The three ‘kings’ in Miami didn’t come together to only win one championship. Not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven. That’s not my prediction.
It was LeBron James’ after he put pen to paper in South Beach.
That statement (aka “The Promise”) from James was two years ago, and the Heat have yet to deliver even one. For the haters, it is time to forget. Celtics coach Doc Rivers and guard Keyon Dooling are of the same opinion.
“I’m proud of him: he gets too much heat,” said Rivers.
“Everyone should relax a little bit. He is great for our game; he is our game. We need to lift him instead of (trying) to tear him down,” said Dooling.
After losing 4-2 to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2010-11 NBA Finals, James copped it from all sides. The most frequent word was ‘choker’.
At crunch time, in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter/overtime, with the margin within five points, LeBron struggled. ESPN revealed he didn’t score in that period throughout the finals. On the other hand, finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki dropped 26 points.
The stats continued to be told.
Backtrack to game six in the Miami-Dallas series. In eight minutes with James on the bench, the Heat scored 21 points and outscored the Mavericks by 14. With LBJ on the court, Dallas outscored Miami by 24.
But that is the past. It has no relevance whatsoever in the upcoming Miami-Oklahoma City series.
James’ awesome performances in game six and seven against Boston have provided him with the opportunity to shred the choke tag. It also bestows on his teammates a chance to win a cherished championship ring.
So looking forward, we have two of the world’s best basketball players going head to head. As a lover, player and analyst of the game, I along with many couldn’t have asked for a better match-up.
On Wednesday morning AEST, it will be the MVP versus the runner-up MVP. The three-time NBA MVP versus the three-time NBA scoring champion. King James versus KD35.
The last time the MVP and runner-up MVP met in the finals was when Michael Jordan was named as the MVP and Clyde Drexler finished second. For the omen punters, Jordan’s Bulls were victorious.
The two star-filled sides met twice during the regular season, with each team claiming one win. OKC won game one 103-87 – they smashed the Heat and Kevin Durant torched James. Game two produced something completely different. Miami notched a five-point victory in the second outing – it was a tough match that went down to the wire.
I wrote earlier that the past holds no relevance. I’m sticking with that statement. Those two games were in the regular season – this is the NBA finals. The intensity picks up. The pressure rises. Things change.
The Oklahoma City Thunder plays host to Miami in the first two games of the two-three-two series. It is the first time since the franchise’s relocation from Seattle that they’ve appeared in the finals.
And it will last a minimum six games. The series will also crown the world’s best player. An OKC win means Durant is the best. A Miami victory, you guessed it, King James holds his title. What’s interesting is that the two worked out together pre-season in Akron.
This series, however, despite the previous paragraph, is about more than two great players.
For the Thunder they’ve got Westbrook’s scoring ability, D-Fisher’s experience and knowledge, Harden’s big contributions and spark off the bench, and Perkins’ and Ibaka’s defensive prowess and rebounding ability. One of the most important players for OKC is Thabo Sefolosha – he is a big time stopper. Wade and LeBron will see the number two jersey right on them when on the court.
Miami’s supporting cast is just as strong. Chalmers, Miller and Battier can all knock down the long ball – the latter will be required to step up big defensively, too.
Two other Heat all-stars, Bosh and Wade, must support LBJ in a strong way. For Miami, they’re back for redemption. Wade summed it up best.
“Long, it’s been a long 12 months.”
And in LeBron’s words, “It’s time.”
Mushi
Guest
Sorry my 105 was to the 90 plus role players comment. I think if the games are 100/105 range the heat will struggle as it will be played at the thunder's tempo. It could be which ever team can impose it's will on the speed of the game wins. A thing often missed with westbrooks "bad" games is they are often the product of durant not getting to his spots on the floor forcing them to go to plan b or c to often and chew up time on the clock.
Mushi
Guest
I think if you put battier on durant you are in trouble. He doesn't have the laterally movement anymore to guard the best scorer in the game. Also Durants biggest weakness is fighting through strong off ball defenders. If wade can step up the offensive production lebron's best use maybe on slowing durant and being the facilitator on offense. It will be interesting to see if they go small and have sef and harden on the court.
AIS
Guest
Keep in mind that OKC play a brand of basketball that is uncommon in the current NBA. They play the game the way it used to be when the NBA was frankly better. I'm referring to the fact that they do a lot more running on the court. You'll also notice that their players who don't have the ball will still be running and moving when their team has possession in their opponent's half. They'll test the durability and cardio of the Heat. They've also had ample time to prepare for this and Miami has to come off of a series that was more difficult for them than it should've been.
Adrian Bauk
Roar Guru
The only thing you have to be weary of with big time players guarding each other is exhaustion. I don't know if you want them guarding each other throughout this game. Foul trouble is another thing. I think Battier guards Durant until LeBron feels it's necessary to take over the duties. Durant may have to guard LeBron if Sef guards Wade. I wouldn't be surprised if Collison has a little go on LeBron. Can't wait to see the strategies used by each of the coaches.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
The inside game will be won the the Thunder. Perkins and Ibaka are greater than the Heat big down low. Bosh will have to have a hand in his face when shooting the long ball. The OKC bigs also provide the dominant blocking and rebounding ability.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
I believe Miami will struggle to get over 100 points. Sefo is a big game stopper and if he can have a strong impact on D-Wade then the series is over - just like OKC did with moving Sefo onto Parker. I expect KD35 to play on LBJ. KD played him well earlier in the year and will affect the shots James takes. An awesome final series coming up.
mushi
Guest
So your saying they need around 105 points per game to win?
B.A Sports
Guest
There are three ways the Heat can win a game; Le Bron goes nuts (like game 6 v Boston) They get a combined 90 points plus from James, Wade and Bosh and lose change from the others They get a rounded team effort with contributionsfrom Battier and Chalmers. The latter is the least likely and they may jag one of those games over a seven games series and even then it may not be enough on any given night. It worked in game 7 vs the Celtics but you only had to look at the Celtics line score - 27,26,20,15 they faded badly in the latter stages of the third and the fourth, but it will be different against the Thunder - that is when KD shines for OKC. Le Bron's weakness appears to be his jump shot, he can hit the odd amazing shot, but it lacks consistancy. So can KC keep him out of the paint? Sefolosha becomes huge doesn't he! If OKC can defend Le Bron and keep him below 30 points in four or five games, I don't see how the Heat win four games.