El Che's 7 Keys to the 2014 NBA Finals

[cheguevara]

Yet one more El Che original. Piracy is illegal.

Thanks to unanimous acclaim, here is this year's Final 7 keys comrades and comrades. Much has changed since last year, but really has much changed?

El Che's 7 keys correctly predicted last year's Heat vs Spurs Finals, can they do it again this year? sure they can

The 7 Keys to the NBA Finals.
This methodology has predicted the correct outcome in every NBA Finals since long, long time ago...

Key #1: Which team's best player is better. This also might be the tie breaking key.
Once again, like last year, this Key goes to the Miami Heat easily.

Key #2: Which team has the better 2-4 players.
Last year this key went to the Spurs. But this year this key goes to Miami. Wade is playing his best ball in years and Bosh has been the definition of solid, for a man his skills that's huge. So Miami takes the 2nd key as well.

Key #3: Home Court Advantage.
The Spurs take this key from Miami this year. Commendable season to take a very important key. (although Finals format changes this year)

Key #4: Coaching Advantage.
Last year Spurs had this key. Erik Spoelstra has shown he is a great coach and he has Pat Riley right behind him which is huge. Still, Erik has to coach in game vs. Pop who is a lock to the HOF. Spurs take this key.

Key #5: Experience Advantage.
Last year noone took this key. Both teams had a very experienced superstar lineup and very inexperienced newcomer group. This year, you really can't take the key away from the Heat, they are the defending champs and brought pretty much their entire team intact (save key guy Mike Miller). Spurs potentially have fresh faces in Patty Mills and Bellineli that might not have the experience even a Battier or Chalmers have. Heat take this key.

Key #6: Defensive Advantage. Defense wins championships.
This Key goes to the San Antonio Spurs once again.

Key #7: Best 5-8 Players.
This is probably most important key of the 7 this year. It seems the players 5-8 of both teams will probably decide the series. The superstar groups for both teams are just too good, too experienced and too smart to outplay each other. Although the Heat role players Andersen, Lewis and Allen are playing very very well, you just can't ignore the fact that Danny Green and Boris Diaw are playing at incredible levels. Last year the key went to the Heat due to Andersen being supernova, this year it's got to go to the Spurs for Diaw's and Green's play (and Patty's play has to be commended too) If Marco Bellinelli decides to show up this could be a shorter series, but again, if Green and Patty decide to get back down to earth, Miami could possibly overcome this. Still, in the end the key goes to the Spurs.

There you have it. Last year it was all tied and had to go to the tie breaker (best player) This year, there is no need for that, the Spurs win the Finals with 4 keys to 3. :)

But as I said last year, and there is no need to say it again this year: it's very close and if you compare with other series this series has the potential to resemble the Pistons-Lakers of 04 or Mavs-Heat of 11 where both road teams ultimately prevailed.

Finally I would also be very shocked if this series goes less than 6 games. This could be one for the ages. :tu

[dbreiden83080]

Wade playing his best ball in years against little league teams..

[DarrinS]

We just beat a team that had the two best players on the court.

[ElNono]

Gracias che...

[cheguevara]

Gracias che...

Gracias Camarada. Los comienzos no van a ser faciles... van a ser muy dificiles...

Hasta la victoria!

[Splits]

Not sure about Key #2. Bosh + Wade + Allen(?) vs. Duncan + Kawhi + Manu seems to favor the Spurs, mainly because I don't even know who #4 for Miami is.

[Beaverfuzz]

Now go hop on your bicycle and sing the songs of communism!

[Beaverfuzz]

Not sure about Key #2. Bosh + Wade + Allen(?) vs. Duncan + Kawhi + Manu seems to favor the Spurs, mainly because I don't even know who #4 for Miami is.

Supernintendo Chalmers

[cheguevara]

Not sure about Key #2. Bosh + Wade + Allen(?) vs. Duncan + Kawhi + Manu seems to favor the Spurs, mainly because I don't even know who #4 for Miami is.

I reallly have Duncan as our best player this year which leaves Parker, Kawhi and Manu to contend with Bosh, Wade and Chalmers. The pair of Bosh and Wade are shooting just too well and being more consistent that their Spurs counterparts. That's why Miami takes this key.

[Captivus]

Gracias maestro!

[phxspurfan]

We just beat a team that had the two best players on the court.

