Im not so sure. but we'll see. Miami's role players this year are better than last year.
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Last year's Spurs looked better, but the 20 game win streak was beginning to become more of a story than it needed to be. Plus, after winning the first 10 in the playoffs, you wondered how they'd respond if adversity struck. Obviously, they were not mentally prepared.
This year's Spurs just look grittier, nastier, hungrier.
Last year's team looked better after Game 2 than this year's. People forget the 2012 Spurs were world beaters and being proclaimed one of the greatest playoff teams of all time. I genuinely believe we would've won the championship last year if we hadn't stumbled so badly towards the end.
That said, this year's team is poised to go much further. Individually, many of our players are better. Collectively, our defense is as strong as it's been in years. Couple that with us facing a significantly weaker opponent in Memphis, and you have to feel good about our chances of winning this year's WCF compared to last year's.
AT THE TIME 2012 looked better; hell, that team looked as good as any team I could remember. Hindsight is 20/20, but at the time, it looked pretty damn good. This team, as a carryover from that one, IMO, doesn't "look" or feel as good to me in this moment (comparing the confidence I felt after 2-0 last year vs. this year). So I voted "2012".
That said, with hindsight being so clear, this years team is, in fact, better situated than last years; not just because of the vast defensive improvement, but because of the competition.
If spurs get to the finals against the heat, I think the heat are going to face with the same dilemma Spurs had against OKC last year. First time facing adversity against a team peaking at the right time.
2012 for sure. Hindsight is 20/20, but I don't think anyone was predicting the Spurs would be completely marginalized offensively with a couple seemingly simple adjustments. Defensive ineptitude aside, the Spurs were ROLLING last year and looked unstoppable.
Having said that, with the benefit of hindsight you can see this Spurs team is much more focused defensively and is playing a team with fewer offensive weapons than the Thunder had last year. I give them a good shot this year at taking the whole thing.
Miami's not looking so invincible anymore...
Indy has length and they actually attack the paint. Miami has nothing down low and can't score efficiently in the half court.
Lebron trying to make the right play passing it instead of taking it himself... flashbacks anyone?
20 game winning streak and beat OKC in Game 2 despite Durant, Westbrook, and Harden all having monster games (25+ points each)...we looked like a mothafucking juggernaut last season tbh. I was more confident in the strength of last years team than I am this year, wasnt expecting to sweep OKC but definitely wasnt expecting to be backdoor swept either. Sure the Grizz are a weaker team than 2012 OKC but last year it felt like it didnt matter who they put in front of the Spurs. I thought it was our year. :cry
If we win tonight, 2013 officially surpasses 2012..