[CodySLCParticipant]

What does everyone think about the match up? I think it will be an even exciting finals.

 

http://nbadraft.net/forum/nba-finals-prediction-heat-vs-thunder-lebron-james-and-d-wade-vs-kevin-durant-and-russell-west

[FUNKYBUNCHParticipant]

Even matchups. If I have to choose a winner now- I say OKC. My reason: I don’t think MIA will blow away OKC, and OKC finishes better in close games. 

[royk927Participant]

 Thunder cubs growing up in front of our eyes.

[CodySLCParticipant]

I can see it going 7 games, but ill say Thunder in 6.

[HaleParticipant]

Most anticipated series of my life so far!

[jacobkeyParticipant]

Y2G, Are you five? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SpacegrassParticipant]

This is how it’s suppose to be , the two best players on the planet that just happen to play the same position going after the title belt.  I am going to go OKC in 6 , Kevin Durant cements his status as best basketball player on planet earth.

[bloodshyParticipant]

I hope this is the beginning of a truly great rivalry between LBJ and KG.  I don’t care who wins.  It’s been a long time since the NBA has had something like that.  This really has the potential to be a Magic v. Legend type of rivalry. Here’s to hoping these two give it their all for the next seven games.

[bballjunkie09Participant]

OKC will win if Dwyane Wade doesn’t step up. I cringed in G7 whenever he had the ball in the first half. I predict OKC will most likely isolate more of Westbrook and Ibaka because Wade has been struggling as well as they will try to take advantage of the fact that Bosh just came off of being injured.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

The Thunder will win, but I’m so excited for this series.

[omphalosParticipant]

I think the Thunder having home court is going to be huge, I’ll say Thunder in 6 too. This is going to be an amazing series though, will dictate the course of the NBA for the next five years IMO, whoever draws first blood between Durant and Lebron as far as getting a title is going to be critical for how they match up in the future.

Either way, we either see a new star steal Lebron’s throne, or James stealing Durant’s Thunder. Should be epic.

[surveParticipant]

 unless there are blowouts…Lebron will have to play virtually every minute for Miami to win.   the rotations suck and the offense suffers too much with him on the bench.

[sheltwon3Participant]

OKC should have this but the thing is Bosh was super nasty with it tonight and if they give him move touches and he plays like his Toronto days or how he play in game 7 they could pull it off but I doubt it. There are too many what ifs for Miami to win but you never know because both team allows their opponents to hang around. Boston ran out of gas and that is why you had the double digit wins but OKC will not so it will be interesting.

[Jlv2012]

as opposed to the aging Celtics.  I’ll be disappointed if this goes to 5games.  Thunder in 4.

[cabbycabParticipant]

 I’ll take Miami in 6 to keep it interesting.  All things point to OKC winning, but I think of Dallas last year and their improbable run.  This is one of the best playoff year I can remember in a long time.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Can’t wait for this dream matchup. Four legit superstars in this series. Plus Bosh, Harden, and Ibaka. It will probably come down to which team gets more stops.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 You guys who are picking the Thunder to win in 4-5, do you realize the Heat actually have people who can guard Durant/Westbrook/Harden? It’s not going to be that easy. LeBron potentially could give Durant the same fits that Artest did a few years ago by over powering him, and Wade, Chalmers, and Battier aren’t exactly the worst defenders in the NBA. The Thunder, while not lately, tend to turn the ball over. You just can’t do that playing Miami. I think this series goes 6 or 7, and which ever team taking the first road game winning it all 

Also on a side not, I bet Big Perk gets multiple techs ha

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

This is going 7 games but honestly it’s a toss-up.

I want the Heat to win just so that some of the LeBron hate can die down but I also really want to see the Thunder win a championship.

It’s hard to pick against either.

[NYK2010Participant]

I have OKC winning in 6 but it could go 7.

Durant is the better closer, they have a better bench and home court.

Sooner or later Lebron playing 45-48 mins every game will hurt him.

I don’t see Chalmers as anything special on defense Rondo carved him up almost every game.

Westbrook is a better offensive player than Rondo and should have a big series.

Harden and Sefolosha are better defenders then Allen and anyone Boston had at SG.  They’ve already faced Kobe and Ginobili in the playoffs.

Also look out for Ibaka’s shot blocking in this series it could be big against those drives at the rim.

