They just remind me SOOOOOOO much of this year's Rockets, as far as the team makeup. They have great chemistry together, they like each other, they are not that deep a team, they have a monster defender off the bench (Mourning) and we had Deke. I think the Rockets and Miami had similar makeups this season, and I don't think with that type of depth you can seriously expect to win it all. Detroit, IMHO, didn't even play their best this series, but now they got no breaks anymore, they will have to bring it all out every single game in a true heavy-weight showdown between truly the best two teams in the league (no fluke teams made it, only the best). I can't wait for the finals, these two teams match up perfectly
I know he played his ass off, I've given him props all series long and I loved the steal you mentioned, but he had to dominate the boards and on defense. He had one rebound in that whole fourth quarter, ONE, as a dominating center that is unacceptable. I've kept saying over and over with him that his defense and rebounding are the biggest keys, much bigger than his scoring. In this series it was obvious that he understood that his body just didn't respond, he did his best but with one leg you don't get your usual dose of Shaq. Haven't seen him that motivated in years, very unfortunate that he had to deal with that bruise that I'm sure will require surgery this offseason. He also had the misfortune of playing short on teammates either due to injury, Wade, or small balls, the Jones boys. EDIT: On the replay I see that Rasheed's put back wasn't Shaq's fault, it still doesn't change the fact that all Shaq did in that fourth quarter was score.
Exactly Jumpman ! No one is saying he is a bad player...all I am saying is that he is not a DOMINANT player, no longer the GO to guy he once was. He has declined fast, and his best years are behind him. DD
It's too bad injuries had such a big effect in this series. Now we'll have to put up with seeing Larry Brown and the Wallace jerks for another series. I want the Pistons to lose sooooo bad. I like Dumars, Prince & Hamilton, but I still want their team to lose. Like last year, they struggled in the ECFs and will probably turn it up a notch in the Finals. So sorry guys, but I want the Spurs to win. I can't handle any more "I told you so"s from Rasheed's big mouth.
Yes he isn't as dominant as he once was. Yet he is still one of probably the top two most impossible players to match up in the NBA with. Miami was doing very well feeding him the ball in the 4th quarter. All you have to do is listen to what Larry Brown says about him. Shaq dominated the best defensive player in the league. The Pistons were just better in too many other positions, particularly with Wade not at 100%. The Detriot backcourt of Billips and Rip were just some much better, tougher and smarter than their Jones-bros counterparts. But I'd tip my hat to Shaq. Battling through injury, he and Wade got a team filled out with other below average players a hair away from a finals trip.
Game 7 showed to me what I already figured. Shaq is a very good player, but not capable of being dominant anymore. Wade when he plays well will send Miami to victory. Wade came up just short of pulling off an impressive victory by not performing in the 4th. I do believe they need each other to win a title.
