There's a periodical blog on ESPN called 5-on-5 where 5 ESPN writers discuss five questions about various sports topics. Recently they had one on their predictions for the NBA finals. Here's a link: ESPN's 5-on-5. I've already answered the last question in my previous post, predicting the Heat in 7, and since I can't really answer the 4th one now that the series has started here's my take on the other 3 questions. Enjoy!
1. The most important player in the Finals is______
I have to agree with every other writer on this one, how can it be anyone but LeBron? Despite the ridiculous amount of star power in this series, all eyes will be on the 3-time MVP. No matter who wins the championship this year, people will be talking about how LeBron performs in this series. He cannot afford to have a repeat of last years finals. Miami needs everyone on the team to show up big time if they want to win, but LeBron needs to play like an MVP if they want a chance against OKC. He says he will have no regrets after this series, only time will tell.
2. The most important matchup in the Finals is_______
I have to disagree with every single writer this time. While there are so many great match-ups in this series (KD-LeBron, Westbrook-Wade, Bosh-Ibaka) the matchup that will determine who wins this finals is the matchup between role players. The stars will come out for this series, and there's no question there. The way I see it, the team that gets the greater contributions from its role players will win the series. If guys like Battier and Haslem and Chalmers can come up big the Heat have a real good chance. At the other end, the OKC bench just has way more depth than the Heat, and if they can continue what they've been able to do all year, the Heat will have their hands full. We will remember how the stars performed when all is said and done, but the unsung heroes will be the key to the series.
3. The most important x-factor in the Finals is_______
James Harden. I was thinking about putting him in the previous question, but therein lies the problem: who will matchup with Harden? I think Wade will be forced to cover Westbrook more often than not because Chalmers is too outmatched there. Harden is the new-age Manu Ginobli, sixth-man extraordinaire, and if he can continue his outstanding play he will cause a LOT of problems for the Heat.
1. The most important player in the Finals is______
I have to agree with every other writer on this one, how can it be anyone but LeBron? Despite the ridiculous amount of star power in this series, all eyes will be on the 3-time MVP. No matter who wins the championship this year, people will be talking about how LeBron performs in this series. He cannot afford to have a repeat of last years finals. Miami needs everyone on the team to show up big time if they want to win, but LeBron needs to play like an MVP if they want a chance against OKC. He says he will have no regrets after this series, only time will tell.
2. The most important matchup in the Finals is_______
I have to disagree with every single writer this time. While there are so many great match-ups in this series (KD-LeBron, Westbrook-Wade, Bosh-Ibaka) the matchup that will determine who wins this finals is the matchup between role players. The stars will come out for this series, and there's no question there. The way I see it, the team that gets the greater contributions from its role players will win the series. If guys like Battier and Haslem and Chalmers can come up big the Heat have a real good chance. At the other end, the OKC bench just has way more depth than the Heat, and if they can continue what they've been able to do all year, the Heat will have their hands full. We will remember how the stars performed when all is said and done, but the unsung heroes will be the key to the series.
3. The most important x-factor in the Finals is_______
James Harden. I was thinking about putting him in the previous question, but therein lies the problem: who will matchup with Harden? I think Wade will be forced to cover Westbrook more often than not because Chalmers is too outmatched there. Harden is the new-age Manu Ginobli, sixth-man extraordinaire, and if he can continue his outstanding play he will cause a LOT of problems for the Heat.
No comments:
Post a Comment