Mark Cuban keeping quiet for an entire playoff season was just as extraordinary as Dallas's run to the championship. The extrovert was unheard from and hardly seen other than his court side appearances. No over the top celebrating after Dallas's epic come back in Game 2. No post game interviews blasting the refs or Lebron's "shrinkage." He even requested David Stern to present the Larry O'Brien trophy to the first owner of the franchise, Don Carter. I swear Cuban had to have had some sort of sit down or therapy session with the Zen Master himself, he's new and improved.
Cuban isn't the only one who evolved during these playoffs. JJ Barea earned himself a starting position and possibly J Kidd's job when he retires. The Puerto Rican point guard's 0-60 speed provided an aging team with a transition option. His speed allowed Dallas to open the floor and allowed their knock down shooters those high percentage looks from behind the arc. While Lebron stuggled in 4th quarter action, his game (or lack there of) wasn't the reason the series turned out the way it did. Barea's insertion into the starting line cured Dallas's slow starts. Its much easier to win a game when you don't go down 10 in the first quarter.
The consistent play allowed Dallas to survive Dirk's 1-12 shooting in the first half. If it had been Games 1-3 then the Mavericks would have been doomed, donezo. We'd be talking about Game 7 and Lebron's hot start to the game. Jim Carey, I mean Rick Carlisle, has not received enough credit for his gutsy decision. The saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is something all coaches live by. Just ask Spoelstra, he played worthless Mike Bibby throughout the entire playoffs until it was too late. When Carlisle benched Stevenson for Barea he risked messing up the flow of a team that had got to Game 4 only down 2-1. Stevenson is a volitate character, how would he react to being benched? How would Barea handle being a focal point of the offense instead of just a change of pace player?
Carlisle took a gamble that lead his team to the "Promise Land." His team won Game 4 and never looked back until they hoisted the Larry O'Brien last night. And because of they happened to be playing a team with Lebron James on their roster it is nothing more than a side not, an after thought. While stars take all the credit (Dirk wining the MVP), Carlisle's call was the winning momment of the Finals
The consistent play allowed Dallas to survive Dirk's 1-12 shooting in the first half. If it had been Games 1-3 then the Mavericks would have been doomed, donezo. We'd be talking about Game 7 and Lebron's hot start to the game. Jim Carey, I mean Rick Carlisle, has not received enough credit for his gutsy decision. The saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is something all coaches live by. Just ask Spoelstra, he played worthless Mike Bibby throughout the entire playoffs until it was too late. When Carlisle benched Stevenson for Barea he risked messing up the flow of a team that had got to Game 4 only down 2-1. Stevenson is a volitate character, how would he react to being benched? How would Barea handle being a focal point of the offense instead of just a change of pace player?
Carlisle took a gamble that lead his team to the "Promise Land." His team won Game 4 and never looked back until they hoisted the Larry O'Brien last night. And because of they happened to be playing a team with Lebron James on their roster it is nothing more than a side not, an after thought. While stars take all the credit (Dirk wining the MVP), Carlisle's call was the winning momment of the Finals
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