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Thursday, June 22, 2006
askHomer: The white of the Heat
CHICAGO – Francis Tiu of Consolacion, Cebu (funkcoy53@yahoo.com) points out that Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton and Shaq “The Diesel” O’Neal are known physical players, and that a physical brand of basketball favors the Heat. He wonders “why didn’t coach Pat Riley use this style from the start of the series?”
Riley did try to assert his team’s toughness from the get-go but the Mavs were too fast and too quick in Games 1 and 2. Also, the Heat were out-rebounded, 89-77, and couldn’t dictate the tempo.
Games 3, 4 and 5 told a different story. Miami killed Dallas on the boards, 130-112, allowing the Heat to turn the series from a mad dash into a slow burn.
And the Mavs are getting tired now, making them easier to contain. “Nobody has legs,” admits Dallas forward Josh Howard.
2) Jason Morata (jesson.morata@gmail.com): “Part of Dallas’ regular season success was Marquis Daniels. I think Dallas coach Avery Johnson has forgotten that Daniels is on his bench, giving more minutes to Adrian Griffin.”
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Daniels is a terrific scorer. But the 6-5, 230lb Griffin is the better rebounder and stronger defender. Stopping Dwyane Wade, who had 42, 36 and 43 points in Games 3, 4 and 5, became Dallas’ main goal. That’s why the bulky Griffin and his sharper defense was getting the call over the wiry Daniels.
3) Jack Ace Matig-a (jackconcept@yahoo.com): “What do you think of Stackhouse’s suspension in Game 5?” It was unfortunate, yet deserved.
Although Shaq claimed he wasn’t hurt, Stack’s foul was still flagrant and merited suspension.
P.S. Many thanks to Joart “Phil” Evalle and his peers at Springwoods, Minglanilla. They are huge fans of my NBA Finals coverage, especially the “I-envy-so-much Finals diaries,” says Phil.
“What’s with the ‘white’ blanketing the AA Arena,?” Dr. Belina of New Zealand asked. In a playoffs gimmick, the Heat have themed their postseason run as “White Hot,” which explains why seat covers in the AAA are draped in white. HDS
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 22, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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