****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

[The 24th Letter]

letter, it's very simple why the heat lost and why they are going to lose this series. the heat don't have the best player and they don't have the best team. it's not about spo or the rotations. they don't have the talent and it's glaring. the heat want to run, really? against the horses on the thunder? lol or they want to slow it down and throw it into who in the post? lol

btw, duncan is not happy with avatar.

Well see....after seeing dirt thrown on MIA prematurely for 2 series now, I'm not yet convinced they can't bounce back...

Oh and I'm too lazy/ pissed to change the avatar lol

[jeebs9]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Hey guys, remember who won game 1 last year at home? Yeah, pump the brakes a little bit here.

I'm not throwing the series away. Not saying the Thunder got it in the bag. Just really talking about the game.


(Still can't believe the Heat let that series get away from them last year haha)

[BlueNGold]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

This is from a preview article of the Finals, but I figured I'd quote the piece below to put the LeBron aspect of this into perspective. It was in my mind most of last night after game 1 ended.

The 13 greatest NBA players of all time are Jordan, Russell, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Wilt, Duncan, Kobe, West, Oscar, Shaq, Moses and Hakeem in some order (you just read mine). Every one of those 13 guys captured at least one NBA championship. Eight prevailed in their first Finals. Four snagged rings during their second trips. Only West repeatedly fell short, losing seven Finals before finally winning with the '72 Lakers … and in his case, poor West only made the mistake of crossing paths with the Russell Dynasty. So if LeBron James loses his third straight Finals (2007, 2011 and, now, 2012), that would make him the unluckiest, least successful superstar since West.

Digging a little deeper, only seven other NBA players won at least three MVP awards: Russell, Jordan, Kareem, Bird, Magic, Wilt, and Moses. The first five won titles in their first Finals trip; Moses made it happen his second time (with the '83 Sixers). The career Finals record of those seven guys (not counting LeBron): 34-16. Oh, and only four players qualified for the 42 Club at least four times — you know, the club for any NBA player who averaged 42-plus combined points, rebounds and assists in a single postseason (13 playoff games or more). Here's that list:

MJ (6x): 49.4 ('89); 50.7 ('90); 45.9 ('91); 46.5 ('92); 47.8 ('93); 43.8 ('97)
Shaq (4x): 43.6 ('98); 49.2 ('00); 49.0 ('01); 43.9 ('02)
Bird (4x): 42.0 ('81); 44.4 ('84); 43.4 ('86); 44.2 ('87)
LBJ (4x): 44.7 ('06), 43.6 (’08), 51.7 (’09), 45.5 ('12)

So if Oklahoma City topples LeBron's Heat in the Finals, he would make history three different ways: first three-time MVP to lose his first three Finals trips; first modern superstar (anyone since the ABA/NBA merger, basically) to blow his first three Finals trips; first four-time member of the 42 Club to take a Finals goose egg. All of that seems far-fetched … even if the general public and the gambling public are leaning toward Oklahoma City, a precociously fearless team that's been looking admittedly '91 Bulls-ish these past few weeks. Just remember, it would be a historical fluke — repeat: a historical fluke — if the greatest player of his generation went 0-for-3 in the Finals. Of course, he won't make it easy because LeBron James never seems to make anything easy. That's why I am picking Miami in a grueling seven-game classic. Kevin Durant, your time will come.

— Bill Simmons

[TMagic]

Smh @ LeBron not having enough help.

Chalmers and Battier did their job early on in knocking down the looks that they were given and played very well by their standards. Wade didnt have the best game when you compare him to Wade. But he dropped 17.

The game was close all the way into the fourth. Thats usually the time where the stars take over the game. You cant expect role players to step up and be the hero at that point. He's their leader, league MVP, and worlds best player. Its up to him to bring the game home at that point in the game.

Look on the other side, Durant wanted it damn near every possession. It wasnt Sefolosha or Fisher carrying the Thunder down the stretch. It was Durant leading the charge as he should be.

[The 24th Letter]

Don't forget on that other side, a young man by the name of Russ was providing timely buckets as well.....

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Duke C, what was the final count on the # of bad shots Westbrook took last night? I counted about 8 total(5 in the 1st half and 3 in the 2nd half).

[Jasong7777]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Don't forget on that other side, a young man by the name of Russ was providing timely buckets as well.....

Yep. Russ lead the comeback in the third, and Durant finished the Heat off in the fourth.

[jeebs9]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I wouldn't say Durant looked to take over. I think he got the match ups with Wade on him a few times down the floor. Then had a few mad scramble 3's. I think the ball just seem to flow towards him. And he was not letting any shots get by him.


Anyone get what I'm trying to say?

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[nyj721]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Great game 1. The Thunder survived the early three point onslaught from the Heat and pulled it together after the half. Battier and Chalmers did their part, combining for 29 points (6-10 from deep), but they still lost by double digits. It's hard to see a better game coming from the role players than what the Heat got last night, but we'll see, still early in the series.

