Official 2012 NBA Finals Thread

[RipCity32]

And I'm saying they should be confident. This Heat team is clearly playing differently than they did last season. Mainly cause LeBron is playing all 4 quarters.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

And I'm saying they should be confident. This Heat team is clearly playing differently than they did last season. Mainly cause LeBron is playing all 4 quarters.

Clearly? It seems pretty darn similar to me. In fact, the Heat struggled MORE getting through the earlier rounds of the playoffs this year than they did last year.

The Heat were unchallenged in Game 1 and dominated most of Game 2 before Dallas pulled that comeback, and then they won Game 3 on a game-winner from Bosh.

You can't say Miami looks clearly better than last year. They've just been benefited from hitting threes they don't usually hit and the Thunder missing a lot of jumpers. The series will even out in both those aspects and we'll head back to OKC.

 

[bosoxlover12]

The obvious point is that a Miami fan getting confident over a 2-1 lead is stupid because they blew the exact same lead in the Finals last year.

They almost blew a 2-1 lead against Boston as well

 

[RipCity32]

They clearly struggled more due to Bosh being out, as much as you don't want to believe that and don't think he is a factor.

And there is no reason the 3's wont continue to fall, they are spreading the floor to a point where the Thunder are having a very difficult time guarding the perimeter and it's happened for 3 straight games. There is no reason it can't happen the rest of the series. I do think it goes back to OKC, Heat win game 4, OKC wins in desperation in game 5, but Heat will win game 6 to win the series. They almost won both games in OKC the first time around, winning one more in OKC is not as impossible as you make it seem.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

They clearly struggled more due to Bosh being out, as much as you don't want to believe that and don't think he is a factor.

And there is no reason the 3's wont continue to fall, they are spreading the floor to a point where the Thunder are having a very difficult time guarding the perimeter and it's happened for 3 straight games. There is no reason it can't happen the rest of the series. I do think it goes back to OKC, Heat win game 4, OKC wins in desperation in game 5, but Heat will win game 6 to win the series. They almost won both games in OKC the first time around, winning one more in OKC is not as impossible as you make it seem.

I said Bosh wouldn't be a factor in the Boston series, and I was right except for the unexpected threes he hit in Game 7 (*cough fluke cough*). And yes the Heat have been spreading the floor well but they have been spreading the floor well all season and their shooters are inconsistent at best. Shane Battier is, what, 10-14 on the series? as much as I love Battier that's not gonna keep up.

And I know you think Miami could have won both games in OKC and you're right, but the same can be said about OKC winning ALL THREE GAMES in this series despite pretty much playing like shit in 5 of the 6 halves of basketball (with the 2nd half of Game 1 being the only half they played well in). I just think both these teams are evenly matched and we're going 7, but we'll see.

 

[elcheato]

This has more to do with a coach finally realizing how hard it is to guard a team with LeBron playing PF.

 

[RipCity32]

I said Bosh wouldn't be a factor in the Boston series, and I was right except for the unexpected threes he hit in Game 7 (*cough fluke cough*). And yes the Heat have been spreading the floor well but they have been spreading the floor well all season and their shooters are inconsistent at best. Shane Battier is, what, 10-14 on the series? as much as I love Battier that's not gonna keep up.

And I know you think Miami could have won both games in OKC and you're right, but the same can be said about OKC winning ALL THREE GAMES in this series despite pretty much playing like shit in 5 of the 6 halves of basketball (with the 2nd half of Game 1 being the only half they played well in). I just think both these teams are evenly matched and we're going 7, but we'll see.

Well then you'd agree he would of been a factor in the Indy series. And if Bosh played all the games in Boston, I really don't think that series gets to 7 games. But have you not seen the 3's Battier is hitting? Of all of those 14 shots, how many are even remotely contested? Same with any 3's that Chalmers and Jones and Miller have hit this series. They are taking WIDE OPEN 3's. If you don't expect a typically good 3-point shooter to continue to hit shoot-a-round practice 3's, then IDK what to tell you. I really don't see why Battier can't keep this up with the looks he is getting. I could understand if he was contested out there, but I think I could step in and hit the shots he is taking lol.

And yes, games could have went both ways. But that's why I think closing out in OKC is really plausible. Games have been that close this series.

Either way, this has been a remarkable Finals. Will be sad to see it end.

 

[Elite]

Hasn't been remarkable for my emotions

 

[RipCity32]

Could only imagine lol. Both team's fans probably had a couple heartattacks by now

How come the only Thunder fan we got is from Michigan, on the board? lol.

