NBA FINALS
It's SMALL BALL time people!
Looks like we have our first mismatch of the series in Ibaka vs. Battier. Shane is a good 3-point shooter and not inept on D like Matt Bonner in OKC vs. SAS. It seems to me like Ibaka looks pretty uncomfortable closing out on him on the perimeter. He likes to stay in the paint and block shots. This could be an advantage for MIA, helping them space the floor and open up driving lanes.
Also KD is pretty hot, making 2 treys already. Lebron had better attack KD's relatively thin frame and play physical D if he doesn't want him to go off.
I thought the opposite. Thunder have been fouling on defense and not getting called. It will even up as the game goes on though. Not every call will go to Thunder, just like the Heat won't keep holding the big advantage in making open shots and free throws. Excellent start for Heat, out-executing Thunder and causing the Thunder some problems with their trapping. Denying the ball from Durant well in the half court. Durant had the hot shooting start, but he hasn't been as involved as the Thunder would like, I'm sure.
Miami is struggling with OKC's length on defense. This is compounded by them not moving the ball like they did in the 1st quarter, when they built their lead.
The Heat also need to start getting stops so they can get out in transition if they want to win. They clearly aren't going to beat the Thunder if their offense devolves into a series of isos for Wade and LeBron without any prior ball movement or defensive switching forced.
Here's why I think Durant is the best player in the world *despite* the fact I know LeBron can do some things better.
He's an amazing shooter from everywhere and LeBron is probably just slightly above average... And that's the difference.
Like Kobe would say... "It's just that simple."
Russell Westbrook and Scotty Brooks are the MVPs of this game though.
Brooks made some serious adjustments because Ibaka and Perkins trying to defend Battier just wasn't working.
But Westbrook has played his ass off. The flaws he has are obvious sometimes, but man... You have to love his aggressive attitude. He just won't quit or back down.
How do you defend Kevin Durant? Like what is the scouting report? Playing him physical just doesn't work as well anymore.
I guess the second thing would be to try to make him put the ball on the floor, but his ball handling has improved big time.
I just don't know if there's an answer for him. Just imagine when he adds a real post game. He'll be Dirk Nowitzki with athleticism and handles.
Westbrook just may be the quickest penetrator in basketball. Not even Derrick Rose was getting into the teeth of the Heat's defense like this. Westbrook was making that hedge look stupid and was just splitting it with ease in the 2nd half.
Thunder 24 fast break points... Heat just 4.
WILL BE F A N T A S T I C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!