Heat vs. Spurs: A Rematch Hoops Fans Can Love

My good friend Keith and I talk a lot about hoops and one of the things we talk about is the science of hoops. We recommend pieces that discuss the science of the game without boring us with gossip or unnecessary hit jobs. We talk about the X's and O's and when I get away from the Twitter stream of consciousness, I see the game as more than just narratives and enjoy it.

Another friend, Paris, wrote an excellent piece about how he's stopped being a fan and becoming an watcher/observer of the game in reaction to over the top fan behavior. It's a freeing thing to enjoy the games, be passionate/excited and then break it down without losing much sweat or hyperbole. Of course some games will still hit you in the gut but life goes on.

I say all of that as an intro to this Heat-Spurs rematch that I'm excited to see. Two similar teams playing beautiful basketball. Two coaches who are masters of their profession in terms of strategy, preparation and adjustments. I'm ready to sit back and watch our first Finals back-to-back rematch in 15 years. Here's what I want to see.

Comparing Players Isn't Just Lazy, It's Shortsighted

Sports debates are a great reason why we love the game. I love hearing different opinions and why/how somebody believes what they do.

I used to love doing it. At least for me, I’d try to know enough about the past to make my comparisons valid. When LeBron first starting getting notoriety when I was in high school, I saw Magic Johnson’s passing with the body of an NFL tight end. I saw a remarkable athlete who had the impact to make people better.

The more I watch sports, the more I think the rush to compare somebody to someone has ruined the coolness of watching things unfold. Nobody can do anything without us looking for rank or judge it.

But why do we do it? Is it solely to remind us how great the past greats were? Is it to put the present in its proper context to combat prisoners of the moment? Is it to denigrate the present as not worthy?

I just think it’s a waste of time especially when the comparisons are so lazy. This goes back to what I addressed back in February but I'm going to take it a step further now.

A Game 7 To Remember as an Era Continues

You can say whatever you want about these NBA Finals. After seven brilliant games, I can only applaud both teams for leaving it all out there and giving us a series to remember. Game 7 had a lot to live up to and it did.

I salute the Spurs in defeat. Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich lost for the first time in these NBA Finals and they looked haunted as if they hadn’t already won four before.

Duncan gave it all these last two games but it was two easy shots in the paint guarded by a smaller Shane Battier that many will remember. His reaction afterwards made him more human and for one of the 15 greatest players of all time, it's hard to not feel empathy as he left the Finals for the first time without a ring.

It’s a heartbreaking moment similar to Tom Brady feeling dejected after the 2012 Super Bowl. A former champion at the closest he’s been to the mountaintop only to fall short and not know if that was the last chance.

NBA Finals: A Masterpiece Game 6 Gives Us Game 7

Game 6 was a battle of will, desire and heart. And I loved every bit of it! Neither team wanted to lose and Tim Duncan and LeBron James are part of the reason why this game was an absolute gem.

Game 6 last night was the kind of Game 6 I'm used to seeing in baseball. The World Series is full of classic Game 6 moments. 2011 when the Cardinals came back. 1986 when the Red Sox blew that lead. 1991 when Kirby Puckett did everything to win that game.

We just got that as hoops fans. A masterpiece performance from both teams and several players. A memorable comeback. Both teams willing each other to the top and defense saving the day. All I can do is try to make sense of it and I hope I did in this video.

LeBron James gave us another great Game 6 to remind us of what he did last year in Game 6 vs. Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tony Parker reminded us how he won Game 1. Tim Duncan reminded us why he's still an All-NBA level contributor. Kawhi Leonard showed why he's going to be a very good player in this league.

And that's just some of the folks worth praising. How about Ray Allen on offense and defense? Chris Bosh being aggressive on the glass AND as a shot blocker. Shane Battier's defense! Alright, let me stop so you'll have a reason to watch this video. It's only fitting we have one more game of this and I'm so excited!

I also jumped on a podcast with my guy Paris and his brother Zeph and we talked more in depth on Game 6. Check that out here cause that was a doozy as we consoled Zeph on being upset that the Heat ruined his evening.

NBA Finals: A Ball of Brilliant Confusion

This has been a strange series. Game 1 had us thinking we were in for a series of close games a la 2011. What happened over the last four games is nothing short of confusing.

