NBA Finals 2011

So what some experts are calling potentially the most watched NBA Finals, starts tomorrow. Dallas Mavericks against the Miami Heat-again. This is a rematch of the NBA Finals of 2006 when the Miami Heat won in six games. Despite this, the question remains, who needs to win this more? The Miami Heat, with "the trio" that have been criticized at every turn or the Dallas Mavericks, who are seeking a first championship for Dirk, Jason Kidd, and owner Mark Cuban.

Miami Heat went into this season, being one of the most closest watched teams in the NBA in years. They acquired stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but also acquired role players such as Juwan Howard, Mike Miller, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Mike Bibby. Because of this, they gained many new fans to the NBA, but also became one of the more hated teams, as LeBron became a villain to many.

The last time they won a championship, the Heat also had a newer star player on the roster. Shaquille O'Neal's second year on the roster brought them a championship, but he too was surrounded with new role players like James Posey and Jason Williams. When Shaq arrived, he too predicted that his new team would win a championship with him. It took an extra season, but he was right. Can LeBron do it in his first season with the Heat?

The Mavs are still chasing that illusive first championship. Mark Cuban bought the Mavs and revamped the franchise. He turned a losing franchise, with sub par facilities and lackluster players into a franchise that consistently makes the playoffs, with the best facilities in the NBA, and future hall of fame players-Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.

Yet with all the success the team has had, they've only went to the Finals once with Cuban as the owner and that was against the Miami Heat. This is their chance at revenge-well, sort of. Despite being not that long ago, only two players remain from that Dallas Mavericks team. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. Still, this team is looking to take out the Heat for their first rings.

This team acquired many former star veterans who are hanging on for that last chance at a ring. Jason Kidd rejoined the cast after unsuccessful bids at getting his rings with the Nets and Suns. Peja Stojakovic joins after a long success with the Kings. Although the Kings were never able to win a ring with now Heat player Bibby and now Mavericks player Peja leading the team. Shawn Marion also joins the team, joining former Suns teammate Kidd, in search of that elusive ring. Also they added twenty-eight year old, nine season veteran, Tyson Chandler to their team to get his first ring.

If the Mavs don't win this first championship, will they stay together? I believe the Heat will for the most part. The Mavs have veterans at the end of their rope though and if they don't pull it off this year, does that mean Mark Cuban will gut key parts of the team in favor of younger players? I believe the Mavs want it more and need it more, but the Heat would like to shed the negativity off after LeBron's "Decision." The Mavericks have been sitting for a week after a hot streak the week before where they looked extremely hungry. The Heat just finished their games off against the Bulls more recently, so not much a chance of rust, but they didn't show that hunger until the last game.

So who needs this more? The Mavs. Who wins this? In my prediction, it goes in six games again, but this time in the Mavs favor.