True, but neither one of those was LeBron. LeBron might now be the GOAT, over Jordan.


Specifically, LeBron will not be doing the following like we saw in the OKC series:

- throw the ball away in key situations down the stretch (vs. Chimpbrook)
- rely solely on FTs to score. He can and will take it to the cup (vs. KD and the Chimp who whined and flailed for everything)
- shy away from the biggest game of his life (like KD did several times)
- get tired, ever (unline KD and the Chimp in game 6)
- refuse to run plays. He will run them expertly since his brain is the size of two normal brains (vs. the Chimp, who, while has a very very large forehead, has not yet filled it with brain cells)
- refuse to play defense after getting beat (like all of OKC beside Ibaka did). LeBron is the best in the league at erasing any advantage mid-play. We will see a lot of almost-scores this series.

LeBron has won multiple championships, unlike the ThunderTwins, and has the experience to pull off another one against us. I'd say our odds of winning are a coin-flip at best, even with HCA.

[RD2191]

True, but neither one of those was LeBron. LeBron might now be the GOAT, over Jordan.
:lol

[Splits]

duplicate

[Splits]

I reallly have Duncan as our best player this year which leaves Parker, Kawhi and Manu to contend with Bosh, Wade and Chalmers. The pair of Bosh and Wade are shooting just too well and being more consistent that their Spurs counterparts. That's why Miami takes this key.

Well since Parker is having an awful playoffs so far and he falls to the 2-4 group, I still think this is a toss-up. Here are their playoff numbers so far:



TS% / PER / WS / WS-48
Bosh: .587 / 19.3 / 1.7 / .165
Wade: .578 / 21.0 / 1.6 / .147
Chalmers: .546 / 11.9 / 0.8 / .87


Manu: .578 / 21.1 / 1.7 / .182
Leonard: .565 / 17.2 / 1.9 / .163
Parker: .525 / 16.0 / 0.6 / .57

[T Park]

Russel Westbrook is a harder guard than Dwayne Wade but were all of a sudden going to struggle guarding him as opposed to Westbrook? Righty-o

[daslicer]

Russel Westbrook is a harder guard than Dwayne Wade but were all of a sudden going to struggle guarding him as opposed to Westbrook? Righty-o

I agree with this point. Wade is a smarter player than Westbrook but he's not as athletic or explosive as Westbrook at this point of time. That is why I don't see the spurs struggling that much with Wade since Westbrook was athletically more of a challenge.

[hater]

Wade doesn't seem to regularly run to half court and shoot 26 footers with 20 left in the clock tbh

[Malik Hairston]

Westbrook was by far the 2nd best player in these playoffs, of course he's much better than current Wade:lol..

[jag]

Wade doesn't seem to regularly run to half court and shoot 26 footers with 20 left in the clock tbh

:lol

[hater]

Wade is the smarter IQ player(by far) and better defensive asset. Sure WB is an offensive beast but an offensive beast is probably not what Miami needs next to Lebron IMO

[hater]

can you imagine Lebron's face if teamate WB runs and shoots a 30 footer with 21 in the shotclock :lol

[Malik Hairston]

The argument isn't about who fits better next to Lebron, the argument is about which player is a more difficult matchup for the Spurs, and that's undoubtedly Westbrook, tbh..

Wade's style of play doesn't match up well against the Spurs..he's no longer explosive, he doesn't shoot 3s and he can no longer push the pace in transition..

[spurraider21]

I think Wade could be just as dangerous because LeBron will get him the ball in opportune positions, like timely cuts, etc. The Spurs defenders have to be on their a-game, can't lay off because Wade is less explosive than Westbrook

[hater]

basketball is a team sport. which individual game is more difficult is really irrelevant and a Lebron/Wade cover is obviously a harder cover than a WB/Durant. thus was proven in the 2013 Finals.

[hater]

I think Wade could be just as dangerous because LeBron will get him the ball in opportune positions, like timely cuts, etc. The Spurs defenders have to be on their a-game, can't lay off because Wade is less explosive than Westbrook

amen

[ElNono]

People that think Kawhi's big hands help him a lot defensively, should check Wade's hands. He's also a genetic beast, and he does a good job in getting on the passing lanes and disrupting. That's probably going to be one of the biggest challenges our team will have to overcome, especially since we like to pass the ball a lot.