 

[benny15Participant]

just wondering, anyone think the 2006 finals can happen again where the heat win 4-2 by dropping the first 2 then taking 4 straight? just wondering…

its going to be very interesting how stern would want this series to be called. two of his golden boy rain makers are on the finals and he wouldnt want either getting into foul trouble even though they could be covering each other. does that mean that these players will have to adjust to not getting the superstar calls or the idea of Lebron vs Durant is exagerated in our heads and will most likely be a thabo vs lebron/battier vs durant match-up.

i also feel that one of the keys for the thunder is if they can get westbrook to play up to his defensive potential. im talking about the Russel Westbrook that locked up OJ Mayo. when they were in college and Mayo was one of the best one on one players in college that year. if westbrook can get wade into a funk, even at the cost of his own energy and offense, i’d do it.

[omphalosParticipant]

My main reason for hoping Lebron and the Heat lose is to serve as a discouragement for the "super-friends" trend they started. If they continue to fail to win a championship, hopefully other franchise players won’t be so quick to press the panic button and will show more loyalty.

[frogmanParticipant]

 I think the biggest factor in this series is the Thunder rotation.  If I’m Scott Brooks I’m playing a lineup of Westbrook – Harden – Sefolosha – Durant – Ibaka in the important stages of the game.  To be honest I don’t really see a reason why Perk should play much of the game as the only thing he is valuable for is his excellent 1 on 1 defence and there is noone on the Heat that is even a threat to score in the post so going small and having Sefolosha with his excellent defence and length on Lebron will be the key matchup and you still have the basket protector in Ibaka on the floor.  Whatever happens it will be a great series!

[billykParticipant]

Super team/friends = MYTH… IF you want to win a NBA championship (a few exceptions to the rule) you need atleast 2 all stars/potential HOFers… Obviously they have to have a solid supporting cast but chips are won by teams with multiple stars..

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’d be great for the NBA if this series went seven games, so I’m hoping for that.

It’s tough to pick. The Heat have the experience factor. The Heat as a team obviously just were in the Finals last season. And their two best players have been there three times each. Can anybody see LeBron losing 3/3 NBA Finals appearances? Other than Fisher, Perkins and Mohammed the Thunder don’t have anybody who’s been to the Finals.

Offensively, both teams play a similar style. Spread offense and high screen and roll. Create turnovers and get out in transition. I like the Thunder’s offense a little more this series though. I like Durant, Westbrook and Harden attacking the rim against the Heat’s bigs. I like it that Durant, Westbrook and Harden can also stop on a dime and shoot the mid-range before the rotation steps up to take the charge. I also like it that the Thunder are a very good free-throw shooting team, which has been huge for them in close games. There’s been a lot of talk about how the Thunder turn it over, but they’re turning it over less than the Heat during the playoffs.

Defensively, the Heat are a lot better to me. However, I like the Thunder’s ability to protect the rim. I haven’t bought into Ibaka being a great man to man defender, but he can definitely block some shots. Bosh will be huge this series pulling him away from the basket. For the first time in the playoffs, LeBron and Wade will have to look over their shoulder when attacking the rim.

Both teams are ready. The Thunder went through the Mavs, Lakers and beat an amazing Spurs team four times straight. They got better every game. The Heat fought through adversity by playing without Bosh and bouncing back when they looked like they were in big trouble.

I’m leaning towards the Thunder in the series, despite the fact they aren’t as experienced. I think Fisher and Perkins’ experience will come in huge. I really like the Thunder in 6 games.

 

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

Thunder was my pre season pick to win the title. Sticking with them. KD is too much for anyone including Lebron.

[omphalosParticipant]

@billyk; I’m aware that championship teams have multiple All-Stars and numerous great players, but there’s no denying that the Miami Heat situation was unique in three free agents signing together in their prime, and that it has sparked trade demands/controversy from the majority of their generation of stars who are now worried they cannot compete with their respective teams.

See: Melo, Chris Paul for starters, Dwight and Deron are likely to be added to that list soon.

[HaleParticipant]

I didn’t start following basketball closely until the 2nd Kobe-Shaq championship. I hate the Spurs, Lakers and Mavs (used to hate) so that pretty much ruined every finals for me right there. Besides when in the past 10 years have the 2 best players in the NBA been facing off head to head? Not to mention four other guys who are all probably top 20 players.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 This will be a tough series, as the Heat have the athleticism to slow the Thunder offense.  The Heat’s defense really struggled against the Celtics, but their style of play does well against isolation reliant teams.  I doubt that Westbrook has a big series and LeBron could help limit Durant if he stays disciplined on defense.

