Sports: 2014 NBA Playoffs & Finals

2014 NBA Playoffs & Finals

By no conscious planning, I didn't follow the NBA regular season very much this year.  By the time the Playoffs were close to starting, my appetite for basketball had increased significantly (partially whetted by March Madness).  Thanks to my having access to DVR again (and thus being able to watch a game in ~1 hour as opposed to 2.5-3 hours), I was able to watch maybe 75% of the games in the Playoffs.  So here is a brief recap of each round, followed by a look (some short, some long) at each team.

First Round:
Having followed the regular season only sparsely, I didn't know what to expect as much as usual - but then the round ended up being different than even the "experts" predicted.  Amazingly, both #1 seeds (Indiana and San Antonio) were pushed to seven-game series:  the Spurs caught off guard by a surprisingly good Mavs team, and the Pacers continuing to be wildly inconsistent during a prolonged slump.  Beyond that, there were two excellent Western Conference series, with favorites Oklahoma City and L.A. Clippers barely surviving the dangerous but not-quite-there Memphis and Golden State, respectively.  The East was much less interesting; although Brooklyn-Toronto went to seven games, it was not that entertaining.

Second Round:
With so many competitive and/or surprising first round results, the second round seemed like it could be even better.  Due to match ups, though, it was actually less interesting.  Miami took care of the ridiculously high-paid but elderly Nets without trouble, and the Spurs gave the Blazers a shellacking they won't soon forget.  The other two series were better.  Oklahoma City-L.A. Clippers had some excellent games in fact, with several late-game comebacks.  The Thunder arguably got lucky to win, but the Durant-Westbrook duo stepped up their games.  Indiana-Washington had some good games - and some real stinkers.  The Wizards showed that they are a team to watch, but the Pacers' defense eventually figured them out.

Third Round:
Despite all the earlier unpredictability, both conferences' #1 and #2 seeds ended up vying for spots in the Finals.  Miami-Indiana was a rematch from last year, but this time the Pacers actually took a big step backwards thanks to Hibbert's implosion and even worse (!) team offense.  Indiana put up a fight - and it helps that the Heat are simply a good matchup for them - but they wilted in an utterly humiliating game 6.  Spurs-Thunder was a rematch from two years ago.  San Antonio caught a break with Ibaka missing the first two games, and they took advantage by winning those big.  Ibaka's return seemed to turn the tide, as OKC won the next two.  But the Spurs refused to go down this time, and they pulled out the series in an overtime game 6.

Finals:
Here it was:  the rematch so many of us wanted after last year's absolutely brilliant Finals.  The Heat came in to this cruising, only having lost a total of three games in the Playoffs.  The Spurs lost that many in their first round alone, and had quite a challenge getting through OKC, too.  Many, myself included, felt a little like the Spurs, a little older and just creeping back to the Finals, might get smashed by a well-rested Heat team that was still in its prime.  WRONG.

The Spurs may have gotten "lucky" in game one when the A/C went out, ultimately leading to LeBron James cramping up and missing the last seven minutes of the game.  Miami had had a small but consistent lead throughout until that point - but with James gone, the Spurs finally improved their play and ran away with it in the last few minutes.  The Spurs could and should have also won game 2, which they led with under two minutes remaining.  Reminiscent of last year's game 6 collapse, though, they gave it away - and Spurs fans everywhere said "uh-oh".

Turns out, we didn't need to worry.  The series went to Miami, and the Spurs simply produced the single greatest shooting performance in a half in NBA Finals history.  Having experience in guarding big leads from their Portland series, San Antonio bent but didn't break in the second half.  Just about everyone expected another Miami bounce back, but the Spurs took it to them from the start in game 4, building a 19 point halftime lead, which only grew from there.  Going back to San Antonio, the Heat made a big push in the first quarter, building a big lead - but Spurs reasserted their dominance, and Miami seemed to be out of gas.  By halftime, the Spurs already had the lead, and it was a cakewalk from there.  To my surprise and great pleasure, the Spurs not only avenged last year's Finals loss, but did so in emphatic fashion.


