I love the Heat!...And it seems many people and experts are picking them to win. But I must ask them, who did the HEAT have to beat to get to the NBA finals?  Now, I love the Mavs as well, so I ask again, who did the Mavs, have to beat to reach the NBA finals?  Let me run it down for you if you don’t know: the Heat beat the Bulls, a .500 team, the Nets, a team with absolute serious flaws and defective players, and the team that LOST last year to the San Antonio Spurs in the finals.  Now the Mavs beat, the Memphis Grizzlies, who had a .598 winning percentage, then they beat the NBA CHAMPION SPURS, and then they took out the MVP and his cast of MIP’s and Olympians... Hmmm, I think the Heat will sweep! 

They just came together, are older and slower and have a tough time guarding the perimeter. 

They have a few wild players, who are definitely playing some of the best team ball of their career, but they also have absolute match-up nightmares on the defensive end. 

-Did anyone see Josh Howard take down Marion, and D-up Nash?-  

The HEAT beat the Pistons, who play seven guys, actually 6 and a half since McDyess was playing with one hand.  People please, let’s realize the Pistons were playing inspired ball the last few years and the inspiration is gone.  Whatever it is/was, fatigue, fatigue of each other, or coaches or most likely, the pressure was really finally on.  I think it is hilarious, that people keep saying Detroit was the best team in the League.  They were in the East, which is still overall a weaker conference than the West.  Four teams with 55 or more losses, not good.  Do you realize the true immense pressure on the shoulders of a Billups or Rip Hamilton.  They are/were THE STANDARD in the league for success and team play this year, before this year, they were always seeking that respect…. 

Rasheed, Rasheed, I love you so, but you will drain us this I know.

Big Ben just finally got wore down by Shaq, it took Shaq three years mind you, and Ben hasn’t been quite as active, game by game, in this years playoffs either…  

Now did anyone see the Heat-Suns games this year? 

Now did anyone see the Heat-Mavs games this year? 

They weren’t even close, and the score in a couple could have been much much worse… Of note as well, is the fact the first time the Heat played the Mavs the Heat had one day’s rest, and the second time, they played on two days rest…D-Wade was DNP in the first Phoenix game…

Yes, I know I know, it is the playoffs and the Heat are a different team, but Dallas has the versatility to do whatever they need and they have improved as well.  They can grind you down, they can run you off the court, and they can flop with the best of them.  Dirk is a lot tougher nowadays and he is 7 feet tall.  He consistently grabs double figures in rebounds and will get his few blocks and shot alterations on some nights.  Dirk also may not be quick on defense, but he works hard and is l o n g. 

Dallas has fouls to give and will take them on Shaq.  The backcourt is probably even overall.  D-Wade is the Man of course, but who is he going to guard?   J-Will is guarding Terry.  They are both suspect at times but the edge is to Terry right now by far.  Again, now who is guarding Devin Harris, and Josh Howard is getting stopped by? 

Who is Antoine guarding, Posey has to be HUGE, but who now is guarding Josh Howard?...And then off the bench, STACKHOUSE, a North Carolina alum with much to prove on the BIG stage, then you get Marquis Daniels off the bench as well.  Is Griffin starting or coming off the bench?  I will even mention Van Horn, who is useful at times… 

Now Shaq looks spry I can’t deny, but Dampier, while not even in the same hemisphere as Shaq, is only on the Mavericks because of Shaq, and has been waiting for this all year.  Diop better put his mask back on and go down frequently, draw the fouls on the Big Fella and make him shoot hook shots and long finger rolls.  I see a lot more pressure put on the Heat offensively than Detroit could muster, and this is going to be a much tougher series for them. 

You do realize Heinrich looked like Bob Cousey in the first round…I see 7 in the future but mostly because I don’t want the season to end!  Let’s wait a little before I make my definitive pick, and it might surprise you!

Notes:  A guy who could make a difference is Derek Anderson, if you remember him getting body slammed a few years a go in the Playoffs, he has never been the same.  But he could be big in the backcourt in the event of foul trouble or just a change up.

I know some of the names on Dallas’ roster aren’t sexy like my Man ZO, Shaq, GP, Toine, J-Will and D-Wade, but if you have been watching the last two years, Dallas is a quality team, a little reminiscent of San Antonio before we knew who Parker and Ginobili were…The Mavs do have the HOMECOURT as well...