I don't know why you're including Lebron's first years in the league to compare to his prime years. I mean, Lebron as a rookie isn't exactly the same player he is today. Anyway, average out his prime years in Cleveland, and you have more or less ECF caliber. He then trades his role players for Wade and Bosh... and they win an extra series to become a finals-level team. For reference, Wade's Heat team lost in the first round, added an old Shaq and some other semi-washed up veterans to become a championship team(or finals team if you thought the Mavs were jobbed). Kobe's Lakers team were perennial 1st round exits until Gasol arrived, and they won 2 championships since. So it's quite clear that a team built around Lebron can OVERACHIEVE relative to talent. But that overachievement, what made people use the logic "If Lebron can go to the finals with crappy Cleveland team then he should win multiple titles with Wade and Bosh," doesn't apply because those Cleveland teams overachieved. Whereas in Miami, they're playing as expected.
Those are huge steps Durant takes, and his length and height makes it impossible for Battier to guard him. Battier still makes some positive plays, but he can't guard Durant or Westbrook.
<br> Dang maybe I was just basing that on Durant blowing by him to get that dunk in the second. My mistake And I think what happened in the fourth is there were a lot of plays where james was on durant but due to screens/switches Wade ended up on him. I saw that happen at least twice or so. Not the ideal situation for the Heat at all.
A lot of people that don't watch OKC on a regular basis just don't get Westbrook. It makes me laugh. It's like they resent every shot he takes. What is scary is he's only 23 years-old, continues to improve every year and it's obvious he is far from a finished product. You have to know where he's come from to fully appreciate WB.
Nothing about the Heat in this series screams they can put up a better fight than LA or the Spurs did.
For a player that played the 2 at UCLA, he's come a long way. Also, what annoys me is that people ignore OKC's starting lineup when it comes to Westbrook needing to shoot and score. Sefolosha and Perkins are non factors offensively, and Ibaka is far from a consistent scorer. Durant is great, but he can't do it alone.
You gave up 56 points in the paint, how do you plan on stopping that? James: Uhh.... Not give up 56 points in the paint.