Teams

16.  Charlotte:  Yeah, they got swept by Miami.  But most of the games were reasonably close, despite the Bobcats playing without star Al Jefferson much of the time.  Kemba Walker really impressed me, matching skill to a high confidence level.  If this team can develop some of their young players more, maybe turning Walker into a star, they can actually become a challenger in the East.

15.  Chicago:  This team plays together so well, and plays such hard defense... but they just don't have enough talent or scoring.  Will the return of Derrick Rose be able to change that?  Can he return to stardom after missing two full seasons?  Can he stay healthy?  Those are the biggest questions; while the Bulls have a resilient group, I have to think they're near the breaking point.

14.  Houston:  No disrespect to Portland, but the Rockets had no business losing in the first round.  They have two of the league's biggest stars (Harden and Howard) and a capable supporting cast led by new-to-me Chandler Parsons.  On the other hand, I'm not sure if their stars have the leadership and mental toughness to take this team the distance.  Howard in particular is just a giant cry baby now, and Harden is very up-and-down.  This team desperately needs a no-nonsense veteran or two.

13.  Atlanta:  I didn't really see much of their series against Atlanta.  They seemed to play really hard, though (a welcome change from the deplorable Josh Smith-Joe Johnson teams).  Teague has always really impressed me, and he would be a fantastic addition for a contender.  I don't really see a lot of potential in this squad, though.

12.  Toronto:  Another series I didn't see a lot of.  To be honest, even the games that I did watch and that they won, I don't know how they did.  It seems like a pretty ragtag group, but they did somehow get the #3 seed.  I would be shocked if they got that high again, though.

11.  Dallas:  Wow, did this team impress me.  I didn't think they would win even one game against San Antonio.  But even though Nowitzki can't carry the offensive load all game every game anymore, they have pieces around him now for a balanced attack - particularly Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon.  I scoffed every time Vince Carter took a three pointer (his game winner was the luckiest shot I've ever seen), but even he made positive contributions.  It also helps that Rick Carlisle seems to be a fantastic coach.  Still, I think the team played to its ceiling against the Spurs, and I don't see them becoming a real threat in the West.

10.  Memphis:  Poor Memphis.  They've played great team basketball with the same core for several years, but just can't get past the elite teams.  Their rivalry with OKC has been amazing, but they simply don't have a Durant or Westbrook to carry them when needed.  It's hard to see where they can make a change to break through, without compromising their stability and defense.  But as long as they're in the playoffs, this is a team worth watching.

9.  Golden State:  They sure gave the rising L.A. Clippers a run for their money.  Their offense is quite a well-oiled machine, and they play with a pace and style that is unlike anything else seen in the NBA right now.  Unfortunately, they just didn't have enough balance with Bogut injured.  Also:  why the hell did they fire Mark Jackson?!?  Admittedly, I didn't like him much as an announcer, but he's done a fantastic job as coach, completely turning the team around (which is still on the rise).

8.  Brooklyn:  So this team was supposed to challenge Miami?  Now, apparently Brooke Lopez was hurt for most of the season, but I don't see much potential here.  Paul Pierce is still OK, but only in reduced minutes.  Garnett is done.  Joe Johnson has improved his offensive efficiency, but Deron Williams needs to be the leader and he has not fulfilled the promise he showed in Utah.  This is an overpaid, overhyped - and aging - team.

7.  Portland:  The Blazers are a team with potential - too bad they're in the West.  In the East, they could already be contending for the Finals.  The loss to the Spurs was humiliating, but not surprising.  Aldridge is a force, but he needs more experience and toughness.  Damian Lillard is an excellent young player, and will probably determine the team's fate. There is a decent supporting cast around these two, ready to perform if the stars align.

6.  Washington:  This team might just have the most potential (in relation to the amount of success they've had thus far).  The starting lineup is fearsome:  Wall, Beal, Ariza, Nene, Gortat.  They need more experience for sure, but they have a deadly combination of youth, athleticism and shooting ability.  They also need to improve on defense, but this is a team that I am eager to watch.

