NBA Finals

[Bob Hunter]

The epic match-up: Heat vs. Thunder

Make your predictions, offer your criticisms, and evaluate the play.

I'm going with the Heat in seven. As much as I don't like the Heat, I would have to give them the edge over the Thunder. They have finals experience and they are getting enough out of Lebron to make it happen. The question is: Will Lebron show up in the finals? This is his third trip and I believe he has yet to score 25+ in a finals game. If Lebron can score 25+ and get solid contributions from Wade & Bosh, this series will go to the Heat.

[Ryan Scott]

San Antonio was playing better than any team in the East and the Zombies look like they can even step up another notch. Two weeks ago I didn't think OKC could beat the Spurs; now I'm not sure the series will even get to game six.

[Benjamin Burch]

Heat in 6. If it goes to 7, I'll give the Thunder the advantage, since they'll be at home.

Just FYI, LeBron James has scored 25+ twice in 10 NBA finals games. However, you know what's fun? Arbitrary endpoints. If we say he scored 25, or 24, what is the justification for setting 25 as the endpoint? Why not 24? Why not 30? Is there a correlation between star players scoring points and their teams winning, with a significant increase at 25 points?

LeBron has scored 24+ points in 5 of his 10 Finals games.

Ultimately, this is a tough series matchup-wise for both teams. Are the Heat going to assign LeBron to Durant all game, and risk him being less effective on offense because of it? Or, instead, will Bosh guard Durant, and LeBron guard Ibaka, except on big possessions and in the 4th quarter?

Who are the Thunder going to assign to James? James vs. Durant on both sides of the court all game long is an advantage to the Heat, since LeBron is a far superior defender to Durant, and they're essentially equal scorers (James 60.5%TS, Durant 61%TS). Instead, is OKC going to put Ibaka on James? What do you do with Durant then? Thabo will be guarding Wade....

I assume we'll be seeing a lot more zone defense out of these teams than we're used to seeing. The matchups are tough in both directions, and the zone could be very effective in limiting those mismatches, and leaving their offensive stars with energy on the offensive end.

The big question is Bosh's health. Is he 100% yet? Or, at least, back to normal? I think Wade will be okay. He did this last year.... sucked for the 1st half of games, came alive in the 4th quarters, and then lit up the NBA Finals. If Bosh is not normal, expect Ibaka and Perkins to have their way, and the Thunder wrap this up within 6 games. if Bosh is his normal, healthy self, I think the Heat should take this in 6.

Westbrook has shot 30% from the field against the Heat in the last 2 years, and Chalmers has his number. If we can limit Durant's effectiveness, Westbrook will be more than happy to shoot the Thunder out of a championship. We'll see if we can actually accomplish that. Durant is just too good, and I doubt we'll risk LeBron expending all his energy guarding him all game.

This will be fun. Lots of questions, and it'll be fun to see how each coach navigates these issues, and what moves, adjustments, schemes they implement in Game 1 to deal with them. This could turn out to be a coaching battle, between a couple of young, mediocre coaches.

[Benjamin Burch]

San Antonio was playing better than any team in the East and the Zombies look like they can even step up another notch. Two weeks ago I didn't think OKC could beat the Spurs; now I'm not sure the series will even get to game six.

The only issue is that the Spurs were not playing great defense. The Thunder were able to make some defensive adjustments to shut down the Spurs, and they won because of it. The Heat are playing very good defense, and will pose a bigger problem for the Thunder in that regard.

I agree, the Spurs were playing better basketball than anyone, but it was one-sided, and something the Thunder were prepared to adjust to. We'll see what playing a defensive-first team does to them, and how it changes the matchup. To base anything on this series off the SAS series seems a little misguided.

[Jim Poteet]

Heat in 6. If it goes to 7, I'll give the Thunder the advantage, since they'll be at home.

Just FYI, LeBron James has scored 25+ twice in 10 NBA finals games. However, you know what's fun? Arbitrary endpoints. If we say he scored 25, or 24, what is the justification for setting 25 as the endpoint? Why not 24? Why not 30? Is there a correlation between star players scoring points and their teams winning, with a significant increase at 25 points?

