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| It's all sunny skies in Miami, who's going to rain on their parade? |
Watching Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert fall to the ground in agonizing pain on Saturday wasn't simply tough to watch, it brought about a unfortunate realization; the Heat are going to have an easy ride to the Finals. Well at least we expect them too. Lebron's lack of composure in the 4th quarter can surprise anyone, so you never know what's going to happen. Anyways, we break down the best case scenario for all the team's we think have at least a slight chance to beat the Heat.
Atlanta Hawks
Best Case Scenario:
The Atlanta Hawks are like your lazy, s**thead best friend. They're awesome, bring a lot to the table and you know they can do big things. But they're not sure where the table is, how to do those big things nor do they really care to do them. They only wake up for test day and do the essays the night before. They always mooch and never spot you any money. But for some reason you just love them. This team is immensely talented especially when they have their star big man Al Horford. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson are great players, but only when they want to be. When they show up, they can beat anyone. When they're asleep at the wheel, they're already in the ditch on the side of the road. If the Hawks want to beat the Heat, which I'm confident they can, a bunch of things have to fall into place. One, Joe Johnson has to hit his shots. I would think that Spolestra would put Lebron on JJ and if he does then Johnson must use his size(6'7") to match Lebron on the offensive end. If LBJ gives him an inch he better be firing for that twine. Josh Smith needs to alleviate Lebron's intensity on Johnson by being a monster in the paint against Chris Bosh, and no I don't mean hitting his ridiculous turnaround fadeaways that hit the moon when they go up. I'm talking about quick, aggressive moves in the paint that end with Chris Bosh on a poster. Kirk Heinrich has to hit his threes and Zaza Pachulia needs to continue to dominate the boards. Finally we have Marvin Williams who could be the key to a series between these teams. If the starters on both teams cancel each other out then, Williams slashing abilities off the bench could be the difference. I actually think the Hawks will come to play if they stay focused enough to get there. This series would ultimate be slugfest and it will probably entertain some hard fouls from Josh Smith and you can bet on an ejection. I'm not saying the Hawks are going to beat the Heat, but I think out of all the team's in the East, Atlanta has the best chance to dethrone Miami, that is of course if they come to play.
Boston Celtics
Best Case Scenario:
The ageless wonder Boston Celtics have dug themselves a grand hole losing Game 1 and losing Rondo for Game 2. Winning a series down a pending 2-0 isn't a small task, but the Celtics have the experience to do it. Boston's 23-10 post all-star break run was amazing; they looked young and they looked real good. In that run the C's went 3-0 against the Heat and did so in convincing fashion winning the games by an average margin of 13. Don't let that fool you, Miami practically packed it in the end of the season so don't expect the C's to destroy them. Rookie Avery Bradley has been the key to Celtics resurgence showing himself to be a lockdown perimeter defender and that is the first key to the series. If Bradley can remove Wade or at least deter him from going off, then Celtics will have the advantage assuming Lebron will curl up into a ball in this ECF clash. Paul Pierce will be Paul Pierce, making ugly shots left and right and getting to the line a bunch. But the key to the series offensively for the Celtics will be KG's patented 18 footer and Ray Allen's ability to come off the bench and just get hot. The Heat dismantled the Celtics in six games last year, but that's in large part because Lebron hit some lucky ridiculous threes and Wade went off in Game 1 and 6. If Bradley holds Wade in check, then expect this series to lean the Celtics way. I know the C's aren't "Atlantic ocean" deep, but I don't trust Battier, Miller, James Jones or Norris Cole the way I thought I would. One thing to watch for going forward with this team is the wear and tear a seven game series or two has on them. I get that the NBA gives teams 45 days off between games but as we've seen one wrong step can end your playoff run.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Best Case Scenario:
NBA fans are salivating over a Finals matchup between the Thunder and Heat. If the Thunder can avoid beating themselves with immaturity and selfishness then expect this epic series to happen. I'm so confident with the Thunder in this matchup that my only concern really comes in the Durant vs. Westbrook matchup. Yes, a matchup between teammates will decide this series. Durant and Westbrook have been one of the most beautiful, yet volatile relationships of best friends we've ever witnessed. Off the court they both endorse each other ten fold. Westbrook admits he has to get Durant the ball more and Durant says that he needs Russell's aggressiveness in order for him to be effective; i.e. have #0 shoot a lot in order to open up looks for KD35. But on the court it has been ugly at times. Westbrook seemingly forgets about his "once in a lifetime" scorer teammate and Durant is left struggling for his own looks. However, when these two are in sync(as we've seen in Game 1 and 2 vs the Mavs) it is a beautiful marriage of athleticism, talent and attitude. If these two play at the high level they can, I'm sorry but the Heat are no match. Wade and Lebron cannot score like Westbrook and Durant can. Ibaka can defend almost exactly like Lebron(2,3,4,5) and James Harden does a little bit of everything, something the Heat don't have once you get past LBJ. OKC is a much more complete team than the Heat, and really the only thing stopping them is Russell Westbrook's on court arrogance. I will guarantee you that KD will hit a game winning shot in Lebron's face that will absolutely demoralize the weak-minded James. I can't wait, repeat I CANNOT WAIT for this series.
