Wednesday 11 June 2014

Are the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat Actually Any Good at Basketball?????

LeBron wasn't really ever liked by everybody. People generally respected his game, they acknowledged he was the best. But a lot still didn't like him, getting annoyed by his arrogant attitude and amplified antics. Then he made the decision, Cleveland turned on him like Mr Iscariot turned on his bro, and so did most fan bases when he made another super team happen. Today most of the dislike of LeBron has worn off. ("dislike," not hate, there is still more than enough hate, see how twitter when off its twits when he had some cramping game 1).
Although there was once a time when fans wouldn't want to watch the Heat because they couldn't stand the Super Star forward, or just hated the thought of the team leading the league for the coming seasons.
Today some are becoming fed up with Miami, which is natural unless your a long time supporter. No one who isn't part of the Heat fan base wants to see the same team win titles for very long. A lot of people want this to be over.

How much damn makeup is he wearing!

There seems to be somewhat similar feelings toward the Spurs. Mainly from the west. None of their stars are particularly disliked like the Heats. although they are so very good. They have had their shot, and although never charging for three straight like the Heat, they still have that "just go away already," feel about them. Seriously, its been 15 years. Maybe just share it around for a bit. The prolonged dominance is truly outrageous and many fan bases just want this to be over.



To answer the many emails that I'm getting from anonymous accounts questioning whether the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat are actually any good at basketball, I say yes. Yes they are.

In fact, we are seeing two of the best basketball playing, basketball teams ever. I am neither a Heat nor a Spurs fan and have been burnt by both in the past, one just last round. But I can't allow my hate to blind me from the brilliant basketball that is being played.

The Miami Heat have the best player in the World, a two guard, who when on the court and at his best can be the best shooting guard in the league and an underrated good defensive big man who still looks like a raptor. The Heat would be great just running on these three engines with a few extra cogs to surround them. Although they aren't just great, they are brilliant, 2 chips proves that. They don't just play a three man game, they play one of the best team games around. Role players such as Ray Allen, Noris, Rashaad, Oden, Rio, Birdman, play actual roles, and play them well. Although what is more admirable, is the unselfishness, increasingly so, of the three stars. All of the big three are very unselfish players, not just in the way that they are willing to make the extra pass and give up their own 2 points. Its to the extent where they are willing to give up their usage, their ball time. LeBron has had to do this the least, because LeBron is still the best. He has to be, otherwise what is the point of having him. Although his basketball IQ for the player he is, is outstanding, he makes the right plays, almost all of the time. Is more than happy to kick it out to a shooter and doesn't get phased by the pressure of the game or his haters.
More interestingly although is the reduction in status taken by Wade and Bosh. Before the Big three took it to south beach, Wade was the man in Miami, and so was Bosh in Toronto. It took them a while to figure it out, don't get me wrong, but they have got it.
Wade has slotted into being the second guy so well, the change he has had to make isn't nearly as obvious now since its been a while and he isn't playing as much. Although throughout the 2012 season the step back he took in usage whilst still keeping an elite level of performance was humbling. He allowed LeBron to take control yet stayed an explosive second option.
Bosh has done much the same, he has adapted, lessened himself to do what is best for the team. He has become a better shooter, stretching the floor on offence and keeping the lane open for Wade and LeBron. These days getting out as a reliable 3 point option and being the guy "that makes it all work," as coach Eric Spoelstra likes to say just about every day of his human life.
Speaking of Spo, he has also contributed to making this team and Elite performing machine. Particularly on defence, having constructed the Miami, gunning trap that thwarts most teams, and is really impressive to watch. Miami isn't just a loaded team, they are a star led group with a heap of contributors. Everyone is unselfish, the ball moves, and there are shooters all over the court. Yes, the Heat can play Basketball.

The Spurs on the other hand are a whole different vehicle. They have stars yes, but in 2014, they aren't the dominators like a LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Although in saying that, Tim Duncan is still a consistent worry for teams like the Heat that don't Defend inside as well as others, and clearly a consistent double double. Tony Parker can absolutely subjugate a lot of point guards when he wants to and is healthy, look what he did to D Lillard. Oh wait, Damien is one of the worst defenders around, whoops. He still did it though, and yes Miami is containing him better than last year, he still had 21 points of 8-15 from the field, 7 assists, and only 1 turnover. Manu can turn it on and is the anchor of the second unit, a reliable scoring source of the bench for years and years.
Although the stars hold it all together, both in terms of talent and character, the Spurs play possibly the best team game ever. Only Kawhi plays 30 minutes a game throughout the regular season, and the real contributors come from right down the end of the bench. Hey, Mr Bonner may even start a game here and there.

The schemes are brilliant, the coaching unquestionable, like really, don't question him. They move the ball like every coach wants to teach his under 12 team to, and the ball "doesn't stick." Their dribble penetration from Parker or Ginoboli leads to lots of open shots for the Spurs perimeter guys, whilst Tim is always a good inside option. The Spurs machine is really something for any basketball fan to behold.

As I said Im a fan of neither organisation. But we really have the two best Basketball teams playing in the Finals at the moment. Going from watching these two titans clash to the weirdly product non-offence of the Thunder, or the ridiculous, dribble the heck out of it Jim Rocket ball. Or even the Non-existent scoring end of the Pacers and the lack of working joints for the Nets, will just be disappointing.

The Heat and the Spurs play impeccable basketball, on both ends, and I would hate for you to miss it. Even though you may still be watching the games, no matter how much we hate them or are sick of their "winning," don't let it hinder your enjoyment of this beautiful sport played at its best. Seriously these first three games have been outstanding.
Game 3, in the first half the Heat were shooting a great 58% from the field, and still getting pumped, because the spurs were absolutely playing out of their minds.
The Pop-Duncan Spurs may be gone after this year, we may not have many more games to watch their combo live.
And LeBron will be around for a while, although he only has so many prime years, this could be the best player we see in our generation, wouldn't want to miss it because of some bad decision.

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