LeBron has scored 24+ points in 5 of his 10 Finals games.

Ultimately, this is a tough series matchup-wise for both teams. Are the Heat going to assign LeBron to Durant all game, and risk him being less effective on offense because of it? Or, instead, will Bosh guard Durant, and LeBron guard Ibaka, except on big possessions and in the 4th quarter?

Who are the Thunder going to assign to James? James vs. Durant on both sides of the court all game long is an advantage to the Heat, since LeBron is a far superior defender to Durant, and they're essentially equal scorers (James 60.5%TS, Durant 61%TS). Instead, is OKC going to put Ibaka on James? What do you do with Durant then? Thabo will be guarding Wade....

I assume we'll be seeing a lot more zone defense out of these teams than we're used to seeing. The matchups are tough in both directions, and the zone could be very effective in limiting those mismatches, and leaving their offensive stars with energy on the offensive end.

The big question is Bosh's health. Is he 100% yet? Or, at least, back to normal? I think Wade will be okay. He did this last year.... sucked for the 1st half of games, came alive in the 4th quarters, and then lit up the NBA Finals. If Bosh is not normal, expect Ibaka and Perkins to have their way, and the Thunder wrap this up within 6 games. if Bosh is his normal, healthy self, I think the Heat should take this in 6.

Westbrook has shot 30% from the field against the Heat in the last 2 years, and Chalmers has his number. If we can limit Durant's effectiveness, Westbrook will be more than happy to shoot the Thunder out of a championship. We'll see if we can actually accomplish that. Durant is just too good, and I doubt we'll risk LeBron expending all his energy guarding him all game.

This will be fun. Lots of questions, and it'll be fun to see how each coach navigates these issues, and what moves, adjustments, schemes they implement in Game 1 to deal with them. This could turn out to be a coaching battle, between a couple of young, mediocre coaches.

I would beg to differ with you. Scott Brooks is not a young mediocre coach. He is on the verge of becoming a great coach.

[Jim Poteet]

The only issue is that the Spurs were not playing great defense. The Thunder were able to make some defensive adjustments to shut down the Spurs, and they won because of it. The Heat are playing very good defense, and will pose a bigger problem for the Thunder in that regard.

I agree, the Spurs were playing better basketball than anyone, but it was one-sided, and something the Thunder were prepared to adjust to. We'll see what playing a defensive-first team does to them, and how it changes the matchup. To base anything on this series off the SAS series seems a little misguided.

It is interesting to note that the national media are picking the Thunder.

[Ryan Scott]

I think Sefalosha will be on LeBron, at least to start with. After last series, I think I'd make Wade prove he can be the go-to scorer - and see if it messes with the chemistry if he takes over that role.

The big question will be inside. Perkins and Ibaka will have a decided advantage - plus they've got plenty of fouls on the bench to throw at Bosh. Bosh has never been a big fan of contact down low.

Honestly, I'd like to see Harden defend LeBron - just for the fun of it.

[Scott Moseley]

Ben Good job on the preview. You could be Fox Sports Fair and Balanced reporter !

Q. Why does the NBA use the 2 - 3 - 2 format for the finals? Seems silly after they successfully ran the 2-2-1-1-1 throughout the playoffs.

My take: Just gut feeling that OKC will win in 6 or 7. Chalk it up to Enthusiasm, Youth + Experience + Depth. They stopped the Spurs COLD after getting a feel for the fight. They know they can win if they get down.
Also: OKC Thunder being in Okie Land have more Nazarenes praying for them than the godless Miami Heat. Divine intervention goes to the Thunder.
Good Guy Team vs Bad Guy team favor OKC (having the whole country root against you must take on a bit of psychological toll on Miami)
nick name and Logo: though it seems a toss up gotta give Miami the edge. Something about the flaming ball going through the hoop of fire is cool. And its over-sized gaudiness on 2/3 of the court causes a distraction for visiting teams and TV audiences.

