Clash of the Dynasties: NBA Finals

I should probably come clean about something.

I did, very much, want a Heat/Thunder rematch.  I wanted to see LeBron James and Kevin Durant square off.  I wanted to see if the formerly super-athletic turned savvy veteran Dwyane Wade could beat the production of currently super-athletic but erratic Russell Westbrook.  I was even curious to see how Chris Bosh would stack up against Serge Ibaka.  Mostly, I wanted to see Durant in a signature moment against LeBron.  They'll be competing for MVP trophies the next few years, but it would be fun to see them competing for Larry O'Brien trophies.

I've said all this recently.  What I need to come clean about is the other reason I wanted a Heat/Thunder rematch.

I thought the Thunder would be an easier opponent than the Spurs, and I think LeBron would have dominated his matchup against Durant.

The cagey veterans that once rattled LeBron in the fourth quarter have been vanquished.  Durant and his generation view him with reverence.  He would have a decisive advantage having faced his demons and conquered them.

Durant is just now getting to know his demons.  I got the sense they were lurking this playoff run.  It showed up in his free throw shooting.  In the Thunder's four losses to the Spurs, he shot 65 percent from the line.  He freely admitted that he thinks he's bad luck when watching his teammates shoot free throws.

It showed up in his impact.  There were fewer signature games than most expected.  It's also no secret he is happy to let Westbrook take the reigns in pressure situations.  There were moments where he actually looked like he was hiding within the offense against the Spurs.

Durant is facing similar pressure LeBron faced before his first championship.  He is next in line to win and now the clock is ticking.

Expectations wear on athletes.  We saw expectations crumble the Indiana Pacers this season.  I don't think Durant was quite ready to dethrone LeBron and the Heat.  Throw in the Thunder's lack of size (Miami's achilles), lack of depth and propensity for turnovers (Miami's bread and butter), and that's a recipe for a three-peat.

I also could have lived with the results if it were Durant and the Thunder that ended LeBron's bid for a legacy building three-peat.  It would be great for NBA intrigue and I would have been happy for my friends and family.

Conversely, if the Spurs beat the Heat (as most are predicting) then I have nothing to feel happy about.  Some of my least favorite people are Spurs fans.  Okay, just two, but believe me, they are serious jerks (it's a family blog or I would assign different descriptors).

I also still hold a grudge against Greg Popovich and the Spurs for the decision to rest Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli against the Heat in Miami in the 2012-2013 regular season.

Why would this affect me?  As a result of that move (one Popovich was fined for since it was a nationally televised broadcast), the Heat decided to give Wade and LeBron a rest against the Spurs in San Antonio.

Why did that affect me?  Thanks for asking.  My 2012 Christmas present from my parents was a ticket to see LeBron and Wade against the Spurs in San Antonio.  It is the first and only time I have had an opportunity to see my favorite player in person, and he rested.

Thank you, Popovich.

*As a side note: It actually was an awesome game.  Chris Bosh played great including a three point buzzer beater for the victory.

**I found out recently that San Antonio is the fourth smallest TV market in the NBA which explains their arena.  It is hands down the worst professional facility I have ever watched a game.  Any sport.

The Spurs are an unbelievable organization.  You absolutely have to marvel at their success.  They embody every positive sports cliche you can think of.  Tim Duncan and Popovich won their first championship 15 years ago.  Now they're back for the sixth time.  Absolutely incredible.  Imagine what you were doing 15 years ago.  SVP & Russillo pointed out that the Super Bowl act in 1999 was Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Hilarious.

The Spurs are frustrating to opposing fans.  When Danny Green drops seven three pointers, that is the definition of annoying.  When that's followed up with Manu Ginobli daggers and a sprinkling of Boris Diaw, Patty Mills or Kawhi Leonard, it is devastating.

If they're not destroying you behind the arc, Tony Parker is making baffling shots and Tim Duncan is turning back the clock to dominate like it's 1999 (literally and the Prince reference are both appropriate).  And when you think you can take no more and you're cussing their very existence, you hear how humble and respectful they are in victory (and defeat for that matter).

Here's my challenge to anyone who claims to hate Ginobli.  Watch his interviews or post-game press conferences.  He is the living embodiment of Balki Bartokomous from Perfect Strangers in looks and demeanor ("Don't be reedikulos").  It will make you feel bad for judging him on what he did to your team.

The 2013 NBA Finals were among the greatest series of all time.  A seven game thriller that included a miracle comeback by the Heat in game 6.  The Spurs were 30 seconds away from the championship.  The arena was roped off and the trophy had been wheeled out before some missed free throws led to Ray Allen's corner three to save the Heat's season.  Everyone remembers that, but the casual fan has probably forgotten how unbelievable game 7 was also.  Let's hope this series comes close to that.

The Heat find themselves in a similar situation to the Thunder before playing the Spurs.  They are not the better team in this series, they don't have home court advantage, but they have the best player.  Luckily for the Heat, they are injury free unlike OKC to start the series.

The smart money is probably on the Spurs.  Miami doesn't have as many ways to hurt their opponent as the Spurs do.  Every player on the floor is a threat for San Antonio because of their ball movement and style of offense.  The Heat will need to give their most impressive defensive effort this entire season to combat the Spurs precision.

Aside from ferocious defense, LeBron has to be the best player on the floor.  He didn't get comfortable until game 4 of last seasons Finals.  The Heat cannot afford for that to happen this series.  They are notoriously slow starters saving their best basketball for when their backs are against the wall. With the first two games being played in San Antonio, a slow start is not a luxury the Heat can afford.  The Spurs can take a slow start and turn it into a blowout by halftime.

LeBron is not Michael Jordan.  He doesn't shoot 35 times a game and take every shot in the fourth quarter.  He is much closer to Magic Johnson with his style and approach to the game.  But, Jordan is ubiquitously considered to be the greatest of all-time.  His two three-peats are the standard by which other NBA superstars are judged.  If LeBron truly wants to be the best ever, he will have to lead the Heat to this three-peat.

Duncan is looking for a legacy cementing fifth championship.  The type of victory that puts a cherry on the top of a hall of fame career.  He is already one of the greatest to ever play.  Many think he is the greatest power forward ever.  His greatest asset in this series is motivation.  He feels like he has something to prove.  The Spurs vowed revenge a year ago and now they have their chance.

Thinking with my head, I think the Spurs will win.  Depth, offensive execution and home court advantage favors the Spurs.  They are the epitome of team with ten different players to be concerned about.

Thinking with my heart, I think the Heat find a way.  The Big 3 have grown every season and are ready for the moment.  Something they couldn't say in 2011.  Three point shooting, defense and rebounding will be keys to Miami's success.  And a whole lot of LeBron won't hurt either.

Translation: I am too superstitious to say Heat in 7.