I really wanted one last Lakers Celtics matchup, at least for the foreseeable future. That said, this will definitely be the most entertaining series IMO. Two young, stacked teams. KD is at the stage in his career LBJ hit with his first finals appearance years ago. Will he break through? As much as it would amuse me to see the melt down over another ringless year for LBJ in sports media....I don't think anyone will be denying him this year. Wade and Westbrook are a wash. Bosh is better than his OKC counterpart (Ibaka or Perkins either one) and LBJ is the best player on the planet. OKC definitely has a lot more quality depth though, that much is for sure. I take LBJ for his first ring in 7 games...which obviously means it is a complete guess. lol What say you?
I'm taking OKC in 6. The Heat have no depth and regardless of Bosh have no other big men. That wasn't an issue against the Cs who don't have a legit center. With the beard coming off the bench and the Westbrook and KD combo I don't see the Heat having enough. I've been saying since the playoffs started that championship will come out of the West again this year. Too much fire power. Also, I despise the Heat, and it's not because I am a Celtics fan. I respect their skills but have no respect for an individual who cries when accepting an MVP trophy.
Agreed OKC is much much deeper. I just don't understand how people think Westbrook/KD are a better duo than LBJ/Wade. I think the Heat top 3 greatly outmatch OKC top 3...just a matter of how the depth plays out from there.
I really want OKC to win. I can't stand LeBron ever since he had to hold a TV special to announce the "was taking his talents to South Beach" Pompous self-serving jackass!!!!
The only prediction i can make with any certainty is that i will not watch one game. I hope for okc to win, cannot stand the whining of the heat.
James/Wade/Bosh > Durant/Westbrook/Harden Heat in 6. Biggest reason...defense. Miami is a better defensive team. If both teams play their A game, Miami should win. Problem is Miami doesn't always play at their highest level. I think this finals is as much of a tossup as we've seen in recent years.
The Heat will not win a game at OC...the Thunder play with too much energy there...the Heat's low depth squad will not be able to keep up with them
Depends if Erik Spoelstra decides whether or not it's fair for the Heat to win it all, of it'd be more fair for the Thunder to win it all.
For some reason, I think there is a going to be an injury in this series that changes tides, one way or another. Miami's 3 trump OK's 3. I don't think depth really enters into it. Not in this matchup - too much alike offensively to matter. I think both teams have enough players to shuffle around to guard different people (ie, there is no shaq or Hakeem who can dominate down low) Best defensive team wins - Heat. I think in 5, barring any injury. My only hope is that Lebron doesn't act like a little ***** when he wins... like Garnett did a few years ago.
I dont' think its that they are better (or even equal) to LBJ/Wade. It's just the consistent lack of getting it done at crunch time. They look like a High School team when the game is on the line and last possesions. And there will be at least a couple games that come down to it in this series. Durant is a proven closer of games (already). Lebron and company have a history of not closing out games. Game 7 if the Celtics series was the first time that I've seen them have that attitude about them and went out and got it. That or the Celtics simply ran out of gas. If a game is coming down to the last couple possesions, I'd bet my money on the thunder getting it done instead of the Heat.
OKC will win the series and this will be the beginning of one or two championships in the next few years.
GREATLY outmatch OC's top three? In what way? LBJ small edge over KD Westbrook and Wade are a wash as you already said Harden and Bosh are a wash too imo although hard to compare different postitions A number of analysts on espn feel the OC trio plays better together than the Heat trio....probably why most of them are picking OC to win
Constantly lack of getting it done in crunch time? Like being down 2-1 and 3-2? Smoking a good Celtic team at home in game 6? Give me a break! That argument held water last year. Not this year - at least so far. Lol
I want nothing more than a OKC to sweep Miami. I used to like Lebron before he called a press conference to announce where he was going to play and in his most recent post game interviews not once did he use the word WE. Everything was I did this and I was happy with MY performance. The guy is a joke he has more talent than anyone in the NBA and completely has no respect for the game or his teamates. The whole Celtics/Heat series was a joke!!!! Miami had 40 more free throws than Boston and I'm not even a Celtics fan but just watched because the red sox suck and it was embarrassing watching the officiating in the games. It was pretty obvious David Stern wants Miami to win it all. The officials do not even try to hide it its blatant and obvious. I wonder if the finals series officiating will be that horrific about to find out!!!!!
