As Magic Johnson said and I am paraphrasing, "OKC Thunder cannot make plays when it counts, therefore, they cannot get CONTROL of the game at the critical time".
I was so surprised that basketball junkies/sportswriters (i.e Stephen A Smith, Chris Sheridan) and knowledgeable fans were so HIGH on the Thunder winning the NBA Finals. I picked Miami.
If you were picking the Thunder to win the NBA championship, you should have known that:
a) Miami only last year went through the toughest experience in basketball - losing an NBA finals after being up. It was fresh in their mind.
b) The Thunder have NEVER experienced an NBA Finals so that takes time and a rough road to get right. Westbrook in game 4 had one of the best games in any NBA Finals and they still lost! Think about that.
c) The Thunder are a jumping shooting team and a good defense ALWAYS makes it tough for an open court/jump shooting type of team. (7 for 34 in last three games from 3 point range speaks volumes).
d) Youth - Thunder are young and haven't paid their dues. They are paying now!
e) Heat has a sense of urgency. They know that if the Thunder would win, it could make it tough to beat them in the next few years.
f) Dwayne Wade won the NBA title in 2006 after being down. Experience.
g) Pat Riley, Pat Riley, Pat Riley - Don't ever discount his influence as GM and President.
h) Lebron is clearly the best player in the game and has been showing his mental toughness (unlike last year) by making critical and tough late game shots throughout these playoffs.
I will leave you with this last quote:
"Teams are 30-0 all-time in the NBA Finals when leading the series 3-1."
(http://espn1420.com/heat-silence-thunder-take-3-1-finals-lead/)
Maybe next year Thunder or more likely, in a few years as Miami may just be starting their own Dynasty!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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