ducks
06-16-2006, 10:31 AM
As the Finals turn
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
June 15, 2006
Steve Kerr
Yahoo! Sports Exclusive
It's amazing how quickly things can change in a playoff series, and Thursday's Game 4 between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks was proof of that.
Following a shaky, skin-of-their-teeth comeback win in Game 3, the Heat still had something to prove as they tried to even the series. After a dominating performance at both ends of the floor that included a complete shutdown of Dallas' two best players – Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard – Miami has seized the momentum of the NBA Finals and finally taken on the look of a champion.
For the first time in the series, the Heat's bench was a major factor. Yes, Gary Payton hit the big shot at the end of Game 3, but until Thursday, Miami's reserves were essentially non-existent. In Game 4, however, the Heat got big contributions from Alonzo Mourning (three blocks, six rebounds and four points) and James Posey (15 points, 10 boards and terrific defense on Nowitzki). Surprise entry Shandon Anderson played significant minutes, boosting Miami's energy with sharp cuts to the basket, physical defense and five rebounds.
All in all, Miami's bench played with great resolve, hustle and fight. More than anything, the Heat displayed a confidence that was missing in the first three games, and since Dwyane Wade (36 points, 13-for-23 shooting) had another spectacular game, the backups' job became easier.
When a star is rolling, it boosts everyone's confidence. The pressure eases because role players don't feel like they have to do it all and save the game. They can just go out and compete, knowing that the game is really in the hands of the superstar. And the game was truly in the hands of Wade.
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He was unstoppable again, attacking at will and finding his way into the paint. Wade made a good adjustment that hurt the Mavericks, penetrating after kickout passes from Shaquille O'Neal on double teams. One of the toughest things to do defensively is to leave a double team, race to the perimeter and then try to keep someone like Wade out of the lane. Dallas had no chance, especially with Wade playing so confidently. He simply could not be stopped, and his teammates fed off of him.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks played one of their worst games of the season. Miami did a terrific job defensively, particularly on Nowitzki, but Dallas was rushed and out of sorts all night. Perhaps it was the hangover effect of losing a heartbreaker in Game 3 and the Mavs trying too hard individually. But unlike most of their playoff performances, the Mavericks neglected to make extra passes. They rushed shots and they never found any rhythm offensively.
Nowitzki started the game out the right way, driving hard to the basket and picking up two fouls from O'Neal that sent the Heat center to the bench just 4½ minutes into the game. But Dirk soon settled into a fallaway jump-shooting mode that is fine if he's hitting, but he wasn't – he made only two of 14 attempts. And Howard, Dallas' third-leading scorer, rushed shots all night, making only one of eight attempts and scoring three points.
Howard has not shot well during the series, perhaps because he's a bit overwhelmed by the Finals experience. I know, I have been in his shoes before, and I did the same thing in my first Finals in 1996. Every shot was rushed because I was so anxious to make them. Howard has that look, and sometime soon he's going to have to slow down and shoot with confidence. He's out of synch right now, and when both he and Nowitzki play poorly, the Mavericks can't beat most NBA teams, let alone Miami.
So not only is the series even, but Miami has rocked Dallas back off its feet. The Mavericks felt so good about themselves just a few days ago and suddenly they have the deer-in-the-headlights look. And because of the 2-3-2 format, they don't get to go home to lick their wounds. With Game 5 set for Sunday, Dallas' players will sit in their hotel rooms and stew over what has occurred. They'll be anxious to get out on the floor for the next game but unable to do anything about it. This will be the longest few days of their lives, but they'll need to use them wisely in order to regain their focus, concentration and confidence. Because right now, they're reeling.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-finals061506&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
June 15, 2006
Steve Kerr
Yahoo! Sports Exclusive
It's amazing how quickly things can change in a playoff series, and Thursday's Game 4 between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks was proof of that.
Following a shaky, skin-of-their-teeth comeback win in Game 3, the Heat still had something to prove as they tried to even the series. After a dominating performance at both ends of the floor that included a complete shutdown of Dallas' two best players – Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard – Miami has seized the momentum of the NBA Finals and finally taken on the look of a champion.
For the first time in the series, the Heat's bench was a major factor. Yes, Gary Payton hit the big shot at the end of Game 3, but until Thursday, Miami's reserves were essentially non-existent. In Game 4, however, the Heat got big contributions from Alonzo Mourning (three blocks, six rebounds and four points) and James Posey (15 points, 10 boards and terrific defense on Nowitzki). Surprise entry Shandon Anderson played significant minutes, boosting Miami's energy with sharp cuts to the basket, physical defense and five rebounds.
All in all, Miami's bench played with great resolve, hustle and fight. More than anything, the Heat displayed a confidence that was missing in the first three games, and since Dwyane Wade (36 points, 13-for-23 shooting) had another spectacular game, the backups' job became easier.
When a star is rolling, it boosts everyone's confidence. The pressure eases because role players don't feel like they have to do it all and save the game. They can just go out and compete, knowing that the game is really in the hands of the superstar. And the game was truly in the hands of Wade.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was unstoppable again, attacking at will and finding his way into the paint. Wade made a good adjustment that hurt the Mavericks, penetrating after kickout passes from Shaquille O'Neal on double teams. One of the toughest things to do defensively is to leave a double team, race to the perimeter and then try to keep someone like Wade out of the lane. Dallas had no chance, especially with Wade playing so confidently. He simply could not be stopped, and his teammates fed off of him.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks played one of their worst games of the season. Miami did a terrific job defensively, particularly on Nowitzki, but Dallas was rushed and out of sorts all night. Perhaps it was the hangover effect of losing a heartbreaker in Game 3 and the Mavs trying too hard individually. But unlike most of their playoff performances, the Mavericks neglected to make extra passes. They rushed shots and they never found any rhythm offensively.
Nowitzki started the game out the right way, driving hard to the basket and picking up two fouls from O'Neal that sent the Heat center to the bench just 4½ minutes into the game. But Dirk soon settled into a fallaway jump-shooting mode that is fine if he's hitting, but he wasn't – he made only two of 14 attempts. And Howard, Dallas' third-leading scorer, rushed shots all night, making only one of eight attempts and scoring three points.
Howard has not shot well during the series, perhaps because he's a bit overwhelmed by the Finals experience. I know, I have been in his shoes before, and I did the same thing in my first Finals in 1996. Every shot was rushed because I was so anxious to make them. Howard has that look, and sometime soon he's going to have to slow down and shoot with confidence. He's out of synch right now, and when both he and Nowitzki play poorly, the Mavericks can't beat most NBA teams, let alone Miami.
So not only is the series even, but Miami has rocked Dallas back off its feet. The Mavericks felt so good about themselves just a few days ago and suddenly they have the deer-in-the-headlights look. And because of the 2-3-2 format, they don't get to go home to lick their wounds. With Game 5 set for Sunday, Dallas' players will sit in their hotel rooms and stew over what has occurred. They'll be anxious to get out on the floor for the next game but unable to do anything about it. This will be the longest few days of their lives, but they'll need to use them wisely in order to regain their focus, concentration and confidence. Because right now, they're reeling.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-finals061506&prov=yhoo&type=lgns