NBA Finals: Game 1 Grades

[Bruno]

Here's the problem with that, they haven't played better than the ECF in about 3 or 4 months

Between February 3rd and the start of the ECF, Heat had a 45-3 stretch. That's just damn impressive.

Now, it's true they showed some true weaknesses in the ECF with players like Battier and Wade being nowhere near the level they had earlier this season, Bosh being really soft and with Pacers dominating them inside. These weaknesses were also somewhat still here in Game 1.

I really don't know if Heat can get back to the dominant version they were of if they are stuck at the level they have been in the last 8 games. I've decided to be pessimistic on that. Before game 1, I was picking Heat in 5 with a 70/30 odd to win the finals. I'm now at Heat in 6 with a 60/40 odd to win it all.

[Chinook]

Disagree. Players earn labels based on their performance. He was woeful against OKC last year and was a big reason the Spurs lost. His choker label was earned in 2012. Likewise, just a year later, he's on his way to earning a label of clutch, especially with those 4 big 3s. I think he's being fueled by the fact that he choked last year, and he wants to do right by Tim, Tony, Manu and Pop.

He wasn't a big reason why the Spurs lost last season. For all the talk about how bad he was, he led the team in defensive rating and still had a positive plus-minus. If anything, Pop overreacted by taking him out of the starting lineup after Game 4 when all OKC had done until that point was hold home court. Green's not a choker, and he didn't earn anything like that last season. He was literally one of the top two or three players on the Spurs for the last two games of the WCSF last year.

Clutch and choker are misguided labels used by fans who only look at things superficially. They result usually from the availability heuristic and confirmation bias.

[T Park]

Between February 3rd and the start of the ECF, Heat had a 45-3 stretch. That's just damn impressive.

Now, it's true they showed some true weaknesses in the ECF with players like Battier and Wade being nowhere near the level they had earlier this season, Bosh being really soft and with Pacers dominating them inside. These weaknesses were also somewhat still here in Game 1.

I really don't know if Heat can get back to the dominant version they were of if they are stuck at the level they have been in the last 8 games. I've decided to be pessimistic on that. Before game 1, I was picking Heat in 5 with a 70/30 odd to win the finals. I'm now at Heat in 6 with a 60/40 odd to win it all.

Impressive yes. Until you look at the compe ion.

[TheGoldStandard]

Gary Neal for 22 minutes is mind boggling. 3/9 shooting for 7 points doesn't make up for all the defense. Guy ends up chasing his defender unless there is a screen in which case he stops and hopes someone helps. He won't fight through or go under a screen to save his life.

[Tim_duncan21]

Thanks for the grades.

[Reck]

Pretty spot on grades.

Agreed on what you said about Splitter. He should focus on getting those rebs. He looked oftly passive when he had the ball and rarely finished with authority at the rim.

[Slippy]

Disagree. Tiago needs to keep focusing on d and blocking out. Tim and KY continue to clean up