Jason Terry looks to make a move off the dribble against LeBron James. Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images (click on pic to buy photo)

NOTE: I’d like to thank btv that airs the Finals games in the Philippines on cable. More than that, they also air the post game press conferences with the players and coaches. It makes me feel like an NBA correspondent, except that I’m halfway across the world. It’s a huge boon to all writers and basketball junkies, we learn so much from everyone’s insights, in this particular article, Kidd and coach Rick Carlisle. Thank you btv!

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

It was the biggest margin of victory by either team in the 2011 finals: 112-103 Mavs. All other games were decided by 2 points or more. But it was arguably, also the most exciting. The Mavs handed the Miami Heat their first back to back loss in the post season. Just like the other series’ games it was a tight back forth battle leading to the last 8 minutes.

JJ Barea buried a trey at the 8:11 mark of the 4^th quarter to push the Mavs lead 93-88. D Wade dunks  to cut the lead 94-95 in 6:01. And the Flash finds a cutting Udonis Haslem to even take the lead 96-95 at 5:16. And a three pointer also by Wade made it 100-97. From then on it was an offensive explosion by Dallas. Jason Terry’s 3 pointer tied the game at 3:25 and Dirk Nowitzki’s dunk made it 102-100. A kick out pass to Jason Kidd by Terry also puts them out in front with under 2 minutes to play. A key block by Chandler on Wade sealed the game for the Mavs. For each of the Mavs win in this series Jason Terry scored 8 points at the 4^th quarter. The Jet ended the game with 21 points and 6 assists.

Dwyane Wade puts up a left-handed jumper during Game 5 in Dallas. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images (click on pic to buy photo)

Wade’s hip contusion suffered late in the 2^nd quarter took him out of the first 8 minutes of the third. By the time he got back he was able to aggressively go to the basket to keep the game close. At the post game press conference Wade did not want to make it as an excuse, “I don’t talk about injuries. It was unfortunate I had to leave the game but I came back and I finished it. Once you’re on the court you’re on the court. I don’t have no excuses. I was there to help my team to get an opportunity to win. And I’ll be fine Sunday.”

Dirk Nowitzki was still recovering from a high fever since game 4 but still managed to pour in 29 points. Mavs center Brendan Haywood did not even see action the last two games also because of a hip injury. His status is game to game. Both Ian Mahinmi and Brian Cardinal have defended well in his absence.

How great would it be for the Mavs to win it all for Jason Kidd who’s been an 11 time all star, in his 16 year career? If the Mavs win the title, Kidd will only be the second 38 year old to win a championship. Sam Cassell was the first with Boston in 2008.

Kidd was asked about how he was able to cope with his age and was able to explain the experience well, “When you come into this league you always think you can win a championship. You just don’t understand when you’re young just the level of competition and play as a team. And then there’s the business side of basketball where you could be traded. Or you lose a team mate. You learn that but you don’t stop working. You’re never too young or too old to improve your game.”

For those who are familiar with Jason Kidd early in his career he put up big numbers and even lead the league with triple doubles. So his own assessment of his current game is so valuable, “For me at 38, I had to improve my shooting if I wanted to stay on the floor and help my team out. As I’ve gotten older it’s just about timing. Not so much scoring 20 points or having 15 assists and ten rebounds. It’s about being at the right place at the right time and feeling that your team mates believe in you. Dirk and Jet trusted in me that I was gonna make that shot.”

There was a light moment when Jason Kidd was asked to talk about the contributions of JJ Barea, “He’s aggressive; he missed shots in game 4 we know he makes. What’s he listed at 5’10”? Ok we’ll go with that. (People laugh) He enjoys the challenge of being the small guy and being overlooked. And he made some big shots too. He only had one turnover. We trust him that he’s gonna find the right guy or make the right play and he’s done that two games in a row.

J.J. Barea celebrates after a play with DeShawn Stevenson. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images (click on pic to buy photo)

J.J. Barea (whom the Chuckster aka Charles Barkley mistakenly calls ‘Barera’). Getting tolisten to a lot of NBA veterans’ insights for me is also a wonderful treat. Chris Webber described Barea’s game 5 performance, “He’s 5”1, whatever it is it’ a compliment. Not being one of those trees and going against guys 150lbs heavier, then going and attacking, not settling for jump shots. That’s encouraging when you see guy like that play. You gotta bring more from yourself on the table.”

Kevin McHale was recently announced as Houston Rockets head coach, was a former team mate of Mavs coach Rick Carlisle in the 86 Boston championship team. Mc Hale creditedCarlislefor inserting Barea in the staring line up twice in the series. The move according to him gave Barea confidence.

Tyson Chandler throws down a two-handed dunk during Game 5. Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images (click on pic to buy photo)

Rick Carlisle was able to explain their philosophy and why he thinks they won the game, “We’ll play whistle to whistle a lot of people in the hockey world use that term. That’s what we’re gona do, were gona try to win every possession. An NBA Finals is a 16 day deal. It’s very long but somehow it goes by fast. By staying in the moment and focusing on what’s important for us that helps us. There’s no set formula other than we need each other.  We need to play with a certain collective intelligence and will. And the defense gotta be tight we did that tonight that’s why we won.”