The Thunder do have the talent to make the Heat pay for their aggressive trapping on defense, and Harden will a huge factor.  If he plays well and is able to score effectively, the Thunder will be extremely difficult to beat.  Ibaka hitting that mid range jumper will also be key.  If the Heat are forced to cover him when he pops out for the jump shot, the Thunder will have much more room to attack the basket.

On the other end of the floor, look for the Heat to try to exploit the LeBron-Durant matchup.  Much has been made of Durant’s improvement as a defender, but he still can struggle against iso scorers due to his high center of gravity and lack of strength.  He may struggle to defend the pick and roll from the Heat with LeBron as the ball handler.  I’m sure the Heat would also love to make Durant expend lots of energy on the defensive end of the floor.  

Another thing to watch will be Westbrook’s defense on Chalmers.  Westbrook can be a bit of a roamer at times and Chalmers has the shooting ability to make him pay.

The Heat also have the ability to spread the floor and challenge the quickness of any Perkins-Ibaka pairing for the Thunder.  I expect to see the Thunder try Durant at the 4 more than normal, but it will be interesting to see if the Thunder have an answer to the Heat lineups with LeBron at the 4.  

Bosh’s health obviously will be a factor, although he may not be as important versus the Thunder specifically as opposed to some other teams.  The Heat could go small often against the Thunder.  That said, if Bosh can be an offensive contributor who takes pressure off of Wade and LeBron, and a good pick and roll defender who can match up with Ibaka, the Heat will be in much better shape.  

I pick the Thunder to win in seven because I believe they are the superior overall team with greater offensive firepower and will have home court advantage, but I think the Heat have a better shot than most people seem to think.  They do match up will with the Thunder in my opinion.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Westbrook                                  Chalmers

Sefolosha                                     Wade

Durant                                          Lebron

Ibaka                                           Bosh

Perkins                                        Anthony

 

Harden                                      Haslem

Collison                                     Miller

Fisher                                        Battier

Cook                                        Jones

 

 

Okc has the better bench and ther starters are close to even.

On paper OKC and Miami are really close but OKC is more offensive and Miami is more defensive. 

[KayjayParticipant]

Everyone was sure Miami was going to win against Dallas. One team just seemed over all superior to the other and people started to buy into the Heat. But then they lost and got put out. This year I wouldn’t say the Heat are better, but they are more comfortable. Thunder have beaten just about everybody out west to solidfy themselve’s as top dog. But none of those teams were as hell bent on defense as Miami is. I’m going to say defense wins championships and give it to Miami in 6.

Charles Barkley said it once, sometimes the better team doesn’t win. And I think this stage is a little different for players that have never been there before.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 The biggest problem for the Thunder is that Durrant is going to be guarded by Lebron and Lebron is a fantastic defender. You can’t attack Lebron. It is basically, on average, just a wasted possesion. Lebron has just made life very hard for Melo, Granger, and then Pierce. He got Pierce to shoot under 40%. If Lebron holds Durrant to under 40% shooting, how do the Thunder win?

Best chance for the Thunder though is if the Heat are just out of gas. Even with Bosh coming back, it looks like Lebron has to play 40+ a game. If the series goes long, can he maintain that pace?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

With all due respect to Melo and Pierce, Durant is a lot better. Granger isn’t even in the same breath. I can’t see LeBron holding Durant to 40% shooting. Is that even possible?

I mean, Durant will see tough defense, but I can’t see any player in basketball making him shoot 40%.

 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 LeBron has been playing elite defense all season (and in previous seasons).  I think his defense in the playoffs hasn’t been anything special by his standards.  

With that said, I do agree with IB that Durant shooting no more than 40% is unlikely.  LeBron isn’t always super focused on defense and his biggest defensive strengths are defending against isos and helping off the ball.  Durant will still be able to get open through off the ball movement, although he isn’t going to go off on the Heat the way he did against the Spurs.  He may not shoot 40%, but he also won’t shoot 50%, like he has so far this postseason (which is a really incredible statistic when you think about it). 

[HaleParticipant]

Durant shot under 40% in over 21% of his games this year. In the playoffs that number is roughly 13%. So it’s not out of the question for him to shoot under 40% for a few games, obviously not the entire series though. I predict he’ll shoot about 46% in the finals.

Just for comparisons’s sake LeBron shot under 40% in 8% of his games and in the playoffs it’s about 5.5%.

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