Dirk is tough he can handle Zo. The thing is Zo had likely never really played against a guy like Dirk. Dirk is usually not bothered by bigger guys. He has the moves where he can easily put the ball on the floor and drive past them even if they are fairly athletic. It's the smaller quicker guys he has problems with. They get into his body makes it hard for him to dribble past them off the top of the key and it forces him to pull up on them in transition.

Basically it would not be good for the Heat to try and rough Dirk up. Dirk gets those calls now we could see some people being T'd up quickly if they try that.

I can't remember a situation where Dirk has really been roughed up. Bowen was more annoying than anything, he never put a hurt on Dirk that I saw. And I wouldn't expect Zo to guard him much or at all, I'd expect Haslem, but Zo will be on the floor and I want to see how Ze German handles some abuse.

From what I've seen of Nowitzki this year (god bless League Pass), he seems to handle abuse fine. Maybe a year or two ago he was soft, but not this year. Just the opposite - he seems to have developed into a real leader, he plays aggressive, plus he's proven he can score almost at will. I agree that he's getting the calls now too.

Who do you all think is more important to their team: Nowitzki or Wade? Which team would be worse off if one of the 2 were injured?

In my opinion Miami has a very well balanced team. They have great starters but the bench is pretty impressive as well. Dallas killed them 112-76 when they played in February though. I hope they learned something from that game.

The Playoffs have been great this year. :)

Man, I was wat ching ESPN today while eating lunch and they had a Red/Blue map of America with opinions on who would win, and 47 states said Miami, 2 said Texas, and Cali was within 2% and was deemed 'undecided'

Ye of little faith.

The finals will be pretty intense because who cna guard Dirk yet who can guard Shaq? The Mavs have Diop and (the second best center after Shaq) Dampier who can just hack-a-shaq. Even with that said I ahve to pull for Shaq and D-Wade just because Shaq used to play for the Lakers. James Posey is said to be known for his D lets hope he can stop Dirk.. lol

Nowitzki is definitely more important to his team than Wade is...Miami survived poor Wade performances but the Mav's cannot win without a good showing from Nowitzki.

I think if Miami expects Shaq to pull them through they are going to lose. Diop has shown he can trouble very good offensive players and Shaq is clearly over the hill on his way down. He'll still be a factor but their role players need to step up. I think Wade'll do enough to win the series.

Crappy game over all. Only Wade and Terry played well. Dirk,Shaq,Howard all played like crap. Hopefully everybody will get into a better rythm on Sunday.

Finally, a game with some drama. Nowitzki really choked at the end. They probably would have lost anyway, but it was still surprising, especially after Shaq and Haslem hit 2 big ones each. I didn't like the final play call either. If you're going to toss the lob, do it against someone other than Dwayne Wade. I would have rather seen Dirk take a 3 to end it.

And what on earth is Nowitzki doing throwing the ball inbounds on the last play of the game? Wouldn't you want your best player - arguably the 3rd or 4th best player in the league - to take the final shot? Come on.

I thought for sure it was going to be 3-0. Dallas looked unstoppable in the 3rd quarter...it was looking like they were going to win by 20. Wade started hitting uncontested shots from everywhere and Dallas stopped shooting. WTF. They just gave it up -- they lost it more than Miami won it I think. Weird but interesting game. Lisa Salters could give Shaq a blowjob on her tippytoes it seems.

lol

it was a good play call, that was just an unbelievable play from wade. Howard was jumping foward while wade was jumping backwards, much harder. If the pass had been just inches higher it would've been a perfect dunk.

Calling a play for dirk might have worked, but he hasn't been shooting spectacularly this season.
Unless Riley can figure out a way to slow the speed of the Mav's, the Heat are done Devin Harris just flew by Wade on Miami's last FG, the heat guards are just too slow too keep up, especially at this stage of the game. Unless Shaq goes in a time machine or Riley shows that he's a genius, the Heat should get ready to enjoy their beaches

watching Game 5 was like deja vu all over again of the Lakers-Kings series from a few years back. the Mavericks should be winning this series, but the refs just won't let them do it.

jeez, it's almost like a basketball version of the WWE... the NBA has ordained that Miami will win the championship. it's now up to their creative dept. (i.e., the refs) to choreograph the finish!

I dont think its the NBA that has ordained that the Heat will win the championship, I think it is Dwayne Wade that is ordaining it so. He is the second coming/reincarnation of a basketball god whose name should never be compared to (M.J.)

Honestly though, if you watched that game, Wade single handedly won the game for the heat (aside from Payton's clutch layup) The ball was in wade's hands the whole 4th quarter and OT. That was by far one of the best basketball games I've EVER seen. Regardless if the Heat one or loss, I would have felt so...

It does suck what happened with the Time out call, though Josh Howard clearly did call Timeout. He was walking to the bench and everything.

yes, Josh Howard did call the timeout (after the 1st free throw)... there should be no dispute about that.

there's also no disputing that Dwyane Wade has been the best player in the Finals. but, the reason why he looks like the 2nd coming of M.J. is because the refs are treating him like he's M.J. there shouldn't be a double-standard in how they call the game.

but, here's where I fault Dallas. quit leaving it up to the refs. if they're gonna call a foul for the ticky-tack contact... then you might as well get your money's worth! a couple of good, hard fouls in the 4th quarter of Game 3... and the Mavericks would be prepping for their parade.

possibly... tonights game will definitly be interesting. Go heat!

HEAT WIN!!! HEAT WIN!!! Its about damn time, I waited a loooooong time for this!

after such a great playoffs, i left something lacked in the final....wayde cemented his reputation as a clutch performer, shaq is clearly over the hill. I dunno, these playoffs peaked with the Western Conf. Finals, maybe even the semi-finals, but as a whole it's a big improvement. My only wish is that somehow the officiating could become less of a factor.

Pretty average Finals.

For the record, Miami shot 52 more free throws than Dallas for the series. Crazy. That's 9 more per game than Dallas!

And on top of that, Dallas never made any adjustments to Wade, which after the game 4 Miami blowout, was inexcusable. Wade shot from his same comfort zones on the floor again and again. No double teams, no denying him his shot. (coaches fault?) Too many missed jumpshots, coupled with no driving to the hole were Dallas' main offensive problems (coaches fault?). Not enough passing the ball to Dirk. (coaches fault?)

The only game I credit Miami winning somewhat outright was the final game 6 in Dallas. They looked way, way, way, WAY more hungrier and determined, so I guess they deserved it. The Miami role players, almost to a man, had great games. Would have liked to see a more competetive Finals, but Miami played better throughout (especially defensively) so I guess they deserved it. They definitely had some help from the officials though. This is not a great team, Miami. Dallas lost it, more than Miami won it. They are one and done.

Lakers-PHX series was the best series imo. Loved it!

Yeah, that Lakers series was amazing. If Phoenix would have gone all the way, it might have been the best playoffs run ever.
Barring some major offseason changes, I don't see much changing next year. The top teams are still going to be San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix in the West and Detroit, Miami, and probably Cleveland in the East.
Phoenix will be the most improved with Amare and Kurt Thomas back, although they'll probably have lose Tim Thomas and a couple others.
I'm looking forward to it.