Friday, June 21, 2013

NBA Finals Chronicles, Friday June 21

While it failed to live up to the standard set by Game 6, Game 7 was a very good game, and was throughout the whole game. It was extremely competitive, which is all that fans ask for from Game 7s. I'm sad that the series is over, but I guess I have to deal with it. Congratulations to the Miami Heat and especially to LeBron James who even further silenced his critics. I think that's enough, everyone should stop with the wildly unfair hatred towards him and respect the fact that he is the best player of this generation.

The Heat won because of the defensive strategy employed by Gregg Popovich and the Spurs. They decided to let LeBron James and Dwyane Wade shoot, knowing that it was the best way of stopping them. Pop realized that if they were both shooting well from outside, they couldn't be guarded and he probably realized that it spelled doom for his team. He had to stick with that strategy, and I have to agree on that one.

I mentioned it in my preview, and it came true. James and Wade came out of the gate shooting well. And the rest is history.

I feel horrible for Tim Duncan after he missed two chances at the rim to tie the game at the end with Shane Battier guarding him. I don't think this is the end of his career, but that very may well be his last appearance in the Finals, and that sucks. It's hard to swallow.

My biggest question from this game is why Manu Ginobili was on the floor at the end of the game instead of Tony Parker. Ginobili was much better when it came to scoring, but he also made a lot of key mistakes; none bigger than throwing the ball away in what turned out to be San Antonio's last chance. Unlike Duncan, I except him to retire this summer. He has barely been the same player he used to be.

Now if Ginobili retires, who is going to take over for him in San Antonio? The answer: Kawhi Leonard. In fact, Leonard has already taken the spotlight from Ginobili. Leonard is a great young player and it's been wonderful to see how in just two years in the league he has improved his offense so much. I realize how good Tony Parker is, but Leonard may end up being the best player on his team.

Anyway, it's been a fun couple of weeks. But I'm sure this guy had a lot more fun that I did.

And remember, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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