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The Gang Previews the NBA Finals

Heat Spurs Finals pic

This seemed to work well when we did it for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so we decided to do it again. The gang breaks down the upcoming NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat… Enjoy.

 

If you had to choose one characteristic of each team that is the reason why they are playing for the NBA championship, what would it be?

Evan Sally: Throughout the Heat’s 66 win regular season, which included a historic 27 game winning streak, Miami’s startling efficiency on offense carried them. However in the playoffs, when the quality of opponent increases and offense tends to stagnate, it’s their stifling defense that’s carried them to this point. Miami’s scrambling D forces turnovers and easy baskets allowing them to go on scoring runs.
San Antonio returns to the Finals following a 15th straight 50 win season by using the same formula as every other year: consistency and a commitment to their system. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan always give a consistent effort on the defensive end and are committed to good ball movement on offense. Their mentality instills a similar style of play from the role players on the team, allowing them to excel as well.

Nick Wershing:Heat bought into the team factor. They no longer have the problem as to whose team it is. This is LeBron’s team and everyone, including Wade, has bought into it. That allowed them to play to their full potential. Spurs are here because of Pop. Yes, the team has three future Hall of Famers. But they are all in the tail end of their careers. Popovich’s system has allowed all of the role players to perform at a high level, which in turn allows the big three to continue playing well.

Jim Bearor: The Heat are in the NBA Finals not only because the extraordinary level of talent they can put on the court at any time, but also because they react when they are challenged. Throughout the regular season, Miami would dominate teams but it would often take two or even three quarters for them to start rolling on all cylinders. This was one of the few knocks on them throughout the season and they’re playing for another NBA Championship because they’ve been able to turn it on when it matters most. This is most noticeable on defense, and Game 7 against the Pacers – maybe because it is freshest in my mind – is probably the best example. Even though it seems that this team has an on/off switch, they’ve been able to flip it at the right times.
When I think of the San Antonio Spurs, a few words come to mind: Veteran, Organized, and Fundamental. For the most part, the foundation of this team has been together for about a decade – and in some instances longer. This, combined with the emergence of young talent like Tiago Splitter and Danny Green makes San Antonio so well rounded, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they are the team to come out of the West. They have it all: size, depth, experience, youth, coaching. The Spurs are a melting pot of everything an NBA team should have.

 

Matchup advantages either way?
ES: LeBron James on Kawhi Leonard. I know LeBron has a physical advantage against essentially every player in the league that would defend him. But I want to look at this matchup from the opposite perspective. Leonard provides valuable athleticism and floor spacing for the Spurs offensively. If LeBron can shut down Leonard’s offensive production, the Spurs will have a tough time scoring when the other, more inconsistent role players struggle to hit shots.
Also, while Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole always produce nicely for Miami, their production will pale in comparison to Tony Parker. Parker has played his best in the past two series against two tough matchups, Golden State and Memphis. Look for Cole to try to slow down Parker, but also look for Parker to use his experience to create openings for himself and teammates.

NW: Its hard for me to give either team an advantage. Experience wise, the Heat are going to their third straight Finals, but the Spurs have been doing this for a decade. I would give an edge in depth and size to the Spurs, but the edge in athleticism and defense to the Heat.
JB: LeBron James has a clear-cut advantage over anyone who the Spurs decide to put on him – most likely Kawhi Leonard – but this series may come down to the Green/Ginobli on Wade matchup. Yes, it is a Jeckyl and Hyde-type deal with Wade, but – like Batman, actually – he tends to produce more often than not when he is needed most. Needless to say, the Heat will need him to produce in the Finals.
As for the Spurs, their biggest advantage seems to be Tony Parker versus Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole. But again, I believe the most important advantage will be different than the most obvious one. I wonder who Spoelstra will decide to put up against future-Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan. Whether it is Haslem or Bosh, there are going to be serious issues covering Duncan down low.

 
Keys to a Heat W
ES: The keys to Heat win in this series are containing the Spurs size, rebounding, and the reemergence of Dwyane Wade. Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter can’t be allowed to repeat what Roy Hibbert did to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. This goes in concert with my second key, controlling the boards. Despite their size San Antonio is a poor rebounding team. However, they have improved as of late, so Chris Bosh and the three headed center combo of Chris Andersen, Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony must improve on the interior. And obviously the Heat aren’t going to be able to win a title without a major contribution from Wade on both ends of the floor. The Spurs are a better team than Indiana; they will take advantage where the Pacers were not able to if Wade falters once again.
 
