Maybe if you watched more games than just when the playoffs roll around you'd understand what I was talking about. Being down 2-1 crunch time? I already conceded that how they finished that series was impressive. There happens to be a whole lot of regular season games and other playoff games where a history has been established. p.s. Just so happens they were outscored by 18 points in the second half of game one. Hmmmmm
I belive the Thunder will win in 7. While Miami's defense may have been better during the regular season the Thunders is peaking now and they are a deeper team. At the end of the day defense will prevail.
This is where I will respectfully disagree. The perception that Miami is a poor closing team is a created by "analyst", "experts", and 99% of the population that hates LeBron and the Heat. No one talks about when they play well late in games. They just want to point out when they don't. I've watched enough Heat games over the last two seasons to know they can get it done when they need to. The fact is everyone is looking to nit pick this team, so any time they don't play well that is all you hear about. When they do play well its "well they are suppose to". A great example is the "non clutch" LeBron James, who is statistically just as good as the one and only Kobe Bryant in game tying or game winning shots with less than 30 seconds to play. Only difference is Kobe is recognized as one of the greatest closers in the game's history. Hmmmmm. All the pressure in this series is on Miami. I don't care who is favored. If OKC loses, no one will be shocked and no one will spend the entire off season wondering why they failed.
I have, don't worry about that. Followed the NBA closely. I'm aware of what you're referencing. Stick with the US Open. NO doubt they got owned in the 2nd half - the first time in the last month it's been like that. Westbrook was incredible, and Durant even more so. It ain't going to be in 5 - but I'd still be shocked if OKC won. Not many times, does a team get to the Finals, and get it done the first time. They certainly have the talent to pull it off, however.
Being from Oklahoma and cheering for the Thunder since day one. I gotta go with Thunder in six. Those guys have something special going on. The games are awesome to go to. There's a reason the call that place "loud city" awesome atmosphere! Thunder Up!
OKC will win, just not sure In how many games. Durant Is awesome. Westbrook Is better then most here are giving him credit for. Harden didn't have a great 1st game against the Heat and they still won. In the end though If Wade and LBJ play to their potential there's no reason they shouldn't win. I just don't see them doing that though through out the series. So far LBJ has had a great post season, Wade has not.
Here are some facts for you...not perception KD scored 17 points in the 4th quarter last night to take over the game for his team...the type of thing that superstars are expected to do when everything is on the line LBJ scored a TOTAL of 18 points in the 4th quarters of SIX finals games last year which is pathetic when you are supposed to be the best player in the NBA I know who I would pick to close out a game
More facts...but for you. It was only game 1. Not everything was on the line (like game 6 in Boston, when the Heat kicked them in the sack) There is clearly a night and day difference from last year, to this year for the Heat - if you haven't noticed, you're blind. It was a great game. There is nothing to be upset about for either team. Both teams made runs, and in the end the Thunder came out on top. Both teams will throw punches. I was naive in thinking it'd be over in 5. (sidenote)If Durant was better than Lebron....Durant would have invited LBJ to workout with him last summer. But he didn't. Lebron invited Durant.
I wasn't comparing the two, but thats classic. A 1 and 6 game sample. ESPN would hire you in a hot minute.
I would also like to add that Durant averages 36 ppg in his finals career. Westbrook averages nearly a triple double (27, 8, 11). Brooks also has the highest finals winning percentage in NBA history, .1000.
Man Durant was clutch last night....That said, Miami had control of the game for most of the game AT OKC... I can't see a combined herculean effort by Westbrook and Durant every game this series. They better get it right sooner or they will start dropping these games. EXACTLY the start to a great series I was hoping for. I expected from the beginning the Heat to drop down 2-0 at OKC, which is why I was so surprised at Miami controlling the court for 2 3/4 quarters. And for those arguing for or against LBJ, let's not forget one thing. Michael Jordan at age 27 had 0 Championships and 2 MVPs... LBJ at the same age has 0 Rings and 3 MVPs....He is just now reaching the peak of his career. Thunder may be the new Lakers for the next decade....TONS of young talent happy together signing long contracts.
Ok Vito...lets just focus on Lebron....18 points in six 4th quarters....3 point avg....really??? You can say whatever you want but numbers don't lie I'm not a Lebron hater either I really don't even care who wins this thing but I did pick OC
Yup - AND MJ had college to mature and learn. LBJ didn't have that. Also, the simple fact is numbers do lie. Much like all of the great players in the league, they change the game, scoring or not. Double teams, etc figure in every game, no matter what they've been doing as of late. Durant could go 0-34 in 3 quarters, but he'd see JUST as much attention in the 4th.
