2012 West Finals: (1) Spurs vs. (2) Thunder

[Phil89]

First time since 1998 that the Lakers, Spurs or Mavs aren't in the finals. Fitting that those are the 3 teams that the Thunder beat to get there.

Home court advantage will be a big boost for them, whoever they end up facing.

[Stress Fracture]

I don't know why the Spurs thrown up 3-pointers in that last minute.

[_Steve_]

I don't know why the Spurs thrown up 3-pointers in that last minute.

Confidence?!

But what a huge game by the Thunder. Can't believe Durant played for 48 mins but still delivered in the end. Could be a fitting end for this season if Durant wins Finals MVP over LBJ.

[Patr1ck]

Now I'm starting to think he's a Top Ten point guard. Maybe even Top Five.

Top two.

[NovU]

4 straight wins by the Thunder. Big fail by the Spurs who were riding 20 wins streak. If the Heat ever make it to the Finals, this probably is the dream match up I been craving for.

[shadowgrin]

Also makes you start thinking about where Fisher ranks among point guards, he has to be Top 25 now, maybe Top 15 if he gets another ring.

When the Thunder win he'll have six rings and have been in 9 of the last 14 Western Conference Finals and eight NBA Finals. Other than Magic what other point guard has a winning resume like that?

Now I'm starting to think he's a Top Ten point guard. Maybe even Top Five.

Fans in Seattle have to be beaming that the team they birthed is headed to a ring. I hope the Thunder are planning a rally in downtown Seattle for their fans there. Those proud parents earned it, they raised their son so well, just look at him out there on his own succeeding at the highest level.

Tell me you're kidding on all points. Are you stupid or something?

[Andrew]

Great game to cap off a great series. Congratulations are in order to both teams: they both played hard, they both had fine seasons, they had what will likely stand as the series of the Playoffs, though the ECF has been better than I expected. But hats off to the Thunder, great effort to get by a team like the Spurs to stand four wins away from a championship. As for the Spurs, they may have one last run in them yet.

Now I'm starting to think he's a Top Ten point guard. Maybe even Top Five.

Top two.

Number one.

[daninoz]

Great game to cap off a great series. Congratulations are in order to both teams: they both played hard, they both had fine seasons, they had what will likely stand as the series of the Playoffs, though the ECF has been better than I expected. But hats off to the Thunder, great effort to get by a team like the Spurs to stand four wins away from a championship. As for the Spurs, they may have one last run in them yet.

[SkyLine03LT]

So, my Thunder in 6 prediction was right on the money

[Mavs4Life]

Great game to cap off a great series. Congratulations are in order to both teams: they both played hard, they both had fine seasons, they had what will likely stand as the series of the Playoffs, though the ECF has been better than I expected. But hats off to the Thunder, great effort to get by a team like the Spurs to stand four wins away from a championship. As for the Spurs, they may have one last run in them yet.

Now I'm starting to think he's a Top Ten point guard. Maybe even Top Five.

Top two.

Number one.

1. Derek Fisher
2. John Stockton
3. Magic Johnson
4. Jason Kidd
5. Steve Nash

[Spree#8]

The Spurs' first half lead was built entirely on sick 3-point shooting. After halftime their threes stopped falling, no wonder they choked. When you lead by 18 in the 2nd quarter and after the 3rd you're only up by 1, you know you're playing badly.

Their deep roster ended up not meaning much. In game 6 it was basically a 7-man rotation. Their biggest strength stopped being there and suddenly after winning 20 straight games they went on to lose not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 games in a row. Not the first time they had dominated the ending of the regular season and the first rounds of the playoffs just to completely collapse when they finally met a really good team. The Thunder were simply better in this series.

By the way, I also voted Thunder in 6 in the poll. Big props to the Thunder big 3, nicely supported in the 4th quarter by Fisher with his big shots and good defense on Parker. Especially since this series was probably the unofficial NBA finals series this year.

[benji]

Number one.

1. Derek Fisher
2. John Stockton
3. Magic Johnson
4. Jason Kidd
5. Steve Nash

You guys are nuts. He's not better than Magic, though he is better than Stockton, (zero rings) Nash (zero rings, zero Finals) and Kidd (one ring).

[Dc311]

Their deep roster ended up not meaning much. In game 6 it was basically a 7-man rotation. Their biggest strength stopped being there and suddenly after winning 20 straight games they went on to lose not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 games in a row.

Wow really?I don't think me or anybody else would have thought of that.

[Andrew]

You guys are nuts. He's not better than Magic, though he is better than Stockton, (zero rings) Nash (zero rings, zero Finals) and Kidd (one ring).

Five titles in seven attempts, as opposed to Magic's laughable five titles in nine attempts...not to mention back-to-back Finals losses in 1983 and 1984. Not to mention Magic's career average of 3.8 turnovers per game per 36, compared to just 1.6 for Fisher. Clearly, Derek Fisher is the greatest of all-time at the position. And, for that Jemele Hill touch, anyone who says otherwise clearly isn't being objective.

[benji]

Magic had MVPs and All-NBA Teams both of which are objective measures of a player. Plus Fisher had back to back Finals losses in 2004 and 2008. He went three years before he got back to the Finals. It never took Magic that long.

Plus Fisher was a traitor and left the Lakers for those three years.

[Patr1ck]

He was not a traitor. He had to prove his importance. He left and they were instantly a non contender. He comes back, championship.

[Andrew]

The clincher is his jersey number switch this season. 37 > 32.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

I went to college for a week and all of the sudden, the Spurs were knocked off.