[Malik Hairston]

Duncan is a defensive liability when he has to move around, guard the pick&roll, etc..especially against guards that can shoot, since he can't contest their shot without losing the ability to recover..

If you allow Duncan to stay in position around the rim, he's still a great defender..

Wade is only going to be effective in this series when he feeds off the attention the Spurs are going to commit to Lebron as a creator and Bosh as a shooter..if the Heat are going to make him a focal point, the Spurs will be happy, just like they were in last year's Finals..

The Heat were something like -56 in the Finals last year when Wade was on the floor..his injury limited his explosiveness, but he still doesn't match up well against the Spurs defensive style..

Miami's scariest lineup for the Spurs is:

Chalmers
Allen
Lebron
Battier or Lewis
Bosh

Lebron + shooters killed the Spurs last year, it's the primary concern, defensively..

If Wade has a hot shooting series where he's making the mid-range jump shot and even some 3s, then you live with it IMO, they earned their W..

[hater]

and yet the Heat get swept last year without Wade.

[spurraider21]

People that think Kawhi's big hands help him a lot defensively, should check Wade's hands. He's also a genetic beast, and he does a good job in getting on the passing lanes and disrupting. That's probably going to be one of the biggest challenges our team will have to overcome, especially since we like to pass the ball a lot.
This is one of the reasons I think OKC was a good training round. I know Miami plays much smarter team ball offensively instead of isoball, but they share some characteristics. Both teams are hyper-aggressive defensively (westbrook/durant love jumping passing lanes) except Miami lacks an Ibaka type presence at the rim.

It was also a good series to get the guys' transition defense in shape, since that's another area Miami thrives. Having played the Lakers, Warriors, and Grizzlies in last years playoffs, there was really nothing during that run to prepare us for Miami

[Mugen]

Westbrook is a much tougher cover than Wade IMO. Wade's been very efficient so far and looks better this year but unless he's getting the 2006 ref treatment like Russ got last series than the Spurs are equipped to handle him.

Durant is even a tougher individual cover for the Spurs than LeBron. It's just that the Heat are just a much smarter team than OKC that actually employs an offense similar to San Antonio. Bosh killed us in the last matchup and is a legit 3pt threat this series.

Boris becomes absolutely huge again in this matchup tbh.

[spurraider21]

Westbrook is a much tougher cover than Wade IMO. Wade's been very efficient so far and looks better this year but unless he's getting the 2006 ref treatment like Russ got last series than the Spurs are equipped to handle him.

Durant is even a tougher individual cover for the Spurs than LeBron. It's just that the Heat are just a much smarter team than OKC that actually employs an offense similar to San Antonio. Bosh killed us in the last matchup and is a legit 3pt threat this series.

Boris becomes absolutely huge again in this matchup tbh.
Bosh averaged 12 ppg on 46% shooting in last year's finals. he's been strong in the regular season against us this year though. 24 points on 9/10 in their win, 24 points on 10/16 in our win. To be fair Duncan dropped 23 on him in both games this year

[therealtruth]

I feel our depth wore down OKC in game 6. We've got to maintain that advantage.

[ginobilized]

Depth, defense, desire for revenge and a doggedly determined coach are our strengths. I think Pop will pull out all the stops in his coaching arsenal for once.

Also, we beat OKC with the 2 best players on the court by a longshot, and with minimal contribution from our best player. That just illustrates one way that the intangibles are likely very high in this series.

[timmy2003]

I agree with this point. Wade is a smarter player than Westbrook but he's not as athletic or explosive as Westbrook at this point of time. That is why I don't see the spurs struggling that much with Wade since Westbrook was athletically more of a challenge.
I agree. But Wade is a far more efficient player than Westbrook. He also has a reliable midrange jumper.

[EVAY]

Thanks for the analysis.

I hope you are right about your assessments.

I believe that Miami will be the best TEAM we face. They are playing far better as a team than they were even last year, and LeBron is just a freak of nature physically. Seemingly literally invincible, physically.

Still, I think it is possible that we win, but I believe it will be ugly, hard, and physically more demanding than anything we have seen.

We are, I believe, the best-prepared in terms of who we have seen in the playoffs so far and the level of talent we have faced. BUT, Miami is a quick learner and the longer this series goes the better they will figure us out.