Two blowouts thanks to a silly 33-5 Miami Heat run in Game 2 and Gary Neal/Danny Green going bonkers in Game 3. Game 4 saw Dwyane Wade rise from his shooting slump followed by Manu Ginobili doing the same in Game 5.

Even weirder? All four of those games I mentioned seemed to shift in the third quarter. Games 2 and 5 had runs that started in the third and spilled over in the fourth.

So either we have teams that are remarkably balanced except for a 10-minute stretch or both teams figuring the right time when to use their advantages and pour it on. Got it? Good, cause I don't?

NBA Finals: The Resurrection of Dwyane Wade

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.

Here's Looking At You, Coach (Heat's on Erik Spolestra)

Somewhere right now, the Miami Heat are stewing. Dealing with the aftermath of a revenge blowout they got in Game 3. Good.

Many folks have said that this is exactly what LeBron James needs. A reminder that he can't table set anymore. Oh it's nice that he's averaging a double-double and leading Miami in assists. But folks don't appreciate that when you haven't scored 20 in any of the Finals games. It's time to go to Darth James. The killer of last year.

Me? I feel that way too but I'm aiming my biggest cannon at a guy who has been skating by most of my criticism. A guy losing a matchup I glossed over in my preview but I knew would be just as crucial as anybody on the court.

Erik Spolestra has been getting outcoached. Somewhere after Game 3, I realized that he's the one who needs to be plotting and stewing the most because Gregg Popovich has tactically mastered him so far.

NBA Finals: The Block And The Invisible Men

The Block. As humiliating as a poster jam is, few things hurt more than being blocked when you think you have an open score. Rejection isn't easy but embarrassment makes it worse.

Miami's 33-5 run was an explosion that I didn't see coming. A back and forth game suddenly became a runaway train as the Heat's defense overwhelmed San Antonio. For that glorious stretch, I felt like I saw the Heat that won 27 straight games.

Keying it all was LeBron James. He did what was needed: Setting screens, grabbing rebounds, finding the open man, scoring with ease after being in check most of the game. But that one play symbolized how much he had his fingertips on the game.

Too often, people criticize James when he sets the table instead of dominate from the jump. Nevermind that San Antonio is forcing him to use his mind as much as his strength. Nevermind that Miami has been close to the Spurs because of his stellar play. It's people expecting obvious greatness all the time instead of cerebral dominance in all ways of the game.

NBA Finals Game 1 Notes (Tony Parker's World)

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.

The Six-Year Itch for LeBron and Duncan (NBA Finals Preview)

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.

To be great, you have to go through greatness. For the Miami Heat to finish off one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, they have to go through one of the pillars of greatness over the last decade. A San Antonio Spurs team that has methodically eliminated their Western Conference playoff foes with precision and balance.

Here's my key things to watch.

Game 1 ECF: Paul George Great, LeBron James Better

The Game Winner (Associated Press photo)

Remember how I advocated that the Eastern Conference Finals would be better than advertised? Well after Game 1, guess who's right.

Paul George continued to come of age as the Palmdale native hit big shot after big shot, none bigger than his 32-foot, 3-pointer to force overtime. If there's a doubt why he was voted Most Improved Player, he erased them by stepping up.

Was that first 3-point shot lucky? A little bit but a good shot is a good shot. No more lucky than having the presence of mind to shoot a 3 in overtime with D-Wade draped all over him. He was 2.2 seconds away from being the hero after sinking three free throws to give Indiana the lead.

And yet, it wasn't enough. It was like Craig Ehlo feeling happy about this, before this happened. Just like Ehlo, George just had to play defense. Instead, he over-committed and became a footnote in the latest chapter of LeBron James' greatness.

Neo and Everything After (LeBron James in Rare Air)

Last year after the Finals, I wrote on how LeBron James went from just great to The One. He became Neo in the Matrix during the playoffs and the NBA Finals. This season was like watching the Matrix sequels only if you focus on how Neo was almost untouchable.

Now it's confirmed. LeBron has won his 4th MVP, one vote shy of being unanimous. Just like Shaq in 1999-2000.

I already stated why LeBron should win easily. Watching him this year was seeing him go even higher than I thought possible. The fact he finished 2nd in the Defensive Player of the Year voting shows how coaches respect his defensive prowess as much as scoring, passing and IQ.

The scariest thing is that he's proved how far he is above his peers. Say what you want about he has a better supporting cast in Miami. He was doing the same thing in Cleveland minus a post-game and shooting efficiency.