Preview of the 2011 NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Miami Heat will play the Dallas Mavericks for the 2011 NBA Championship. The Heat beat the Bulls 4 to 1 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Mavericks beat the Thunder 4 to 1 games in the Western Conference Finals. Both teams are 12-3 going until the Finals. The Heat lost 1 game each round, the Mavericks lost 2 in the 1st round, 0 in Con. Semis and 1 in the Con. Finals. This a rematch from 2006 Finals, when Dallas won the first 2 games, but lost the next 4 straight. Miami was led by Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. LeBron James now as his chance to get his 1st championship. James made the Finals in 2007, but was sweep by the Spurs when he played for Cleveland. This Chris Bosh's first time to compete for a title. Dirk Nowitzki is searching for his 1st title after losing in 2006. Jason Kidd made the Finals in 2002 and 2003 with the Nets, but lost both times once to the Lakers and once to the Spurs. LeBron and Dirk are 2 of 7 NBA MVPs to never win a NBA Championship. Both teams this is there 2nd NBA Finals both in 2006 and now 2011. This also the 2nd since 1998 to not have the Lakers or Spurs in the Finals. Miami has home-court since they won 58 and Dallas won 57 games. There are many story lines for this Finals. I will keep with what I said at the start of the playoffs Miami will win the title. LeBron, Wade and Bosh will be too much for Dallas. I think Dirk Nowitzki will cause some problems but the 3-headed dragon for Miami will be too much for Dallas and Miami will win in 6 games like 2006 in my thoughts. LeBron James will get his ring and I think he will lead the Heat and get Finals MVP by averaging 27.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 6.0 APG. 

Game 1: Dallas @ Miami: MIA 106 - DAL 96. Miami leads the series 1-0.

Game 2: Dallas @ Miami: MIA 103 - DAL 89. Miami leads the series 2-0.

Game 3: Miami @ Dallas: DAL 105 - MIA 104. Miami leads the series 2-1.

Game 4: Miami @ Dallas: DAL 85 - MIA 95. Miami leads the series 3-1.

Game 5: Miami @ Dallas: DAL 101 - MIA 92. Miami leads the series 3-2.

Game 6: Dallas @ Miami: MIA 100 - DAL 91. Miami wins the series 4-2.

Miami Heat wins 2011 NBA Finals. LeBron James is 2011 NBA Finals MVP.

Recap from Game 1 of 2011 Western Conference Finals

This game was an great battle from Kevin Durant vs. Dirk Nowitzki. The Dallas Maverick beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121 to 112. Dirk scored 48 points which is 16th most all-time in the playoffs since 1985-86 season, Dirk shot 12 for 15 for the field. The last play to score 48 points in a playoff game was LeBron James in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. His 48 points was 2 short from the 50 he had in Game 5 of the 2006 Western Conference Finals. Dirk was 24 for 24 on free throw attempts which is the most in make without a miss in a playoff in NBA Playoffs history. Kevin Durant also had a great game scoring 40 points, he shot 10 for 18. Durant also had a great game from the free throw line shooting 18 for 19. With the win the Mavericks take a 1-0 lead in the series. Dirk Nowitzki is looking to get back to the NBA Finals and Durant and Westbrook look to be one of the youngest team ever to make a NBA Final. Durant is 2-0, when the Thunder have home-court and 0-1 when they don't. That is why saying Dallas win in 6 or 7 games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Win The 2011 NBA Draft Lottery

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery and earned the #1 pick. They got the #1 pick for the first since 2003 when they selected LeBron James. They have also selected #1 overall in 1971 and 1986. The Cavaliers also won the 4th pick in the draft from the trade with the Clippers. Minnesota got 2nd pick. The Utah Jazz who had 2 picks got 3rd and 12th. The Raptors got 5th, the Wizards got 6th, the Kings got 7th, the Pistons got 8th, the Bobcats got 9th, the Bucks got 10th, the Warriors got 11th, the Suns got 13th and the Rockets got 14th. The Cavaliers need a lot of help after winning 19 games, many people expect now the Cavaliers will pick Kyrie Irving from Duke. Derrick Williams from Arizona, Enes Kanter from Turkey, Kawhi Leonard from San Diego State, Brandon Knight from Kentucky and Kemba Walker from Connecticut are the other top players in the draft.


Here were the probabilities for the draft order for each team. Number in bold is the pick they received.

