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My Worst Nightmares

By UM sports FANATIC, Section NBA
Posted on Mon Jun 12 2006 at 7:24 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

This is what I was afraid of.

Even before the teams for the NBA Finals had been decided, I could see Miami working past the teams in the East. It was no big deal because in my eyes, Detroit should have been beat by last year's Heat team.

The worries came when I saw Dallas unearth the San Antonio Spurs.

As much as I like watching the Mavs, I was scared of what they could do to the Heat.

The only problem is, I had no idea...

Even though Dallas has never truly been able to play its game, in this series, they are getting by partly because of what they are doing and partly because of what the Heat aren't doing.

Going into this series, I was scared that Dallas would revert to their run and gun offense of years past, mirroring the Phoenix Suns team they had just played. This coupled with the Heat's poor transition defense, would have resulted in a quick four or five game series.

Thus far, Dallas hasn't been able to get this going, except in small spurts. Still they have a 2-0 lead in the series.

This scares me! Forget scares, this gives me nightmares!

I am disgusted at the Heat's play or lack of play, as it is better referred to. Mix this with Dallas' multi-headed attack and the results speak for themselves.

As much as I want to bash the Heat and the way they are playing, I have to give Dallas their due credit. Avery Johnson has that team prepared and focused, and a different role player, not named Dirk Nowitzki, has stepped up each of the first two games.

And who thought 'Ericka' Dampier would make the Grand Daddy look with 'Shaquilla' O'Neil.

Add Miami's inability to hit open shots, and Miami is on the verge of getting swept.

Don't get me wrong. By no means am I jumping ship. I am sticking with the white hot Heat until the flame burns out, but I am asking the Heat players to come out an play like the Eastern Conference Champions and not the developmental league players they are playing like.

It's actually quite simple. Play like they know how!!!

I can understand the poor free throw percentage because the team has been doing that all year, but the low field goal percentage is inexcusable.

For God's fake: Shaq is getting double and triple teamed, so when he kicks the ball out people need to either start hitting their jump shots, get aggressive and drive to the bucket, or re-post Shaq Diesel.

Besides that, D. Wade needs to get back to his game. It's obvious he is getting frustrated by the different defensive looks that Avery Johnson is sending his way, but he needs to get over it and simply play ball.

As for Shaq, the big fella' needs to get back to his game and turn Erick back into 'Ericka.' Shaq has to bang some people around and make his presence felt. Besides that, the big fella' needs to knock down a couple, here and there, at the free throw strike.

The Heat also needs to get better production from their tag-team at the point guard position. Williams and Payton need to lock down on defense and start getting aggressive on offense.

Mix these ingredients with fewer turnovers and a little more hustle and the Heat have the recipe to success.

Easier said than done.

Especially since Dirk has been, for the most part, held in check for the entire series. Knowing the type of player that Dirk has turned into, he is bound to lash out with a big game in the near future.

I can't lie, I don't like the odds, and I am really nervous about Game 3, but if the Heat has anything working for them, it is the veteran presence on the team. Shaq knows what must be done, and 'Zo and Payton can feel the doors closing on their careers.

This, along with the fact that the series is shifting back to South Beach, will hopefully give the Heat the edge they need and launch them back into the series.

Like they say: It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

And she ain't sung yet.