Can the San Antonio Spurs get revenge or will the Miami Heat go on to claim championship number three in four years?
Whatever way you look at it, the 2013 NBA finals were amazing. You either marvelled at the Game 6 heroics of Ray Allen’s corner three to save the series or suffered heartbreak as Tim Duncan’s Game 7 tip just missed, thus losing the title.
Can LeBron James get a third consecutive ring to make the Big Three-era one of the greatest of all-time? Or can Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan get ring number five and become one of the greatest duos ever?
It’s time for Miami versus San Antonio 2.0. Let’s look at the form guide.
Season Form
Miami Heat: 54-28
Playoffs: First round versus Charlotte 4-0, second round versus Brooklyn 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals versus Indiana Pacers 4-2
San Antonio: 62-20
Playoffs: First round versus Dallas 4-3, second round versus Portland 4-1, Western Conference Finals versus Oklahoma City 4-2.
Tactics Talk
Miami
Both teams love to play small ball but the Heat have the advantage of having the greatest player in the world right now, LeBron James.
He can play as a stretch four or even centre against the Spurs, which gives them the opportunity to beat defences in transition and spread the floor for open three pointers.
Dwayne Wade is playing at 80 per cent of his potential, and is the third best shooting guard of all time. He individually slaughtered the Pacers, and although he refuses to shoot three pointers, his post play and elbow jump shot create headaches for any defence.
Defensively Miami are the most athletic team in the league. They ranked fifth in opposition points. Teams can’t turn the ball over against the Heat and if they do it must be a dead ball scenario or else you are watching one of the fastest breaks in modern sport take flight.
San Antonio
Ball movement is the key to any Spurs victory. They aren’t fast, but there are no egos and they live by the mantra of passing up good shots for great shots.
It doesn’t matter if it is Tim Duncan or Corey Joseph, if you make a mistake, Popovich will let you have it.
Deep bench rotation has been a key of the Spurs success for years. Manu Ginobili may be the greatest sixth man to have played, and Marco Belinelli’s three-point shooting is lethal. Boris Diaw is as creative a big man as there is in the league and Australia’s own Patty Mills has been a sensation this season.
They have three-point shooting weapons; Danny Green, Belinelli, Matt Bonner, Mills, Kawhi Leonard and Ginobili can all make it rain.
Key Questions
Whose defence is better?
We know when it comes to finals in any sport defence is the key. Miami are dynamic and can strangle any great offence, but lack a great rim protector and can get caught ball watching.
San Antonio has rim protection through Duncan and Splitter, who rarely foul and keep you out of rhythm. But they can get scored upon quickly.
They are the fifth and sixth best defence. Can anybody split hairs?
Who guards Lebron?
In the 2013 finals, Leonard rose to the big time. He guarded LeBron like a man possessed. If he gets in foul trouble, Green has had a little success on him. And look for Diaw to potentially match-up on him if the Heat chooses to play small ball, and play the six foot eight James in a four or five position.
Is Tony Parker’s ankle going to hold up?
No comment.
Tim Duncan’s not shrinking is he?
The Heat has trouble guarding the 2.11-metre tall Duncan. Chris Bosh isn’t strong enough and Chris Andersen is too small. If they play in front, the inventive San Antonio offence will look to punish the Heat with creative passing and let Timmy go to work.
Who as the best shooters?
They’re equal, San Antonio’s shooters were mentioned above, but the Heat can match and possibly raise you. James, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Shane Battier and Rashard Lewis are all deadly.
Oh, and I forgot to mention they have the greatest three-point shooter to have played the game, Ray Allen.
Ray Allen verus Manu Ginobili
Both men have uncanny offensive weapons, but when the time comes to guard one another who can exploit who the best?
Who will win?
The Spurs are a better team than last year, while the Heat have the greatest player in the world.
Spurs are better than last year and will do it in seven games.
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