2014 NBA FINALS PREVIEW: Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs Part II

In the NBA, we've seen a lot of renewed rivalries take place on the biggest stage before, now it's a repeat of last year's dramatic NBA Finals. The two-time defending champions Miami Heat are once again back in the Finals and they are facing the San Antonio Spurs for the second straight year to decide the 2013-14 NBA Champions. Unlike last season, the Spurs, who finished with the league's best record, own home-court advantage and the format has changed. For the past 30 years, the NBA Finals went in a (2-3-2) format in which the top seed played the first two games and last two games at home if necessary and the lower seed hosted three consecutive home games in between. This time, the NBA Finals is in the normal format of (2-2-1-1-1) which is the set-up for the first three rounds of the playoffs; however, regardless of the changes, this could become yet another amazing series between two of the league's elite teams. It will be difficult to top the Finals series between these two respective franchises last year which saw record breaking achievements, unlikely heroes to deliver wins for Miami or San Antonio, and late game drama that Hollywood writers couldn't script. Due to the success of last season's Finals, television ratings will definitely be record breaking as basketball fans around the nation watch both teams play for the Larry O' Brien Trophy. After eliminating the Indiana Pacers in six games, the Miami Heat became the third team in NBA history to advance to four consecutive Finals appearances (Lakers, Celtics) and the first since the Boston Celtics from (1984-87). Miami is looking at accomplishing a feat that only a few teams in the history of the NBA have accomplished, winning three NBA titles in a row or as many basketball fans call it, "A Three-Peat".  If Miami wins, they will be the first team since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, 2001, and 2002 to accomplish such an amazing and historic achievement. If you look up the definition of consistency, you'll probably see the San Antonio Spurs next to it. The Spurs is making their sixth Finals appearance since 1999 and will look to win a unprecedented 5th NBA Championship. The Spurs will make their first back-to-back Finals appearance in franchise history and they are out on a mission to seek revenge. After the epic collapse in the final moments of Game 6, followed with a Game 7 loss and missing the NBA Championship by a game, this series may be personal but for LeBron James and the Miami Heat, it's business as usual.

Miami Heat guard Ray Allen shoots a three pointer to tie the game in the fourth quarter during Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. -- Hector Gabino/Staff Photo

The picture above of Ray Allen's huge three pointer is one that will forever be remembered in NBA Finals History and the shot that kept a lost season and championship alive. A year later, the  Miami Heat is aiming for those numerous rings LeBron promised in the summer of 2010 when the Miami Heat formed with the infamous " Not One, Not Two, Not Three" speech and four seasons later, they have a chance to make the speech a reality. In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Miami led at one point by (37) points as they eliminated the Indiana Pacers (4-2) en-route to a fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Despite Miami's up and down second half, this postseason, the Heat by far is one of the most impressive teams posting a (12-3) record and is still undefeated at home to date with an (8-0) record. Throughout the Big 3 Era, playing at American Airlines Arena is one of the toughest venues to win as they have won nine games at home closing out a playoff series and currently own a 11 game winning streak in Miami dating back to Games 6 and 7 of last year’s NBA Finals. LeBron may not have won the regular season MVP, but in the post-season, he's been phenomenal averaging (27.1) points per game, (6.9) rebounds per game and (5.0) assists all while shooting (56%) from the field. James is one of four players to average 25, 5, and 5 in league playoff history. However, despite the great numbers from Lebron, a huge boost to the success of Miami is their heart and soul of the franchise, Dwayne Wade. Wade is healthy and is playing some of his best post-season basketball to date. Wade is averaging (18.7) points per game and shooting over (50%), which gives Miami a great advantage as they are on the pursuit of another championship. The extended rest between the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals will also benefit Wade going forward. Another critical component of the Big 3 receives a lot of criticism the majority of the time; but will be a key factor if they look to win another championship is Chris Bosh. Bosh's play throughout the playoffs is inconsistent; however, over the last 3 games, he's averaged (23.3) points per game and (8.0) rebounds per game. Bosh is also contributing from behind the arc as he leads all Heat players with (22) three point field goals made, which is more than LeBron James (20) and Ray Allen (20). Now, since we're on the subject of Ray Allen better known to some as "Jesus Shuttlesworth" continues to be a solid contributor coming off the bench for Miami. Although Allen is averaging just (9.1) points per game, he continues to show up in the biggest moments. In Game 3 of the conference finals against Indiana, he posted a (16)-point performance, which including going (4/4) behind the arc in the latter stages of the game. His play along with Miami's other bench players will be a vital part of the Heat's success. A collective attack from Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, Chris Andersen, and Norris Cole will be needed to fend off a deep Spurs squad. The bench play for Miami will need to keep pace with the intensity of the San Antonio bench in not only scoring but providing valuable minutes while there on the floor defensively to coexist with the Spurs approach.  Coach Erik Spolestra knows San Antonio is coming with every arsenal they can bring but he will need to make some pivotal adjustments when needed and prove that he's among the elite coaches in the NBA today. 

Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs posts up LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat in the second half during Game Three of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T-- Getty Images

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich isn't just the (2013-14) NBA Coach of the Year for the third time for nothing, the man well known as "Coach Pop" has the Spurs once again competing in the NBA Finals, which deserves a lot of praise and credit to Popovich and his staff. After posting a league best (62-20) record during the regular season and home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they are on a mission to accomplish what they worked so hard to accomplish since last season, another NBA Title. San Antonio's determined group displayed a lot of will and courage after their star point guard Tony Parker didn't return after halftime of their closeout overtime win versus Oklahoma City. San Antonio has started 31 different starting lineups this season and look for Popovich to continue to move his players in and out the rotation as he chooses to fit the advantages and adjustments that will help them defeat the Heat. San Antonio used their experience and depth to reach yet another NBA Finals but their experience at point guard will be critical to winning a 5th title in franchise history. Tony Parker exited early in game 6 of the Western Conference Finals with an ankle injury; however due to the Spurs winning on Saturday, Parker is given more days to help recover from this ankle injury that has lingered Parker all season including a hamstring injury from the semifinals, the Spurs will need a well-rested and healthy Parker to execute their offense smoothly. Parker, who is averaging (17.2) points per game and (4.9) assists during the playoffs, is well known for driving into the paint while using his dribble penetration into lurking defenders that has left the likes of Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Manu Ginobli in shooters paradise. When Parker has not been able to be as free flowing through the lanes, he and the Spurs offense usually isn't as fluent as they would like. Parker's impact also leaves defenders in one-on-one match-ups against Tim Duncan. Duncan, now 38 years old, is still playing at a high level being a double-double machine and has collected at least (10) points and (5) rebounds per game this postseason except for one game. Duncan is averaging (16.5) points per game and (8.9) rebounds per game while shooting (51%) at this stage of his career is simply amazing for the Future Hall of Fame candidate. While Manu Ginobli is averaging (14.3) point off the bench to round out the Spurs big 3, their reserves and complimentary players have provided a huge impact to the Spurs, which is completely different from the other Spurs teams we're used to watching. Another key contributor to San Antonio is their third year forward, Kawhi Leonard  averaging (13.3) points and (6.8) rebounds per game for the Spurs and the play of Danny Green continues to emerge as San Antonio is an unprecedented (16-0) this season (regular/post) when Green makes (4) three point shots or more in a game. Another great series from veteran Boris Diaw will be needed as he recorded an outstanding (26) points in their game 6 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

