CAVS.SPACE

Odds are that there will be another NBA lockout this offseason. Previously, there have been three NBA lockouts. In 1995, a lockout lasted three months but did not cut into the regular season. In 1996, the lockout was very, very short - only a couple of hours. However, the third NBA lockout in 1998 was the first work stoppage in NBA history. It ended up cutting out nearly half the 1998-1999 season; the result was a 50-game regular season schedule played in 90 days. There were sequences where teams played 3 days in a row. That is otherwise unheard of in the NBA. A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, June 30th) to further discuss NBA labor negotiations. Here's hoping to no lockout in 2011 or, at the very least, no lost regular season games in 2011-2012. Until then, here are some interesting story lines that were going on around the time when the NBA owners locked out NBA players in 1998. **Please be warned that some of the content is more mature in theme.** > Choking A

The Dallas Mavericks are 1 win away from becoming the 2011 NBA Champions. However, the Miami Heat are 2 wins away, with Games 6 & 7 scheduled for play in South Beach. Look for some possible coaching strategies and tactics below. Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra > LeBron James could run more point guard today. This could mean Mike Bibby comes off the bench today, with Mike Miller starting. > If not, Mario Chalmers could start in place of Mike Bibby as well. Chalmers has played well overall in this series. > James Jones should get time today. He can hit shots in bunches and plays well with James. He might also draw the defensive assignments of J.J. Barea, Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd. > Udonis Haslem could also start today. Joel Anthony has done his job in logging minutes and covering players on defense, but otherwise he has not brought much to the table in this series. With him out, Zydrunas Ilgauskas could get time as the backup center, as he also plays well with Jam

In 2007, ABC queued up "It Ends Tonight" by The All-American Rejects early in Game 4 of the 2007 NBA Finals. This was the game where the San Antonio Spurs finished a four-game sweep of the Cavs. This was also the same game where Eric Snow tried to will the team to victory in between the 3rd and 4th quarters with a memorable speech. In 2009, TNT queued up "It's Not My Time" by 3 Doors Down early in Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. In this game, the Cavaliers cut a 3-1 series deficit to 3-2. Then, they went down hard, falling behind early in Game 6. Delonte West tried to carry the team on his back, but it was not enough. In 2011, what song will they queue up for Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals? Will LeBron James have proven that his South Beach rant ("Not one, not two, not three, not four. Not five, not six, not seven.") actually meant eight points and zero championships? Perhaps the song will be "Superstar" by Lupe Fiasco featur

With the series tied 2-2, both head coaches--Rick Carlisle and Erik Spoelstra--and their staffs will do whatever they can to help their team gain an advantage in the pivotal Game 5 tonight. Here are some observations. Dallas Mavericks Positives from Game 4 DeShawn Stevenson transitioned nicely onto the Mavericks bench. On offense, Stevenson filled the void caused by Peja Stojakovic's recent slump. On defense, Stevenson served as Shawn Marion's backup in guarding LeBron James--again a void that Stojakovic and others could not fill in the first 3 games. Stevenson and Marion led the way in giving James multiple looks, angles, and pressures on defense. In turn, J.J. Barea fit in nicely in the Mavericks starting lineup. Rather than continuing to struggle in his matchup with Mario Chalmers, Barea was matched up with Mike Bibby, who no longer has the quickness like Chalmers to shut down Barea. Brian Cardinal made a valiant effort in filling some of the minutes that Brendan H

The Miami Heat pulled out an 88-86 victory in Dallas in Game 3 to take a 2-1 advantage over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. Word is that Dirk Nowitzki, among others, has already referred to Game 4 as a "must win game". Here are some keys on both sides to pulling out a Game 4 victory. Miami Heat Feed Wade the ball Keep Haslem out of foul trouble Continue to put James on Terry and Haslem on Nowitzki down the stretch Continue forcing turnovers and scoring points off turnovers and aim to take the Dallas crowd out of the game Do not let Barea or Stojakovic catch fire - neither has done so yet in this series Dallas Mavericks Make minor lineup changes - as of a couple hours before gametime, it appears that Barea will be starting at guard in place of Stevenson Consider Brewer or Cardinal as a change of pace substitute - especially if Stojakovic struggles or Haslem dominates the paint Get Terry the ball at the middle of the court/wings as opposed to t

More Likely Adjustments Jason Kidd to spend more time guarding Dwyane Wade Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood to play some time together to help neutralize rebounding of Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Juwan Howard Use Peja Stojakovic to help give rest to Dirk Nowitzki More usage of zone defense Less Likely Adjustments Play with smaller lineups - Dirk Nowitzki at Center; Jason Kidd and J.J. Barea playing at the same time Put in Brian Cardinal - have him play physical defense, use fouls on Chris Bosh and LeBron James Use Corey Brewer if J.J. Barea and Peja Stojakovic continue to struggle Have Jason Terry and Shawn Marion run some plays to free up Jason Kidd and keep him out of traps set by LeBron James and other Heat players

Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement yesterday. Mike Brown is in as Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin McHale is in as Head Coach of the Houston Rockets. Jay Triano has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach of the Toronto Raptors. Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves appear to have reached a contract agreement in order to allow the 2009 NBA Draft pick to leave Europe and join the team next season. The NBA had a collective bargaining meeting yesterday for Commissioner David Stern, owners, and players. Last week, NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter and the NBPA had filed an unfair labor complaint against the NBA's approach to labor negotiations over the past year, hoping to prevent a lockout from occurring again this offseason.