance to the NBA. Just when every GM was going to have to blow up his roster and trade for stars, a team with one Star won the
Finals.

4. The Heat’s BIG 3 made the Finals in their FIRST year together.

5. Dirk had one of the great postseasons in NBA History, highlighted by having most of NBA fans actually rooting for his team.

6. Rick Carlisle has been a very good coach for a while. I’m glad to see he has a ring.

7. Erik Spoelstra got out coached, mostly because he let Rick make his subs for him. House and Chalmers on the court at the same time? The Mavs played 2 or 3 guards at the same time ALL YEAR. Where was the “BIG 5” (Wade, Miller, James, Haslem, and Bosh) lineup that Miami payed for in the summer? The same lineup that closed out Chicago. Who cares if Miller couldn’t shoot?  He played defense and rebounded, something the Heat did not do down the stretch.  Chalmers handling the ball along with Wade and James only complicated things in late game situations.

8. Chris Bosh played really well in the last 3 games, too bad he wasn’t given the proper touches in the 2nd half of those games.

9. As well as Dwayne Wade played in these Finals, the only games the Heat won, were the games that LeBron James had an effect on. Game 3 to a lesser effect, but he made the pass to Bosh in the corner. As much as this Finals was about LeBron and his actions, which definitely influenced Wade, Wade still had a FT to tie game 4 and still lost the ball on the last possession. He had a bad game 6, period.  All the great things Wade did never resulted in a win. Remember Wade left his hand up and walked down the court before the Mavs comeback in game 2. If you don’t think the Mavs cared about that just look at game 6 when Haslem, doing the same thing, almost started a fight.

10. A ring absolves you of everything, look at Wade and Dirk. With the talent of Wade, Dirk, and LeBron you have to show up when you win those championships. Until LeBron shows up in a Finals series win, he will not be absolved. After? Well you can fail your team like Wade this year or Dirk in ‘06 and it’s okay.