As we all know, the 2014 NBA Finals features a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. Both the Spurs and Heat are slightly different, but this series should be another exciting match up, much like last year. Here at Sports Genius, we break down the keys to victory for both teams.
San Antonio Spurs:If earning the right to go to the NBA finals in the best conference wasn’t enough to bring a team confidence, then meeting up with the team that stopped you from winning a championship last year should do the trick. Last year, the Spurs' chances of winning a ring against the Big 3 came short, merely because of lucky rebound and an amazing 3 point shot in Game 6 by Ray Allen. The Spurs without a doubt have confidence that they can beat Miami in 6 games this year, like they almost did last year.
“You gotta be patient with San Antonio. Don’t rush them.”
- Kobe Bryant
The Spurs are comparable to a game of chess. They are a thinking man’s team. One slip up from the opponent and expect that opponent to pay. Whether it's allowing Tony Parker to see a free cut to the lane for a layup, or something as quick as a defender not setting his feet to stick defense... the Spurs will find the best player to score from the opponent's mistake.
Watching the Spurs find the right player at the right moment at the right time to score is what makes that team beautiful to watch. They do not have a player on their team that puts the weight of the game on their shoulders and tries to carry the team. With the Spurs, anybody on that team can end up as the player of the game, simply by finding the weak spot on the defense and capitalizing right under the opponent's nose. Coach Pop has defensive reads down to a science and teaches his team every year.
People who prefer checkers over chess may consider chess to be boring. The same comparison can be made between Miami and San Antonio. The excitement LeBron James, Bosh, Wade, Birdman and Ray Allen bring to the Heat vs. the Spurs' patience and being ready when it's time to make the play. For example, star point man Tony Parker barely played in Game 6 against the Thunder because of a ankle injury, but the Spurs still pulled out a victory in OKC with strategy and patience... a thinking man’s team.
Key Players:
Tony Parker
Manu Ginobili
Danny Green
Kawhi Leonard
Tim Duncan
Boris Diaw
Key Factors:
Miami Heat:Miami is the back to back defending champs for many reasons, but they have their sights set on something far greater; becoming the first team to three-peat since the Lakers did it from 2000-2002. LeBron famously declared that if he had anymore motivation, he’d burst. Bron even went so far as to say that he felt slighted by people’s perceptions that Miami was lucky to beat the Spurs. Wade also brought up the fact that Parker made a challenging shot to win Game 1, which nobody considered to be lucky. You know damn well LeBron and Miami are well motivated to prove that last year’s title was no fluke.
Heat's Keys to Victory
1. LeBron needs to play like the greatest basketball player in the world. He cannot fight himself; he must take what the defense gives him.
2. Unlike last years Finals, Dwyane Wade is healthy, and must play like the No. 2 option that he was billed to be when this team was built. During these playoffs, Wade has continued to improve with each series; and Wade looked like a true No. 2 against IND. In order for Miami to three-peat, Dwyane’s got to get easy cuts to the basket and be a true secondary scorer to help LeBron out.
Key Match-Ups
• Point Guard
• LeBron vs Kawhi Leonard
Key Players
LeBron James
Dwyane Wade
Chris Bosh
Ray Allen
