NBA Micro-Movie: 2012 Finals - Game 1

2012 NBA Finals - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat: The Blueprint

Looks like we’re finally getting the Finals matchup we as fans have hoped we would get ever since this lockout shortened season started.  And with this particular pairing, we are given a variety of narratives to follow.  The top two MVP vote-getters in Lebron James and Kevin Durant will be going head-to-head.  The “Good Guy” Thunder team will go up against the “Bad Guy” Heat team (a terrible story line if you think about it).  The narrative that interests me the most, though, is how these two teams represent two different (and essentially polarizing) ways to build a contending team.

Let’s start with the Miami Heat.  We all know how this story begins: some of the top NBA players of their positions headline an incredibly stacked 2010 free agent class, led by big names like Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.  Wade ultimately decided to resign with the team who drafted him, the Miami Heat, while recruiting Bosh in the process.  Then on July 8th, 2010, Lebron made one of the worst PR moves with a television broadcasted decision to join Wade and Bosh in Miami.  Thus, the super team, Big Three Miami Heat was actualized.

Of course, this was only possible because of the Heat’s player contract situation.  The team made it so that every players’ salary, with the exception of Mario Chalmers’ and Michael Beasley’s, would only go up until 2010, in anticipation for the high profile free agent class.  Beasley’s contract was ended up being traded for two second round picks and cash considerations, thus freeing even more cap space for the team.  These moves allowed for the signings of three top free agents, being able to resign key role players for less money (Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, James Jones), and signed cheaper free agents as well (Mike Miller, Mike Bibby, Juwan Howard, to name a few).

As for the Oklahoma City Thunder, they were able to accomplish what every terrible, lottery bound team attempts to do: rebuild through drafting great players that hopefully develop into stars.  In 2007, the Sonics had the 5th worst record (31-51) and was awarded the 2nd pick which became Kevin Durant (they also had the Boston Celtics’ 5th pick through the Ray Allen trade, which became Jeff Green).  In 2008, the Sonics had the 2nd worst record (20-62), was awarded the 4th pick, and drafted Russell Westbrook.  In the same year, they obtained the 24th pick via a trade with the Phoenix Suns, and drafted Serge Ibaka.  In 2009, the now relocated Thunder had the 4th worst record (23-59) and were awarded the 3rd pick, drafting James Harden. From this point on, the Thunder would only see improvement.

In the 2009-10 season, the Thunder would improve their record by 27 wins to 50-32, clinching the 8th seed in the West.  They would take the eventual champion Lakers to 6 games before being eliminated from the playoffs.  In the 2010-11 season, the Thunder would improve by 5 games, solidifying the 4th seed in the West, and would reach the Western Conference Finals where they would fall in 5 games to the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks.  Now in the 2011-12 season, the Thunder earned the 2nd seed in the West, won 4 games in a row against a San Antonio Spurs team that previously was on a 20 game win streak, and now face the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

And in that span, Kevin Durant was Rookie of the Year, made 3 All-Star appearances, made 3 All-NBA first team appearances, was awarded the 2012 All-Star MVP, won 3 scoring titles in a row, and came in 2nd in MVP votes in 2012 behind Lebron James.  Russell Westbrook also has two All-Star appearances and two All-NBA second team appearances.  Also, don’t forget that James Harden is the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year and that Serge Ibaka came in 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Tyson Chandler.

Though both the Heat and the Thunder present two different blueprints as to how a team can be built into contenders, I doubt any other team can replicate what either of these Finalists have done.

With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (you know, the whole reason why a lockout occurred in the first place), it will be tougher for teams to hold onto so many max contracts (the Thunder will have to deal with this problem once contract negotiations begin with Harden and Ibaka).  Also, not only does a team need a ton of cap space in order to make signings like this work, but the city needs to be a destination in which high profile players would like to go.  In 2010, teams like New Jersey and the LA Clippers had enough cap space for at least one max contract, but (at least at that time) neither team had a history of enough success that would garner interest.

And if teams wishing to rebuild through the draft are essentially gambling.  Even if a team gets high draft picks a few years straight, those picks mean nothing if the players chosen don’t pan out into star players.  The Thunder just happened to hit home runs three years in a row, none of which happened to be #1 draft picks in the first place.

