Mavs in 5

I hate prediction columns. They are invariably awful. So here goes.

In Dirk Nowitzki, Jet Terry, Josh Howard, Jerry Stack, Marquis Daniels, Davin Harris and KVH Dallas has seven players who can consistently put the ball in the basket. Cut one head off that hydra and another will grow in its place. In contrast, the Heat boast only Wade, Shaq, maybe Toine and maybe Jason Williams to counter. This is the new NBA and to compete you gots to score. Dallas can and Miami can't.

There is no way that the Heat can contain the Mavs' perimeter attack. Gary Payton has NO HOPE of guarding either Devin Harris or Jason Terry off the dribble. It's just not happening. Ditto for White Chocolate. Miami lucked out by facing Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups in the previous two rounds. Both are good points, but neither exploit Miami's inability to defend speedy guards. There's a reason the seemingly overmatched Bulls gave the Heat fits in the first round: young legs.

Tubby is rooting for Miami, and thinks they are going to win. Those words just typed shifted the Vegas odds further in the Mavericks' favor.

The "Shaq only needs to try hard for seven games!" argument? This carries some weight as far as I'm concerned. But, you know what else carries a lot of weight? Shaq. And he's played 76 games already this year. If it wasn't for a playoff schedule that gives him a week off in between series, Shaq would already be a non-factor.

And while we're on the subject, it's not like Shaq is Shaq anymore. I love the guy, but he only plays thirty minutes a game. Alonzo Mourning and his working kidney give the Heat arguably equal value, and for 18.8 million dollars less. What a bargain!! You could even argue that the Heat are better with Zo on the floor because he brings a better (more agile) defensive presence, stays out of Wade's way on offense, and makes his free throws. There I said it.

Finally, the Eastern Conference has drawn closer to the Western Conference in terms of competitiveness this year - but not at the top. The West Finals are still like the NFC Championship games of the early 90s. Both are essentially for the title with the final serving as a victory lap/right to kick the Bills' ass.

So there you have it. Mavs in 5, allowing for one Bavetta special. Get ready for more Mark Cuban posts about how no one respects "us".



Unrelated: Why is it in girls' sports that they call each other "ladies"? As in "Let's go, ladies!" or "Pull it together, ladies!". That bugs the shit out of me.