Finals preview and my prediction from blog. Lets go Heat!-
The Uncommon One: Euro Cup/NBA Finals Smash
The NBA finals are right here and don't worry I'm absolutely ecstatic for it. I just put the Euro Cup ahead of it because so much had to be covered. I don't think I'll need to recap Game 7 especially since it was one of the most highest rated games in the past five years. I'm pleased with the game obviously and it was great to see Chris Bosh scoring on a consistent level again. The team united in the 4th quarter by playing excellent defense and letting the stars take over. It was the concept that always seems to work and it took over. Now here comes the real test with the Thunder against Heat. I had predicted this Finals like many so I'm not really bragging about it. Both teams are the best in the league and still are very much in their prime (Thunder are probably too young but their that good). I felt last year was an epic finals even though my team lost so abruptly after going up 2-1. I think this finals will top last year's based on how both teams are similar and have more star power. This could be one for the ages just like the Lakers versus Celtics in 2010.
Usually in the finals, you'll have a superstar big man on one of the teams. We've seen it ever since 2000 from Shaq, Duncan, Howard, Nowitzki, and Garnett among others. This is the first time that I can't find one superstar big men on each team. It goes to show you how much the NBA has changed where a great big man isn't needed anymore and its all about permitter players. You can get by without having a big man dominating the paint or a silky smooth jump shooter like Dirk. Each teams gets by with great wing play which shows how teams don't really need centers anymore. I'm talking about superstars so the Chris Bosh argument is invalid here. Bosh is an all star who will be called upon to step even more in this series. He's got a tough matchup against Serge Ibaka who made first defensive team in the NBA. This is going to be a real tough matchup for Bosh to score inside against the long arms of Ibaka. Bosh's best hope is continue taking jump shots which is working for him right now. If he continue to hit threes, it will be a long night for the Thunder. I'm not sure who starts for the Heat at center but I would assume Udonis Haslem. After the success of Bosh and Haslem, it would be a great duo. I know people may think Bosh is better off the bench because of how poor the Miami bench is but enough is enough. He's an all star and Battier will get his minutes eventually. Perkins versus Haslem should be a fun matchup with both hard nosed players. Perkins doesn't have a jump shot like Haslem but Perkins is a better on ball defender. This is a very difficult advantage but I'll go with Miami barley because of Bosh's performance in Game 7.
The back court will come down to Westbrook versus Wade. I'm not sure if Chalmers will guard Westbrook because he could struggle against speedy guards. Then again Wade might have to worry about Harden floating around. Westbrook struggled in the conference finals but I think he knows his role going forward. With the pace Durant is on, he'll know when to take it easy taking shots. The problem with Westbrook is that he'll average three to five bad shots a game. His decision making isn't on par with his scoring ability which is why he hasn't elevated into a truly elite point guard. This could be the series for him to make plays without scoring and taking good shots. Chalmers will get his chances to guard him but his inconsistent play has hurt him. He's had great moments like in Game 2 but he's had absolute duds in Game 5. I'm not sure how Spolestra is going to play him considering he wasn't on the court when Miami went on their big run in Game 7. Thunder get the edge in the backcourt simply because they have two stars in Harden and Westbrook. Harden has been a bit cold in the playoffs but he's had his moments of greatness. He could be in for a huge series against Miami's weak bench. Sefolesha should be getting more minutes this series though just to guard Wade so it will be interesting to see how Brooks manages time. Dwayne Wade has been playing like a roller coaster in the playoffs with his awful spurts but then his spurts of taking over. Wade will still be relied on to do things with his playmaking ability and how he can spread the floor. For the sake of Miami, hopefully his trend of slow starts to games end.
The obvious matchup is Kevin Durant versus LeBron James. These are the two best players in the NBA going at it which makes the finals so incredible. Even though I think will see Battier guard Durant at times, it should be a fun matchup. I give the advantage slightly to LeBron simply because he's the MVP and he can get to the hoop at will. I question if Durant can get into the paint against a Heat team that may be undersized but rotate so well. Also Durant's passing skills to be tested in this series with the Heat swarming him. He's not known for his passing so will he keep his turnovers limited or will it be a problem. James is an all around playmaker that can do it all for the most part. He'll still questioned about his finishing ability in the 4th quarter while Durant has been doing it the entire playoffs. I don't have speak too much about either player because you know what you will get. I originally predicted the Thunder in 7 and I'm actually staying with the pick. I think the home court advantage is too much even though Miami should steal one there. Oklahoma City will get Miami back on the road as well to make it even. I think the bench and defense are the difference makers for the Thunder. Miami still seems to struggle in long spurts of games and the Thunder will punish you. I hope I'm wrong but I'm sticking with my original prediction then Spolestra will sadly be fired.
