Sunday, June 10, 2012

NBA Finals Preview: Heat vs. Thunder

We get to see James and Durant go at it for a ring.
The matchup everyone wanted to see has finally come to fruition. The two most talented and superstar filled teams in the NBA will do battle for the ultimate prize. Maybe the league, with all of its screwiness this year, pushed a little too hard for this matchup, forcing the refs to tilt games certain ways. However, all we can do right now is sit back and enjoy what should be the most exciting Finals since 2008.

The Thunder are on an incredible roll right now while the Heat have struggled to make it to the Finals. Nonetheless, this should still me a highly contested series. Let's look over all the matchups and see who has the edge.

Point Guard: It should be to no one's surprise that Russell Westbrook has the edge here over Mario Chalmers. Chalmers has been solid this postseason, averaging 11.6 points and becoming the fourth option for the team, but Westbrook has exploded into a full fledged superstar. His evolution this year is key for Oklahoma City, who also has a Big Three to rival that of Miami's.

Edge: Thunder

Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade has been erratic at times for the Heat. He managed to have a 5 point game and a 41 point game in the same series. Wade has been his usual self in transition and attacking the basket, which is why he is unquestionably better than Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha has played great defense for the Thunder and has stepped up his game, but he can't be compared to Wade.

Edge: Heat

Small Forward: Of course the matchup that everyone will be watching, pitting the two best players in the world against each other. Both men have been huge this postseason, Kevin Durant averaging 27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks in the playoffs, and LeBron James averaging 30.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks. Both players have taken over multiple games and completely dominated the opposition. This one is very tough to call. I'm going to have to go with Durant because of his incredible play in the fourth quarter.

Edge: Thunder

Power Forward: The Heat have had a ton of guys in that spot this year, but the man who will most likely be starting there in the Finals is Udonis Haslem. Haslem was perceived as a weak link to the team, but has hit some big shots for Miami these playoffs. No one has been as big as Serge Ibaka, though. Ibaka has always been known for his defense and rebounding, but his offensive ability has been on display in the postseason. His 11 for 11 game is a perfect example of that.

Edge: Thunder.

Center: Chris Bosh isn't a true center, but he plays it for the Heat. His mid range jumper is the key to his game, and his absence showed just how valuable he was to the team. Without him, they struggled against the Pacers and Celtics, but with him, they've been a vastly different team. Kendrick Perkins is Oklahoma City's enforcer in the paint who will do his best to beat up on anyone who comes in that area.

Edge: Heat

Bench: James Harden is better than the Heat bench. That's it. Harden is a superstar talent and so valuable off the pine. He is dynamic on offensive and lock down on defense. A team couldn't ask for a better sixth man. Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Joel Anthony, Norris Cole, Ronny Turiaf are a poor excuse for a bench. Nick Collison and Derek Fisher have also played big minutes for OKC.

Edge: Thunder

Defense: The Thunder play good defense, especially in the paint. Perkins, Collison, and Ibaka keep a lid on the basket. Miami has been the best defense team all year. Their rotations are smooth and they have the best one on one defender in the game in James.

Edge: Heat

Coaching: This one may not be as clear cut as you would think. Erik Spoelstra really isn't a bad coach, he just doesn't have control over his players. Scott Brooks is getting better with each game he coaches, and the fact that his team doesn't let egos get in the way really helps make his job easier.

Edge: Thunder

Intangibles: The Thunder have proved a lot this postseaon. They are more focused. They are more rested. They have depth.  They play better in the fourth quarter. They're scorching hot. And they look to have truly developed in the best team in the NBA. The Heat have also proved a lot. They have lapses. They have no depth. They're tired. They have trouble putting teams away. They may not be as fantastic as everyone thought they were. The Big Three blueprint may fail.

Edge: Thunder

While the games will certainly be competitive and filled with great play and the battle between the two teams' starting fives will be tremendous, I think Oklahoma City is the clear cut favorites. While the Heat have the ability to take over games. They are about to face a team that possess that same skill.

Thunder in 5

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