NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat

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June 5, 2013 by Dan Canova

It is finally here.

I guess you can say this is a matchup the majority of basketball fans were looking forward to.  This may be one of the better NBA Finals in recent memory and definitely the two best teams in the NBA by far.

And I guess you can say my midseason prediction was right on the money.

I can’t wait to see Tony Parker vs (which will end up being) LeBron James.  Chris Bosh vs the greatest power forward in NBA history, Tim Duncan; who by the way made 1st Team All-NBA in his 16th NBA season.  The emergence of Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter and the deterioration of Dwyane Wade.

Now onto the prediction.

I’ve said over and over again, if there is one team in the National Basketball Association who could defeat the team of biblical proportions representing South Beach, it is the boys from Texas.  San Antonio has the formula to defeat Miami.

Reasons why?  They have arguably the best point guard in the NBA, Tony Parker who doesn’t commit turnovers, which is the key when playing against Miami because they thrive off of their opponents’ mistakes.

Tim Duncan who is 37 going on 27 is the greatest power forward in NBA history, and his experience alone is a threat to Miami.  And did I mention, he made 1st Team All-NBA this past season.

The 21-year-old, Kawhi Leonard has played fantastic defense, and he will most likely need to defend Wade or James.  Danny Green is an efficient 3-point shooter, however I believe none of these guys are the difference maker.

Manu Ginobili coming off the bench providing a spark for the Spurs is what can get Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan their fifth ring.  Ginobili averaged 11.5 points per game off the bench this season, which is well below his career average of 15, and it’s the lowest since his 2nd season in the NBA, when he averaged just 13 points.  When the Spurs last won an NBA title, Ginobili was closer to 20 points, than 10.  Which Ginobili will we see?

Miami on the other hand, can turn the switch on and off whenever they choose.  Wade and Bosh were disappointments in the Indiana series.  Even if they showed up just a little, Miami could have ended it in five or less games.  LeBron James is clearly the best basketball player in this series, and if the Heat win their 2nd NBA title in as many years, it will be because of LeBron James.  However, if his teammates don’t show, the Miami Heat could have two NBA Finals losses in three years.

My Prediction:

I’m rolling with the Spurs.  In February, I decided that this would be my midseason Finals prediction, but I never chose a winner.  When the Spurs were battling injuries in the latter part of the season, I was worried that they would fall short once again and not even make it out of the Western Conference.  However, San Antonio demolished the helpless Lakers, sent home Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and finally put a dagger into the hearts of all Memphis fans, sweeping the Grizzlies in four straight games.  There is no doubt in my mind, if the Spurs play basketball like they know how to play basketball, they can and will be the NBA Champions once again.  Gregg Popovich will outcoach Erik Spolestra and Tim Duncan and company will bring a fifth NBA title to San Antonio since entering the league in the 1997-1998 season.

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs Win Series: 4-2

NBA Finals MVP: Tony Parker