San Antonio Spurs
Best Case Scenario:
Gregg Popovich is one of the most under appreciated individuals in the history of sports. For some reason, probably because he lacks flash or public appeal, Pop has won 4 titles and hasn't missed the playoffs in 16 years, but only has one coach of the year award and takes the backseat to Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau even those two only have one title combined. Pop managed his team so well this year often sitting Tim Duncan with the excuse that he's old that this Spurs team somehow snatched away the #1 seed in the West from the Thunder and once again look like a championship contender. The Spurs added some depth by acquiring Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw at the deadline to add to their ancient Big Three. The only way I see the Spurs beating the Heat is by just outsmarting them. Watching Popovich managerially embarrass Erik Spolestra would be as fun for the public as if they were at an American Science Fair. The basketball purists would be reveling in this strategic beatdown but America would be yawning. It's a distinct possibility that the Spurs could dominate the Heat who wrongly believe they're some wise group of veterans. But, no the Heat win solely because of pure athleticism on the part of Wade and Lebron. If Pop can meander into Lebron's head and let him know that he's still got a lot to learn, this wild scenario could come true. I'm not in the camp that wants to see Heat-Spurs, but I would like San Antonio's chances if they get there.
Los Angeles Lakers
Best Case Scenario:
Three things need to connect here for the Lakers to beat the Heat. One, Kobe Bryant needs to be Michael Jordan. He needs to continuously one up Lebron by being viciously clutch and relentless. If Kobe wants his sixth ring I think it is only fitting that he does it against the guy that everyone is inaccurately comparing to MJ. Kobe is the closest thing to MJ, Wade is next. Lebron is another family, but this discussion is for later. Anyways, the second most important key to this series is Andrew Bynum. I like Bynum and I hate Bynum. Enjoying Bynum is easy, he's a dominate shot blocker, a monster rebounder and an all-around solid post player. Yet, Bynum irks me. Sometimes the big teddy bear in Los Angeles seems like he doesn't care out there. He's too giggly, too smiley and just too damn goofy. Bynum is the anti-Kobe. I'm not sure he really gives a 100% all the time, and he really doesn't hate losing. However, he could have a Shaq like series against Joel Anthony if the Lakers get there. I'm talking 25+ and 15+ a game. I'm talking about making Anthony his son almost every trip down the court and on both sides of the ball. Thirdly, Ramon Sessions needs to be worth the 1st round pick he was traded for. Sessions has to control this offense and not let the ball get all sticky in Kobe's hands. The Gasol, Bosh battle should be included in the next Downey advertisement. Watching these two soft big man lightly bang each other in the post is going to be a travesty to playoff basketball and a lesson in whining at the refs. If history has anything to say about a Kobe, Lebron final is that it'll go Kobe's way. Well we hope.
Memphis Grizzlies
Best Case Scenario:
My last and final squad with an opportunity to beat the Miami Heat is the young, wild and restless Memphis Grizzlies. This team has talent pouring out of it's veins, kind of like the Hawks, but better. Zach Randolph has to find his form in order for this team to have a chance. But in Zach Randolph's mind returning to form is hitting 18 footers all over the place and being the man. Randolph actually finding his form is him manning the post and dominating Chris Bosh. Marc Gasol is going to be your classic big, big man. He's gonna bang down low, get boards, block shots, score a couple baskets. Rudy Gay might look like he's asleep at the wheel 24/7, but he cannot act like that. Gay's potential is immense, but he is just far too inconsistent and I'm just not sure how he can beat Lebron one-on-one. Tony Allen will be a key to this series in shutting down D-Wade. I believe Allen could guard Lebron, but would be better suited just denying Wade the ball. Leave this series up to Lebron to choke away on the offensive end. The Grizzlies need to be focused just simply to beat the Thunder and get to the Finals, so they need to be absolutely zoned in order to take down the Heatles. One thing that will be fun to watch is the high-flying nature of both of these teams. There will be dunks, wild and 1s and more dunks.
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