NW: Rebounding and 3-point shooting. LeBron and Dwyane Wade are great slashers, which collapses the defense. Once the defense starts trying to double on these drives, players like Battier, Allen, and Miller need to step up and hit shots, something they did not do in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Spurs are also a very fundamentally sound team, so the Heat need to grab all of the defensive rebounds and not allow for second chance points. Bosh, Haslem, and Anderson need to cover their assignments here.

JB: I believe the most important factor for Miami is going to be whether or not they can keep up the intensity on defense throughout the series. When they play with energy, they make it difficult for the opposition to get more than one good look per possession. Obviously it is going to be a different story covering Tony Parker as he brings the ball across half-court, but they can’t let up. The second biggest element of the game that the Heat need to focus on is stealing some rebounds from Splitter and Duncan. This isn’t a battle that they are going to win, but they can’t let San Antonio’s big men have their way down low. For the Heat, it is going to come down to how long it takes them to find and maintain that unmatchable level of intensity.

 
Keys to a Spurs W
ES: The keys for the Spurs are defending the 3 and ball movement. The Heat are at their most dangerous when Wade, James and Bosh are attracting double teams and Heat’s shooters can get wide open threes. The Spurs must find a way to double and still be able to get out and get a hand in the face of Allen, Battier, Miller and the Heat’s litany of shooters. Ball movement also will be able absolutely crucial to a San Antonio victory. The reason why Dallas succeeded where Oklahoma City failed when facing Miami in the Finals the past two years is because they realized the best way to attack the Miami D is with quick passes and back cuts to find open guys as opposed to attacking with dribble penetration. San Antonio has a similar roster with more experience than Dallas; we’ll see if they can also use that blueprint.

NW: Role Players. Typical of any Pop team, the Spurs are very deep. The Big 3 matchups will be exciting. But I think the Spurs win if players like Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, and Danny Green step up.

JB: The Spurs best shot in beating Miami lies in how well they can lock down Dwyane Wade. If you limit LeBron’s options, he’ll be forced to try and beat you himself – which although possible, is less likely. The Pacers did the best job of this throughout the Eastern Conference Finals, most notably in Game 6. There is no way you are going to stop James from getting his, but if you put an embargo on him, you force him to take the shots instead of passing off to the talent around him.

 
Player to watch
ES: Ray Allen and Norris Cole. Even though Allen has struggled throughout the playoffs, his track record of shooting excellence gives him the best chance to be the non-Big 3 player to have the biggest effect on this series. Norris Cole also will have a major effect by utilizing his quickness to try and slow down Tony Parker.
Danny Green. The San Antonio role player has impressed with consistent shooting and excellent D in the postseason. It’s important that his run of good play continues because he will still get plenty of good shooting opportunities and take a crack at defending Wade.

NW: Manu Ginobili. We all know Tony Parker was amazing this year. Duncan will be a force down low. Manu is the X-factor to me in this series. If he can take advantage of the hobble Wade, the Spurs will have a much easier series. If he starts trying to force shots and not play Spurs basketball, the Heat defense will swallow him up.

JB: It has to be Dwyane Wade. In a strange turn of events, the pressure isn’t on LeBron anymore – he has nothing left to prove on the court. Whether due to his injury or some other reason, there is doubt surrounding Wade right now. If the old D-Wade we all know and love shows up, this could be a rather quick series. It’s a matter of if and when he makes an appearance that will decide this series.

 

Pick a Winner

ES: While the Spurs have an excellent team and can exploit the Heat in several areas, Miami has the ultimate advantage in that the best player in the world plays for their team, LeBron James. He’s been playing at an extremely high level since last year’s Finals and I see no reason for that to end. The Spurs will push Miami, winning games through extreme efficiency from the 3 point line. But’s it’s really hard to beat LeBron 4 times in 7 games when he’s playing this well. Heat in 6 games.

NW: I’m going to take the Heat, just because they have home court advantage and are the defending champs. This is going to be a great series either way. We also have no results from the year to base our decision on, since key players sat out of both meetings. It will be a great series, but I am going to take the MVP and the Heat in six.

JB: I did say that I believed the Pacers may have had a better shot to beat this Spurs team, but the return of Wade and the supporting cast in Game 7 has swayed me. I like the Heat’s bench better than San Antonio’s, and I believe Miami has the chance to perform better in some of these matchups than we expect them to (Chalmers/Cole on Parker). LeBron will be LeBron and likely win the MVP, but Dwyane Wade will reemerge and contribute early and often. Heat in 5.