I honestly think that Pop has to limit Parker's minutes. He has become way too fragile for us to be able to ride him like we did last year, and last year he was hurt by the third or fourth game of the series. I fear that if we leave him in for as long as we have been he will fall apart again. I would prefer that he be better for shorter periods of time than go through the 'diminishing returns' pattern that we have seen too often this season with him.

[downunder]

The real question is whether Duncan and any other big on the floor can stop the athletic James. James is no Jordan but is a great player and is young and confident by comparison Spurs are old and slow. Their quick passing has made up for their slow pace and threes have saved them as well. Wade still has that deadly look in his eye and will take some guarding. I think Pop will aim to wear James out over the series . You can't stop him scoring but you must make him work for it.

[xmas1997]

Wade, being healthy this time around, is who worries me. If Green has him, he'll have his hands full. I think Tiago can take care of Bosh.

[hsxvvd]

LeBron might now be the GOAT, over Jordan.

:lmao


LeBron might now be the GOAT, over Jordan.

:lmao

[pgardn]

Wade is still super strong and makes himself room for little jumpers in the lane that are far more controlled than Westbrook.
And he still has range. We need to make him work on defense.
Miami also has guys that can hit 3s at every position.

They are more worthy opponents imo. It will be very tough.

[tmtcsc]

More boogeyman talk. Spurs in 5. We almost beat these chumps w/ a hideous series by Manu. Not only was he missing in action most of the series (except Game 5), he hurt the team. TP was limited in 6 & 7. Tiago had a wake up call too.

Geezus, the respect for Miami is out of control. Its all about Lebron. We'll have Wade and Bosh marginalized. OKC will end up being the tougher out for the Spurs because of Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka. Miami is smarter than OKC and play better defense but they won't be able to hang with the Spurs offensively.

[benstanfield]

Wade is averaging like 3 more ppg in these playoffs than last year, while getting 1 less rebound and 1 less assist per game. He's shooting better but playing less minutes and with worse defensive metrics.

He may be feeling better but he isn't going 2006 mode. If Manu plays like he has been the difference in his play will be much bigger than in Wade's.

[Uriel]

More boogeyman talk. Spurs in 5. We almost beat these chumps w/ a hideous series by Manu. Not only was he missing in action most of the series (except Game 5), he hurt the team. TP was limited in 6 & 7. Tiago had a wake up call too.

Geezus, the respect for Miami is out of control. Its all about Lebron. We'll have Wade and Bosh marginalized. OKC will end up being the tougher out for the Spurs because of Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka. Miami is smarter than OKC and play better defense but they won't be able to hang with the Spurs offensively.
First of all, Miami was 2nd in the league in offensive efficiency behind only the Clippers. The Spurs, by comparison, ranked 6th.

Second, OKC ranked 5th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Miami, by comparison, ranked 11th.

[dg7md]

We just beat a team that had the two best players on the court.

This. People are underestimating how good Durant and Westbrook are... two of the top ten players in the league tbh.

LeBron is better than Durant, but not by a whole lot, and Westbrook, at this stage in his career, is better than Wade.

Roleplayers will make the most difference in this series and we definitely have the advantage there.

[cd021]

Wade is the smarter IQ player(by far) and better defensive asset. Sure WB is an offensive beast but an offensive beast is probably not what Miami needs next to Lebron IMO

did you say that Wade was better defensively??? WB doesn't constantly get burned in transition complaining about calls.

[tmtcsc]

First of all, Miami was 2nd in the league in offensive efficiency behind only the Clippers. The Spurs, by comparison, ranked 6th.

Second, OKC ranked 5th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Miami, by comparison, ranked 11th.

I'm not trying to be a contrarian here but the East was such a terrible conference and its hard to get an apples to apples comparison. Do we know what the Heat's, Spurs' and Thunder's offensive and defensive efficiency was against West teams only ?

Update: I couldn't find the stats I was looking for but I can tell you the following:

Winning %'s:

Spurs vs East teams = 80 %
Spurs vs West teams = 73 %

Heat vs West = 67 %
Heat vs East = 65 %

[Rummpd]

True, but neither one of those was LeBron. LeBron might now be the GOAT, over Jordan.


