Let’s take a look back at the NBA’s winners and the very best moments of 2014.
The speech
Kevin Durant claimed his maiden NBA MVP title through hard work and dedication. This was on show not only throughout the 2013-14 regular season, but also in his memorable and inspiring MVP acceptance speech.
Durant thanked every single teammate, his mum, his family, his fans and his doubters. He showed emotion and vulnerability. He let the world know that amazing feats can be achieved by anyone who works hard, no matter their wealth or upbringing.
Durant has provided many fans with inspiration for years, but he demanded even more respect and won over a whole new legion of fans with this speech.
San Antonio Spurs
This one is pretty obvious. Winning an NBA Championship is a pretty big deal and the Spurs were able to do so in five games, with Kawhi Leonard claiming his first NBA Finals MVP.
San Antonio played pure basketball, the teamwork and belief each and every player had in one another was on show for the world to see. For years naysayers have said the Spurs play a ‘boring’ game, but I simply don’t understand that thinking. There is nothing boring about winning, nothing boring about a franchise which hasn’t missed the playoffs since drafting Tim Duncan in 1997.
Miami didn’t stand a chance; after Game 2 it was all San Antonio as Leonard took over and helped deliver San Antonio a famous title after the heartbreak of 2013.
What made this moment even more memorable was getting to watch our very own Patty Mills light up the court in Game 5, draining five 3 pointers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Winning the 2014 Draft lottery, signing some guy called LeBron James, and also trading for Kevin Love. 2014 turned out to be a pretty good year for the Cavaliers.
Although they have started off this season slowly, Cleveland’s future looks bright. A team with James, Love and Kyrie Irving are bound to make some noise – whether it be this year or in years to come.
There is still time for this team to gel and make a huge run in the 2015 playoffs, especially with the extremely weak Eastern Conference.
Even if they don’t have a top seed heading into the playoffs, anything can happen, and I wouldn’t like to face them when it matters most.
Will LeBron deliver a title to Cleveland? Only time will tell.
Damian Lillard
If the game is on the line and a big shot is needed, there is no one I would rather have the ball in the hands of than Dame Lillard. This was never more evident than in Game 6 in front of his home crowd versus Houston in the first round of the playoffs.
With 0.9 seconds remaining, and Portland leading the series 3-2 but down by 2 points, it was ‘Lillard Time’. Lillard Time is a moment of greatness; actually it is now a collection of moments, moments when Dame knows it is time to switch on and close out games.
Lillard drained the series clinching 3 pointer as time expired and in doing so broke the hearts of Houston fans everywhere.
The reaction from his teammates and the sold-out crowd was everything that makes sports so great; unity, excitement and watching an underdog win.
2014 was a thrilling year of NBA basketball, I can only hope that 2015 will be just as exciting.
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