Seeking Balance

Post Games 3 and 4: Miami Heat 2: The Dallas Nowitzki's 2

Well, we knew it would come down to another game ending shot by Dirk at some point, we just didn't know it would happen every game! So in game 3, it's Haslem now instead of Bosh (as predicted) manning up to Dirk for the buzzer shot. He plays tough straight up D with no help, keeping his chest in front of the Dallas big man, holds steady on the pump fakes, and Dirk launches a fade away jump shot from above the free throw line - it bounces out. Huge Heat win; it's 2-1.

In the aftermath, Lebron is already being criticized for not scoring enough, despite the fact that he distributes brilliantly including the game winning assist to CB, plays tough defense and contributes in an all round selfless fashion. The criticism is completely unwarranted; you wonder if this guy will ever live long enough to catch any kind of break from humanity ...

Game 4 we're back at it. Much is made of Dirk's illness, including a fever, and he does appear to be off somewhat struggling with his shot. Again it's crunch time, and again Dirk gets the ball. Again UD gets the call. This time however, Dirk makes a quick move to his right, clearly a well designed play has vacated everyone else from under the basket, UD gets no Help D -- and again we watch The Nowitzki waltz in for a nearly unconstested layup to gain the lead in the closing seconds of the game.

The ensuing Heat possession was simply embarrassing, as Wade inexplicably missed an inbounds pass --it bounced off his hands and headed for the halfcourt line and a turnover. A desperate save by Wade, followed by Miller recovery, and lame 3 point heave that doesn't even draw iron.

If the Heat lose the series --and I don't suggest for a second I expect this-- but if they do, I think this will be the one they say was the real tragedy to lose. First, a brilliant offensive performance by D Wade. Yes, marred somewhat by the late game play in the form of a missed free throw (would have tied it) and then the bungled inbounds pass as time expired. Nevertheless, an amazing performance including a clean block on Dirk on the defensive end earlier, and a huge contest on Tyson Chandler as Chandler attacked the rim. On offense he zigged and zagged his way to the rim, finishing like I think at this point, only he can. (32/6/2/2/2)

Dirk was clearly off with only 21 points. Yeah, 10 of them were in the last quarter. But overall, a sub-par night from Dirk, a huge game from Wade and solid performance by CB, and we lose? Which brings us to Lebron and his 8 points. No, not in the 4th quarter: 8 points in the entire game. So recognizing that there has to be a balance between distributing and scoring, and between LBJ and D Wade each doing their thing ... but 8 points in the entire game?! That's a loss of balance that will not fly. And it didn't.

In the last 2 games, in the 4th quarter, James has a total of 2 points. In game 4, he took one shot in the 4th. In the same game, he was outscored by Shawn Marion 16-8. Shawn Marion -- a guy the Heat traded away!

Lebron James / NBA Finals / 8 points ... wow ... just hard to believe...

But I so desperately wish all this nonsense about it's Wade's team / it's Lebron's team / Wade's the closer / James is the closer etc would just go away. It's all such one dimensional garbage. Riley to sports world: it takes 3 guys! No, it doesn't have to be one guy or the other as the alpha dog. It doesn't ...

Which brings me to what I think the Heat still never did this year, and doesn't seem ready to conquer in the handful of remaining games this year, even if they win: the ability to dial up, and dial down with accuracy and sensitivity, the relative offensive contributions of their 2 giants Wade and James. That's the balance that still eludes this squad, and along with some tweaks and strengthening to the supporting cast -- has got to come if they're going to reach their ultimate potential.

They have to have a better sense between the two of them which should have the ball at any given time in that last 7 minutes of the game -- when every possession matters. There was one point in the 4th quarter as Dwayne was cooling off a bit when he passed the ball to Lebron. I don't think James had the ball for more than a second before he tossed it right back to Wade who almost seemed surprised, and certainly a little winded. You had to scream WTF at that point -- what could James have been thinking? It was so clearly his own time, his own turn. Balance.

So for all the doomsayers out there: get back up off the ground -- it's 2-2, and, btw, we've split in Dallas at this point. Is the next game huge? You bet. Is it everything? No, it's not. And frankly, I for one hope that Lebron does not come out heaving up everything at the basket. Could he score 50? Sure. Would I mind? Heck no ;-) But a nice 22 points with 9 assists and 7 rebounds might serve the Heat better ... and in a way, the notion that arguably the best player in the world just scored 8 points and you beat his team by a whopping 3 points ... maybe, just maybe, oughta have you lying awake tonight if your name is Rick Carlisle ...

We'll be in it this time tomorrow night sports fans ...