NBA Playoffs
June 1st 2007 04:57
The NBA finals is fast approaching and we know for certain the San Antonio Spurs will appear in their fourth finals appearance in nine years.
The Spurs likely opponent will be the LeBron James inspired Cleveland outfit, which currently leads 3-2 over the Detroit Pistons, after LeBron scored 48 points to lift his side to a memorable double overtime game five victory.
Most basketball fans will be hoping for a Spurs-Cavs result, because it will be more appealing. Nothing against the Pistons, who have been the East’s best side since Michael Jordan’s heyday in Chicago, making five consecutive Conference finals and winning the title in 2004 and losing to the Spurs the following season.
But everyone wants Lebron versus the best team in the league. Despite owning the third best record in the league- behind Dallas and Phoenix- the Spurs have peaked at the right time, and were at their awesome best in game five against Utah.
The way the Spurs demoralised the highly-rated Jazz in the first quarter was the type of brilliant team play reserved for the all-time great teams. The performance reminded me of only a handful of teams- Lakers (’01), Bulls (’96), Lakers (’87), Celtics (’86) and 76ers (’83).
These great teams clicked in the playoffs, with their extraordinary team play and with a superstar who was firing on all cylinders. The Spurs superstar Tim Duncan is healthier and in the best form he’s been in since the 2003 championship. The big fundamental is proving unstoppable at the moment, and both the Cavs or Pistons won’t be able to stop him. Bank on big Timmy claiming his fourth finals MVP and staking his claim as the best player since Jordan retired in 1998.
The Finals’ will be interesting if the Cavs progress for their first ever appearance on basketball’s big stage. The main interest of course will be whether LeBron can lead his underdog side to championship glory. It looks doubtful, but if he can, Lebron will suddenly draw comparisons to the all-time modern greats- MJ/Magic/Bird.
Even just making the finals will be a great effort by LeBron, as the player he is most compared to- Jordan- couldn’t get the Bulls into the finals by himself in the late 80’s. But the East was a lot stronger back then, with the Celtics and the Pistons powerhouse sides, and even the Knicks, Hawks and Cavs better than the Pistons ’07 version.
The East plainly sucks this year comprising; the Heat who struggled badly with Dwayne Wade and Shaq struggling with fitness, the competent but star-lacking Bulls side, and a Pistons outfit which is a good side but too in cohesive to be considered great.
Which leaves the Cavs and King James. LeBron is an unbelievable all-round talent, who doesn’t quite possess the killer-instincts of Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but at just 22 is a phenomenal player already and he may be able to inspire a miracle against the Spurs.
Last season the Pistons managed to escape from a 2-3 deficit to defeat the Cavs but I can’t see that happening this time. The Cavs, led by LeBron, will win game six at home before facing the well-rested Spurs next Thursday in San Antonio.
Early prediction for the finals- Spurs in five.
The Spurs likely opponent will be the LeBron James inspired Cleveland outfit, which currently leads 3-2 over the Detroit Pistons, after LeBron scored 48 points to lift his side to a memorable double overtime game five victory.
Most basketball fans will be hoping for a Spurs-Cavs result, because it will be more appealing. Nothing against the Pistons, who have been the East’s best side since Michael Jordan’s heyday in Chicago, making five consecutive Conference finals and winning the title in 2004 and losing to the Spurs the following season.
But everyone wants Lebron versus the best team in the league. Despite owning the third best record in the league- behind Dallas and Phoenix- the Spurs have peaked at the right time, and were at their awesome best in game five against Utah.
The way the Spurs demoralised the highly-rated Jazz in the first quarter was the type of brilliant team play reserved for the all-time great teams. The performance reminded me of only a handful of teams- Lakers (’01), Bulls (’96), Lakers (’87), Celtics (’86) and 76ers (’83).
These great teams clicked in the playoffs, with their extraordinary team play and with a superstar who was firing on all cylinders. The Spurs superstar Tim Duncan is healthier and in the best form he’s been in since the 2003 championship. The big fundamental is proving unstoppable at the moment, and both the Cavs or Pistons won’t be able to stop him. Bank on big Timmy claiming his fourth finals MVP and staking his claim as the best player since Jordan retired in 1998.
The Finals’ will be interesting if the Cavs progress for their first ever appearance on basketball’s big stage. The main interest of course will be whether LeBron can lead his underdog side to championship glory. It looks doubtful, but if he can, Lebron will suddenly draw comparisons to the all-time modern greats- MJ/Magic/Bird.
(Making the East interesting)
Even just making the finals will be a great effort by LeBron, as the player he is most compared to- Jordan- couldn’t get the Bulls into the finals by himself in the late 80’s. But the East was a lot stronger back then, with the Celtics and the Pistons powerhouse sides, and even the Knicks, Hawks and Cavs better than the Pistons ’07 version.
The East plainly sucks this year comprising; the Heat who struggled badly with Dwayne Wade and Shaq struggling with fitness, the competent but star-lacking Bulls side, and a Pistons outfit which is a good side but too in cohesive to be considered great.
Which leaves the Cavs and King James. LeBron is an unbelievable all-round talent, who doesn’t quite possess the killer-instincts of Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but at just 22 is a phenomenal player already and he may be able to inspire a miracle against the Spurs.
Last season the Pistons managed to escape from a 2-3 deficit to defeat the Cavs but I can’t see that happening this time. The Cavs, led by LeBron, will win game six at home before facing the well-rested Spurs next Thursday in San Antonio.
Early prediction for the finals- Spurs in five.
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