ROUND 2

Almost five years ago to the day I was showering after a Warped Tour show in the tunnels of the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Some things I'll never forget about the Heat locker room was how nice it was decorated, how big everything was considering the chairs, sinks, showers, toilets, etc. are built to cater to a league where average height is probably 6'6, and my friend Mike's feet hanging up off the ground while using said toilet. And the streamers ... and the champagne bottles ... and the confetti. That's because three days earlier, the Heat captured the NBA title. The franchise's first at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks. A Mavs team that seemed destined to finally break through had the series turn in game three on a few, very suspect calls, cue Dwayne Wade, and the rest is history. Unless your name is Dirk Nowitzki or Mark Cuban, in which case you probably think about that series every time you hit the floor. Six years later, Dirk and the Mavs have the chance at redemption. For Dallas, I think the most important thing in this whole series will be keeping Wade and James off of the free throw line. Easier said than done though. For Miami, you know what to expect out of Wade and James. I think a big key to them would be getting consistent play out of Bosh, and at least one other player. Throughout the playoffs, Dallas has lived and died by the three, have four guys that are more than capable at knocking them down, and can shoot their way into any game. Miami needs to establish another scoring source, because Wade and James together may no longer be enough by themselves. Through the last week, the question being brought up around the sports world has been who has more at risk, Dirk or LeBron. For Dirk, I don't think his legacy doesn't take that much of a hit if he loses. He's already the best foreign player ever in the NBA. He's already a hall of famer. Winning a title doesn't raise his stature enough in to the best all time discussion that his rise or fall will be that substantial. That said though, he can cement himself as perhaps the last great, lone player to win a championship. At the most crucial time of the year, Dirk has played his best basketball and carried an average team to the brink of a title. With the exception of Heat fans, he also has everyone else in his corner. Partly due to spite, and partly due to fear, I think most don't want the Heat to win a title. At least not yet. If they can win one in their first year, during the learning curve time period and all the bumps in the road, than that's plain scary and makes you think they'll be the favorite for the next three or four years. That's what James is facing. His chance to vindicate the last twelve months. To prove he was right, and everyone who doubted him, mocked him, or slandered his name was wrong. While I feel he's already done that to a degree, only (multiple) championship rings will silence the critics. Unlike Dirk, James can fully expect to return to the Finals a couple more times, and has the chance to raise his stature among the all time greats. While it's not the end of the world if he loses, the hype on his legacy is so high that starting to build it now would be beneficial. All along, I have said that the Heats biggest asset is their raw talent, and what I call the "surprise" factor, putting teams at a disadvantage as their opponents are the ones that usually have to adapt on a game by game basis. With that, I think the Heat will drop a game at home, and one on the road, but ultimately win in six. I hope I'm wrong.