The Dwayne Show has been on display for three straight games now. Wade is demolishing the Mavericks with a stat line of 29 points per game, shooting 57% from the field, and 43% from behind the arc. Miami in all actuality should have lost this game, but Dallas could never find their grove offensively. Wade willed his way to the hoop time after time, even splitting the seven footers Chandler and Nowitzki for a layup. Wade has been brilliant in the absence of a dominating Lebron.
I don't want to overreact; I never like to be a part of that. However, Lebron's back to back no shows in the fourth quarter do have to raise an eyebrow or two. James was attacked by CBS's Gregg Doyel after last night's game for "shrinking" in the fourth quarters of the Finals thus far. James took offense to the question, deciding to educate Doyel about the other side of basketball and frivolous stat sheets.
In Game 1 Lebron locked down Jason Terry in the fourth quarter, not allowing him a single point. Any player's production will struggle on the offense end when you are exerting so much energy guarding the other team's premier soccer. However in Games 2 and 3 his primary mark has been Shawn Marion, hardly the Maverick's top scoring threat. Lebron hit only one jumper last night, ONE. (Hardly comparable to Jordan if you ask me, but that's a different discussion.) On top of the less than stellar offense, his man dropped 20 in Game 2 and was the key to the Mavericks sticking around in the early quarters.
The moral to the story is that Dallas blew a chance to crush Miami's spirits and take a 2-1 lead in the series. A finals team should be able to win on any night that James only hits one jumper. Dallas never punished Miami for their poor shooting. Too many turnovers and another no show from Dirk's supporting cast allowed Miami to take back home court. Don't look for Lebron to give the Mavericks too many more chances in the remaining games.
I don't want to overreact; I never like to be a part of that. However, Lebron's back to back no shows in the fourth quarter do have to raise an eyebrow or two. James was attacked by CBS's Gregg Doyel after last night's game for "shrinking" in the fourth quarters of the Finals thus far. James took offense to the question, deciding to educate Doyel about the other side of basketball and frivolous stat sheets.
In Game 1 Lebron locked down Jason Terry in the fourth quarter, not allowing him a single point. Any player's production will struggle on the offense end when you are exerting so much energy guarding the other team's premier soccer. However in Games 2 and 3 his primary mark has been Shawn Marion, hardly the Maverick's top scoring threat. Lebron hit only one jumper last night, ONE. (Hardly comparable to Jordan if you ask me, but that's a different discussion.) On top of the less than stellar offense, his man dropped 20 in Game 2 and was the key to the Mavericks sticking around in the early quarters.
The moral to the story is that Dallas blew a chance to crush Miami's spirits and take a 2-1 lead in the series. A finals team should be able to win on any night that James only hits one jumper. Dallas never punished Miami for their poor shooting. Too many turnovers and another no show from Dirk's supporting cast allowed Miami to take back home court. Don't look for Lebron to give the Mavericks too many more chances in the remaining games.
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