NBA Finals 2012: Series Thread + Picks and Predictions

[CAVSTRIBEBROWNSin07!]

People are picking the Thunder at a 2-1 clip http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flash ... lId=140865.

I figured most people like the Thunder, but such a majority surprised me. Not only am I picking the Heat in 6, I think there's a greater chance of a Heat sweep than a Thunder series win.

The Heat at +150 is an absolute steal IMO. In terms of prop bets, I like:
LeBron -9.5 rebounds, +5.5 assists.
Wade +23 points, -4.5 assists.
Bosh +7 rebounds.
Chalmers -11 points.
KD -28.5 pts -7.5 rebounds -4.5 assists
Westbrook +23.5 points
Ibaka +10 reb/blk combined.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Thunder now at -170. Hype is too fixated on James and Durant and completely missing how badly Wade has been falling apart. I'm thinking OKC in 6.

[jb]

Heat = Debo

"Whose bike is it , Punk?"

[FUDU]

Agreed, Thunder in 6.

[swerb]

Thunder in 5. Will come back to win this one. Will win Thurs. And win 2 of the 3 games in Mia.

[FUDU]

The Heat cannot feel all the great about the close of the 2Q, all those made 3s going to waste.

[e0y2e3]

Norris Cole was huge....

BIG TIME.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Let's guess who the media will fault more: The guy who got 30 and 9 or the guy who went 7 for 19 from the field?

[e0y2e3]

Wade was beyond miserable... guy has taken LeIso to new levels and tried to completely take over down the stretch with ZERO capability to do so.

LBJ didn't do what he had to do, but christ was Wade bad. Super bad.

[Spin]

I'll take Miami in 7.

I'm torn on this Finals, yeah LeBron is public enemy #1 in Ctown, but OKC pulled a Modell on the Seattle fans and I'm not a big fan of them either.

meh

[StewieG]

Thunder in 6. I think Miami takes games 3 and 5.

[SoulDawg74]

Thunder in 5. Will come back to win this one. Will win Thurs. And win 2 of the 3 games in Mia.

SD:

Thunder to strong , they beat the Heat whose makeup consists of heartless bitches by double digits and Hardin hasn't even gone off yet

Spo damn near as clueless as Mike the Clown.

I'd settle for them doing it in five , but I;m hoping for a sweep capping the ultimate humiliation with a Cherry on top .

SoulDawg

[Cerebral_DownTime]

It'll be a sweep.

Heat have the heart of a mouse and the balls of a gnat.

[SoulDawg74]

Heat = Debo

"Whose bike is it , Punk?"

OKC is Craig hittin Debo upside the head with a brick .




SoulDawg

[jb]

Heat = Debo

"Whose bike is it , Punk?"

OKC is Craig hittin Debo upside the head with a brick .




SoulDawg

Yep.

Q3 they got knocked the fuck out.

I can be good with that. cause like Stephen A. Smith I have no probelsm with changing my opinion when I see citrcunmstances change. That's just manning up keeepin it real like Steven says.

Being serious for a minute, the stratgegy of giving up treys for interior help D was amazing last night by OKC. Worked to perfection.

[FUDU]

So basically from the mid of the 2Q OKC blew Miami out by 25?

LeBron, Wade and Bosh are to good individually to get swept though.

If, if LeBron were to go 0 for 8 in the finals, oh boy.

[Gradysmanldy]

Heat = Debo

"Whose bike is it , Punk?"

OKC is Craig hittin Debo upside the head with a brick .




SoulDawg

Yep.

Q3 they got knocked the fuck out.

I can be good with that. cause like Stephen A. Smith I have no probelsm with changing my opinion when I see citrcunmstances change. That's just manning up keeepin it real like Steven says.

Being serious for a minute, the stratgegy of giving up treys for interior help D was amazing last night by OKC. Worked to perfection.

Same defense Boston threw at them, they just didn't have the firepower to put enough points on the board.

I've got OKC in 6. I think that they split at home, and it's a slugfest in Miami.

Unfortunately, the Heat ability to hang depends on a) Wade waking up and at least outplaying Westbrook, and b) the bench playing at replacement level, which is easier if they give Bosh the rock when he's running with the second unit out there. They consistently under utilize him, even when he's healthy.