Specifically, LeBron will not be doing the following like we saw in the OKC series:

- throw the ball away in key situations down the stretch (vs. Chimpbrook)
- rely solely on FTs to score. He can and will take it to the cup (vs. KD and the Chimp who whined and flailed for everything)
- shy away from the biggest game of his life (like KD did several times)
- get tired, ever (unline KD and the Chimp in game 6)
- refuse to run plays. He will run them expertly since his brain is the size of two normal brains (vs. the Chimp, who, while has a very very large forehead, has not yet filled it with brain cells)
- refuse to play defense after getting beat (like all of OKC beside Ibaka did). LeBron is the best in the league at erasing any advantage mid-play. We will see a lot of almost-scores this series.

LeBron has won multiple championships, unlike the ThunderTwins, and has the experience to pull off another one against us. I'd say our odds of winning are a coin-flip at best, even with HCA.

How soon we forget
LeBron turned the ball over at least 2x in game 6 down the stretch and arguebly would have been the goat if not for the Spur's collapse (and unlucky bounces)

[hater]

did you say that Wade was better defensively??? WB doesn't constantly get burned in transition complaining about calls.

Did you say WB doesnt complain about calls?? Wow :lol

[hater]

How soon we forget
LeBron turned the ball over at least 2x in game 6 down the stretch and arguebly would have been the goat if not for the Spur's collapse (and unlucky bounces)

Its true Lebron had 6 turnovers in game 6 and would have been labeld a career choker if not for th Allen bailout.

but it was tbe Spurs, Manus 8 TOs and Pop that erased that fate for Lebron

[T Park]

Wade doesn't seem to regularly run to half court and shoot 26 footers with 20 left in the clock tbh

Nor can he blow by a Kawhi Leonard or Danny green and dunk in traffic.

[hater]

Nor can he blow by a Kawhi Leonard or Danny green and dunk in traffic.

Neither can any of the Spurs and still made it to the Finals

[T Park]

Neither can any of the Spurs and still made it to the Finals

Great point in the discussion of guarding Wade vs Westbrook....

[Prose]

We just beat a team that had the two best players on the court.
True...but they have the worst coach on the bench tbh

[hater]

Great point in the discussion of guarding Wade vs Westbrook....

Thats right. Guarding a smart crafty IQ 3 time champ is harder than guarding a monkeyballer.

[cheguevara]

Thanks for the analysis.

I hope you are right about your assessments.

I believe that Miami will be the best TEAM we face. They are playing far better as a team than they were even last year, and LeBron is just a freak of nature physically. Seemingly literally invincible, physically.

Still, I think it is possible that we win, but I believe it will be ugly, hard, and physically more demanding than anything we have seen.

We are, I believe, the best-prepared in terms of who we have seen in the playoffs so far and the level of talent we have faced. BUT, Miami is a quick learner and the longer this series goes the better they will figure us out.

I honestly think that Pop has to limit Parker's minutes. He has become way too fragile for us to be able to ride him like we did last year, and last year he was hurt by the third or fourth game of the series. I fear that if we leave him in for as long as we have been he will fall apart again. I would prefer that he be better for shorter periods of time than go through the 'diminishing returns' pattern that we have seen too often this season with him.

Yeah the series is pretty even. If you think about it its mostly due to home court that Spurs are slight favorites. I just cant imagine a scenario save injuries where this series will go less than 6. Just hope Spurs dont reach game 6 on the brink of elimination.

[cheguevara]

Wade, being healthy this time around, is who worries me. If Green has him, he'll have his hands full. I think Tiago can take care of Bosh.

Yeah thats why I said Heat 2-4 players are better. Manu and Parker have been too inconsistent. And in players 5-8 its very close I have put my full faith in scorching Diaw and Green. Lets hope this doesnt come bite me in the ass :lol

[Malik Hairston]

:lmao current Wade being better, or even close to current Westbrook :lmao

[hater]

:lmao reading incomprehension. Team strategy Guarding a high IQ player vs a low IQ one must mean whos better :lmao

Wade was the best Heat player in 2nd half of game 3. Without Wade Heat lose by 40 :lol

[Malik Hairston]

:lmao Wade has had virtually no impact on this series, the Heat have been worse when he's on the floor..he only scores against Spurs' bench players and his defense has been awful..

