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| Luol Deng and Chandler Parsons both hope the be the missing pieces for their new teams to win another championship. Photo credit: NBA |
An inside look at the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. Two teams with a similar past, present, and future...
by +Rodney FisherPast
It all started in 2006...
The Dallas Mavericks finally got over the hump, beating the curse, making it to the 2006 NBA Finals to face an unexpected Miami Heat team. The Mavs had done the impossible by making it out of the Western Conference, while the Heat's start-studded roster of veterans and one young, flashy player named Dwyane Wade dominated a mediocre Eastern Conference.The Heat would go on to win the series 4-2 earning the franchises' first championship. Wade would win the NBA Finals MVP, and the city of Dallas would continue to contemplate if their seven-foot German import could ever win it all. To most Mavericks fans the series will always be remebered for bad refereeing more than anything.
2011 Happened...
The Miami Heat were able to persuade the biggest free agent in NBA history, LeBron James, to leave his hometown and take his "talents to South Beach". Chris Bosh decieded to to cross the border back to the US and join them in Miami also. The reward was a return to the NBA Finals in 2011 to face the Dallas Mavericks once again. This time with only Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry remaining from the their previous Finals matchup and a collection of veterans. The series ended 4-2 again, but with the Mavs beating the Heat to win their first championship and Dirk Nowitzki earning The Finals MVP.Present
Both teams enter the 2013-14 season with new rosters. The Heat, though they lost LeBron to Northeast Ohio, were able to secure Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade for the future and added two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng. The Mavs were able to cleverly sign Chandler Parsons from the Houston Rockets and bring back their key ingredient to their only championship Tyson Chandler. Both teams met up for the first time this season in Dallas with identical 4-2 records. A great start for two teams that looked good on paper, but would have to prove it on the court.Miami
In their first meeting, the Miami Heat handed the Dallas Mavericks their first home loss of the season, 106-95. The Heat led by as much as 22 points in the second half in a back-to-back game. Although they passed the ball better than the Mavs highly rated offense and Luol Deng hit a game high 30 points, Coach Spoelstra understands that his team is very much still a work in progress. Especially getting the chemistry between Wade and Bosh locked in."They are steady", says Spoelstra. "They are balancing that tough thing of when to attack and create offense for us and when to facilitate. They were both very poised with that tonight and probably received the most actions called for them. But that doesn't mean that they have to hunt for their own shots. They have to be decision makers and they made solid decisions tonight."
In talking with Loul Deng he made it very clear that starting 5-2 proved he made a good decision to come to Miami.
"I knew what type of team it is that's all about winning. Over a number of years they have been in every situation you could think of playing together and I knew I would fit right in because of how much they played together."
His new head coach shared the same sentiment about him. "Will somebody fit your organizational philosophy? Toughness, defensive-minded, intangibles, pro on and off the court, we like those guys. He was one of those guys we never thought we would have a chance to years ago. When we had the opportunity, we jumped all over it."
Chris Bosh is having his best season in a Heat uniform, averaging 23.6 PPG and 10.3 boards. Wade has played in all three of the team's back-to-back games when he only played in three all last season. He credits his diet and exercise regimen from the offseason.
Dallas
For team that started out red hot this season, based on the last three games you would not know how potent their offense has been. The Mavs third quarter defense looks more like your local high school team than an NBA team with a bright outlook.Coach Rick Carlisle: "We've got to figure it out soon. We've got to get back on the practice court tomorrow. We've got to compete. That is what it's going to take. I'm not going to make excuses about it other than to say, we've got to do a lot better."
The Mavericks big free agent splash Chandler Parsons has yet to show fans that he can be the player to replace Dirk. Tonight he was 1-9 from the field for only four points. His 13.6 PPG average is the lowest since his rookie season.
"I've just got to keep shooting the ball. I never been in a slump shooting the ball this poorly. It's part of the game and just have to stick to it", says Parsons.
As the only team in the NBA without a rookie player, the Mavs are all-in this season to get back to The Finals. The veterans they have added have all been close without winning it all, similar to the make-up of the 2011 championship squad.
Carlisle continued: "I'm concerned about how we're competing as a team. We just have a problem right now from top to bottom with consistency. When out level of competitiveness comes up to where it should be on a consistent basis, a lot of our problems will dissipate."
*The Happy Ending*
Prior to the game, Mark Cuban took the time to seemingly apologize to Dwyane Wade and the Heat for his rapid rage against the franchise over the years.Wade reacted: "It was dislike towards me? I didn't know that! (jokingly). I think we all moved on from all that, myself and Dirk. I got a couple of "boo's" when my name was called, but that's all good...it's sports"
Future
Both teams, even after losing key players, have done a masterful job of keeping their rosters competitive and in contention. The Heat are only half a game out of first place in the conference, and Dallas is staying the the pack in the basketball gauntlet known as the Western Conference.The players may have changed, but the game remains the same...
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