Going to be a fun series, either way. (Provided Lebron doesn't go batshit like he did in the last two games of the Celts series)

[jb]

Same defense Boston threw at them, they just didn't have the quickness to get there with the help and Sephalosia is something not on the Boston roster.

^^^^^

What I think

[e0y2e3]

Wade outplay mini-LBJ?


BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAH


mini-LBJ is just getting his sea legs under him, and Wade is dead... deader than dead... a useless sack of shit that is actually gettin in LBJ's way more than he is helping. Every big game the Heat have won these playoffs Wade has sat the fuck down and let LBJ be LBJ, everytime he tries to run the offense for the last three minutes they lose.

And Avery Bradley is better than Sefolosha.... that injury was HUGE for Boston.

[FUDU]

I swear Fisher hits more 23'4" inch 2s than anybody in history.

[e0y2e3]

Through two games, Heat vs Thunder has been the most-viewed #NBAFinals ever on ABC, averaging 16,439,000 viewers

[FUDU]

Most viewed Finals ever on ABC, or most viewed Finals ever?

[e0y2e3]

Highest on ABC (post 2002). The only other finals that is close was the 2004 Super Lakers choke job.

MJ still rules the roost.

That said, the biggest point is that last year's were the highest since '04, this year is up 12% on last year.

[FUDU]

That's what I thought, although it is no surprise that today's numbers are way way up. Besides the 10 years of the Magic, Bird, Jordan transition there probably isn't a better time to be a fan, considering the individual stars, and media access.

[jb]

Bron to cement his legacy tonight.

The rest will be details.

[jb]

BTW - 2 - 3 - 2 is an abomination.

[peeker643]

BTW - 2 - 3 - 2 is an abomination.

Right?

Why do that? I don't give a shit if it's Boston-LA. Take the extra day of travel time and play it so the best record actually receives an advantage.

Only in the Finals? What's the effing point. These goddamn seasons are like bowling seasons anyway with about a week off between them and it's not like these guys are traveling GreyHound from one side of the country to the other.

Stupid.

[FUDU]

I agree on the nonsensical nature of the 2-3-2, disagree about tonight.

But LeBron does deserve his credit for fine tuning his approach, finally, and playing way more to his strengths for much longer stretches.

Spoles is a horrible coach though so this could go 7 very easily even though Miami has edge now.

[peeker643]

I don't think Spoelstra is horrible. I don't think Spoelstra is good. I think he's just a guy and one that will be feted or praised for doing not much more than watching LBJ finally (and naturally) figure out that attacking the rim pays the biggest dividends.

[leadpipe]

I agree on the nonsensical nature of the 2-3-2, disagree about tonight.

But LeBron does deserve his credit for fine tuning his approach, finally, and playing way more to his strengths for much longer stretches.

Spoles is a horrible coach though so this could go 7 very easily even though Miami has edge now.

Spo is not a horrible coach.

John Lucas was a horrible coach.

Spo is in the worst situation you can be in. If they win, it ain't causa him. If they lose, he's a dumbass.

I think he's handled the situation about as well as you can, and he's proven to be pretty compentent ILO.

Christ, the Cavs havent had 3 better ones in their entire history.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Christ, the Cavs havent had 3 better ones in their entire history.

Fitch, Daly, and Lenny.

[dmiles]

Man that sucks. OKC just too young, too dumb at times. Harden not having a stellar finals. Durant not getting on the glass tonight. Wade not getting hit hard enough. Inconsistent offense/energy. Now that last one is not uncommon but they do seem to go long stretches just playing ISO without a lot of ball movement.

[leadpipe]

Man that sucks. OKC just too young, too dumb at times. Harden not having a stellar finals. Durant not getting on the glass tonight. Wade not getting hit hard enough. Inconsistent offense/energy. Now that last one is not uncommon but they do seem to go long stretches just playing ISO without a lot of ball movement.

Yeah, the Thunder seem to be borrowing the Heat's offense from last year.

I suppose there's a reason real young teams don't win this thing much.

They can't do anything with Lebron, and if guys are hitting those open jumpers arising from the double team in the post it's all over.

And enough with the "veteran Derek Fisher" and all the pep talks and bullshit. You know what OKC needs at that position? A guy that can actually play.