Westbrook's pressure killed the Spurs on both ends of the floor, he was a pain to guard, and the Spurs used both of their best perimeter defenders to shadow him at all times..

Wade showed up for the first time in the series when the Heat were down by 20 and Danny Green left the game with foul trouble:lol..

[hater]

Spurs sweep the OKC withiut Ibaka :rolleyes

Keep spinning that shit

[hater]

:tu

[in2deep]

Yet one more El Che original. Piracy is illegal.

Thanks to unanimous acclaim, here is this year's Final 7 keys comrades and comrades. Much has changed since last year, but really has much changed?

El Che's 7 keys correctly predicted last year's Heat vs Spurs Finals, can they do it again this year? sure they can

The 7 Keys to the NBA Finals.
This methodology has predicted the correct outcome in every NBA Finals since long, long time ago...

Key #1: Which team's best player is better. This also might be the tie breaking key.
Once again, like last year, this Key goes to the Miami Heat easily.

Key #2: Which team has the better 2-4 players.
Last year this key went to the Spurs. But this year this key goes to Miami. Wade is playing his best ball in years and Bosh has been the definition of solid, for a man his skills that's huge. So Miami takes the 2nd key as well.

Key #3: Home Court Advantage.
The Spurs take this key from Miami this year. Commendable season to take a very important key. (although Finals format changes this year)

Key #4: Coaching Advantage.
Last year Spurs had this key. Erik Spoelstra has shown he is a great coach and he has Pat Riley right behind him which is huge. Still, Erik has to coach in game vs. Pop who is a lock to the HOF. Spurs take this key.

Key #5: Experience Advantage.
Last year noone took this key. Both teams had a very experienced superstar lineup and very inexperienced newcomer group. This year, you really can't take the key away from the Heat, they are the defending champs and brought pretty much their entire team intact (save key guy Mike Miller). Spurs potentially have fresh faces in Patty Mills and Bellineli that might not have the experience even a Battier or Chalmers have. Heat take this key.

Key #6: Defensive Advantage. Defense wins championships.
This Key goes to the San Antonio Spurs once again.

Key #7: Best 5-8 Players.
This is probably most important key of the 7 this year. It seems the players 5-8 of both teams will probably decide the series. The superstar groups for both teams are just too good, too experienced and too smart to outplay each other. Although the Heat role players Andersen, Lewis and Allen are playing very very well, you just can't ignore the fact that Danny Green and Boris Diaw are playing at incredible levels. Last year the key went to the Heat due to Andersen being supernova, this year it's got to go to the Spurs for Diaw's and Green's play (and Patty's play has to be commended too) If Marco Bellinelli decides to show up this could be a shorter series, but again, if Green and Patty decide to get back down to earth, Miami could possibly overcome this. Still, in the end the key goes to the Spurs.

There you have it. Last year it was all tied and had to go to the tie breaker (best player) This year, there is no need for that, the Spurs win the Finals with 4 keys to 3. :)

But as I said last year, and there is no need to say it again this year: it's very close and if you compare with other series this series has the potential to resemble the Pistons-Lakers of 04 or Mavs-Heat of 11 where both road teams ultimately prevailed.

Finally I would also be very shocked if this series goes less than 6 games. This could be one for the ages. :tu

good call man.hopefully you can make another one next year :tu

[Malik Hairston]

:lmao Wade a tougher matchup than Westbrook :lmao..

[siraulo23]

Geez the thing about wade couldnt be more wrong

thank you for playing the worst series of your career wade and d green for that lockdown defense

edit: wrong quote

[EVAY]

I was wrong about how hard this would be. I would never have imagined that the Spurs would beat Miami in five games, but I am sooooooo glad they did.

And that is all that matters now - Spurs won!!

[ElNono]

:lmao Wade a tougher matchup than Westbrook :lmao..

:lol

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Yet one more El Che original. Piracy is illegal.

Thanks to unanimous acclaim, here is this year's Final 7 keys comrades and comrades. Much has changed since last year, but really has much changed?

El Che's 7 keys correctly predicted last year's Heat vs Spurs Finals, can they do it again this year? sure they can

The 7 Keys to the NBA Finals.
This methodology has predicted the correct outcome in every NBA Finals since long, long time ago...

Key #1: Which team's best player is better. This also might be the tie breaking key.
Once again, like last year, this Key goes to the Miami Heat easily.