The only exceptions I can think of either situation came years before: The Celtics gathering their Big 3, and the San Antonio Spurs.  Granted, the Celtics had to trade for both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo happened to pan out at that season, thus leading to a Championship.  The Spurs on the other hand, didn’t have a plethora of high draft picks.  After drafting Tim Duncan with the #1 pick in 1997, they have always had success year after year, winning 4 total Championships.  In that span, they were able to draft value picks: Manu Ginobili at #57 in 1999 and Tony Parker at #28 in 2001. Either way, these scenarios are still very unique and will be difficult to replicate.

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By no means do I think that one way to build a contender is better than the other.  Obviously, both teams are great (the best in each conference at this moment) and I honestly believe that the Finals this year are a complete toss-up as to who will win it all. Each team has a trio of incredible talent, each with a player than can be the greatest player on the court for an entire game. The Thunder have an outstanding offense with a great defense.  The Heat have an outstanding defense with a great offense.  Both teams are playing better than how they were in the regular season.  It’s the 1st, 4th, and 5th picks of the 2003 draft against the 2nd, 4th, and 3rd picks of the 2007-2009 drafts.  When it comes down to it, I’m going with my gut:

Oklahoma City Thunder in 6.

Amazing interactive charts highlighting the shot tendencies between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder (via @nytjim)

The site shows the shot tendencies of both teams overall, as well as main six players on each team (James, Wade, Bosh, Chalmers, Haslem, and Battier for the Heat; Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Perkins, and Sefolosha for the Thunder).  It’s a great resource if you want to keep track of two incredible offenses that will go head-to-head tonight.  

This is all types of amazing.

NBA Playoffs Round 1 Round-Up: OKC Thunder (2) defeat the Dallas Mavericks (7) 4-0

I’ve been fairly busy these past couple weeks, so sadly I haven’t been able to catch many of the Playoff games, let alone from this series, and these posts may be short.  

The defending champion Mavericks have been the first victims in the NBA playoffs in what was probably the most entertaining (though quickest) series in the first round.  In a first round filled with injuries and blowouts, the Mavericks and Thunder were able to keep three out of their four games close, with a total margin of victory of 10 in those three games.  

Though most (if not all) people predicted the Thunder to win the series, I doubt many (if anyone) saw a full sweep, but Dirk Nowitzki was carrying the offensive load for the Mavericks in all four games, which isn’t enough against the three headed monster of Durant-Westbrook-Harden.  Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle pretty much nailed the Thunder with this quote after the game 4 loss on Saturday: 

They have a certain look in their eyeright now, not only that they belong but that this could be their time

Whether the Lakers close out the series at home at Game 5 or if the Nuggets can win 3 in a row, expect the next Thunder series to be a great one to watch.

Can we go ahead and declare that this season has had the most ridiculous, amazing posterizing dunks that we’ve ever seen?  Just days after Blake Griffin abuses Pau Gasol twice, here we have Kevin Durant completely murder Pacers center Roy Hibbert.  Take that.

This video needs more replays.

If you caught the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder overtime thriller Sunday evening, you were in for quite the night.

Kevin Durant set a new career high 51 points off of 28 field goals.  He shot 5-6 from 3 point land, and 8-10 from the free throw line.  That’s MVP material, right up there with Lebron, Kobe, and CP3 this season.

Oh, and don’t forget Russell Westbrook who scored 40 points off of 29 shots.  He also dished 9 dimes and committed only 2 turnovers.

But my favorite statline comes from none other than Serge Ibaka, who got a triple double.  14 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks.  That was the first ever triple-double in Sonics-Thunder history that included blocks.  He also had a game high plus-minus of +31 in a game where the Thunder only won by 6.

It’s kind of crazy to say that “History was made” with three great performances coming from one team because it simply does not happen very often at all.  This was the first ever NBA game where one team had a player score 50 points, another player score 40 points, and another player getting a triple-double.

This is a fun OKC Thunder team, ain’t it?  Keep on runnin’ n’ gunnin’ guys.

@lameallenmark