[Benjamin Burch]

It is interesting to note that the national media are picking the Thunder.

Interesting, sure. Valuable? No.

I would expect them to. OKC's deeper, and the Heat have looked less than championship-caliber with Bosh out. Not to mention, the media is consistently a prisoner of the moment, and it has been fashionable over the past two seasons to cheer for the Thunder/against the Heat. The media have been a major player in driving this narrative.

Beyond that, there are plenty of reasons to pick the Thunder. I wouldn't argue with someone doing so. However, I tend to not value anything the media says or thinks.

Bomani Jones does a great job of exposing and dismantling the media narrative here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=SLqLOTWwk8M

[Benjamin Burch]

Great article if anyone is interested.

[Benjamin Burch]

That national media doesn't seem to be choosing OKC over at SBNation.

[Scott Moseley]

Great article if anyone is interested.

It is an interesting read - and while Zilcher didn't say OKC's route to building a championship team and ditching Seattle was evil but rather a charted course that many teams have done in the past and will do in the future he sure does shade it as something less than glorious and that Miami's road to free agency buying and building was somewhat more noble.

I don't buy that notion at all. It wasn't that the Heat went out and bought the best talent on the market, but rather in the whole sordid manner in which they went about it. The fact that the 3 big egos of Wade, James and Bosh paraded around the country garnering national media attention by baiting cities and teams as to which location might be so lucky to land their individual services - when they knew all along they were going to hang together in Miami was somewhat shameful and disgusting. Then James with his" Decision " program was vomitous. And only outdone in offensiveness was the Welcome Party where no other members of the Heat team were featured, but only the Big 3 on stage predicting 5 or more championships. And if that wasn’t enough fuel for the Haters – the clueless Heat then ramped up their marketing machine adopting a team song, a little rap ditty titled : "We Already Won – ain’t no need to play no mo games!" . In case you’ve gone soft on the Heat Hate here is that winning tune to help you get your head back on straight.



Go Thunder

[Benjamin Burch]

It is an interesting read - and while Zilcher didn't say OKC's route to building a championship team and ditching Seattle was evil but rather a charted course that many teams have done in the past and will do in the future he sure does shade it as something less than glorious and that Miami's road to free agency buying and building was somewhat more noble.

Three questions I think are extremely relevant:

1) Does competitive integrity within the league necessitate that a team does not tank a season?

2) Does institutional integrity require a team to provide a product commensurate with that for which the fans have paid?

3) Do players not have the right to go where they wish to go as Free Agents?

I ask this because I'll never understand why people have a problem with building a team through Free Agency, or why it's the "wrong way", etc. This is not baseball. There is a salary cap in the NBA. It is impossibly to buy a team by acquiring stars at one time. The way to "buy" a team is to trade for high contracts and to acquire them year-by-year so that each contract reflects lower cap-hits than they're worth in the given year. The only team to recently do such "buying" is the Los Angeles Lakers.

I don't buy that notion at all. It wasn't that the Heat went out and bought the best talent on the market, but rather in the whole sordid manner in which they went about it. The fact that the 3 big egos of Wade, James and Bosh paraded around the country garnering national media attention by baiting cities and teams as to which location might be so lucky to land their individual services - when they knew all along they were going to hang together in Miami was somewhat shameful and disgusting.

The problem here is that you claim to know something which you don't have access to, and cannot know. You make an assumption, and then judge a situation based upon your assumption. Wade and James have both stated that they did not know if LeBron was going to choose Miami or Cleveland until the last day. Are they lying? Perhaps they were willing to give other teams the chance to change their minds, and no team was able to do so. Is that still parading around?

I think you have no way to justify what you've said here. It's all assumption.

Then James with his" Decision " program was vomitous.