Durant put on quite a show, had a clinic of a fourth quarter while he put the team on his shoulders, and walked away with his first of many W's in the NBA Finals. Definitely feels like no moment is too big for him, he kept the team floating in the 1st quarter while the Heat were pouring it on, and sprinted to the finish line. Lebron may be the most talented and gifted player in the league, but Durant to me is the best player. The game ended and all I could think was I'm watching something special in Kevin Durant right now.

Westbrook wasn't super efficient by any means but still had a great game. 27 points, 11 assists, 8 boards? Only 2 TO's? Great game. Especially when James Harden isn't rolling, who other than Kevin Durant can be looked at to relieve the offensive pressure? Ibaka is the only other Thunder player to crack into double digits, and he barely scraped 10. Meanwhile, Bosh and Wade combined for 29 on 11-30 shooting (same amount of points as Chalmers/Battier combo'd for but they only took 16 shots). Westbrook was the third best player on the floor last night. If he keeps that up I have a hard time seeing Miami winning more than 2 games out of the 7.


Great game. Can't wait for game 2.
　

That's a hell of a stat. Miami can't win like that regardless of what Lebron does. Wade needs to get his **** together obviously and they need to get Bosh more looks inside the 3 point line. Lol at him hitting 3 threes vs Boston and now he thinks he's Dirk.

[jeebs9]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

That's a hell of a stat. Miami can't win like that regardless of what Lebron does. Wade needs to get his **** together obviously and they need to get Bosh more looks inside the 3 point line. Lol at him hitting 3 threes vs Boston and now he thinks he's Dirk.

Well the one thing people don't know (or probably don't remember). Is that Chris Bosh worked on his 3 point shooting this off season. He didn't take many 3's during the season. It was more of a secret weapon he's been holding back.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I Am So Confused About Lil’ Wayne’s NBA Finals Rooting Interests
by Tom Ziller • Jun 13, 2012 7:16 AM PDT
Last season, Lil’ Wayne was mad that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, stars of the Miami Heat, would not come over and talk to him in his courtside seats during a game. He accused them of the grand crime of “failing to chuck the deuce.” Now Weezy is trying to enjoy the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, and I fear things have gotten even worse.
From Wayne’s Twitter feed:
@LilTunechi
Again I was treated like **** by the Thunder arena staff…dam..I hope da Heat beat da dog **** out em!!
13 Jun 12 ReplyRetweetFavorite
Welp!
Note to all NBA teams: if you want Lil’ Wayne to root for your team, hope that the opponents don’t roll out the red carpet for him. Nothing will bring out his fire like being treated like a normal human being.

123456loko

[TMagic]

Don't forget on that other side, a young man by the name of Russ was providing timely buckets as well.....

True. But it was Durant who absolutely dominated the quarter with 17 compared to Westbrooks 6 points on 3/7 shooting. And Harden and Ibaka didnt even score in the 4th at all. So its not as if he was receiving major contributions from the guys you expect to help him carry the load.

[WTF]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Can they with their options? Like, restructure it when they "take" that option?

NO... Just... No:

In the NBA, contracts are only "restructured" if player or a team has an option. And the term is used incorrectly... "Restructure" implies that there is a change to the current contract; False. Once a guy signs on the dotted line, UNLESS he or the team exercise an option, thus terminating the existing contract and entering into a new one (just like what the Spurs did with Richard Jefferson and what the Knicks were considering doing with Chauncey), the money is fully guaranteed and its on the books.

They are all 3 on the books for their remaining contracts. They have an Early Termination Option AFTER the 2014-2015 season... and a Player Option the season after that. You're looking at a minimum of 2 more full seasons before they can even think about that option. $52M next season between the 3 players, and nearly $60M for the Big 3 the year after.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/06/06/if-heat-lose-options-are-limited/

Decent article from CBS Miami. Going to have to get VERY crafty to improve at all.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

You're telling me Norris Cole can't get into the game when Derek Fisher is out there and run circles past him? You're telling me Bosh is better served jacking corner 3s than somewhere inside being guarded by Collison?

Come on though, Fish wasn't running circles around anyone, he hit a few jumpers. And a rookie, who really isn't special to begin with shouldn't be the difference in your game plan.

Bosh is completely out of rhythm with the entire team since he's missed so many games. He's playing hurt and can't even play starter minutes. By the time he jacked those three's the game was pretty much over anyway. I don't blame Bosh for anything.

[lilbiggio]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Come on though, Fish wasn't running circles around anyone, he hit a few jumpers. And a rookie, who really isn't special to begin with shouldn't be the difference in your game plan.

Bosh is completely out of rhythm with the entire team since he's missed so many games. He's playing hurt and can't even play starter minutes. By the time he jacked those three's the game was pretty much over anyway. I don't blame Bosh for anything.

I'm going to give Bosh a pass on last nights game with those 3s. Dude got them to the finals because of those 3s, so I guess the line of thinking was that he get a game long heat check. The fireball is most certainly gone now tho... that's certain and Game 2 I hope to see him back inside or atleast in the 13-16 foot range again. They don't need him shooting 3s ultimately.