 

[.infamous]

I dunno :kobe:

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Well then you'd agree he would of been a factor in the Indy series. And if Bosh played all the games in Boston, I really don't think that series gets to 7 games. But have you not seen the 3's Battier is hitting? Of all of those 14 shots, how many are even remotely contested? Same with any 3's that Chalmers and Jones and Miller have hit this series. They are taking WIDE OPEN 3's. If you don't expect a typically good 3-point shooter to continue to hit shoot-a-round practice 3's, then IDK what to tell you. I really don't see why Battier can't keep this up with the looks he is getting. I could understand if he was contested out there, but I think I could step in and hit the shots he is taking lol.

And yes, games could have went both ways. But that's why I think closing out in OKC is really plausible. Games have been that close this series.

Either way, this has been a remarkable Finals. Will be sad to see it end.

But what you fail to realize is that these are the looks these players have been getting all year. I would reckon that out of all of Battier/James Jones/Chalmers/Mike Miller's three point attempts on the season, about 90% of them were pretty damn open because playing with Wade and LeBron will get you those kind of looks. Battier isn't gonna shoot like this all series, he's just REALLY REALLY hot right now.

And as far as Bosh the Indy series might have gone 4-1 instead of 4-2 if it wasn't for his injury, so if that's a big difference then alright. I think Boston goes 7 either way because Chris Bosh in his tenure with Miami has gotten shut down by Boston in most of the games he's played, he's KG's bitch.

 

[Elite]

The better question is why do so many people from Michigan post on sports forums. Of the two I've posted on consistently since I started posting on forums, they've both been dominated by people from Michigan.

Must be nothing to do.

 

[Pugz]

we're just proud to say where we're from.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Could only imagine lol. Both team's fans probably had a couple heartattacks by now

How come the only Thunder fan we got is from Michigan, on the board? lol.

They may not have computers in OKC?

 

[Elite]

If they have computers in bum-fuck Louisiana, I'm sure they have them in OKC

 

[RipCity32]

Well, don't have NBA TV or anything so I can't argue for all season. But in the games I did see, they have not gotten the amount of great looks they have gotten in this series. And I think that has more to do with the Thunder failing to guard the perimeter. LeBron/Battier as the forwards is causing the Thunder fits defensively, and they've not been able to counter it yet this series. Perhaps Shane won't hit with the consistency he has had thus far, but I mean you can then argue that Bosh will finally find a rhythm and step up and get the production from him that Battier had. Really all chance, you can't predict a player to stop making/missing shots.

And IDK about that. Game 4 and 5 were close games. You insert a healthy Chris Bosh in both, the outcome could certainly be different. I realize Bosh played game 5, but for whatever reason Spo decided to only limit him to 14 minutes.

 

[Hurricane Season]

:toolman:

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Well, don't have NBA TV or anything so I can't argue for all season. But in the games I did see, they have not gotten the amount of great looks they have gotten in this series. And I think that has more to do with the Thunder failing to guard the perimeter. LeBron/Battier as the forwards is causing the Thunder fits defensively, and they've not been able to counter it yet this series. Perhaps Shane won't hit with the consistency he has had thus far, but I mean you can then argue that Bosh will finally find a rhythm and step up and get the production from him that Battier had. Really all chance, you can't predict a player to stop making/missing shots.

And IDK about that. Game 4 and 5 were close games. You insert a healthy Chris Bosh in both, the outcome could certainly be different. I realize Bosh played game 5, but for whatever reason Spo decided to only limit him to 14 minutes.

It's not "for whatever reason", Bosh, admitted by himself AND his coach, wasn't ready to play big minutes in Game 5. I also hate injury excuses because it's a part of the game. Like if Boston has Avery Bradley and Jeff Green they win that series.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

And we have yet to bring up the Thunder who have been the best FT shooting team in the league the past two seasons are inexplicably missing FT after FT. You can't tell me those didn't make a huge difference. The Thunder will be fine.

 

[RipCity32]

I think their FT's missed can be explained by the fact they have never have shot free throws during the pressure filled NBA Finals.
Take a look at Miami, awful in the playoffs but have been fantastic in the Finals. That's where experience comes into factor imo.

I just don't get what you are going to say if the Thunder do lose the series. You've given every excuse under the sun as to why they are losing the series right now. I mean it is a 7 game series. They only have a few chances to correct all these issues you claim will even themselves out. At what point is the Heat just playing as the better team? lol.