Many have speculated since the beginning of the season that Oklahoma City Thunder is the team in the West who will make it to the finals. Although they’ve had a great season (46-18), my biggest problem with OKC is the fact that they only have two legitimate superstars to make up their team. Between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the two stars make around 50 points combined per game, if not more. Though Durant and Westbrook are fantastic players who truly carry their team, I feel in the long run a well-rounded, more versatile team where each player makes contributions and has a specific role is a team that wins championships. Do I think OKC has a chance to make it to the finals and win? Definitely. But my money is on the more experienced San Antonio Spurs. (This is in reference to the West, by the way, anyone who knows me knows that I hope the Chicago Bulls make it to the end—GO BULLS!)
In my opinion, the Spurs have a great chance of making it to the finals because they fit my definition of a championship team more than OKC. Every Spurs player like Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson, for example, knows their individual role so that the Big Three (Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili) can lead the Spurs to victory. Speaking of Tony Parker, has anyone noticed what a great season he has been having? Parker continues to play at high standards, averaging 18.6 PPG and 7.7 APG. Having 10 years of NBA experience under his belt, Parker continues to prove his consistency as a player and his desire to win a fourth championship with the Spurs.
There is no doubt that Coach Gregg Popovich is phenomenal and a critical asset to the Spurs. He knows how to use his players, but he also doesn’t mind sitting his best ballers when it’s necessary. On two separate occasions, when the Spurs had an 11 game winning streak, Popovich sat his three main stars because he knew losing a game here and there wasn’t as important as keeping his players healthy and ready for the playoffs. Without Popovich, the Spurs wouldn’t be the current number one team in the Western Conference (48-16).
Back to OKC. I just don’t think two players can win a championship. (This is also one of the many problems I have with Miami, but that topic is for another day.) What’s an example to support this? How about the shocking and exciting game the Lakers played against OKC on Sunday? With a massive fourth-quarter comeback and hard work in not one but two overtimes, the Lakers had an impressive victory beating OKC 114-106. Although OKC had an 18 point lead on the Lakers at one point in the game, and even though Durant had 35 points and Westbrook had 14 points and 10 assists, OKC was unable to finish successfully.
The question to be asked is: What went wrong for the Thunder? For starters, Durant and Westbrook missed a combined 42 of 56 shots. Secondly, the Lakers are known to be a team that doesn’t quit and that trait was obvious Sunday evening. Like Kobe Bryant said, the Lakers had the “confidence to just keep chipping away.” When players like Durant and Westbrook are the main strengths to a team, an unbalanced amount of pressure is put on two individuals rather than being spread over an entire team. If Durant and Westbrook can’t perform well for whatever reason, what is the end result? Losses. Like I said, two players can’t carry a team to a championship. So who’s my pick for the West? The Spurs. They have a veteran coach, many skilled players—some old blood and some new, and a team where each person knows their role and contributes accordingly. You can’t ask for more.
In my opinion, the Spurs have a great chance of making it to the finals because they fit my definition of a championship team more than OKC. Every Spurs player like Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson, for example, knows their individual role so that the Big Three (Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili) can lead the Spurs to victory. Speaking of Tony Parker, has anyone noticed what a great season he has been having? Parker continues to play at high standards, averaging 18.6 PPG and 7.7 APG. Having 10 years of NBA experience under his belt, Parker continues to prove his consistency as a player and his desire to win a fourth championship with the Spurs.
There is no doubt that Coach Gregg Popovich is phenomenal and a critical asset to the Spurs. He knows how to use his players, but he also doesn’t mind sitting his best ballers when it’s necessary. On two separate occasions, when the Spurs had an 11 game winning streak, Popovich sat his three main stars because he knew losing a game here and there wasn’t as important as keeping his players healthy and ready for the playoffs. Without Popovich, the Spurs wouldn’t be the current number one team in the Western Conference (48-16).
Back to OKC. I just don’t think two players can win a championship. (This is also one of the many problems I have with Miami, but that topic is for another day.) What’s an example to support this? How about the shocking and exciting game the Lakers played against OKC on Sunday? With a massive fourth-quarter comeback and hard work in not one but two overtimes, the Lakers had an impressive victory beating OKC 114-106. Although OKC had an 18 point lead on the Lakers at one point in the game, and even though Durant had 35 points and Westbrook had 14 points and 10 assists, OKC was unable to finish successfully.
The question to be asked is: What went wrong for the Thunder? For starters, Durant and Westbrook missed a combined 42 of 56 shots. Secondly, the Lakers are known to be a team that doesn’t quit and that trait was obvious Sunday evening. Like Kobe Bryant said, the Lakers had the “confidence to just keep chipping away.” When players like Durant and Westbrook are the main strengths to a team, an unbalanced amount of pressure is put on two individuals rather than being spread over an entire team. If Durant and Westbrook can’t perform well for whatever reason, what is the end result? Losses. Like I said, two players can’t carry a team to a championship. So who’s my pick for the West? The Spurs. They have a veteran coach, many skilled players—some old blood and some new, and a team where each person knows their role and contributes accordingly. You can’t ask for more.
I agree, team basketball definitely wins championships. But I don't think OKC or the Heat are as weak as they look. Both teams have experienced role and bench players who will be major factors come playoff time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would attribute OKC's loss to the Lakers as more a sign of the Lakers strength rather than team weakness by OKC. The Lakers still have arguably the most clutch superstar in the league to go along with an All-Star front court. They might be coming together at just the right time for a long playoff run.
Last but not least, don't count the Suns out! Steve Nash needs to win a championship at some point :)
Go Spurs Go! :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't overlook OKC too quickly. We can forget about OKC's crucial role players: Serge "Iblocka" and James Harden (the man with the best beard in the NBA). Ibaka is definitely in the running to win Defensive Player of the year and there's no doubt James Harden will get the 6th man.
ReplyDeleteI know right now OKC doesn't seem to be clicking right now (especially against playoff teams), but I'm sure after James Harden comes back after his nasty concussion from Metta World Peace, we'll see a team coming back with vengeance. And the best part about watching this story unfold is playoffs is starting this week, its were "Amazing" happens. You'll never really know which team to count out or who will be the upset.
@Zain Even if the Suns make it into the playoffs, I don't think they'll survive a series against the Spurs. Don't get me wrong, Steve Nash is one of my favorite NBA players of alltime and my favorite Canadian in existence. But if he's going to win a championship, it'll probably be next year with the Heat...
I agree Paulie with you and Zain, OKC is not out of the running at all. I just personally think the Spurs (and even the Lakers) have an overall stronger dynamic than OKC.
DeleteI also don't think the Suns can survive a series against the Spurs, but if Steve Nash wins a championship it will NOT be with the Heat. I can't even stand the thought of that.