But blood rematch between MIAMI Heat and DALLAS Mavericks IS A HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
MIAMI—As rematches go, Miami Heat versus Dallas Mavericks for the 2011 National Basketball Association (NBA) title is no Thrilla in Manila. It’s more like Sequel in the Sun Belt.
But the series that tips off on Tuesday alongside Biscayne Bay is bulging with the compelling elements of a heavyweight showdown: Bad blood, contrasting styles, superstars desperate for bejeweled validation.
A looming lockout gives the season finale a sense of urgency.
In one corner, you have the Mavericks, the basketball version of their Cowboys counterparts—America’s Team—except that they are led by a German, the prolific Dirk Nowitzki.
The Heat is the team America loves to hate, not only because of the narcissistic way LeBron James dumped Cleveland on his much-mocked The Decision show, but because of the perception that James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh colluded to form an alliance.
Charles Barkley called the Heat “a whiny bunch.” In Chicago and now Dallas, the Heat is called “the evil empire.” Bulls center Joakim Noah called the Heat “Hollywood as hell,” but conceded “they’re very good.”
“We have about a month left of hate,” James said with a grin after the Heat ousted the Bulls.
Never mind that the Big Three are really swell guys who accepted less money to play together. If Miami can win four games, that glitzy celebration of multiple titles inside AmericanAirlines Arena 11 months ago won’t seem presumptuous but prescient.
The Heat will have justified its own hype.
James will have justified his decision.
The controversial 2006 Finals that ended with Miami’s triumph and Dallas’s collapse has shaped the identities of both teams. Neither has come close to another title shot until now. Both teams were knocked out in the first round three times since reaching that height and Miami sank to a 15-67 season that precipitated Pat Riley’s retirement from coaching and the $300-million makeover with James, Wade and Bosh.
Who wants the title more? Who needs it more?
Nowitzki, 32, has burned with regret since Dallas blew a 2-0 lead—including a 13-point fourth-quarter Game Three lead—in 2006. He gave a perfunctory smile after Dallas beat Oklahoma City on Wednesday for the Western Conference title, but remained focused on the one thing missing in his career.
“We got one of those trophies already, and it didn’t mean anything at the end,” he said.
Nowitzki has as many shots as Lady Gaga has costumes. He is an unorthodox big man who is scoring 32.2 points on 56-percent shooting while buzzsawing through Portland, the Lakers and the Thunder in the playoffs. He averaged 12 points in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma City. Without a ring, he’s a Hall of Fame import. With a ring, he’s a champion who came to America and changed the game.
Nowitzki’s only remaining teammate from 2006 is Jason Terry, who was point guard then and is sixth man now.
Terry so wanted a constant reminder of what he lost that he had an image of the NBA championship trophy tattooed on his right biceps before this season.
“Everyone knows when you wear a Dallas Mavericks uniform certain things come along with it,” Terry said. “As long as you keep talking about it, it’s going to hang over us. Me, Dirk, Mark Cuban, Darrell Armstrong, we sleep with it every night.
“If you look, to a man, this team is better than it was in 2006. We’re happy but honestly we have to say the job is not done. And when you feel like that, there’s just so much more left in us.”
Jason Kidd wants it, needs it, too. Time is running out for the 38-year-old maestro. He went to two Finals with the Nets. Lost both.
Dallas owner Cuban, the tech entrepreneur worth $2.5 billion, isn’t accustomed to losing. He lost on Dancing With the Stars and his beloved Mavs lost the 2006 heartbreaker. But he and most Dallas fans believe that title was stolen. After the Heat’s 101-100 overtime victory in Game Five in Miami, Cuban yelled at NBA commissioner David Stern that the results were preordained. He accused referees of favoring the Heat. Wade took 25 free throws in that game and wound up with a record 97 in the series. Coach Avery Johnson complained about foul calls and non-calls. Nowitzki was so frustrated he kicked a ball into the stands—and was fined $5,000. Cuban was fined $250,000 for misconduct.
Cuban has remained uncharacteristically quiet during Dallas’s run. But during the Western Conference trophy presentation, he indicated what has been on his mind for five years.
“We ain’t done yet,” he said.
Neither is Wade, who was “little brother” to Shaquille O’Neal in 2006. He was a young, shy player who announced his arrival as a superstar by averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and winning the Finals Most Valuable Player award.
“It’s only been five years but it seems way longer,” he said. “You understand how hard it is, especially getting back, how hard it was to win a championship.”
Wade wants, needs to prove that 2006 wasn’t a one-off with the Big Title Magnet, Shaq. He wants, needs to prove that his recruitment of James and Bosh was a success. And his 29-year-old battered body has a finite number of fearless drives to the basket left in it.
Does anybody want and need a title more than James? He turned pro out of high school as “The Chosen One.” Scottie Pippen is saying he could be better than Michael Jordan. Yet James, 26, doesn’t have a ring. His Cavs were swept in the 2007 Finals. His popularity has decreased, according to an ESPN poll. He’s booed outside Miami.
But James is getting better on both ends of the court. He has already transformed his reputation into that of a closer after apologizing to teammates earlier this season for “failing them late in games.”
In Game Five against Boston he scored the last 10 points and in Games Two, Three, Four and Five against Chicago he made the key shots and defensive stops that crushed the Bulls.
A championship instantly elevates James. It puts him on a path toward dynasty. It validates his decision.
Who wants and needs it the most? For the unsatisfied, desire will underlie all the action of this NBA rematch. --The Miami Herald
IN PHOTO -- A sizzling showdown is expected between Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki. --MCT
