Spurs Win, Clinch 5th Championship

The San Antonio Spurs closed out the 2013-14 season last night, with a 104-87 win over the Miami Heat. The victory allowed them to clinch their 5th NBA Championship in the past 15 years.

The Spurs hold the Larry O'Brien trophy aloft, the team's 5th championship in 15 years.

For many, including Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli, it was a first taste of the title, but there was a few more experienced heads on the roster. Tim Duncan became the 26th player to win 5 rings, with Gregg Popovich being the 5th coach to win 5. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have also tasted success before, both of them winning their 4th championship.

They have outplayed the Heat in this series, and that pattern continued last night, with the Spurs cruising past them, despite LeBron James' commendable efforts (31 points and 10 rebounds). You couldn't ask for more from the 4 times MVP, a statement that couldn't be applied to his teammates. Ray Allen shot 1-8 from the field and Chris Andersen managed to rack up 5 personal fouls, despite only playing for 18 minutes. This series could be lingering on James' mind (and Dwyane Wade's and Chris Bosh's) when he comes to make his decision about his contract in Miami.

Kawhi Leonard won an emotional Finals MVP, gaining the title on Fathers Day, 6 years after his father was murdered. It was a well deserved title after he not only kept LeBron James (relatively) quiet, but also managed to average 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds on 61% shooting. He was the third youngest man to receive the award, after Magic Johnson and his teammate Tim Duncan.

The season may be done, but this blog certainly isn't, as I will continue to report on NBA news, such as the 2014 NBA Draft and the fast approaching Free Agency period. Also, the FIBA World Cup will be commencing in August, so expect news and reports from that.

Thank you to my readers for making the first season of my blog possible, here's to many more seasons down the road hopefully.

2014 Finals Preview

So. This is it. After 220 days, 1230 games and millions of Air Miles logged, the NBA championship boils down to one series. The Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs may have met last year in the finals, but this isn't just gonna be a re-run.

The NBA finals are always a fantastic spectacle and this year is no different

The Heat are looking to '3-peat', hoping to be the first team to manage this feat since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000-2002. The Spurs are going for their 5th championship. This would also mark the 5th victory for power forward Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich, who are often seen as the backbone of the Spurs squad for the past 15 years.

The rosters are barely changed, Marco Belinelli the only addition to the Spurs squad, whilst the Heat's trio of new players, Michael Beasley, Toney Douglas and Greg Oden, haven't made much of an impact this year. Some players have made big steps in terms of their ability, such as Danny Green and Norris Cole, but overall the line-ups looks fairly similar.

Speaking of the line-ups, it is near impossible to choose which team has the better starting five. At point guard, power forward and centre, the decision is clear as to who is superior with Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Chris Bosh taking the honours in their respective positions. Dwyane Wade effectively has to compete against Danny Green and Manu Ginobili, with both Spurs players having equal minutes at shooting guard.

Tim Duncan hopes to lead his team to their 5th title

The key player matchup is at small forward, where LeBron James takes on a rapidly improving, and defensively minded, Kawhi Leonard. However, no matter how well Leonard plays over the series, one thing is certain.

You can't guard LeBron James.

It doesn't matter what defensive strategy Leonard uses against James, LeBron will still be capable of scoring 20 points. Nevertheless, if you had to pick one man to take the unenviable task, Sugar K would be one of the first players picked. He did a very good job last year, and was possibly one of the main reasons the series went to 7.

Ray Allen's game tying 3 in Game 6 was the pivotal moment of last year's play-offs. Could we see another moment like this this year?

Obviously, the main factor to these games is how each team's Big Three perform. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan have all been solid for the Spurs this season, combining for 42 points per game between them. The Miami big three, consisting of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been more potent at the attacking end, scoring 62 points a game. However, there are doubts over the fitness levels of Ginobili and Wade. Both players are playing reduced minutes due to age and injuries. Bosh choked in last season's play-offs, but will surely relish a second go at it. There are also worries about Tony Parker's ankle injury, but he is expected to play without a minutes restriction.


So, "Who will win?" I hear you cry. The real answer? 

Nobody knows.

That's the beauty of basketball.