You seem to know a lot about what the "analysts" have to say at ESPN seeing as how you reference them in every sports thread. I don't think people put half as much stock into them as you seem to think they do (for some reason). Fact is you can listen to 24 different "experts" and hear 24 different opinions. Not much different than me, you and everyone else here other than the fact that they get paid for saying what they think. I could care less what Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith, Wilbon, Magic, etc... have to say. I see what I see by actually knowing about and watching the games with my two eyes. They are fans with opinions just like everyone else. Yes even you Vito. But you probably have some credentials even higher than them for your voice to be heard. This thread really cracks me up. For the record I'm not a Lebron hater. In fact i'm in awe of his athletic ability. I think he has the potential to be the greatest bb player of all time. The dude is a freak of nature physically and athletically. I just think the it factor and his DNA isn't quite there to be that guy. And for all you that think the Heat get unjustly accused of not being able to close games or get it done in crunch time, tell me who's hands would you want the ball in for the last possession and why? Ask the same for the Lakers, Thunder, Celtics, Bulls, etc.... Do you actually see some of these plays they run and the shots they get off? Lebron the most dominate (potentially) player in the NBA pulling up on fade away jumpers, after he got to the free throw line 20 times that game? Or he throws it to Wade and runs and hides? Or how about his cross court chuck it backwards to Haslin for a throw up a 18 foot prayer last second shot against the Celtics? It's nothing new, they don't know how to get it done at the end. Yeah... maybe against the Bobcats, but when it's on the line and matters, they fold like cheap lawn chairs. And Tony Kornheiser didn't even need to tell me that.
I will say OKC in 6 or 7. They are just playing to consistent for the heat. LBJ is going to get his but D Wade really has not been playing up to his potential. Bosh has done great since his comeback. Their D-fense is what will give them a chance but I think in the end KD/RW/ & JH will just be too much. They are just playing too good right now IMO. I wouldn't mind seeing either team win. Yes, the whole "Decision" crap was bull but at least some of the $$ did go to a good cause. It is time to move one. Mopst of your good teams are stacked these days in any sports but just the way they did it irked a lot of people... Anyway, it is going to be a fun series...
If the heat win tonight; it's a series... otherwise Thunder will probably finish them off game 6 in OKC.
There is a pattern developing, and it isn't good for the Thunder. Going to be a great series! Sunday will be telling.
Yep. Not good for the Thunder at all. Getting down big early against a great team will and did bite them In the ***.
The Thunder have been outplayed in 75% of finals so far. They should be very happy with a split. If the Thunder can't erase their slow starts, and LeBron and Wade stay aggressive, this series might not make it back to OKC. But my guess is adjustments will be made and the series will go 6-7 games.
The Thunder have outscored the Heat in 4/8 quarters and tied them in 2 other. The Heat have only really outplayed the Thunder in the first quarters of each game. I will say...Lebron looks like a totally different player versus last year in the Finals...especially in the 4th quarter
If LBJ continues to play aggressive, I think Miami will win. It still may take 6 or 7 games. Durant is getting exposed big time. Yeah he can score, we already knew that. And yes we knew he couldn't guard anybody. Its rare to have two players like Wade and James on the court. Usually Durant is protected by not guarding a good offensive player. They are trying to do that against Miami, but Miami is doing a good job of forcing switches. Durant has to stop taking stupid/weak fouls like a slap on the arm. That to me this is the biggest reason Miami is up 2-1. They are taking advantage of Durant being a poor defender. Not only are they getting easy baskets on blow-bys, but he gets in foul trouble. He becomes a less aggressive offensive player, allows even easier blow-bys, and has to sit. Spoelstra is definitely winning the coaching battle so far. I think this series still has a lot left. Brooks made great adjustments against the Spurs. He needs to figure something out quick. The number one thing he has to figure out is how to protect Durant because Miami is squeezing everything they can get out of his weak defense.
Personally, I think if you remove all of the ESPN BS and look at the games objectively, you see that 2-3 really good players, is better than having 1 really good player, and some contributors. Not saying the Thunder doesn't have big time fire power, but the 2nd tier guys sure haven't shown up....yet. Like the Big Shooter said - Lebron is a man amongst boys. FWIW, I completely expect both of these two teams to be in the Finals next year, and I completely expect the Thunder to beat the Heat (barring a significant signing by the Heat in the offseason).
What a great series.... and so far I have called it. LBJ is the best player on the planet, with Durant a distant second. Lebron is scoring almost as easily as Durant, but also ripping down boards like a center and dishing out 5-8 assists per game. He is like a create-a-player on video games. Make a 6'9" 260 lb muscled up freak of a man, and then slide all the skill set bars to 99 out of 100. Be interesting to see if it goes back to OKC or not.
You forgot that he can guard any position on the floor. Its nice to see him playing closer to what he's capable of. Whats interesting is the two best players in this series haven't reached their peak yet. Both will only get better...if they want to. Its too bad the Heat can't fight off late charges and close a game, and now the series is 3-0 OKC. Oh wait...or am I suppose to say, "Hmmm"?
What would people have to talk about if that happened? I've personally boycotted the ESPN network (especially first take) untill the series is over. I can't stomach listening to them flip flop after just about every possession. My God ... take a stand and stick with it. It was about a year ago when the Heat were up 2-1 against Dallas too. They started penciling them in on the trophy. Hmmmmmmmm. Rememer game two when they blew a 15 point lead acting like they already won it? Or game 4 when they were up 9 in the fourth quarter? This thing is far from over. I'm not ready to crown them yet. Maybe they gained enough experience from last year to realize you actually have to go play like you're superstars and you're not going to be handed the championship because of the names on your roster. Seems to me like they understand that now. But.... you can join the rest of the "analysts" and say how the Heat can't be beat if they play like this, they have momentum, blah blah blah. OKC has a lot of firepower. Tough to count out a team that just dismantled a Spurs team that untill them hadn't lost a playoff game! The big difference this year is Lebron decided he wanted to show up and be dominate like he's capable of instead of run and hide and hope DWade would win him a title like he did last year.
