Sefolosha is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, so Wade will have to bring his A game in the finals even with one-on-one coverage. Wade played too much like a role player versus the Celtics, which is precisely the problem. If LeBron didn't go nuts in game 6, we might be talking about how Wade was the reason they failed to win the east.
No homecourt for Miami this time, but the 2-3-2 format gives the Heat a serious chance if they can steal at least one in OKC. Thunder have major firepower....but they've shown that they can lose focus on the road and not be the overwhelming force they are at home. 3 straight games going 5-on-8 should have them concerned.
Russell Westbrook has changed these playoffs, have to admit it. He is no longer an athletic, dumb jump shooter who wants to be the best, when in fact he ain't even the best player on his own team. It seems like he finally understood the game and is becoming more like a real point guard. He probably realized KD is special and it is better to ride him and win than to have good numbers yourself and lose. Westbrook may struggle a little bit but with Miami having NO rim protection I do belive he will be able to at least get to the line a lot. As for Miami, I just don't think they are deep enough. I don't think that even LeBron, Wade and Bosh can carry this team in OKC with their fans (best in the NBA) energy. I just dont. They will need someone to all of the sudden get super hot. Maybe it can be Shane, maybe Miller.
RW is shooting more than Durant. I think winning will change a perception of a player whether it is real or not. I think RW gets hate for no good reason. I remember last year where tony allen was shutting down durant yet everyone was blaming RW.
i think the lakers/celtics finals were more anticipated first for them playing each other again and then the rematch i think this will be a fun finals to watch where i am interested in seeing how both teams play but i will be rooting for Westbrook and the Thunder
Both does iso offence way too often to say OKC plays more team basketball than the heat. It might seem so with 3 capable players doing iso from the Thunders.
Im glad we had a pole, so now its obvious, MIAMI IS DA UNDERDOG. so if miami lose, i dont wanna here nothin about how they was "suppose to win" and if they win i dont wanna here nothin about "big deal, they have lebron and wade they was SUPPOSED TO WIN"
I picked OKC in 4, but the Heat isn't the underdog. They are still favorites IMO, and still the villains. Nothing has changed for me since last year. I think OKC's style of play matches better for the Heat than last year's Dallas.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Game 1 crew: Monty McCutchen, Ed Malloy and Derrick Stafford. Yes, THAT Ed Malloy. Over-under on first Perk-Haslem double tech is 0:45.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/212583541786152961" data-datetime="2012-06-12T16:34:00+00:00">June 12, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
LBJ > Durant Wade > Harden Bosh > Ibaka Problem is the Thunder hold a significant advantage everywhere else, while on any given night, those three can match their counterpart. I think it will be Thunder in 6. Of course, maybe the Heat having to work so much harder to get here this year will have them tougher mentally.
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My heart wants OKC in 7. My head says Miami in 6. Sorry, I know this is going to be unpopular. But we're looking at a group of 23 year olds going up against guys that have about 3-4 years on them and are in their prime. We're also looking at Lebron vs. Durant. And once again, for all you guys that don't think the NBA is about post-ups anymore, the greatest advantage Lebron has on Durant is posting up. If he posts Durant up, he'll have Durant in foul trouble or Durant will have to let him go and get 35+. Also, Bosh is going to stretch that interior out to the 3-point line. Ibaka will be totally useless trying to help in the paint with Bosh firing the corner 3. That leaves Perk or Collison inside to stop Lebron and Wade coming off the high pick. Good luck. Whistle, whistle, whistle, 3 fouls, go sit the bench. here comes Nazr and Miami in the bonus. OKC is gonna have to run their big 3 out there most of the time simply to have the offensive firepower to stay in games. That is a lot less D than when they run Thabo out there with 2 of the big 3. On the other end, Lebron is the best defender in the league. He's gonna be checking Durant and getting help from Battier. In any case, the superior finishers are the Heat. As much as I hate it, I gotta go with my gut. Heat in 6.
I've just learned that Lebron is good post up player and best defender in NBA. LOL. Lebron is not on same level defensively with Shawn Marion, Loul Deng, Thabo Sefolosha, Andre Iguodala,...You can argue that they don't so much offensively, but numbers like isolation defence back it up. I know that regular season doesn't mean much, but in past 2 years Durant is averaging 30 ppg on 50% while Lebron is averaging 23 points on 45% shooting. So I don't expect Lebron outplay Durant. Being that said this is not match up which will decide series.
I'll take what I see on the floor and what other retired hall-of-famers say about Lebron's defense. If I have to pick one defender in the NBA to make a stop for me to win a game, I'm taking Lebron.
He doesn't give full effort on defence for 48 minutes, which is understandable, because what he has to do offensively. I would take Shawn Marion right now, he was big reason why Dallas had better defence this year than last year even though they lost Tyson Chandler.