Why does LeBron get the blame for this? Was it not the most watched hour in ESPN history? If it was so bad, why did we watch it? The fact is we all wanted to know, we all were willing to watch. The blame here falls on the viewers. Without a willing audience, there is no market. There was no deception in the advertising here. There was no power plays by those with money to influence a market. There was simply the world's biggest ever sports free agent (Due to his being in his prime, while Manning is long into decline), and people who wanted to know where he was going.

I didn't realize that raising millions of dollars for children based off of our desires to watch was so vomitous. Was it his best move? No. Would I have advised it? No. Was it terrible, and his fault for being so? No.

And only outdone in offensiveness was the Welcome Party where no other members of the Heat team were featured,

Misplaced anger. The Heat, as an organization, namely, Pat Riley, threw a party for their fans to celebrate what, at the time, was a great accomplishment. ESPN wanted to show it. This has nothing to do with LeBron, Wade, Bosh, or even the Heat. This was for their fans. This was not for you. There was nothing wrong with this at all. If you want to be upset with ESPN for wasting an hour of every other fanbases' evening, go for it. I wouldn't argue with you. However, again, everyone seemed to watch. So, really, who is at blame here? I'm assuming you, and others, have remotes?

but only the Big 3 on stage

There was only one other player under contract at the time. Mario never seemed too upset about it. Why would that bother you?

predicting 5 or more championships.

Actually, there were no predictions made. There was a statement of intentions. The interviewer asked LeBron to expand on a statement he'd made that

We came here to win multiple championships. Not one. Multiple championships.

So far, nothing wrong there. Just a statement of what everyone already knows. Players play the game to win every year. They put together a team that can compete for championships every year over a 6-year contract length, with the possibility of signing more contracts. Nothing to see here. This is standard. This should be expected. They came together not in the hopes of winning a ring. They came here in the hopes of winning, period, every year.

LeBron then answered the interviewer by stating:

Not 1... not 2.... not 3.... not 4... not 5... not 6... not 7..... we really believe that we can win multiple championships.

Again, no predictions. Just a statement of purpose and possibility. One which no one would argue with. A team got together to win, and to not set a standard where they will be done with their accomplishments. This isn't "getting a ring." That's not good enough. They want to, and believe they can, win every year. Again, what's so bad about this?

What's more, it was said in a pep rally, as a means to excite their fans. What's wrong with that?

This is nothing more than people looking, and looking really hard, to find something to dislike.

And if that wasn’t enough fuel for the Haters – the clueless Heat then ramped up their marketing machine adopting a team song, a little rap ditty titled : "We Already Won – ain’t no need to play no mo games!" . In case you’ve gone soft on the Heat Hate here is that winning tune to help you get your head back on straight.

Actually, you'd have to show me where the Heat organization, or the players, ever officially endorsed, or used this song.

Go Thunder

Go Heat. Sorry, I'm just not fashionable enough.

[Michael Flowers]

I'm going to give the edge to the Thunder in between 5 and 7 games. I say this basically because I don't think that Bosh will make it through the series. The contact with Perkins and Ibaka will put him on the sideline again. If it doesn't, then it will be much harder to predict.

Sefolosha will likely end up on whichever of Wade and James are hotter. He is the best defender on the team and is best suited to the task. Ibaka will not be put on Lebron because he is not a perimeter defender. He is at his worst when he has to guard a three point shooter. Durant will likely start out guarding James and we'll see from there. It would also not surprise me if the Thunder pay little attention to the Heat in regard to their point guards, until they are forced to.

People will talk about Finals experience and such as evidence that Heat are the better team, but the truth is that both teams really are fairly even in that regard. The Thunders core have played together for longer and I think that might have an impact as well. If Westbrook can avoid taking bad shots that will also play a huge part in the series.

It shall be fun!

[Benjamin Burch]

I'm going to give the edge to the Thunder in between 5 and 7 games. I say this basically because I don't think that Bosh will make it through the series. The contact with Perkins and Ibaka will put him on the sideline again. If it doesn't, then it will be much harder to predict.

