NBA Playoffs

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

what about the games that Terry WASN'T lights out in? Did he "tighten up" or could his improvement have something to do with offensive adjustments that were getting him better looks?

Is Dirk, a player that has been accused of tightening up his whole career, suddenly this incredible "closer"? Did he go to closer school? Did Wade skip class when he missed the free throw and turned the ball over during "closer" time?

I'm not going to sit here and say that Lebron's lack of contributions didn't have a huge impact on the Heat's failed title run. At the same time, I think it is too easy for people to say the guy "chokes" and he isn't a "closer". There are so many more variables and the guy has delivered in other pressure situations. He has brought this all on himself but I am trying my best to be objective.

Truth be told? It was really nice to see those jerks lose.

You're projecting a false argument onto me. You're insinuating that I said everything in this series falls into the narrative of closing or tightening up. That's not what I said. I said the Mavs played better late in games and that's what decided this series. Whatever terminology you want to use to describe it is immaterial, the point is that the Mavs owned the fourth quarter in the series and more than anything, that's why they won the series.

Shrug off the fourth quarter performance all you want, but you're mistaken if you think Dirk didn't possess something that wasn't physical in this series that nobody on Miami had.