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Heat – Pacers: Game 7 Preview

Paul George on LeBron James, one of the biggest matchups in tonight's Game 7

Paul George on LeBron James, one of the biggest matchups in tonight’s Game 7

Everyone is excited for tonight’s Heat/Pacers Game 7, so I got in touch with a few of my sports-savvy friends who I knew would want to chime in on how they think tonight will go. Here is what we came up with…
Keys to a Heat Victory

Bill Annechino: For the Heat, it is going to come down to rebounding and 3 pt shooting. Allen and Battier have been murdering them with their terrible shooting.
Nick Wershing: Contain Roy Hibbert. In all 3 of the Pacers wins, Hibbert has a double-double. In the 3 losses, he only has one double-double. Hibbert is a dominating force against any big man the Heat have to offer. The return of Chris Anderson will help, but the Heat need to keep constant pressure on the Indiana big man.

Evan Sally: Rebounding. More specifically, keeping Indiana off of the offensive boards. Whoever has won the points in the paint battle has won each game in the series. Cleaning up Indiana’s misses will be the key to winning that battle.

Jim Bearor: A lot of people are looking at Bosh and Wade, and how Miami can get those two involved in ways that they can contribute and “be aggressive”. I disagree. If DWade is not healthy enough to make an impact, why bother feeding him? It is also apparent that the Chris Bosh we’ve seen in this series isn’t the player that he was in the regular season. Since he’s not the physical guy who can match up against Hibbert and West down low, his role has been diminished, and trying to make him a perimeter player isn’t the kind of tweaking that should be going on at this point in the season. Rather than trying to change their style of play, the Heat need to execute the simple things that they’ve had difficulty with in this series – like those easy layups. The return of the Birdman will most likely help on the rebounding front as well.

Keys to a Pacers Victory
BA: Rebounding and defense. Their defense has to be spot on with its rotations and timing when it comes to doubling LeBron. West and Hibbert also need to stay out of foul trouble and on the court or it could get ugly.
NW: Limit Wade and Bosh. Let’s be honest; as he has shown all series, LeBron will be LeBron. The Pacers may slow him down, but he will show up in the end with his normal 25-8-6 night. The Pacers need to make sure Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh do not put up a big night as well. If at least two of the big three are hot, it will be an extremely tough victory for the Pacers.

ES: Pace. When the game gets frantic is when Miami is at their best. Pacers must slow the game down by being deliberate with each possession, but without allowing their offense to stagnate either.
JB: The Pacers just have to keep doing what they’re doing. Hibbert and the rest of the Indiana frontcourt look like the Monstars at times when compared to the “big men” of Miami. They have to continue to push the ball to these guys – mostly Paul George – and try not to turn it over like they have been in the games they’ve lost so far in this series.

Outside of LBJ, who is the player to watch?

BA: Dwyane Wade. He is by far the biggest question mark of the series. His probable injury has turned the heat from great to good.

NW: Paul George. The Fresno State product has been making a name for himself this year. Besides being named to the All-Star game and winning Most Improved Player, Paul George also received votes for Defensive Player of the Year. People are saying he could be a perennial All-Star, and what better stage to start than versus the best player in the league.

ES: Mike Miller. Miller has barely played in this series and I believe that’s what could make him the difference. He has fresher legs and could provide hustle plays and rebounding that the Heat are desperately lacking. Miller was already a Heat Hero once before, making 7 3s in the deciding game of last year’s Finals. I think he can do it again.

JB: BIRDMAN BIRDMAN!!! He has been shooting very well throughout this series, and his presence is needed down low if the Heat hope to corral any rebounds at all – especially now that Chris Bosh is essentially playing as a 3.

Which of these teams has the better chance to beat San Antonio?

BA: Pacers have a better chance of beating the Spurs because they’ve got the size, defense and are flat out healthier which is huge at this stage of the game.

NW: The Heat have been there and done that. They were the best team during the regular season and they are the defending champs. Adding Ray Allen and Chris Anderson, along with the growth of Norris Cole has added depth to this already championship roster.

ES: San Antonio can neutralize the one thing that makes Indiana special: their size. Also, Miami would be able to score with San Antonio, something I’m not sure Indiana would be able to do.

JB: As it stands right now, coming off of a loss, the Heat don’t look anything like the team that won twenty-something in a row and the Pacers look bigger and better as a whole by comparison. Because of the health issues and the inconsistencies that are starting to pop up around Mr. James, I have to lean towards the Pacers on this one.

Pick a winner for tonight

BA: I gotta be honest, I’m picking the Pacers tonight. They’re playing the better basketball and they’re healthier.