Sefolosha will likely end up on whichever of Wade and James are hotter. He is the best defender on the team and is best suited to the task. Ibaka will not be put on Lebron because he is not a perimeter defender. He is at his worst when he has to guard a three point shooter. Durant will likely start out guarding James and we'll see from there. It would also not surprise me if the Thunder pay little attention to the Heat in regard to their point guards, until they are forced to.

People will talk about Finals experience and such as evidence that Heat are the better team, but the truth is that both teams really are fairly even in that regard. The Thunders core have played together for longer and I think that might have an impact as well. If Westbrook can avoid taking bad shots that will also play a huge part in the series.

It shall be fun!

I wish I had a synergy account and could check more information on Thabo v. LeBron. Stats cube really is miserable. That seems a bit of a matchup, considering LeBron has length, speed, and size. Durant at least makes up with length, which can also negate some of James' speed.

Btw... in case you didn't know.... We already won, and there's no need to play anymore games.

[Benjamin Burch]

I say this basically because I don't think that Bosh will make it through the series. The contact with Perkins and Ibaka will put him on the sideline again. If it doesn't, then it will be much harder to predict.

Ibaka will not be put on Lebron because he is not a perimeter defender. He is at his worst when he has to guard a three point shooter.

If Miami can get this kind of floor spacing with Bosh, we should be able to neutralize Ibaka to a considerable degree.

[Benjamin Burch]

BT-dubs.... my first specific prediction....

A rested Thunder win game 1 at home in front of a raucous crowd.

[Jonathan Sparks]

Thunder has game one. Go Thunder

[Jim Poteet]

Thunder has game one. Go Thunder

Durant & James prove they are the best two players in the world.

[Houston Thomas]

Observations from Game 1:

• A 7 game series is long. Fans + media are prone to overreaction.
• Tale of 2 halves. Miami controlling the first. OKC overwhelming in the second.
• Harden had 5 points and OKC still won. That has to be concerning to the Heat
• Historically strong 4th quarter for Durant.
• That Durant pin-down play OKC runs has yet to be defended.
• Battier was out of his mind in the first.
• Miami's defense fuels their offense. Couldn't get out on the break: only 4 fast break points.

Fun series. Looking forward to game 2.

[Benjamin Burch]

Observations from Game 1:

• A 7 game series is long. Fans + media are prone to overreaction.
• Tale of 2 halves. Miami controlling the first. OKC overwhelming in the second.
• Harden had 5 points and OKC still won. That has to be concerning to the Heat
• Historically strong 4th quarter for Durant.
• That Durant pin-down play OKC runs has yet to be defended.
• Battier was out of his mind in the first.
• Miami's defense fuels their offense. Couldn't get out on the break: only 4 fast break points.

Fun series. Looking forward to game 2.

I'm going to try to find film somewhere, I'm sure some internet site has it, but I want to go back and count the number of Pick-n-rolls that the Heat used in the 2nd half, and in the 4th quarter specifically.

I didn't see a single pnr in the 4th, and we wonder why our offense couldn't get anything going? It turned into Iso plays and the defense sagged the paint, inviting James and Wade to chuck long twos, and they obliged. We'll get swept if we play like that every game. Also, our pnr was extremely effective in the first half. I don't know why we suddenly just quit doing it in the second.

[Wes Smith]

If the series is tied after 7 games, I'm predicting that James and Durant will both ask to be traded.

Friend,

Wes

[Scott Moseley]

BT-dubs.... my first specific prediction....

A rested Thunder win game 1 at home in front of a raucous crowd.

And Game two ?

And in reply to your response to why the USA Hates the Heat: Thank you. Most of your post is accurate, but unfortunately it does not take away from the fact that the Heat are perceived as irksome, annoying, and arrogant do to all points you responded. I should have clarified that the term "Heat" encompasses the Team, the Organization, and its Fans (most annoying are those that joined the band wagon with the signing of LBJ in 2010) . You are somewhat excused from your display of bothersome exuberance in that you have been a Heat fan for years, however your gleeful re-posting of the arrogant " We ALREADY Won" stains you culpable of disturbing annoyance bereft of fine manners, good taste, or humility - much like the team you root.

