NBA Finals Previews/Predictions

It's been too long UB faithful, but school is out for summer, and I have more free time. Feels good to be back.

I realize that the city of Boston and most of the UB faithful (including myself) are immersed in Bruins fever. However, I don't want to write about the Bruins for two reasons: I don't know enough about hockey to churn out a whole article, and DRob has already posted a fantastic article on the Bruins earlier today.

Instead, I have decided to cover the other upcoming finals, the NBA finals. On one hand, we have the Miami Heat, the "villains" of the NBA. The Heat made a huge splash this off-season with the additions of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, making them automatic favorites. On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks have had a season that exceeded expectations, with veterans Jason Kidd and especially Dirk Nowitzki shining in the playoffs, fighting tooth and nail to win their first championship ring.

Because of Miami's star-studded starting line-up, they have been picked as the favorites. But I am apprehensive for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason is that if ANY of the "Big Three" are off their game, Miami will almost certainly lose to a Dallas team which boasts depth over the Heat. I have gone in depth about depth in past articles (ZING!), and it should be no surprise that I think Dallas has a big advantage with more depth than the Heat.

The second reason I'm weary to pen the Heat as the winners automatically is Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk has always been a star in the NBA, but this playoffs he has put his team on his back and carried them through the proverbial desert. Take a look at the Western COnference Finals, Game 4 for a perfect example. The man was on FIRE in the last five minutes, overcoming a seemingly insurmountable lead that the Thunder had. He made some of the most sloppy looking shots I have ever witnessed en route to victory, proving to me and countless others how much he wants to win the title.

However, the Heat is my pick to win it all. LeBron, as much as I am put off by his antics, is an absolute beast on the court, and Wade has beat Dallas in the finals before with a lesser team. I have been rooting for the Mavs since the Celtics' elimination (I am somewhat of a closet Mavs "fan"), but I cannot let my biases seep into my predictions. The Mavs have had a great year, but it feels like the dark possibility of a Heat dynasty is about to come to fruition.

Heat in six games.