Very nice of Dwyane Wade to finally make an impact in these Finals. As hobbled as he is, he sucked it up and found his flow at the same time LeBron James began taking charge of things.
With some help from Grandmaster Flash chopping up Blondie, I take some time to talk about Flash's impact and the hope that he can keep this up because as I've stated, the series will hinge on his performance, not just LeBron's.
Shouts to Chris Bosh as well getting aggressive on both sides of the ball. If I look a little light in this, blame that natural sunlight coming from the window on my clean buzz from the other day.
All I have to say after Game 1. Can we please get at least five more of these?
The first three quarters were magnificent. Great execution from the two best teams in basketball. A reminder why both regular season games were down to the wire. And in the fourth, Gregg Popovich said, "Turn it up" and Tony Parker went to work.
Parker's dagger shot with under 7 seconds left may have been fluky but it was incredible after a turnover free game. Just an unbelievable make considering LeBron James was all over him and he fell to the floor just prior to the shot. A fitting end to how well the Spurs played in the final frame to slowly pull that game away.
Oh and Tim Duncan had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Spurs only had 4 turnovers this game. How much better can you play as a team on the road? They were out-rebounded, out-assisted and still won?
Tip my hat also to James for an incredible all-around effort (18 pts, 18 rebs, 10 dimes). He got folks involved and if he's get chastised for that, then that's on you. I'll only say that he has to score 25 a game here on out cause it appears the Spurs will let him be Magic Johnson instead of the combo Magic-MJ he can be. They also did a great job shutting down his drives to the basket.
Here's what the Spurs and Heat need to do in Game 2.
To understand my thoughts on the 2013 NBA Finals, I have to go back to 2007. An NBA Finals I can't remember much of besides Tony Parker carving up the Cleveland Cavaliers and hugging Eva Longoria to celebrate afterwards.
I do remember one thing vividly. That video above of Tim Duncan being congratulated by a young LeBron James and Duncan telling the then 22-year-old James the NBA would be his one day. James was disappointed from carrying the Cavs to the NBA Finals but soon we'd all see him make Duncan a prophet.
6 years later, Duncan and LeBron meet again at the mountaintop. Both still All-NBA First Teamers. Both older, wiser and better. LeBron has a better team than he did in 2007. Duncan has a better version of Parker than he did in 2007 along with a strong supporting cast.
