2011 Finals Game 1 – Heat strike first

June 2nd, 2011, Author: robd

So it wasn’t the most memorable Finals game. The shooting was woeful (both teams shot below 40% from the field) and the pace was slow. In fact, for the first 45 minutes or so I thought it was one of the most boring games I’d seen all playoffs. Completely unremarkable in every way. But then the Heat closed, Wade and Lebron created a few highlight reel plays, and in the space of a few minutes Game 1 of the Finals finally made sense.

3 votes – LeBron James. This wouldn’t even be among Lebron James’ Top 10 games this playoffs. He didn’t dominate, he didn’t try to dominate (both Wade and Bosh took more shots than him). Given the hype surrounding Lebron coming into this game, the stupid MJ comparisons, the fact he lost his last 4-straight Finals games, the fact he was at home in front of his fans with a massive point to prove… I just thought we might see something really special. Something jaw-dropping. Something like Kobe’s 40-8-8 in Game 1 of the 2009 Finals. And maybe the reason that didn’t happen points to the maturation and evolution of Lebron James. He played a superbly controlled game, an ego-checked game, a game where he took risks (4-5 threes) but never pushed his luck and always stayed in the moment. A game where he was happy to let his defense do the talking, which by the way is now looking like by far the league’s best defense. And true to his recent form, he stepped up late and made the big plays. So yeah, it wasn’t even among his Top 10 games this post-season, and all that proves is that this Heat team are clicking so well that no one needs to dominate. No one needs to go for 40-8-8. They can shoot like crap and play ugly basketball, and beat you with their now trademark aggressive swarming defense.

It’s amazing to think this is the same team that was formed, from scratch, a little over eight months ago. Watching them in the first month of the season I would have never believed they could develop a defensive identity such as this. I would have never believed they could thrive in a game where they had just 7 fast break points and only scored 92. That’s Boston Celtics type basketball, not Miami Heat basketball. But hey, it’s not like I’m surprised now. Apart from a slip up in the first game against Chicago, this Miami team has played at a phenomenal level for about 10-straight games. Before the Bulls-Heat series I wrote that the Celtics had employed the correct defensive strategy against Miami – forcing them (in particular Lebron and Wade) to shoot jump shots. “When LeBron and Wade are shooting like that, there is nothing that can stop the Miami Heat from being 2001 NBA World Champions.” Some people had their doubts as to whether those two guys could keep shooting like that. That those performances were the exception rather than the rule. But look what happened in Game 1 of these Finals. The same stuff that’s been happening all postseason - Wade and Lebron taking and making tough shots, and trusting their jump shot more than I’ve ever seen those two do before. It’s not just talent – they’ve always had that. I think it’s just a shared belief that “this is our time”. They’ve both made enough mistakes over the years getting to this point, and they’ve sharpened their games to the point where its almost flawless. Lebron James didn’t dominate this game. But he was just about perfect.

2 votes – Dwyane Wade. Touched on it already, but like Lebron, the plays Wade made down the stretch were game-winning. He had the single greatest sequence of this game. His block on Marion and contested three-pointer just 20 seconds later contained such high traces of eff-you that I was personally offended. Yes, Wade mentally dominated the Dallas Mavericks in the space of 30 seconds. It also brought a massive smirk to my face because I remember feeling the exact same thing five years ago. Writing this a day later, I’m almost tempted to give Wade the 3 votes – there wasn’t much between him and Lebron. I just feel Lebron was more of a constant force, while Wade chose to punctuate the game in key moments. Neither is better. To be fair, they should probably both get the 3.

1 vote – Dirk Nowitzki. So Dirk couldn’t maintain the ridiculous level of play he’s had of late (not that I expected to). But he still had a terrific game despite not having a great shooting night. And I attribute most of that to the Miami defense. This was a defense unlike anything Dirk has seen these playoffs – Miami’s close-outs were stupendously quick. To Dirk’s credit, even when his shot wasn’t falling he found a way to stay involved or get to the line. When he hit those two FT’s with 1:30 left to cut the margin to 6, I distinctively remember saying “shit, Dirk is about to do something here”. He had just scored 6 points in the space of 90 seconds. He was heating up and no one even realised it. Problem was Miami had all the answers on this night and Dirk just didn’t get enough help. If the Mavs bench hadn’t gone a shithouse 4-22 from the field, the Mavs may have had a chance tonight. So don’t blame Dirk.