Finally, an NBA Finals that is worth watching.
Last year’s matchup of methodical bores in San Antonio and Detroit nearly put basketball fans to sleep. The pairing of Dallas and Miami promises a series with several storylines.
NBA Coach of the Year Avery Johnson faces seasoned veteran Pat Riley.
Slippery Josh Howard creates a huge defensive quandary for Miami.
Dwayne Wade attempts to win the first title of the 2003 NBA draft class featuring LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
By far the most interesting storyline is Shaquille O’Neal versus Erick Dampier. The pair have traded barbs ever since Dampier declared himself the second best center in the NBA last fall. What was O’Neal’s response?
He told a television talk show Dampier could thrive in the WNBA, the female counterpart of the NBA.
When asked later, O’Neal admitted, “Yeah, I said it. Write it down, take a picture, send it to him.”
Dampier responded in his typical, laid back demeanor.
“I don’t know, maybe he’s jealous,” he said. “I don’t understand it. Why would a player as good as he is be focusing on me during the playoffs? I’m not even in his conference. To me, that’s crazy. If he wants to take it down to that level, he can do what he wants. I said what I said, I think what I think, and I’ve moved on.”
O’Neal does have a point. Ever since Dampier accepted a seven-year, $73 million contract he’s averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 points per game in successive seasons. O’Neal has done his share with averages of 22.9 and 20 points per game in his two seasons in South Beach. I predict O’Neal drops 40 points at least twice this series – half scored on Dampier and the other half on
DeSagana Diop.
The NBA probably won’t admit it, but having Miami and O’Neal performing on the game’s highest stage can only boost TV ratings. Frankly, two small-market teams in Detroit and San Antonio don’t create the same buzz. Those two clubs thrived without highly-publicized superstars.
O’Neal brings glamour and glitz to the finals. He inserts snappy one-liners and quotes. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will create headlines with random complaints, whether it’s the officiating or the air conditioning in his hotel suite.
Miami and Dallas, both first-time participants, are going to invigorate the finals in need of fresh faces. Dirk Nowitzki and Wade should make for several buzzer beaters. Celebrities will be out in full force in Miami in front of national television audience on ABC.
I always enjoyed watching the Lakers and O’Neal during their three-championship run from 2000-2002. With his rear clearly on the downhill slope, it’s a perfect opportunity for O’Neal to follow through on his promise to Miami fans to deliver a championship.
If he can do it, this year’s finals promises to be one of the best in years.
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