Key #2: Which team has the better 2-4 players.
Last year this key went to the Spurs. But this year this key goes to Miami. Wade is playing his best ball in years and Bosh has been the definition of solid, for a man his skills that's huge. So Miami takes the 2nd key as well. :rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin

Key #3: Home Court Advantage.
The Spurs take this key from Miami this year. Commendable season to take a very important key. (although Finals format changes this year)

Key #4: Coaching Advantage.
Last year Spurs had this key. Erik Spoelstra has shown he is a great coach and he has Pat Riley right behind him which is huge. Still, Erik has to coach in game vs. Pop who is a lock to the HOF. Spurs take this key.

Key #5: Experience Advantage.
Last year noone took this key. Both teams had a very experienced superstar lineup and very inexperienced newcomer group. This year, you really can't take the key away from the Heat, they are the defending champs and brought pretty much their entire team intact (save key guy Mike Miller). Spurs potentially have fresh faces in Patty Mills and Bellineli that might not have the experience even a Battier or Chalmers have. Heat take this key. :rollin?:rollin?:rollin?:rollin?:rollin
Key #6: Defensive Advantage. Defense wins championships.
This Key goes to the San Antonio Spurs once again.

Key #7: Best 5-8 Players.
This is probably most important key of the 7 this year. It seems the players 5-8 of both teams will probably decide the series. The superstar groups for both teams are just too good, too experienced and too smart to outplay each other. Although the Heat role players Andersen, Lewis and Allen are playing very very well, you just can't ignore the fact that Danny Green and Boris Diaw are playing at incredible levels. Last year the key went to the Heat due to Andersen being supernova, this year it's got to go to the Spurs for Diaw's and Green's play (and Patty's play has to be commended too) If Marco Bellinelli decides to show up this could be a shorter series, but again, if Green and Patty decide to get back down to earth, Miami could possibly overcome this. Still, in the end the key goes to the Spurs.

There you have it. Last year it was all tied and had to go to the tie breaker (best player) This year, there is no need for that, the Spurs win the Finals with 4 keys to 3. :)

But as I said last year, and there is no need to say it again this year: it's very close and if you compare with other series this series has the potential to resemble the Pistons-Lakers of 04 or Mavs-Heat of 11 where both road teams ultimately prevailed.

Finally I would also be very shocked if this series goes less than 6 games. This could be one for the ages. :tu

If done properly it wouldve been a clear 6 key to 1 advantage and thus spurs in 5 wouldve been obvious

[cheguevara]

If done after it all happened it wouldve been a clear 6 key to 1 advantage and thus spurs in 5 wouldve been obvious

fixed it for ya comrade :tu

[hater]

I feel our depth wore down OKC in game 6. We've got to maintain that advantage.

[cheguevara]

:lmao Wade a tougher matchup than Westbrook :lmao..

if this is the best comeback you can come up with after this prediction, I'll pat you in the butt and send you off to pre-school son :lol

[Spurs 4 The Win]

fixed it for ya comrade :tu

Uhhhh, dude, I cant even believe you gave them the experience advantage, that is flat out stupid, its even at best.... And the other one was very questionable as well because Green>Allen, Manu>Wade, and Duncan>Bosh....

[Sean Cagney]

I was wrong about how hard this would be. I would never have imagined that the Spurs would beat Miami in five games, but I am sooooooo glad they did.

And that is all that matters now - Spurs won!!I thought after game 2 this goes atleast 6 games but probably 7 if we stole one on their HC! Then the Spurs went out and stole both on their HC and I was shocked! Nobody saw that coming at all. If this were a 2-3-2 this probably goes 6 games, THANK GOD for the old 2-2-1-1-1, I did NOT MISS the 2-3-2 at all in this series. I thought about that several times.

[Horse]

I thought after game 2 this goes atleast 6 games but probably 7 if we stole one on their HC! Then the Spurs went out and stole both on their HC and I was shocked! Nobody saw that coming at all. If this were a 2-3-2 this probably goes 6 games, THANK GOD for the old 2-2-1-1-1, I did NOT MISS the 2-3-2 at all in this series. I thought about that several times.

I don't know if it goes 6 or if it should've even gone 5. This was not as close as it looked and just like every other series once they figured a team out there was no looking back. That's why outside of injury I see a repeat.

