Someone's getting their second ring, although the argument can be made that it'll be the first.
The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise won the NBA Championship in 1979 as the Seattle Supersonics. The Miami Heat, by most independent observations, were the beneficiaries of a title stolen by referees (one of whom ended up in prison) from the Dallas Mavericks, in 2006.
Either way you look at it, Kevin Durant or LeBron James will stake a claim to Best Player on Earth. How will it play out? Here's our take:
Point Guard
Mario Chalmers vs Russell Westbrook
Not even close. Westbrook is a Batman playing Robin because he is paired with a better Batman. Chalmers is the Penguin.
Advantage: Thunder
Shooting Guard
Dwayne Wade vs Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha absolutely shut down Tony Parker in the Western Conference Finals. However, to paraphrase the late Lloyd Bentsen, I've seen Dwayne Wade and Parker, sir, is no Dwayne Wade.
Advantage: Heat
Small Forward
LeBron James vs Kevin Durant
The stuff of barroom arguments. They are both incredible players and have both been absolute studs in the 2012 playoffs. To be honest, we have this one as a dead heat but if we have to pick one...despite LeBron's absolute domination of the East bracket, we simply trust Durant more with the rock in crunch time, both from the field and the line. We also trust him to get his teammates involved as a part of his natural game, not something he has to consciously do, as is the case with LBJ.
Advantage: Thunder
Power Forward
Chris Bosh vs Serge Ibaka
Of the three Heatles, we think Bosh has the most heart. That's not saying much in comparison to the other two but if Miami wins this series, Chris Bosh will be the primary reason. His ability to draw defenders -- particularly shot-blocking machine Ibaka -- out of the lane and free up space for Wade and James to do their thing, if successful, will be the key to this series.
Advantage: Heat
Center
Udonis Haslem vs Kendrick Perkins
The series will not be won or lost here. Neither scores much but both defend and rebound well. We think this series will be decided in the field not the paint. Haslem is the marginally better shooter, so he gets the nod here.
Advantage: Heat
Bench:
Joel Anthony, Norris Cole, Mike MIller and Co. vs James Harden, Nick Collison, Derek Fisher and Co.
Anthony and Collison cancel each other out. Cole is a fine young point guard with a bright future but we'd still take 374 year-old Fisher over him with a game on the line. Mike Miller might go for 20 on a given night but we pretty much expect it from Harden, right?
Advantage: Thunder
Coaching:
Erik Spoelstra vs Scott Brooks
Spoelstra has an extraordinarily hard job. He has to manage the egos of Wade and James, while working in the shadow of Pat Riley. Putting all of that aside, we just don't think he is a very good in-game manager and at times seems overwhelmed in late-game situations. Scott Brooks completely revamped the Thunder's approach, after his team had fallen behind 2-0 to San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals. OKC ripped off four wins in a row and it was over. When Miami found itself in similar circumstances, Spoelstra changed nothing and relied on Wade and James to save the day. The argument can be made that both strategies were effective. The difference here though is that Miami does not have the clear talent and youth advantage it had over the Boston Celtics.
Advantage: Thunder
What does it all add up to? We are very hesitant to ever predict a short Finals series and with the closeness of this matchup on paper, it would seem even more prudent to go six or seven with our pick but we are really feeling five is the right number here. The advantage in heart, quality of opponents in getting here and just the feel we get screams five. Still, we're going to go
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER in 6
Until next time,
Keep the Faith
