After an outstanding first round of this year's NBA playoffs... How outstanding? FIVE game 7's! That's right, five. This would be an NBA record.
Here we are.
They're calling it 'The Rematch,' and rightfully so, but there's been a few changes since that seven game series.
The Heat have lost Mike Miller and Juwan Howard. You know, Mike Miller? He lost his shoe in game 6, fourth quarter, still managed to hit a three. Seems pretty clutch... HA, when speaking of game 6 we don't speak of some guy who lost his shoe. Ray Allen over everything in THE Game 6. Please tell me you remember that.
Only in Game 6.
This one haunts all of Spurs Nation.
The infamous tatted Birdman may make his presence on the court, but will he be 100%? While we're on the subject of health, or lack of, will Dwayne Wade even be 100%? He seems to think so as he stated in his press conference. What about Tony Parker? If we are being honest, those two do not need to be 100% healthy to make their presence known on the court. They're that kind of special breed. They're superstars.
The Spurs gained Marco Belinelli from the Chicago Bulls. Belinelli's numbers have been impressive. He has averaged 11.4 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game. Kawhi Leonard's stats have improved since last year averaging 12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2 apg.
So needless to say that there have been a couple changes within both teams, but the hunger for another NBA Championship still remains.
Remember this? "Not five, not six, not seven..." Can they get to three?
Greg Popovich stated that they have been waiting all year for this. Literally, that's all he said. Tim Duncan said, "We're happy to be back here this year, we're happy to have another opportunity at it. We're happy that it's the Heat again. We'll be ready for them."
Comments like that don't go unnoticed. LeBron didn't hold anything back.
"They wanted us. They got us."
Okay, this may not be trash talk on the level of Lance Stephenson, but in a more subtle way. I don't believe that the Spurs are going to have to pull any kind of Stephenson shenanigans to get into Miami's head.
We could go on and on about the mentality that these two teams may have right now, but let me give you a brief breakdown of player match-ups.
We have Chris Bosh versus Tim Duncan. When Chris Bosh is on fire from three-point range, the Heat are nearly impossible to stop. You give Bosh one good look while he's hot? Boom. Swish. But, Chris Bosh did not hit a single three pointer in the Finals last year. Kudos to Timmy's defense. Tim Duncan may not have the best mobility, but he has more strength than Chris Bosh. You can tell that just by looking at their size. With Duncan attaining the strength within this match-up, this gives him the edge when fighting in the paint. Now let's see if either of them can stop one another from hitting that long two almost every single time. It's like their sweet spot.
Now we have the power forward match up. Haslem vs. Splitter? Both teams have quite the depth for this one. The Spurs have Tiago Splitter who can vouch for being underrated. They also have Boris Diaw who has played crucial minutes throughout these playoffs and is averaging 52.1% from the field and 40.2% from three. The Miami Heat have Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem and Rashard Lewis. Out of those three, Lewis has the better look, at least on the stat sheet.
Danny Green up against Dwayne Wade. That one seems easy to predict, right? Wrong. Dwayne Wade struggled to remain on his man last year during this series. This explains why Danny Green set the record for most three pointers in the history of the finals. He had 25 triples just in the first five games! Dwayne Wade might not be the old "Flash" anymore. Will he be able to keep up? D-Wade may struggle on the defensive part, but he just finished up that series with Indiana shooting 54.5% from the field and 46.2% from long range. This one is going to be good.
Tony Parker is "ready to go." Good news for San Antonio and all those chanting, "Go Spurs Go!" But, Mario Chalmers has his work cut out for him. Poor Mario. He can't seem to catch a break, can he? Tony Parker is a play maker, a difference maker on that court. Chalmers is there to help those who are the play makers. I mean, he's out there with James and Wade. Is there anymore room for another play maker? Tony Parker is a much more impactful player for the San Antonio Spurs than Mario Chalmers is for the Miami Heat. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, you just continue to yell at him. He's got to be used to it by now.
Remember when Manu Ginobili had a rough series against the Heat and then retirement rumors started to run wild? Well, he's back and better than before. When talking about those who are clutch, Manu is in a class of his own. It's easy to verify that when he is out on the court, plays are made. When it comes down to it, the Spurs have more depth than the Miami Heat. San Antonio's subs have scored 44.5 points per game as oppose to what Miami's have done, 29.6, per HoopsStats.com. Ginobili alone could probably handle Miami's reserves.
I'm not forgetting anybody, correct?
Kidding. I can't forget The King... And that other guy.
Are you excited as I am?
Most of you may already be marking Kawhi Leonard off the chart I assume. You could not be doing more of a costly mistake. Yes, LeBron James is nearly impossible to control on the court. Notice that I said NEARLY. It's not impossible and Leonard knows that from last year. The young player held LBJ to shooting just 44.7% from the field and was averaging 14.6 ppg and 11.1 rpg. He put up 19 points and 16 boards in game 7. It is obvious that LeBron has the edge over any opponent that he seems to face, but whatever you do, do not count Kawhi Leonard out. Look at it this way, he just spent six games hounding Russell Westbrook and the reigning MVP, Kevin Durant. You are probably thinking that he's got to be running out of gas. You could argue that, but he's a young player and he can handle it. Leonard will definitely not be stopping James, but I think it is safe to say that they both have their work cut out for them.
LeBron is looking for that third ring and the Spurs are looking for that redemption.
Oh yeah, do I dare compare the coaches? No, I do not. Greg Popovich has mastered the game of basketball and the art of coaching. No one compares to someone who has handled a team for nearly two decades. Sorry, Spoelstra. It just can't be done. You know how the saying goes... Pick on someone your own size.
Coach Pop in all his glory. The man is a legend.
All the match ups, the stats, comparisons, the talent... It could all just come down to a Game 6. Ray Allen sure does hope so.
These teams are hungry and this series could possibly have you at the edge of your seat... The whole time.
So... Enjoy!
These three guys...Seriously, can you get anymore classy?
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