But while I picked the correct winners, I really didn't expect the Bulls and Thunder to go out like a bunch of softees............but, they did!
Are the Heat and Mavs really that good?
NBA fans should hope so. It would make for one FANtastic Finals series.
But before we go any further: Now that the Championship series is set...what did we learn from the Conference Finals?
Here are my top 5 lessons:
5. Jason Kidd is HUNGRY.
He's looking better than he did the last time he was in the NBA Finals (2003).
Kidd sees this for what it is, his last chance to be an NBA Champion.
This realization could make him the "X-factor" should the Mavs beat the Heat.
He's making smart decisions, showing great court vision, poised on defense, and hitting his open shots.
What more could one want from their point guard?
4. This Dallas Mavericks bench is deeeeeeeeeeeep.
What most observers suspected in the regular season has really shown itself to be true in the playoffs: The Mavs bench is the deepest in the league.
Lead by JJ Barea and Jason Terry, a Championship for Big D rests as much on the shoulders of the Mavs' bench as it does on Dirk's.
3. Oklahoma Thunder were not who we thought they were.
Giving the Mavs their props, one still has to recognize that Durant is not going to bring home the Championship trophy as OKC's sole offensive threat.
Kendrick Perkins was a solid pick-up and is complimented well by Serge Ibaka in the paint on defense.
But no one but Kevin Durant can reliably create his own shot against decent teams.
Sefolosha ain't gonna do it.....and don't even get me started on Westbrook.
Although they are young and athletic, OKC will not make it back to the Conference Finals despite the experience they gained this post season unless they fill one glaring need: A SOLID POINT GUARD who can create easy shots for others.
2. The Bulls were not who THEY thought they were.
Chicago was a team that presented itself as a hard-nosed tough-as-nails squad that would not be mishandled by any other team in the NBA.
Boozer & Noah gave the appearance of an intimidating presence in the paint.
But what we saw against Miami showed these Bulls are little more than grizzly bearded teddy bears.
1. Derrick Rose is human.
He had been unstoppable night after night after night.
Then Game 2 against Miami happened and he never recovered.
Some day he will look back at this post-season and realize he missed his only opportunity to be a Season MVP and a Finals MVP. What a shame.
In an unrelated story......
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| It's nice to see Shaq is back at the gym and working on his free throws |
I kid because I love!
The BC has got it going on Foo!
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