The NBA finals are about to start and will showcase some very familiar faces. Stardom will be plentiful once again as both teams carry a "Big 3" that have lead their teams to championships multiple times before. The two teams also possess good head coaches that emphasize playing smart defense, taking care of the ball, and not losing focus for any span of the game. Defensive sequences will be top notch, the ball movement will be polished, and the intensity will be unmatched compared to any other NBA game we've seen this season.
In center stage we have Tim Duncan and LeBron James sharing the spotlight as they try to add to their already magnificent legacies. So what will it be? Will Duncan finally catch that elusive fifth title or will LeBron bring a threepeat to Miami?
Let's make a positional breakdown to point us in a better direction to that answer.
Point Guard: Mario Chalmers vs Tony Parker
Around this time last year Parker had many believing that he was the best point guard in the game. On the other hand, Mario Chalmers has only shown that he can be an adequate perimeter defender (when he's not committing stupid fouls) and a decent shooter if left open. The comparison here easily lies in the Spurs' favor.
Advantage - Spurs
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade vs Danny Green
Last year Danny Green took the nation by storm when he made twenty-five threes in the first five games in last year's finals. Chances are that he won't be repeating those numbers but he will be providing quality defense in his matchup against the star that is Dwyane Wade. Wade is going to have his work cut out for him as he's lost much of his athleticism and could find himself getting hurt at any moment because of how injury-prone he is. With that said, Wade still has a nice blend of veteran savvy and talent which should put him ahead in this matchup.
Advantage - Heat
Small Forward: LeBron James vs Kawhi Leonard
Enough cannot be said about Kawhi's development this season. He is the epitome of what Poppovich wants in his players: shoots a high percentage, doesn't turn the ball over, and plays gritty defense. Unfortunately for him, he goes up against the best player in the game so he'll end up losing every matchup battle. He'll give LeBron a tough time and make the King work a lot but James will come out on top more often than not.
Advantage - Heat
Power Forward: ?
Both teams could go a number of directions for the power forward position. The Spurs could try Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw, or Tiago Splitter. Meanwhile, the Heat could try Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, or Udonis Haslem.
Advantage - ?
Center: Chris Bosh vs Tim Duncan
In the last of positions, the face of the Spurs' Big 3 faces the outcast of the Heat Big 3. Last year Duncan made Bosh look like a novice but a lot has changed since then. Now Bosh has a somewhat reliable three point shot in his arsenal and those extra feet on the jumpers will prove to be tedious for Duncan and his decreasing mobility. The Spurs will undoubtedly find a way around this though and have Duncan's superiority take this matchup as well.
Advantage - Spurs
Bench: Heat vs Spurs
This is the aspect of the roster where the Spurs show a lot of superiority. In the last finals, Ginobli struggled mightily but I don't see that happening again. The addition of Marco Belinelli and internal development of Patty Mills may also prove to be critical if they're given enough playing time. No one on the Heat bench is particularly impressive outside of Ray Allen.
Advantage - Spurs
In center stage we have Tim Duncan and LeBron James sharing the spotlight as they try to add to their already magnificent legacies. So what will it be? Will Duncan finally catch that elusive fifth title or will LeBron bring a threepeat to Miami?
Let's make a positional breakdown to point us in a better direction to that answer.
Point Guard: Mario Chalmers vs Tony Parker
Around this time last year Parker had many believing that he was the best point guard in the game. On the other hand, Mario Chalmers has only shown that he can be an adequate perimeter defender (when he's not committing stupid fouls) and a decent shooter if left open. The comparison here easily lies in the Spurs' favor.
Advantage - Spurs
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade vs Danny Green
Last year Danny Green took the nation by storm when he made twenty-five threes in the first five games in last year's finals. Chances are that he won't be repeating those numbers but he will be providing quality defense in his matchup against the star that is Dwyane Wade. Wade is going to have his work cut out for him as he's lost much of his athleticism and could find himself getting hurt at any moment because of how injury-prone he is. With that said, Wade still has a nice blend of veteran savvy and talent which should put him ahead in this matchup.
Advantage - Heat
Small Forward: LeBron James vs Kawhi Leonard
Enough cannot be said about Kawhi's development this season. He is the epitome of what Poppovich wants in his players: shoots a high percentage, doesn't turn the ball over, and plays gritty defense. Unfortunately for him, he goes up against the best player in the game so he'll end up losing every matchup battle. He'll give LeBron a tough time and make the King work a lot but James will come out on top more often than not.
Advantage - Heat
Power Forward: ?
Both teams could go a number of directions for the power forward position. The Spurs could try Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw, or Tiago Splitter. Meanwhile, the Heat could try Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, or Udonis Haslem.
Advantage - ?
Center: Chris Bosh vs Tim Duncan
In the last of positions, the face of the Spurs' Big 3 faces the outcast of the Heat Big 3. Last year Duncan made Bosh look like a novice but a lot has changed since then. Now Bosh has a somewhat reliable three point shot in his arsenal and those extra feet on the jumpers will prove to be tedious for Duncan and his decreasing mobility. The Spurs will undoubtedly find a way around this though and have Duncan's superiority take this matchup as well.
Advantage - Spurs
Bench: Heat vs Spurs
This is the aspect of the roster where the Spurs show a lot of superiority. In the last finals, Ginobli struggled mightily but I don't see that happening again. The addition of Marco Belinelli and internal development of Patty Mills may also prove to be critical if they're given enough playing time. No one on the Heat bench is particularly impressive outside of Ray Allen.
Advantage - Spurs
Final Prediction: Spurs in 6
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