Up 17, Westbrook going off....and still not enough. Harden's head is scrambled. Big trouble.

[leadpipe]

Christ, the Cavs havent had 3 better ones in their entire history.

Fitch, Daly, and Lenny.

I'd take Spo, and for that matter, George Karl over Lenny and Fitch.

And the subjectiveness is to the point. Cause Rivers "coached circles" around Spo in the Boston series. But what happened last year when the Heat won in 5? Spo had nothing to do with that? But he had a huge hand in the losses this year?

Point being, there are VERY few REALLY good coaches. And there's a few total jag-offs. And there's everyone else. For the most part it's everyone else, and the guys that PLAY determine the outcomes. Spo ain't close to the jag-off category.

[e0y2e3]

Harden and Wade have both been miserable, just miserable.

[Triple-S]

Am I allowed to think this sucks?

because it does.

[Larvell Blanks]

Am I allowed to think this sucks?

because it does.

If they go on and win, the sun will rise the following morning. It's not like LBJ is gonna come knocking door to door and shoving the O'Brien trophy in everyone's face screaming, "Na na nana naaaa". The only household he might do that to is Gilbert's.

Credit Miami for becoming the aggressor and consistently taking it to the rim and converting. Miami is playing to it's strengths these past 2 games. Example last night. Westbrook drives and scores, Wade breaks down court and converts an easy Miami layup as OKC is still transitioning to D. Miami is playing like everything is on the line.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

If they go on and win, the sun will rise the following morning. It's not like LBJ is gonna come knocking door to door and shoving the O'Brien trophy in everyone's face screaming, "Na na nana naaaa".

Don't worry, E$PN will do that plenty enough for him.

Meanwhile, I'm having a hard time convincing myself I'm not hearing the death throes of the Presti Plan.

[e0y2e3]

What in the fuck are you talking about with the Presti Plan?

This team's four best players are 23, 23, 22 and 22.

For fuck's sake, talk about a gawd damn overreaction.

This team is young, first finals, etc, etc. There is nothing wrong with the plan, what you are seeing is very clearly and easily quantifiable as growing pains.

This team has made it further in the playoffs each of the last three years and guess what.... THAT IS ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR FROM A TEAM STARRING A 23, 23, 22 AND 22 YEAR OLD.

[peeker643]

What in the fuck are you talking about with the Presti Plan?

This team's four best players are 23, 23, 22 and 22.

For fuck's sake, talk about a gawd damn overreaction.

This team is young, first finals, etc, etc. There is nothing wrong with the plan, what you are seeing is very clearly and easily quantifiable as growing pains.

This team has made it further in the playoffs each of the last three years and guess what.... THAT IS ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR FROM A TEAM STARRING A 23, 23, 22 AND 22 YEAR OLD.

Perhaps here in Cleveland we can just go with the Miami plan instead?

[jb]

Let me drop this science.

I want the Heat and LeBron to win. Acceptance. Get it over with and get over it. This franchise did what it needed to do off season to add the final pieces and role players instead of the Ferry way of incompetance or mealey mouthed excuses. Bron is the best player in the NBA and his dues have been paid. Just get out all the butt hurt. With Boston fading fast and OKC loking at some cap trickiness near term Miami is lind up until wade crashes and burns in another coupole seasons. Accept or bail on the NBA and read a book.

Having said that, Mike Bibby and Chris Weber texted me last night and both thought the checks and the flops and the hand play calls, particularly in the "act of acting errrrrrrrrrrrrr shooting" were the most one sided they'd ever seen.

Last take - can you even imagine the mdia if Bron turned in Durant's game last night? So empty.

And the 2 - 3 - 2 is the worst and most deflating non-crescendo in sports.

[peeker643]

Let me drop this science.

I want the Heat and LeBron to win. Acceptance. Get it over with and get over it. This franchise did what it needed to do off season to add the final pieces and role players instead of the Ferry way of incompetance or mealey mouthed excuses. Bron is the best player in the NBA and his dues have been paid. Just get out all the butt hurt. With Boston fading fast and OKC loking at some cap trickiness near term Miami is lind up until wade crashes and burns in another coupole seasons. Accept or bail on the NBA and read a book.