Team		Lottery chances	Pick
			1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th	11th	12th	13th	14th
Minnesota Timberwolves		250	.250	.215	.178	.357	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cleveland Cavaliers		199	.199	.188	.171	.319	.123	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Toronto Raptors		156	.156	.157	.156	.226	.265	.040	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Washington Wizards		119	.119	.126	.133	.099	.351	.161	.013	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sacramento Kings		76	.076	.084	.095	—	.261	.386	.093	.004	—	—	—	—	—	—
Utah Jazz (New Jersey's' pick)		75	.075	.083	.094	—	—	.413	.294	.039	.001	—	—	—	—	—
Detroit Pistons		43	.043	.049	.058	—	—	—	.599	.232	.018	.000	—	—	—	—
Cleveland Cavaliers (Los Angeles Clippers' pick)		28	.028	.033	.039	—	—	—	—	.725	.168	.008	.000	—	—	—
Charlotte Bobcats		17	.017	.020	.024	—	—	—	—	—	.813	.122	.004	.000	—	—
Milwaukee Bucks		11	.011	.013	.016	—	—	—	—	—	—	.870	.089	.002	.000	—
Golden State Warriors		8	.008	.009	.012	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	.907	.063	.001	.000
Utah Jazz		7	.007	.008	.010	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	.935	.039	.000
Phoenix Suns		6	.006	.007	.009	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	.960	.018
Houston Rockets		5	.005	.006	.007	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	.982

2010-11 All-NBA Teams

The All-NBA Teams were announced on Thursday. The All-NBA 1st Team includes LeBron James who got 595 out of 595 points possible, Derrick Rose who got 593 out of 595 points possible, Dwight Howard who got 593 out of 595 points possible, Kobe Bryant who got 551 out of 595 points possible and Kevin Durant who got 492 out of 595 points possible. I agree with all 5 players that were selected to the 1st team. LeBron James averaged 26.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and 7.0 assists per game. Derrick Rose averaged 25.0 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 7.7 assists per game.  Dwight Howard averaged 22.9 points per game, 14.1 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game. Kobe Bryant averaged 25.3 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per game. Kevin Durant averaged 27.7 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 2.7 assists per game. The All-NBA 2nd Team includes Dirk Nowitzki who got 437 out of 595 points possible, Dwyane Wade who got 392 out of 595 points possible, Pau Gasol who got 259 out of 595 points possible, Amare Stoudemire who got 258 out of 595 points possible and Russell Westbrook who got 492 out of 595 points possible. I thought the Zach Randolph should have made 2nd and Pau Gasol should have made 3rd. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 23.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Dwyane Wade averaged 25.5 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game and 4.6 assists per game. Pau Gasol averaged 18.8 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game. Amare Stoudemire averaged 25.3 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Russell Westbrook averaged 21.9 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game and 8.2 assists per game. The All-NBA 3rd Team includes Chris Paul who got 157 out of 595 points possible, LaMarcus Aldridge who got 135 out of 595 points possible, Manu Ginobili who got 106 out of 595 points possible, Zach Randolph who got 67 out of 595 points possible and Al Horford who got 62 out of 595 points possible. Chris Paul averaged 15.9 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 9.8 assists per game. LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 21.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game. Manu Ginobili averaged 17.4 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per game. Zach Randolph averaged 20.1 points per game, 12.2 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. Al Horford averaged 15.3 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game.

2010-11 NBA All-Rookie Team

The 2010-11 NBA All-Rookie Team was announced on Wednesday. The 1st All-Rookie Team included Blake Griffin who got 58 out of 58 first place votes, John Wall who got 57 out of 58 first place votes, Landry Fields who got 56 out of 58 first place votes, DeMarcus Cousins who got 54 out of 58 first place votes and Gary Neal who got 44 out of 58 first place votes. I completely agree with the 5 players on the 1st team. Blake Griffin averaged 22.5 points per game (1st among rookies), 12.1 rebounds per game (1st among rookies), 3.8 assists per game (2nd among rookies). John Wall averaged 16.4 points per game (2nd among rookies), 4.6 rebounds per game (6th among rookies), 8.3 assists per game (1st among rookies). Landry Fields averaged 9.7 points per game (6th among rookies), 6.4 rebounds per game (5th among rookies), 1.9 assists per game (T-11th among rookies). DeMarcus Cousins averaged 14.1 points per game (3rd among rookies), 8.6 rebounds per game (2nd among rookies), 2.5 assists per game (6th among rookies). Gary Neal averaged 9.8 points per game (5th among rookies), 2.5 rebounds per game (T-28th among rookies), 1.2 assists per game (T-19th among rookies). The 2nd All-Rookie Team included Greg Monroe who got 44 out of 58 first place votes, Wesley Johnson who got 26 out of 58 first place votes, Eric Bledsoe who got 19 out of 58 first place votes, Derrick Favors who got 18 out of 58 first place votes and Paul George who got 12 out of 58 first place votes. I agree with the 5 players on the 2nd team expect I thought though Evan Turner have gotten more votes then he did. Greg Monroe averaged 9.4 points per game (7th among rookies), 7.5 rebounds per game (3rd among rookies), 1.4 assists per game (18th among rookies). Wesley Johnson averaged 9.0 points per game (8th among rookies), 3.0 rebounds per game (T-18th among rookies), 1.9 assists per game (10th among rookies). Eric Bledsoe averaged 6.7 points per game (15th among rookies), 2.8 rebounds per game (T-23th among rookies), 3.6 assists per game (3rd among rookies). Derrick Favors averaged 6.8 points per game (14th among rookies), 5.3 rebounds per game (6th among rookies), 0.5 assists per game (T-38th among rookies). Paul George averaged 7.8 points per game (10th among rookies), 3.7 rebounds per game (T-12th among rookies), 1.1 assists per game (T-20th among rookies).