[Benjamin Burch]

And Game two ?

Miami was the best team at home in the regular season this year, and have only lost one at home in the playoffs. If we hold our home court, we have 4 chances in OKC to win 1 game to take the series. So, who knows. I've expected we'd split the first two. We'll see. Spo needs to prove he can make adjustments and call some plays.

(most annoying are those that joined the band wagon with the signing of LBJ in 2010)

This, too, is interesting to me. One can only cheer for one of two teams in this Finals. However, if you cheer for the Heat (which would be the large minority of people), you're labeled a bandwagon fan, unless you've been cheering for them forever (not necessarily you, I'm saying this is what EVERYONE I meet has said). Yet, somehow, it is not being a bandwagoner to cheer for the Thunder, when you aren't a life-long fan, even though the large majority of people are doing this.

Oh the hypocrisy of sports fans! (Again, not saying you).

[Bob Hunter]

I would just like to comment on Thunder fans. I have never seen such devoted fans, all wearing blue. That arena was rocking last night. OKC is behind the Thunder 100%. I've seen glimpses of this in Portland having attended many Trail Blazer games, but the Thunder crowd is crazy!

[Monte Butts]

By virtue of not having had an NBA team that I gave a flip about for several years....having made OKC my home for 16 years I've been a happy bandwagoner the last 2 seasons. Also cheer for the scrappy Grizzlies since they are the closest team to me now.

This is shaping up to be a blast. I'd say a good 30% of my Facebook friends are work friends and live in Miami, where most of the import flower business is. I love giving them a hard time.

[Jim Poteet]

Miami was the best team at home in the regular season this year, and have only lost one at home in the playoffs. If we hold our home court, we have 4 chances in OKC to win 1 game to take the series. So, who knows. I've expected we'd split the first two. We'll see. Spo needs to prove he can make adjustments and call some plays.

This, too, is interesting to me. One can only cheer for one of two teams in this Finals. However, if you cheer for the Heat (which would be the large minority of people), you're labeled a bandwagon fan, unless you've been cheering for them forever (not necessarily you, I'm saying this is what EVERYONE I meet has said). Yet, somehow, it is not being a bandwagoner to cheer for the Thunder, when you aren't a life-long fan, even though the large majority of people are doing this.

Oh the hypocrisy of sports fans! (Again, not saying you).

Tied with San Antonio. I believe the Thunder beat San Antonio at SA in game 5 in the Western Finals.

[Monte Butts]

Great Bill Simmons article on the gameday OKC atmosphere

[Jim Poteet]

Great Bill Simmons article on the gameday OKC atmosphere

Simmons captures what is going here quite well. The cult hero is James Harden and the "Fear the Beard" syndrome.

[Benjamin Burch]

Tied with San Antonio. I believe the Thunder beat San Antonio at SA in game 5 in the Western Finals.

Yes, that's right. I thought that might be the case. I'm certainly not saying OKC can't beat us at home. Boston did. But, again, you're supposed to win at home. That's why I'm not too bothered by losing game 1. OKC was supposed to win that game. We'll see how things go.

[Benjamin Burch]

Someone won on the road. We officially have a series.

[Michael Flowers]

Someone won on the road. We officially have a series.

Even if James did get away with a couple of fouls with 7 seconds left on the clock (Durant shot, Westbrook rebound). The Thunder need to quit allowing such large leads heading into the fourth quarter, in the end they just didn't have enough time to finish the rally.

The most important games of this series will be taking place in Miami, whichever team can win the most of these next three games will have a decided advantage returning to OKC, assuming that the Heat don't win out from here.

Unfortunately for me I will be watching the rest of the series from box scores whenever I can pull them up to find out who won while I am on my honeymoon. At least I'll be having fun though, I probably won't even think about basketball.

[Benjamin Burch]

Even if James did get away with a couple of fouls with 7 seconds left on the clock (Durant shot, Westbrook rebound). The Thunder need to quit allowing such large leads heading into the fourth quarter, in the end they just didn't have enough time to finish the rally.