5.  L.A. Clippers:  Despite the franchise's abysmal history (which is an understatement), expectations are already high for the team led by Paul and Griffin.  I admit, I was impressed with Griffin's development as a low-post scorer and to a lesser degree, a defender.  Their supporting cast also seems well defined, with Jordan, Crawford, and even Redick making substantial contributions.  I have to say, I am not a Chris Paul fan.  Something about his demeanor on the court repels me.  Anyway, I definitely know which side I'm on in the West of the Future (LAC vs. OKC).

4.  Indiana:  Wow.  They basically turned into the Hawks of recent years past.  They have a lot of talent and a great defense, but beyond that... they're terrible.  Watching them play offense and completely squander all their strengths is excruciating.  Hibbert basically curled up in a fetal position this year and has yet to emerge from it.  This team disgusted me so much this year that I actually rooted for MIAMI to beat them!!!

3.  Oklahoma City:  Very interesting team here.  Will they finally break through to and win the Finals?  Can they become a dynasty?  One thing's for sure: I'm rooting for Durant.  Beyond his amazing MVP speech, he has such a beautiful offensive game.  When he gets it going, nothing can stop him and it's a sight to behold.  Westbrook, the Robin to his Batman, is unfortunately about the exact opposite.  We know from last year's playoffs that he's essential to the team, but his game is often quite ugly - and his attitude, too.  But this is one of the most fun teams to watch, and I'll be pulling for them.

2.  Miami:  Well, I wasn't expecting that to happen.  The Heat seemed even more dominant this year in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with Wade and Bosh incorporating new, improved elements to their game and Birdman (BTW, hearing Mark Jackson say his name in a serious tone is one of the most hilarious events of a basketball game) shoring up their weaknesses inside.  But then they got to the Finals and everything got exposed.  LeBron's played too many minutes, and was just out of gas.  Wade seems very old and slow.  Bosh is passive and comes up small more often than not.  Mario Chalmers died (wait, he's still alive?).  Their supporting cast has quietly gotten worse and relies on an aging Ray Allen.

Now for the most interesting offseason since The Decision.  LeBron is looking at a team that really isn't a lot different than the one he left in Cleveland.  I've started to wonder whether it's just his luck, or if there's something about his game that molds the team around him.  He's still the best basketball player in the world - but now what will he do?

1.  San Antonio:  Before I talk about the Spurs, I should say that my favorite player when I first started following basketball was Michael Jordan.  He had just come back from retirement, and watching the Bulls get another three peat was the height of my sports fan experience.  Well, watching the Spurs win the championship this year was nearly as good.  Why?

1) The Spurs organization is one of the best in all professional sports, and has quietly and humbly put together perhaps the most successful 15 year span in the last 40 years of sports.  5 championships (plus one other Finals appearance in a loss).  Three Conference Finals berths.  Made the playoffs EVERY single year.  And they did it all with the same core of coach Popovich and all-time great (and all-time under appreciated) Tim Duncan, plus brilliant drafting that netted them Parker, Ginobili, and many others.  They didn't once sign or trade for a superstar from another team (*coughLakersCelticsHeatcough*).

2) Beating Miami.  I've been rooting against the Heat ever since LeBron and Bosh took the easy way out by joining together with Wade.  I don't dislike any of those players, and the move obviously did not guarantee them a championship every year, but I thought it was a terrible precedent to set and thus wanted it to fail.  Add to that last year's Finals, which was possibly the most amazing championship series/game that I've ever seen.  The Spurs had it won, but a few bad bounces of the ball resulted in a devastating game 6 loss and hard fought end in game 7.  To come back the next year and emphatically prove the superiority of team basketball over star power was glorious to see (OK, and the revenge factor was kinda nice, too).

Michael Jordan is still my favorite player of all time, but I think the Spurs might now be my favorite team.  They represent just about all that is praiseworthy in not just basketball but all sports.  Loyalty.  Hard work.  Team work.  Patience.  Humility.  There's plenty more to say about the Spurs - their past, present, and even future - but I'll leave it at that.  Spurs:  I salute you.  You've set an example that every other team should strive to emulate.