2010-11 NBA All-Defensive Team

The 2010-11 NBA All-Defensive Team was announced on Monday. The 1st team consists of Dwight Howard (4th time), Rajon Rondo (3rd time), LeBron James (3rd time), Kobe Bryant (11th time) and Kevin Garnett (11th time). Bryant and Garnett tied Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for most 1st team selections at 9 times. I agree with the 1st team selection. Dwight Howard got 56 points out of 58 possible, he averaged 10.1 DRPG (2nd in NBA), 2.4 BPG (2nd in NBA) and 1.4 SPG (T-18th in NBA). Rajon Rondo got 39 points out 58 possible, he averaged 3.1 DRPG, 0.2 BPG and 2.3 SPG (2nd in NBA). LeBron James got 38 points out 58 possible, he averaged 6.5 DRPG (T-20th in NBA), 0.6 BPG and 1.6 SPG (T-9th in NBA). Kevin Garnett got 33 points out 58 possible, he averaged 7.8 DRPG (5th in NBA), 0.8 BPG and 1.3 SPG (T-22nd in NBA). Kobe Bryant got 33 points out 58 possible, he averaged 4.1 DRPG, 0.2 BPG and 1.2 SPG (T-26th in NBA).

The All-Defensive 2nd team consists of Tony Allen (1st time), Chris Paul (3rd time), Tyson Chandler (1st time), Andre Iguodala (1st time) and Joakim Noah (1st time). I agree with the 2nd expect I think Tony Allen should be replaced with Dwyane Wade, who got 14 points and just missed the 2nd team. Tony Allen got 23 out of 58 possible, he averaged 1.7 DPRG, 0.6 BPG, 1.8 SPG (T-5th in NBA). Chris Paul got 18 points out of 58 possible, he averaged 3.6 DRPG, 0.1 BPG and 2.4 SPG (1st in NBA). Tyson Chandler got 17 points out of 58 possible, he averaged 6.6 DRPG (T-17th in NBA), 1.1 BPG (T-24th in NBA) and 0.5 SPG (T-18th in NBA). Andre Iguadala got 15 points out of 58 possible, he averaged 4.9 DRPG, 0.6 BPG and 1.5 SPG (T-11th in NBA). Joakim Noah got 15 points out of 58 possible, he averaged 6.6 DRPG (T-17th in NBA), 1.5 BPG (T-16th in NBA) and 1.0 SPG. I assume all of these will continue to compete for this honor. Next year Bryant and Garnett can break the record for most 1st team selections.

Blake Griffin wins 2010-11 NBA Rookie of The Year

It was announced on Wednesday that Blake Griffin won the Rookie of the Year Award. He got all 118 first place votes. It got the most votes in this award since Brandon Roy got all but 1 in 2006-07. Blake Griffin was hurt and missed all season last year. This he shocked everyone and had the best rookie year since probably LeBron James, even LeBron James wasn't an All-Star in his rookie year and Griffin was. John Wall came in 2nd and DeMarcus Cousins came in 3rd. I agree with the top 3. I think though Evan Turner should have gotten some 2nd and 3rd place votes, he didn't get any votes at all. Blake Griffin averaged 22.5 points per game (1st among rookies), 12.1 rebounds per game (1st among rookies), 3.8 assists per game (2nd among rookies). John Wall averaged 16.4 points per game (2nd among rookies), 4.6 rebounds per game (6th among rookies), 8.3 assists per game (1st among rookies). DeMarcus Cousins averaged 14.1 points per game (3rd among rookies), 8.6 rebounds per game (2nd among rookies), 2.5 assists per game (6th among rookies). Blake Griffin can't win this award again obviously. Though Blake Griffin will probably compete for future MVPs, to be one of the best forwards in the NBA and continue to be chosen to be an All-Star.

Derrick Rose wins 2010-11 NBA MVP

It was announced yesterday, Derrick Rose won 2010-11 NBA MVP. Derrick Rose was heavy favorite for most and he became the youngest ever NBA MVP at the age of 22, Wilt Chamberlain won it when he was 23. Dwight Howard got 2nd and LeBron James got 3rd. I personally think LeBron James should have won then Rose and Howard in 3rd. Derrick Rose was definitely shocked everyone by helping the Bulls win 62 games and get the best record in the NBA. Derrick 113 out of 121 first place votes. LeBron got 4, Dwight got 3 and Kobe Bryant got 1. Rose averaged 25 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 7.7 assists per game. James averaged 26.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and 7.0 assists per game. Howard averaged 22.9 points per game, 14.1 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per game. Rose was deserving and could probably win a few more later in his career at the pace he is at.