Damn, the Mavericks are making me look bad. I predicted Dallas in 5 games. Good thing I didn\'t put any money on it. Who knew they would FOLD UP, COLLAPSE, and CHOKE that badly? I don\'t know of any other team at this level that would let themselves be kicked 4 straight games, including an elimination game on their home court. Even my crippled Suns would not have let that happen. It\'s a little embarrasing if you ask me.
They just weren\'t ready for the pressure. Josh Howard and Jason Terry imploded from that pressure, and Dirk was affected also, though not as much. Miami had the advantage of Pat Riley and Shaq, who have both won so many championships in the past. To them, picking up another ring was like a stroll down memory lane. I\'m sure that confidence aided their teammates enormously.
You might now learn the harsh truth, Mystiq... that this final series may have been the Mavericks ONLY chance. I\'m not putting them down or making predictions, I\'m just saying there are many factors beyond their control. They could have an injury, lose a key player in an ill-advised trade, or just plain suck in the next few years. Getting to the finals is a rare opportunity, so when you are lucky enough to be there, you have to get the job done. The Mavericks didn\'t understand that.
For example, the Phoenix Suns went to the Finals in 1993 and were defeated in 6 games by Michael Jordan\'s Chicago Bulls. They had the same lineup for 2 more years, and everyone expected them to roll to the finals again and win the title following Jordan\'s retirement. Didn\'t happen that way. They were turned back the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995 without even making it to the conference finals. You cannot count on the future. You have to take your opportunity when it comes, even if you\'re not ready for it.
