2011 NBA Finals

Tonight begins the 2011 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat host the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki have been undoubtedly the two best players throughout the 2011 NBA Playoffs, and have lead their teams to the brink of a title. LeBron hopes that he, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh could be on their way to winning not 1, not 2, not 5, not 6, but even more titles. Dirk is hoping to avenge his loss to Miami in the 2006 NBA Finals and cement himself as possibly the best European player ever. Here is how I see the NBA Finals playing out, with a positional breakdown.

NBA Finals

2 Miami (-180) vs. 3 Dallas (+150)

How they got here:

Miami beat - Philadelphia 4-1, Boston 4-1, Chicago 4-1
Dallas beat - Portland 4-2, LA Lakers 4-0, Oklahoma City 4-1

PG - Mike Bibby vs. Jason Kidd
SG - Dwayne Wade vs. DeShawn Stevenson
SF - LeBron James vs. Shawn Marion
PF - Chris Bosh vs. Dirk Nowitzki
C - Joel Anthony vs. Tyson Chandler
Bench - Miami vs. Dallas
Coach - Erik Spoelstra vs. Rick Carlisle

Dallas has a pretty clear advantage at every position except for SG and SF. So the key question is, just how big is the Heat's advantage at those positions? And the answer would be monumental. The Mavs will have to outplay Miami at all other positions to win this series. Miami has survived all of the hype and drama that has come in this season. Their Big 3 came together and will take on a team in Dallas that is loaded with talent from top to bottom.  Dirk Nowitzki will have to continue playing lights out and get significant contributions elsewhere. As much as it pains me to say it, I just believe that the will and determination of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade will be too much to overcome. We could be witnessing the beginning of a dynasty.

Prediction - Miami over Dallas 4-2

Ringer's Playoff Series Record
9-5