NW: Miami Heat.

ES: Miami by 10. A close game early with Miami pulling away in the 2nd half.

JB: I’m going with the Heat because despite whatever is going on around him, LeBron gives his team a chance to win. Yes it seems like everything is crumbling around him, but I think there are things that can go right that are being wrongfully written off. Wade hasn’t been himself, but who knows, maybe he’ll show up tonight. The same goes with Shane Battier, and maybe Ray Allen even hits a few of the shots that he’s been missing recently. I think that even if Miami can’t put it all together, they should be able to put enough of it together to grind this one out.

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The Real Big 3

by Nick Wershing

As soon as LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwayne Wade in Miami, the trio was given the name “The Big 3”. Anyone who follows sports knows what is meant by this title. The three were supposed to dominate the NBA and win “not five, not six, not seven”… well they were at least supposed to win a title or two. But in their second year together, now playing without Chris Bosh, Miami looks like it will come up short again. So I raise the question: Are they the REAL Big 3? I rank who I think are the top contenders for the true title of “Big 3” in the NBA.

4 – Boston Celtics (Big 4): Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo. What originally began as the Big 3 in the summer of 2007 has now evolved into the big 4 with the emergence of superstar point guard Rajon Rondo. Funny thing is, Rondo is arguably the best of the four now and by far the youngest. Despite proven winning and the fact that the Celtics look to be headed back to the Eastern Conference finals, I have them at four since three of the players will most likely be out of the league within the next three years. Still, look out for this quartet to do some damage while they are still around.

3 – Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden. Probably the NBA’s most exciting, youthful group, this high-scoring trio looks to cement themselves as a force to reckon with for the next decade. Despite the fact that this is the only of the four triads on the list that does not have a ring, I believe they are considered favorites this year, as well as the next few years, to win a championship. Durant and Westbrook have the ability to go off on some of the most ridiculous shooting sprees we have seen in our time. Durant, arguably the best player in the game, can pull up from 5 feet behind the 3-pt arc like no one else in the league. He also has an edge on Lebron since he has hit a clutch game-winning shot multiple times. If only Scott Brooks could learn how to draw up a good play every time instead of the last minute 30 foot shots they Thunder became accustomed to this year.

2 – Miami Heat: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh. The trio that has sparked the nickname The Big 3, despite being considered just the big 2 by many sports writers, falls in at number two on the list. The Heat are constantly described as LeBron and Wade, Bosh, and the rest of the Heat. Bosh isn’t even considered close to LeBron and Wade’s level. He is to the Heat what Hawkeye is to the Avengers. Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America steal the show. I like Bosh, and think he is extremely important to the Heat’s success. But this is not how America views him. Wait. I thought this was “The Big 3”? How can someone steal someone else’s nickname (also directed at you, Dwight)? Well, let me explain. The Big 3 of Miami has proven nothing. They were upset by the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s Finals; a Finals in which Dirk played better than any of the three Heat players. The Heat also are the most questioned trio (duo) in sports. No one can deny that this is probably the most skilled group in the NBA, but this does not make them the best three. Until they can prove they can win a championship together, (and have the third member accepted as part of the Big 3) they cannot be the best trio.

1 – San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli. Yes, folks, the real Big 3 comprise the most consistent and methodical attack in the NBA. While they do not command the media attention or prestige of the Heat, they have skills and track record to top the South Beach squad. While other groups dominate them in hype, the Spurs have quietly been a borderline dynasty over the past decade or so. They have four of the past thirteen championships, and are well on their way to another one. They have not lost a game in these playoffs and have won sixteen straight overall. They clinched the top seed over the favored Thunder and Kobe’s Lakers. Duncan remains Duncan, simply dominating the boards and putting up points without displaying any showboating. You never see Duncan slam one home and star down the defender (like Blake) or run to the crowd and pound his chest (everyone else). He gets his job done and moves on to the next play. Tony Parker had an MVP-caliber season. In fact, he came in fourth in voting behind only James, Durant, and Chris Paul. Ginobli remains Ginobli, allowing the offense to run through Duncan and Parker, while still adding his sure part. The Spurs also have the ability to lose a player. When one goes down, the other two step up, not to mention their whole bench. The final deciding factor is the coach. No one is better than Pop in today’s game. The trio of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli, headed by Gregg Popovich is my vote for best group in today’s game. Obviously when Duncan retires, the Heat will claim this spot. But for the time being, the Spurs are my choice for both best trio and NBA Champs.

Follow Nick Wershing on Twitter: @n_shing

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