Having said that, Mike Bibby and Chris Weber texted me last night and both thought the checks and the flops and the hand play calls, particularly in the "act of acting errrrrrrrrrrrrr shooting" were the most one sided they'd ever seen.

I didn't think I'd get there but I am too. Maybe it was forced on me but that's alright. I don't feel miserable about it at all.

And LBJ has been ridiculous. He figured it out even if he's a douchebag and a tool. Had he approached it like this years back he may already have that ring.

[jb]

I didn't think I'd get there but I am too. Maybe it was forced on me but that's alright. I don't feel miserable about it at all.

And LBJ has been ridiculous. He figured it out even if he's a douchebag and a tool. Had he approached it like this years back he may already have that ring.

No he wouldn't have.

Ferry was unable to put the supporting cast along side im. he was a bung hole then and he's a bung hole now. But Mo Sucki and a burned out Z and the rest of the scrubs, bench players and bad draftees and FA's didn't amount to much nmore than the Charlotte Bobcats.

[FUDU]

Bron has turned in a Durant 6-19-12 performance, so I'm not sure what your point is on that.

Other than that I'm not conceding anything other than LeBron has stepped up this post season and fine tuned his approach, and he hasn't had as much help from Wade as one would have thought. So right now, as of 9:35am EST on 6-20-12 LBJ is earning it.

But please don't revise history and tell me it's raining, he had enough of a supporting cast to get er done in 2010, until HE chose to take his ball and go home.

[Gradysmanldy]

Unfortunately, JB is right. Seeing Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Battier, and Haslem play their asses off out there just reinforced the prospect of how horrible those Cleveland benches were. Soft, too, outside of Varejao and Dwest.

Thunder just weren't up to the moment, last night. Durant had no idea what to do with the ball in his hands....either a quick, non-rhythm method shot, or a bad drive/pass. The only reason that game was even close is because Westbrook when OUT OF HIS MIND for a quarter and a half.....and most of those buckets were of the "oh god don't do that YESSSSSSS" variety.

Can't believe the game was even that close with the stinkfest Harden and Durant had last night. Scrambled is right.

[jb]

Durant had no idea what to do with the ball in his hands....either a quick, non-rhythm method shot, or a bad drive/pass.

Right on.

You're out of your element, Donny.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

What in the fuck are you talking about with the Presti Plan?

This team's four best players are 23, 23, 22 and 22.

Tired, headache, and my writing's drifting all over, so I'll just hit quick points:

None of the Thunder's four best players are Lebron James. They can take another level of maturity, sure, but....

The best player in the league is playing like the best player in the league, backed by All-Stars and a solid defense. I've seen this show before.

Presti Plan may be best way for a non-marketable market to build, but its proving to be well behind buying/trading for as many known All-Stars as you can stuff under the cap.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Get it over with and get over it. This franchise did what it needed to do off season to add the final pieces and role players instead of the Ferry way of incompetance or mealey mouthed excuses.

Our best chance would've been to add Shuttlesworth and Amare. And Amare wasn't coming.

Nobody was ever coming here to win with Lebron.

[jb]

Thunder just weren't up to the moment, last night.

I will say this: every tyime the Thunder got to the precipice of pulling away again (early 2nd half) or getting over (4tgh Qtr) there was always some BS non-foul call on them and they received non-calls in the exact same circumstances. We'll never know if they were up to the moemnet as the moemnt kept being alterted in the moment.

And madre/Doug I don't have any idea what you are talking about either. It's like saying the Pistons plan wasn't working in 87 when Bird stole the ball. A great collection of talent that gels just isn't fully baked yet. Theyare making huge, important steps each year. Their only challenge is keeping Serge & James A. Garfield under the cap.

And the cavs roster in 2010 was bull crap, even compared to Miami's role players. And there was certainly no Meryl Streep Wade and Lord Valdamort along side him here.

[jb]

Get it over with and get over it. This franchise did what it needed to do off season to add the final pieces and role players instead of the Ferry way of incompetance or mealey mouthed excuses.

Our best chance would've been to add Shuttlesworth and Amare. And Amare wasn't coming.

Nobody was ever coming here to win with Lebron.

Which of course meant he could never draft a decent player or make a decent trade other than the minor deal getting Andy.

But Presti is a failure.