[Sean Cagney]

I don't know if it goes 6 or if it should've even gone 5. This was not as close as it looked and just like every other series once they figured a team out there was no looking back. That's why outside of injury I see a repeat.

I think in a 2-3-2 Miami has enough to get one at home, especially if they jumped out 22-6 on their floor and had the crowd behind them, they might steal the game 5 there and SA finishes them in 6. I think that happens if the old format was still here, thank GOD it was not.

[hater]

I thought after game 2 this goes atleast 6 games but probably 7 if we stole one on their HC! Then the Spurs went out and stole both on their HC and I was shocked! Nobody saw that coming at all. If this were a 2-3-2 this probably goes 6 games, THANK GOD for the old 2-2-1-1-1, I did NOT MISS the 2-3-2 at all in this series. I thought about that several times.

agree

[ElNono]

:lmao Wade a tougher matchup than Westbrook :lmao..

:lmao

[313]

I thought after game 2 this goes atleast 6 games but probably 7 if we stole one on their HC! Then the Spurs went out and stole both on their HC and I was shocked! Nobody saw that coming at all. If this were a 2-3-2 this probably goes 6 games, THANK GOD for the old 2-2-1-1-1, I did NOT MISS the 2-3-2 at all in this series. I thought about that several times.tbh I called it right after game 2 but w/e

[Sean Cagney]

tbh I called it right after game 2 but w/e

Well then you were being delusional as far as thoughts go at the time or one of the VERY FEW that turned out to be right! You were dead on there but few saw that coming after game 2. I thought long drawn out series now too, steal one there and this goes 6 or 7, most were thinking that then. I was pissed after game 2 man :lol. I still am shocked the way we handled them on their floor, that was a thing of beauty.

[313]

Well then you were being delusional as far as thoughts go at the time or one of the VERY FEW that turned out to be right! You were dead on there but few saw that coming after game 2. I thought long drawn out series now too, steal one there and this goes 6 or 7, most were thinking that then. I was pissed after game 2 man :lol. I still am shocked the way we handled them on their floor, that was a thing of beauty.

I'll admit, it was a bit of a homer influenced prediction, but I had good reason to believe we could win both in Miami. Us blowing them put in game 1, Them only winning by two with lebron going off, Kawhi not on finals form yet, etc etc

I just had a strong feeling about it lol

[Sean Cagney]

I'll admit, it was a bit of a homer influenced prediction, but I had good reason to believe we could win both in Miami. Us blowing them put in game 1, Them only winning by two with lebron going off, Kawhi not on finals form yet, etc etc

I just had a strong feeling about it lol

Remember though what was going on game one when we were up 2 or so with Lebron out and cramping up! We did not blow them out until the 4th later on when threes started to fall and they were up in the 4th early on! They looked to steal that game and later on the Spurs pulled away and got it to 15, the final result said blowout but that game was very close in the 4th and could have gone either way. Game 2 I agree, Lebron went off and they stole that game, I was pissed and the Spurs blew that game IMO leaving Bosh open etc., but the first two games were not enough to convince me we would just go to Miami and win both and blow them out! Far from it.

The Spurs played alot better IN MIAMI, shocking but thats the facts. I feel last year in that building pissed them off and they took it there, when they arrived in Miami they blacked out :lol.

[mkurts]

A very close finals my ass ... turd prophet on a roll now to Cleveland

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Well then you were being delusional as far as thoughts go at the time or one of the VERY FEW that turned out to be right! You were dead on there but few saw that coming after game 2. I thought long drawn out series now too, steal one there and this goes 6 or 7, most were thinking that then. I was pissed after game 2 man :lol. I still am shocked the way we handled them on their floor, that was a thing of beauty.

Nobody thought we could win both in Miami, most were calling the series over, it was a fullscale meltdown. Not a single person said we would win both in Miami. Most hoped we could split.

[Sean Cagney]

Nobody thought we could win both in Miami, most were calling the series over, it was a fullscale meltdown. Not a single person said we would win both in Miami. Most hoped we could split.

I agree with you, some will say later they saw it or saw why we would or could win both there, but most are full of shit or were drunk or high that night typing. I thought we had a shot still after game 2 but saw it being a long series and we needed to steal one in Miami, never in a million years did I see two games being stole there. I agree with you fully.