It was the same exact storyline five years ago. The Dallas Mavericks were facing the Miami Heat. In 2006, it was different circumstances. The Heat was rolling out a young star in Dwyane Wade, a 24-year old guard who the Heat had taken with the fifth overall pick of the 2003 draft out of Marquette. They also had veterans Jason Williams, Alonzo Mourning, Antoine Walker, and Gary Payton looking for a ring, with center Shaquille O'Neal looking for ring #4. Meanwhile, the Mavs had Dirk Nowitzki, one of the Elite NBA players, but not much else around him. The Heat won that series in 6 games.
Five years later, they meet again.
The Heat have gone through a rebuilding process, and over the last five years have had three first round exits in three playoff appearances, and won just 15 games in 2008. The development of this year's roster happened last summer when the team resigned Dwyane Wade and signed free agents Chris Bosh and LeBron James. The Mavs have last four seasons have been very much highlighted by playoff disappointments, none bigger than in 2007, when they were bounced in the first round by eighth seeded Golden State after going 67-15 in the regular season. Both teams are very different from 5 years ago, but when the two current opponents are compared, they are both very similar- they are comprised of veterans who have made sacrifices for the opportunity of getting a ring.
There are just four players from the 2006 series; Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Dwyane Wade, and Udonis Haslem. Nowitzki, along with James are just two of seven players in NBA history who have won an MVP but not won a championship. Nowitzki has been huge for the Mavs in the playoffs, averaging 28.4 points per game, and averaged 32.2 in the Western Conference Finals against OKC. Terry has been big off the bench for Dallas, averaging 17 points per game while averaging 30 minutes per game. Haslem has been big for the Heat since coming back from an injury he suffered in November. He joins Wade as two of three Heat players with a ring.
As for the other guys, there are countless veterans who are hungry for a championship. Starting with the Mavs, there are several "oh so close guys". Jason Kidd was the NBA's best point guard in 2002 and 2003 when he led the New Jersey Nets to the finals, but losing both years, getting swept by the Shaq and Kobe Lakers in 2002 and losing to the Spurs in 6 in 2003. He came to Dallas in 2008 looking for a championship, and after 8 years, is back in the finals. Then theres Shawn Marion and Peja Stojakovic. Neither have been to the finals, but finally got there after combining for 18 postseasons without being able to get out of the Western Conference bracket. Marion has spent most of his years in Phoenix, playing alongside Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire, being part of a tandem that was known for great regular seasons but big playoff disappointments. Meanwhile Stojakovic made up a 1-2 punch with Chris Webber in Sacramento, then went to New Orleans and was part of a tandem that featured Chris Paul and current teammate Tyson Chandler. This is a guy who has never been able to get through the Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but was finally able to this year with the second round sweep.
The Heat are no different. The two guys in the big three who weren't in Miami this time last year, took their talents to South Beach for one reason- rings. LeBron James had gotten to the finals in 2007, but was swept by the San Antonio Spurs. He was stuck in Cleveland, being the lone star, with not much support around him. And that didn't get anymore exploited than in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh never got out of the first round in his seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors. They also have Mike Bibby, who has spent his years with Sacramento and Atlanta, never reaching the finals despite several trips to the postseason. Zydrunas Ilgauskas was LeBron's teammate in Cleveland, and is in the same boat as him. Mike Miller is a veteran who has been a solid player for years in the league, and has taken a limited role to win one, and Eddie House is looking for his second ring after winning it all in 2008 with the Celtics.
Both these teams share a common bond and a common goal. One group of guys will be able to reach the goal that they had when they first put on an NBA jersey, holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy as a champion, while the other group must wait another year, or maybe longer.
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