And the winner of Game 6 of the NBA Finals IS...

Drag your cursor across the "empty" field below while holding down the left mouse button to learn which team won.

MIAMI HEAT 95-92

Congratulations!

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

play well enough to win.

The 5th foul called on Dirk was bogus (is it against the law to call Wade for a charge or something?), but Mavs had PLENTY of chances to build a lead and never did, missed way too many open shots, especially Dirk.

Bottom line, Mavs needed more DIRK in this series and didn't get it.

Yes, they got jobbed somewhat by refs in the last game, and a LITTLE bit in this game.

But they had plenty of chances.

No one on the Mavs played NEARLY as well as Wade.

He played a great game.

But geez, could the refs give more cheap foul calls to Dwayne Wade? The guy stumbled into Nowitzki, and Dirk collects the foul.

Jordan Rules II. I hate NBA officiating.

- as

I am very happy for Mourning.
:bounce:

Mavs should've hit a lot more shots and been up ten by then... No excuses they were on their home court, shoulda shot better...

There was at least one of those 'Zo blocks that he totally bodied the shooter, Daniels or whoever, and should have been called for a foul.

I'm truly glad for those guys. As a Sonic fan, I am glad to see GP get one.

Dallas didn't execute. They had games three, five and six all in hand at various points and let them go. You gotta close the deal if you want to win titles. They didn't.

That last foul on Dirk was the game. Wade hit those two free throws and it was tough for Dallas to comeback after that. They absolutely had to foul at that point. Also, it was a poor call, but one easy to miss because the ref was caught in a bad position. Wade should've been called for a offensive foul. He clearly pushed off. He actually reached out to do it, Dirk wasn't that close. Wade hit the free throws and Dallas never overcame that three point lead.

Wade should've been called for a offensive foul. He clearly pushed off.

That's how Game 5 got to overtime. Look at the last play in the 4th Q, when Wade went to the line to tie the game.

Offensive foul. If anyone else in the league did what Wade did, they'd be charged with an OF.

Oh, well. The league's got their new star. He'll get to the line every time he touches the ball next season.

- as

though. I just don't like it being an automatic call you know? Refs shouldn't make a decision that could decide a game like that. In that situation, they may have to just let the players play. I remember that play in game 5, I didn't think it was as obvious as this one, but I would have to look at it again somehow I suppose. You're probably right. I know on tonight's play Dirk was visibly upset, not at himself but at the ref, and he was up until Wade got up to the line to shoot his free throws. He kept talking to the refs, and he usually isn't really like that. He said: "That was bullshit" a couple times, haha. Yeah, it wasn't even close, Wade was smart reaching out like that because he knew he'd get the call. Dirk was so far away though, no way could he create contact with the end of Wade's arm like that.

I still make no excuses for the Mavs though because they needed to shoot better, at home, and they didn't.

you gotta give that one to Dirk. Making that an automatic call for Wade isn't good for the game, especially in a situation like that when he pushes off of a guy like Dirk. It's not like he pushed off some nobody, he got a BS call on a superstar.

The Mavs had a few games well in hand, and they just went cold. If they would've finished out Game three this series would have been done. Instead they went from that to losing four games in a row. You just can't blow opportunities like that. And it wasn't like they weren't getting good shots or anything either. They just were not hitting.

crunch time. NBA is so bent on making turn Wade the next Jordan. But to be fair, Mavs didnt play too good. And why didnt they drive/take it to the hoop to get foul when Heat were over the limit with 7 minutes left. Bad decision makiing. I blame Avery Johnson.

I can congratulate the old dogs, but Wade? Nah. Can't bring myself to like the kid.

- as

I always liked Wade, even when he was in college. I wanted Dallas to win though. I love Dirk's game. He's a blast to watch.

I'm a native Miamian who was a Bucks fan until the Heat came around.

The state of Florida now owns basketball, the Heat and Gators as reigning champs.

Admittedly, I didn't expect the Heat to win one in Dallas so this is extra special.

Can't wait to watch it again.

has his back to the basket around the free throw line, does a little dip/step fake like he's making a turnaround to his left, then does a turnaround to his right, completely smooth.

That's my favorite.

But he also has all kind of shots where he rises up and banks in off the glass while hanging in the air. Unbelievable shite.

He uses the glass better than anyone I've seen in years.

The last guy to bank shots like that was Scottie Pippen - whom I didn't like, either. :)

- as

Just from playing playground and in high school, the backboard was so much easier to use. It felt like so much more margin for error.

You're right about Pippen. Although Tim Duncan will use the glass also.

he has that sweet little signature bankshot of his. Nice to watch.

Virtually simultaneously.

It's pathetic he's the only other NBA player who fits, using the backboard often.

off some poor shlub's forehead and hanging from the rim, beating your chest.

I looked up at the thread after I made my post and thought: "woa, AD read my mind." :)

Yeah, it's a lack of fundamentals in these players coming out of college etc. The highlight reel era and hip-hop infusion into basketball hurt certain aspects of the game for Americans. It opened the door for European players to catch up.

that guy is something else no doubt.

They are so deserving of this!

Dwayne Wade is a top notch player,

I've always liked Pat Riley
and I love Shaq!

Yehaw!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I miss it already. Not really.

- as

nt

finally has a ring...thanks for all those good years in Seattle Gary, we miss you...:)

my favorite player ever. I met him at Niketown in Seattle. GP and Vin Baker signed a couple posters for me. I could barely talk, I was like Dan Akroyd and Daniel Stern in Celtic Pride when they met Larry Bird, haha.

Shoulda been the Spurs! I will never ever respect Avery Johnson again, after what he has become since leaving the Spurs. Mark Cuban should be isolated by the CDC as a disease, his bad attitude and bullshit behavior are catching.

My hate list now has a population of two-
1. Lakers
2. Mavs

I understand.

Terry after the punch instead of benching him himself- I was pissed. the comments about Bowen pissed me off too. The fact that he did nothing to settle his team down from the dirty play after the spurs series was just the last straw. He has a shitty owner to deal with yes, but it's his responsiblity to set the tone for the team, and he allowed them to play dirty. In my opinion that's as good as encouraging it.

I loved Avery, LOVED him when he played for the Spurs- I was happy for him when he got the coaching gig in Dallas, I was even one to say (at the beginning of the spurs series) 'if they somehow beat the spurs, at least a Texas team will go on...' But after that series, I lost it.

I also think his wife has something to do with it. A friend of mine used to work for her as her assistant, she had nothing but nice things to say about Avery (this was when he was in SA) but she had things thrown at her, got screamed at for small mistakes, and was generally treated like shit by his wife. His wife also bad-mouthed San Antonio at every opportunity, she hated it and just wanted to move back to Houston. I can understand loving one city more than another, but come on, no need to badmouth a city that adores your husband. He, and his family, were literally adored in San Antonio. I think she may have just finally rubbed off on him. Sad.

...are above reproach.

This is the matchup I wanted - Dallas vs. MIA.

Avery Johnson is the most humble payer-turned-coach you are gonna find. I'm happy he got Coach of the Year.

I just wanted Shaq to win 1 just for Karma against Kobe. Mission accomplished.

but see my post above for why I think Avery is not beyone reproach anymore. I used to feel that way. I really really really liked him. (I am from SA and cheered him in many games, both at the Alamodome and the old Arena) I adored him until about Game 5 against the Spurs. Then after the series was over, so was my respect for him.

and could Dirk cry MORE about every single foul?