sports: The 2012 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder ended up being as entertaining and exciting as they were billed to be. With four of not only the best, but most exciting and electrifying players in the world, this series had the makings of a classic knockdown drag-out battle. While the 4-1 victory the Heat earned doesn't reflect that notion, the fact that all but one of the games was close and decided on very few key plays, usually at the end, showed that this is what these two teams were ready to give us. The Thunder fought valiantly. But in the end the entire Heat team just brought too much to deal with. And their top star, Lebron James, showed his best when it mattered most.
The Miami Heat did everything they were supposed to do. Lebron James came through in every possible way. His defense was spectacular, guarding all five positions in the finals. His scoring was unstoppable. His ability to set up his teammates was also an invaluable skill. Dwayne Wade looked comfortable in his role as number two. This was a key component to the success of the team given the confusion seen in the past with two alpha dogs fighting for their opportunities to take over games. Arguably, though, the biggest part of Miami's success was everyone else. On a team with two of the biggest stars in the game, the Heat's supporting cast and coach have been second guessed a lot. In these playoffs we saw some of those role players really step up and make significant contributions we never saw in the past. The ability for Shane Battier to score fifteen plus points in consecutive finals games, or Mario Chalmers to score 25 in game four, or Mike Miller's seven threes in the closeout game of the series were at times the difference between winning close games and losing them. The two people who have taken the most criticism (besides James of course) might deserve the most credit. Erik Spoelstra did a magnificent job making adjustments throughout the series to get the most out of his defense from game to game, particularly denying passes to Kevin Durant. He also was, finally after nearly two full seasons of struggle, able to get his team to play the game that suited them best. The fast breaks and one on one situations stopped. The most unstoppable on Earth player finally stopped settling for jumpshots. The flash and highlight real passing tricks morphed into an inside out game revolving around James' size and strength and their great spot up shooters. The other huge component was Chris Bosh. This guy does deserve a ton of credit. After all of the "big two" jokes, all he did was not complain and show up and play great. Bosh was solid on defense and crashed the boards in a way one doesn't normally see with him. HIs biggest contributions though came courtesy of Wade. Wade has been slowed by injury and wear and tare over the years, making it hard for him to eplode to the basket. He and Bosh adjusted by implementing a pick and role game that, while not as sophisticated as other pick and role games, emphasized their athleticism and freakish talent. Seeing Bosh step up as role player earned more respect than any of credit as a superstar he had when he joined the Heat.
As far as the Thunder are concerned, it just wasn't their time. Kevin Durant gave an all time great performance in the second half of game one where he appeared to be the most pure embodiment of scoring. Russell Westbrook poured in 43 of the most relentless and fearless points in recent finals history. These performance we overshadowed by shortcomings that lead to their losing in five games. Scott Brooks had trouble finding a lineup to keep on the floor, particularly late in games, never running the same guys out there two nights in a row. James Harden, sixth man of the year, and third in the Thunder's big three was a total non-factor in the series. Also, a sometimes stagnant offense, that when not running the fast break, comprised mostly of one on one attacks, yes those same one on ones the Heat were less guilty of in these finals. In the end, the difference between the two teams was samll. But watching those games and watching the Thunder fail to adjust from game to game showed that they were just the second best team on the floor. Their youth was apparent. Their lack of deep playoff run experience in their stars was at times noticable. And certain huge errors, whether it be in unsophistocated offensive schemes and questionable coaching, or not getting Durant the ball late in games, or a couple of mental errors (I love Russell Westbrook and think he maybe had the best finals of anyone on the Thunder but his foul against Chalmers at the end of game 4 not only essentially ended the series but also may have been the biggest big game late game mistake since Chris Webber's timeout in the NCAA championship) ultimately showed that this was a team with the talent of a champion but not the fortitude or will of one.
I had said in my finals preview that these finals were going to be about ascension. Ultimately I think I was right. Kevin Durant stepped up in game one with his heart stopping performance. But ultimately the series belonged to Lebron James. With the Heat needing to win the series or be faced with the title of failures, James stepped up and played his best, maybe that we have ever seen from him. He attacked the basket at every opportunity. He was a machine at the foul line, in one game going twelve of twelve. He played in the post like someone who had done it his whole life instead of for one year. His passing game was smart and efficient and he kicked the ball constantly to wide open three point shooters. He even had that signature "glory" moment where, after being helped off the court by the training staff, he re-entered the game clearly still in pain and drained dagger three in game four to ice the game for the Heat. We saw the most talented player in the game become the best. I have often referred to James as a bull in a china shop, lacking basketball moves and elegance. In this series he was the definition of elegance and in the post especially showed his basketball skills and moves. He ascended to the place where people have for years assumed he should have already been. It took time, but seeing him get there was a pure joy.
Durant will have his chance to get there. This finals felt more like round one of heavyweight fight for the ages than just another final. The Thunder are so young and so talented and have, along with James, the other half of the two best players in the game. They will be back and Durant will have his own chance to ascend. This seems even like a chance for a real long term rivalry. He just was forced, this year, to step aside as James seized the moment.
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