Lol. Some of you kids are too funny in this thread. The hate for Lebron and the Heat really detracts from an objective analysis. Suggesting to start a thread/poll on who likes which poster better ... seriously?
The goal tending call should never have happened. - 2 points for the heat. Plus the non-call at the end really made a huge difference. that's 4 points!!!!!! Also Battier was clearly still sliding his feet trying to take the charge so it was a good call.
Lebron could have been called for a foul. There was clear, significant contact. Guess what, they rarely call it in that situation (unless it's Joey Crawford, LOL). Jordan pushed off Byron Russell to hit his game winner. He knew it would never be called. Reggie knew he could get away with a little bit of a push-off on any final shot. His defenders knew they could get away with a little grab on the final shot. His screener knew he could get away with a little grab on the screen to set up the final shot. Almost all refs "let them play" in that situation, unless it is clear that the contact totally prevented a decent shot attempt. Durant is mad at himself for missing that shot. And to be honest, similar amounts of contact was a no-call for much of the night, so you can argue it wasn't even just the end-of-game let-them-play mentality at work.
Well I missed that one big time. I really thought the Thunder would establish themselves early in this game...at least earlier than Game 1. The Thunder's habit of falling down late and making comebacks...mixed with the Heat's do-nothing'/stand-around offense in 4th quarters is making for a very exciting NBA Finals. Fun to watch for sure.
The NBA was built on individuals as heroes and villains. Pick a side. Root for that guy. Root against that guy. They've marketed themselves that way...much more so than any of the other professional sports. It shouldn't be surprising that Lebron has lots of people who root against him.
You have no idea how sad those quotes make me. I had a ray of hope when I woke up that he was merely 2 games behind on his thinking (like Thabo on Parker). Nope! It is going to take some more games for him to reconsider.
That is not what I am saying. My point is that people hate Karl malone since he has literally knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs. It is the reason we hate the Lakers. People hate Lebron because the way he went about telling us what team he is going to sign with. That has nothing to do with going against your team. There is a HUGE difference between why we hate Karl Malone/Stockton/Michael Finley/Jason Terry ==> They hurt the Rockets in the playoffs. James didn't do anything to the Rockets and people just hate him because of the way he conducted himself.
As a Thunder supporter, it was a pity the the team got really slow start and Durant was stuck in foul trouble all game. Even so, he played on great level, and stayed aggressive till the end. Next game they have got to do something to make sure Westbrook doesn't go 2/10 early again. Also the rebounds.
Thunder needs more Nick Collison. His two man game with Harden in the first half was the reason why Miami's lead didn't balloon to 20. Perkins is being guarded by LeBron or Durant at times, and doesn't do anything about it. Given Miami's players and style, he's a no show at both ends. Leslie.
For all the debate on the foul call, it's not the reason why OKC lost the game. They can not keep digging themselves a hole at the beginning of games and hope to get out of it in the 4th quarter. If they came out ready they would have won the game. Miami has a chance to win the series if Wade consistently brings it, meaning 25/5/5 at least for the rest of the series. Otherwise OKC is just too good for them.
Also Shane Battier is playing ridiculously well in the first two games. For all the hate on him (and some deservedly so due to his poor play) Shane is really stepping up in the Finals.
Agree with this. Looks like Lebron is going to get his nightly 30/10/5, so if Wade can put up 25/5 then they will be very tough to beat. Bosh just needs to stay down low and keep rebounding and score at least ten.
He's going to cool down. NO way he keeps that up. But the good thing for Miami is outside of Shane, nobody is making any jumpshots, esp. Lebron. He's getting his 30+ points by making like a jumpshot a game. Dude is getting into the lane at will. So I"m sure their jumpers will fall more consistently at home. Miami really needs to keep up that defense. Their transition defense was absurdly bad in the 2nd half, similar to game 1. And Lebron simply needs to do a better job on Durant. His last 3 times on Durant, he lost him and that was inexcusable. OKC is going to come out as the hungriest team in game 3.