In conclusion, we all remember the dramatic ending but let me refresh your memory basketball fans. With under 28 seconds remaining, the Larry O'Brien Trophy was all set to be in the Spurs hands; LeBron James missed a 26 foot jumper, Chris Bosh corrals the rebound and dishes it out to Ray Allen as he buried the biggest three pointer with seconds left to tie the game and Miami would come back and win forcing a decisive 7th contest. Just two nights later, in Game 7 where the Spurs were trailing by two points when Tim Duncan missed a critical layup at the rim, and Miami responded with LeBron James hitting a huge shot from 17 feet, and Miami held on to celebrate their second consecutive NBA championship. The Spurs are the first team since the (1988-89) Detroit Pistons to lose a game 7 in the previous Finals and face the same opponent the following season. One positive sign of history for San Antonio is the Detroit Pistons earned their redemption over their arch rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers to win the title the following season. Deciding factors for teams will make up the landscape of this year’s Finals. Kawhi Leonard must play LeBron well in the half-court game. We know the Spurs will more than likely go back to clogging up the paint and force James into shooting jumpers but Leonard's play will be critical. Kawhi at 6'7 has a long wingspan with his lengthy arms and huge hands to disrupt James enough to give San Antonio an advantage similar to last season. As I mentioned earlier, Wade's been very efficient for Miami throughout the playoffs; however, if he continues the solid play in the Finals, the Spurs won't have a chance to stop him. In order to limit Wade's impact in the NBA Finals, Ginobli will need to play solid on-ball defense, which forces Wade into difficult shots. We all are aware of Ginobli's impact to San Antonio's offense but his defense will also be a critical asset this series. Ginobli must perform better than his performance in last year’s Finals, he was a non-factor shooting a horrific (25%) from behind the arc during the series as we;; as splitting a pair of crucial free throws in game 6 which led to Miami’s epic comeback. Another unsung hero for San Antonio last season was Danny Green. Green set a NBA Finals record with (27) three pointers made but that was due to the outstanding play at guard from Tony Parker. Parker needs to be (100%) for the Spurs to win this series because unlike Oklahoma City, Miami has talent and experience in big game situations. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole will need to apply pressure on Parker and make him work extra hard in half court sets. Coach Erik Spoelstra may want to put a bigger body on Parker if Chalmers and Cole tend to struggle in this series because when Tony Parker is successful, it makes the San Antonio Spurs a better team. Mario Chalmers needs to be more assertive than the (7.1) points he is averaging and has been in a shell this whole postseason. Chalmers is known for rising up in the moment as he poured in (19) points last year in game 2 of the Finals but was held to zero points the following game. If Chalmers can’t produce, Cole has played well especially with him and LeBron in transition. Cory Joseph for the Spurs had (0) turnovers in limited time when Parker left in the Western Conference Finals but between he and Patty Mills, their productivity on the court will assist with Parker getting as much rest from game to game. If Chris Bosh can continue to be effective outside of the paint, he could bring Tim Duncan out the post and make him defend the perimeter however Bosh will struggle completely against Duncan in the paint as the veteran Duncan will use his power and strength to his advantage with a smaller frame Chris Bosh. Bosh will be reluctant to take those mid-range and three point shots and Duncan may let him. Heat forward Rashard Lewis went (9/16) over his last two playoff games from three and he along with Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem will need to give Chris Bosh help in the interior. Greg Oden may be available to be an extra body and just his presence alone as a seven footer could be useful in the post. The coaching adjustments from game to game will be a huge factor in this series as well. Each coach will counter each other’s moves like a chess match on the hardwood that will provide pure entertainment for NBA fans alike. The (2-2-1-1-1) format sets up well for the Spurs; however, if this series comes down to a Game 7, San Antonio and Miami will have an extra day from game 6 (June 17) to game 7 (June 20) and rest alone could very well determine the champion. I believe each team will flip flop winning every other game starting with San Antonio taking care of business at home in game one which will eventually determine this year’s champion. Tim Duncan's comments after Game 6 win were, “We have 4 more games to win, we will do it this time”, and for fans everywhere, this veteran means business and he'll be out seeking revenge. Yes, Miami is still the champs but it will take a team with the mentality such as the Spurs to dethrone Miami from a three-peat and when it's all said and done, I believe the San Antonio Spurs will get the job done and hoist their 5th NBA championship banner.



NBA CHAMPIONS:

SAN ANTONIO SPURS OVER THE MIAMI HEAT (4-3)