The most important games of this series will be taking place in Miami, whichever team can win the most of these next three games will have a decided advantage returning to OKC, assuming that the Heat don't win out from here.

Unfortunately for me I will be watching the rest of the series from box scores whenever I can pull them up to find out who won while I am on my honeymoon. At least I'll be having fun though, I probably won't even think about basketball.

Your favorite team in the finals, and not think about basketball? Not buying it.

LeBron definitely fouled Durant, but in my experience, there is almost always fouls on last-second shots on both sides and the refs never call fouls on last second shots. I'm guessing they just don't want to decide the game that way, but they never get called.

The block on Battier was iffy, also. Could have been Durant's 6th foul, with 7 minutes left and then Miami would have run away with it.

[Jim Poteet]

Someone won on the road. We officially have a series.

Wade stepped up tonight. He was outstanding. The hero for the heat,however, is Battier. He has been unbelievable.

[Benjamin Burch]

Wade stepped up tonight. He was outstanding. The hero for the heat,however, is Battier. He has been unbelievable.

Wade's knee is a big question mark. We need him to keep playing like this. I don't know if he can. This is Battier's second straight night lighting it up. Brooks is going to have to try to make an adjustment, but I'm not sure if you can with Wade and James both playing well. Battier will keep getting his shots, he just has to keep making them.

Spo really needs to get LeBron on KD most of the game. KD has struggled against LeBron, but has just owned everyone else. He's made it look easy against Battier.

I'm nervous.

[Bob Hunter]

Someone won on the road. We officially have a series.

yes, we do and it is probably going to 7 games. Espn is going to love it. High ratings and lots of $$$$.

[Michael Flowers]

Your favorite team in the finals, and not think about basketball? Not buying it.

LeBron definitely fouled Durant, but in my experience, there is almost always fouls on last-second shots on both sides and the refs never call fouls on last second shots. I'm guessing they just don't want to decide the game that way, but they never get called.

The block on Battier was iffy, also. Could have been Durant's 6th foul, with 7 minutes left and then Miami would have run away with it.

Then there was this call earlier:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...3ui2skTcm8vLYF

Truthfully I think they also need to more clearly define and enforce the block/charge fouls. There are times when guys get over in time but never get set and they get the charge called and there are times when the guy is clearly set in time and gets called for a block. Especially in the NBA Finals they need to be as correct as possible.

Oh, and on that last second shot, Lebron also interfered with Westbrook getting the rebound by pulling his left arm back. Lebron got away with two fouls on that sequence to end the game.

[Scott Moseley]

... the refs never call fouls on last second shots. I'm guessing they just don't want to decide the game that way, but they never get called.

UNLESS of COURSE you are Dirk Nowitski and you happen to breathe on D-wade in a 1 point game with 1.9 seconds left in game 5 of the 06 NBA finals.

[Benjamin Burch]

UNLESS of COURSE you are Dirk Nowitski and you happen to breathe on D-wade in a 1 point game with 1.9 seconds left in game 5 of the 06 NBA finals.

It was a poor call, no doubt. As a life-long Heat fan, and DWade fan, I can honestly admit it was a poor call. However, it should be noted that

(1) Dirk did stick his knee out, and he's lucky it didn't make contact with Wade. The Referrees probably mis-saw, thinking it did.
(2) Wade took it to the hole. Right or wrong, the general rule in the NBA is that if you want to get to the line you drive and get to the rim, you don't pull up short.

So yes, I completely agree that (a) DWade is an exception to what I stated here, and that (b) it was a poor call, however, he did what most others don't do - take the ball to the rim. That's how you draw fouls.

[Bob Hunter]

A lot of talk about Westbrook and poor shot selection in game two. I'm going to have to give some credit to Ben for pointing out Westbrook's liabilities. If Westbrook takes 25 shots in game three, then I would have to safely assume the Heat will go 2-1 in the series.