Oklahoma City have fallen to the more powerful, experienced and star studded line up opponent – the Miami Heat. Miami took the NBA championship in game five with a fairytale 121-106 win at American Airlines Arena in Miami.
LeBron James was the man of the moment, finally clinching the MVP and championship trophies that he so greatly deserved.
His electrifying and incredible 2012 finals series performances proved that ‘the King’ knew exactly what he wanted – what he had longed for – and what he was due for.
James made a triple-double; 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, to secure his first championship ring.
When asked what went through his mind when the clock hit triple zeros, James answered: ‘It’s about damn time. It’s about damn time.’
After nine seasons in the NBA James wasn’t going to let the championship chance slip away, not this time.
After the game he spoke about his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavilers for South Beach and deliver multiple championships with Miami.
“I made a difficult decision to leave Cleveland but I understood what my future was about … I knew we had a bright future (in Miami). This is a dream come true for me. This is definitely when it pays off,” James said.
James has now made this year a perfect one; having received MVP for the regular season, MVP for the NBA Finals and now the owner of a prestigious and glorious championship ring – one thing he was ridiculed by so many for never having.
The championship is Miami’s second but the first ever for the King James. He said the title meant everything to him and he was glad he could share it with his teammates and the outrageously loud, ecstatic and loyal Miami fans.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” James said.
“I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else but my teammates and these fans.”
The Thunder failed to show any signs of becoming a real threat to take out game five. Miami put on unstoppable show, while the younger inexperienced Thunder squad had no answers.
The Miami Big three played flawlessly – Dwayne Wade Miami’s 2006 finals MVP made 20 buckets while Chris Bosh – who suffered with injury during the playoffs added 23.
But it wasn’t only the Big three who put their best on show for finals – Miami showed they had more than three big stage players.
Veteran Shane Battier has played well beyond expectations throughout the finals with consistent and solid performances. Mario Chalmer’s was incredible in Game four with 25, proving the ‘little brother’ could be level with the big boys.
Mike Miller was on fire in Game 5, his body clearly in pain, but his sharp shooting contributing 23 points to the Heat’s total score. His brilliantly executed seven 3-pointers is something NBA fans will always remember about the final.
Kevin Durant was the only light that shined on what was Thunders doom day game five – Durant made 32 points and 11 rebounds. Thunder struggled to execute plays and show they could play supportive, creative, team basketball when it mattered the most. The lack of confidence and self belief they had was easy to see.
But today was all about James and his story. It was his moment.
James has now become the 7th player in NBA history to have multiple triple-doubles in the finals. He has also won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, the award for NBA rookie of the year in the 2004, the NBA scoring title in 2008 and being named an NBA All-Star eight times.
But most importantly to him and in the face of those who loved to joke about his lack of one – he’s finally got that ring.
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