People hate the San Antonio Spurs. There is no way around this fact. They have perhaps the greatest player in the game of basketball today in Tim Duncan. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have formed one of the best guard combos in the league today, and have created second and third options to Duncan. Bruce Bowen is without question one of the greatest defenders going today. And then there is the coach. Gregg Popovich has helped put together a dynasty for the new millenium. Yet, this team has been called boring and have participated in some of the lowest-rated NBA Finals since the late 1970's and the games were shown on tape delay.
Cleveland is now the darling of the NBA. They are what this league wants and needs. LeBron James is a superstar on the rise. He's not exactly Jordan, not exactly Magic. Instead of comparing him to other players, he should be seen as the first LeBron James. He has the ability to lead a team and carry a city. He lets the game come to him instead of trying to force the action. And even as James does make his first trip to the finals, he still has so much more room to grow. He's not anywhere close to being an all-NBA defender. Longer range field goals and even free throws are an inconsistent part of his game. But at the age of 22, James taken advantage of a weak conference and an overrated Pistons team to get his team into the finals. My hunch is that King James will be in the finals a few more times.
If you listen to the media, you are listening to the great paradox. On one hand, these finals are the LeBron James show, but the San Antonio Spurs will win this series. It's a slam dunk. The Cavaliers have no chance to win. In fact, they might as well just give the Spurs the trophy now and not even play.
The same has held true in the past of course. The 2002 St. Louis Rams, 2006 USC Trojans, 2007 Ohio St. Buckeyes, 2004 Los Angeles Lakers, 2003 New York Yankees, 2006 Detroit Tigers (That was for you David.), and of course the 2004 New York Yankees. were all stone cold locks to win championships too. And they responded by all being upset. So I'm going against the grain.
I honestly cannot present you with a single fact that points to the Cleveland Cavaliers winning this NBA championship. They don't have near the depth, experience, or willingness to get as dirty as the Spurs can get. The only thing they have is LeBron James and a city that is so hungry for a championship they're like vampires at a blood clinic. But here goes nothing.
Cavaliers in 6.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
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