2012 NBA Finals: (2) Heat vs (2) Thunder

[Andrew]

And then there were two. Who do you have standing alone as the 2012 champions when this one is all over?

[Kenny]

Hope the OKC bandwagon isn't full at the moment, since I really don't want to see Miami (ok, LeBron) win a championship. I can't deny though that it's going to be a great series, with the matchup that a lot of people thought Melo and LeBron would pan out to be.

The Thunder in 6... hopefully.

[RedPhazon8]

I like OKC's chances after their performance in the series with the Spurs. If Ibaka and Perkins can carry over their strong inside combo into the Finals, I can't see Miami getting the upper hand. The Heat will be glad to see Bosh back though, and with a good amount of confidence going forward, we'll see. I'm sure the 3 straight home games to the lower seeded team will play a factor like it did last season too, the Thunder have to be prepared for that.

[benji]

Thunder in four.

[Mavs4Life]

Thunder in 6.

[NovU]

Shortened season but asterisk won't affect too much on legacy whoever survives. In fact, this was tougher season than any other with a tougher schedule both for regular season and playoffs.

For the first time in the playoffs, the Heat are actually an underdog here. But having seen how motivated Lebron is this time around, I like our chances. I will go with the Heat in 6.

[Stress Fracture]

NBA Elite 11

Thunder in 6.

[The X]

I'll stick with my pre-season pick, Heat to win title. OKC would've rolled C's in 5. Heat over OKC in 6, but only if they are able to split the first 2 games in OKC (goes without saying I guess )

[NovU]

The Thunder definitely have been a better team this season. Superstars to depth to size, they just look like a superior team even on the paper. But... not by far, as sheer talent of Lebron and Wade somewhat compensate all those disadvantages. And if it comes down to wanting it more, I don't think anybody wants it more than the Heat. People talk about heart and wills all the time. And we got it more than those young kids from Oklahoma. Top to bottom, the Heat are built of players that have desires, even more than last year. The Thunder are still young and prone to mistakes I beileve. So I think it's bit too early for them this year. This is the year for the Heat and we deserve it more than the Thunder. QMIJ 24th.

[JaoSming]

Thunder in 5 /notbitter

[Phil89]

What do the Sonics' fans who hate LeBron do now?

[2Khoward]

Hope the OKC bandwagon isn't full at the moment, since I really don't want to see Miami (ok, LeBron) win a championship. I can't deny though that it's going to be a great series, with the matchup that a lot of people thought Melo and LeBron would pan out to be.

The Thunder in 6... hopefully.

I wouldn't it call being them bandwagon fan. I would call respect the other team and be happy for them that they made the finals.

[Martti.]

Heat in 7.

[wilson27]

Hopefully Lebron wins his 1st ring in 7 games this time. His a pity for one of the greatest of all time. O Chuck how you doin'.

[monja]

Heat in 7. I don't why but I have a feeling this is going to be an entertaining Finals series.

[Spree#8]

The Heat are finally going to play a team with similar talent level to the one they have themselves. However, the Thunder are built in a better way, the players there fit with each other well, maybe except for the fact they have no inside scorer. They will definitely need to move the ball around on offense like they did in games 3-6 against the Spurs, it confuses the defense and often leads to easy points as opposed to forcing something in an isolation. OKC is getting better as the playoffs go on and they've only lost 3 games on their way to the finals despite having tougher opponents than the Heat.

People saying James will easily handle Durant on defense are missing one thing. LeBron is great at defending guys who dominate the ball, he's bigger and more physical than them, but Durant doesn't play with the ball that much. He often shoots off screens, sometimes pulls up for threes in transition and so on. Besides, James guarding Durant inevitably takes away most of his contributions to team defense, arguably his biggest strength on that end. Speaking of defense, the Heat absolutely have to do a better job getting back in transition than they did in the Boston series. Letting the Thunder get out on the break is shooting yourself in the knee.

Westbrook might be the key. I mean, which Westbrook we're going to see in this series. The one who makes smart plays, makes mid-range shots and shares the ball, or the one who hogs the ball, wastes possessions and bricks the Thunder out of the game?

All in all, I believe the Thunder have a much better offense, are better inside, better at working as a team, have a better bench and the HCA. I think the Heat take two of their three home games and OKC ends this in game 6.

[JoeJames]

Guys I have a question.
Anybody who wins the title... will be a legit champion (´cause of the short season)?

I mean, if OKC or LeBitch wins it, maybe could appear some comments like the ones that on 1999-2000 appeared when Spurs won the tittle, questioning the value of the banner.

[cavs4872]

OKC in 6.

[SkyLine03LT]

This is gonna be hard-fought entertaining series that will, I believe, go down to the wire. I pick Heat in 7 because of the way Wade came alive and played in game 7, he is gonna be the x-factor for the series. A lot depends on Westbrook's shot selection and fg%. Needless to say, this will be series of the decade, and perhaps the first contact war of what might very well become a rivalry with both team's cores being young and productive.

[NovU]

Here it is, the Finals. We thought we might not even have one this season with the lockout and yet we are being treated with the best possibly match up ever now.

THE LINEUPS


CENTER: Kendrick Perkins VS Udonis Haslem
Edge: Thunder, size difference matters and u bitches know it better than I do.

POWER FORWARD: Serge Ibaka VS Chris Bosh
Edge: Heat. Ibaka’s one-way player. He’s not going to have 11/11 night again, not against the Heat in this series. Meanwhile, Bosh is motivated and well focused. And Ibaka will pay a lot of attention to help D. Should free up Bosh for jumpers.

SMALL FORWARD: Kevin Durant VS LeBron James
Edge: Heat. Lebron forced KD into a career high 9 turnovers before.

SHOOTING GUARD: Thabo Sefolosha VS Dwyane Wade
Edge: Heat. All OKC guards will have trouble staying in front of motivated Dwade. Not just Sefolosha but Harden as well.

POINT GUARD: Russell Westbrook VS Mario Chalmers
Edge: Thunder. Chalmers knows his role though. Will keep very very close eyes on Westbrook all the time and it will bother Westbrook a lot in this series.

THE BENCH

James Harden, Derek Fisher, Nick Collison, Daequan Cook
VS
Shane Battier, Mike Miller, Joel Anthony, Norris Cole

Edge: Thunder. Harden is an all-star. This guy’s a threat from anywhere on the court. More than Westbrook, I am more concerned about this guy.

HEAVY MATTERS

- Chris Bosh vs Kevin Durant
- Dwyane Wade vs Kendrick Perkins
- Thunder Chippy Plays

Might need to give Dexter Pittman a few minutes if things escalate.

[RedPhazon8]

A rather interesting presentation... of the match ups...

[stereoxide]

OKC in 6 because I want them to win on their home floor.

[rise]

OKC in six. You've got to think that fatigue is going to catch up with Lebron sooner or later. Whether you want to believe it or not, he's carried the Heat all the way. Part of me wants the Heat to win just to silence the Lebron haters who are really starting to get on my nerves, but I like the Thunder too much to root for the Heat.

[Sauru]

short season or not the title still counts. hated how phil jackson tried to cheapen the spurs title with that shit last time.

[Axel The Great]

Thank you, sir!


I'm going with Thunder in 6. They have the superior inside D and a better, deeper bench. Due to the Heat's lack of inside defense, I also like Ibaka's chances of going 11/11 one more time. Hoping for an exciting series, but I hope the Thunder come out on top. (Because I bet a friend 50 bucks that the Thunder would win. )