Living in San Antonio, being a Spurs late-comer, I still would’ve been happy with a 1-1 series tie - that’s how nervous I was about OKC’s athleticism.
But the Spurs are playing some spectacular team ball, and they hit you any number of different ways. At about 5:20 in the third, Ginobli does a behind-the-back move to a Tony Parker that was so open, OKC didn’t even bother to contest the shot. (See it about 1:45 into this video (game two video recap on NBA.com.))
A sweep is not out of the question, and would be wonderful for the Spurs. Now all we have to do is convince Boston it can win only by beating the shit out of Lebron’s supporting cast (not that I expect Boston to win, but I can dream they can exact some collateral damage, can’t I?)
I haven’t watch the playoffs much this year, since my Blazers decided to tank the season. I’m more looking forward to the draft lottery happening tomorrow instead. But I will say that I hope the Spurs take it this year. They are another small market, low hype team which does it the right way with hard work and team play. You could say the same about the Thunder I guess, but I still hate for Durant to win a championship after the Blazers took Oden in the draft instead. That would just be like rubbing salt in the wound.
After watching the first two games I’m not sure OKC can win a game. Maybe they will play better at home, or rather perhaps the Spurs won’t be (as) unstoppable on the road. Parker is running around doing whatever he wants, Tim Duncan still moves like he did 10 years ago, Ginobli comes up with a basket whenever they need one, I don’t see how OKC can stop them.
The Thunder are good enough to win at least one game at home, but over the last couple of months the Spurs have been the best team the NBA has seen in years. Spurs-Heat could be a great series if Bosh comes back healthy. If not, I think James and Wade would need to make a Herculean effort to keep it close.
I just want the Heat to lose, it doesn’t matter to who, although it would be more fun if they lost to the Celtics. As a Lakers fan, I’m happy the Spurs are doing so well. Over the last 13 years, our two teams have basically been neck and neck in the race for best team of the decade, with the Lakers edging out the Spurs by 1 championship. They are our true rivals here in the West, something a lot of teams tried to be (Kings, Suns, Blazers) but couldn’t win in the end. And Duncan and co. are really likeable, if non-flashy. Its hard to hate the Spurs and I hope they win this year.
I think the Heat, with or without Bosh, will be competitive whether they face SA or OKC. This assumes, of course, that they beat Boston, which I think is likely, but not a given. But if James and Wade catch fire at the same time, it doesn’t matter if Bosh is on the floor or not.
This would be a very tough series for Boston even if they were at full strength and hadn’t just played a long series against Philly. In reality they did just play a seven-game series, Avery Bradley is gone, and Ray Allen isn’t playing well and the bone spurs in his ankle are getting worse. It’s not a given that Miami wins, but Boston is in a lot of trouble early.
lol it was absolute crap… Rondo was knocking down shots and making huge defensive stops against Lebron at the end of the game and overtime to where it became all eyes on Rondo… Except the referees… That non call was absolute crap and basically decided the game by shifting momentum. The whole foul and free throw stat lines are bullshit no matter how you view them. I hate looking at a box score to find out that both teams played equally or one played better but lost because of the other team shooting more free throws.
I think that Stern, er, the refs were too impressed by the fact that D. Wade got not one, not two, but three shots in with his foot while going up on KG so they decided not to call the foul.
The foul going to KG on the DWade triple kick was not too surprising. I’d expect to see it called that way no matter who it was. But the no call on DWade smacking Rondo’s face under the basket was egregious and, yes, it was a momentum shifter.
It’s just so unfortunate that a great game can be ruined by such poor officiating.
They seemed to be playing each others’ game: the Thunder were passing the ball around and getting open shots (like how the Spurs were beating them), and the Spurs suddenly started playing a lot of one-on-one and trying to bull-rush their way to the basket (the way the Thunder have been losing). The Spurs are too experienced a team to make that mistake twice. This could get interesting.
Boy, was I wrong on this. OKC not only won 2 games, they are taking it to the Spurs big time right now. There’s still about 10 minutes left in this game but the Thunder are up 12 after that last basket by Durant. They’ve got the Spurs pretty disheveled right now.
I’m starting to think the Thunder might just win it all…
