NBA FINALS Game 1 The time is NOW!

There time is NOW

By Mike McClendon
With the world watching and the weight of a team on their backs LeBron James and Kevin Durant don't necessarily have to prove a thing to anybody, win or lose. You might say I'm a fool to say that but let me explain. The expectations for these 2012 NBA Finals are, to me, too high. The world expects Magic vs. Bird, Jordan vs. Magic, Bird vs. Jordan, or Jordan vs. Magic and we will be disappointed if we don't get those type of performances. To be honest we haven't seen any finals like those of the 80's or 90's since then so don't expect it.

Greatness

These two teams are stacked with more talent than a few NBA teams combined (Bobcats, Bucks and Raptors to name a few) and even though KD and Mr. James are the two best players on the court at all times they can have faith and rely on others to help carry that load. The main difference between the two Superstars will be who will have that drive, determination and will to win when it is needed the most? We can talk about who is clutch and who chokes all day but at the end of the day Mr. James is a 3-time League MVP and KD is a consistent scoring Champ both are clutch to the game of basketball.

3 The Hard Way

With all eyes on the two main attractions anybody who watches the game of basketball knows that the key to this series will be the sidekicks. OKC has the youthful and at times unattainable, unattractive, and unconscious combo cheese and crackers eating guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The "Heatles" counter that with oh so soft Chris Bosh and Americas favorite super hero Flash, that was a joke. I would however like to say that D.Wade is a vital part to the "Heatles" success. If he doesn't stay in the flow of the game and be aggressive he will get lost in the sauce that is the NBA Finals. Bosh showed life in Game 7 of the ECF and was pretty consistent in his play during last years finals and this years playoff run. OKC will rely on the stubborn like a bulldog point guard, Westbrook, to give not only a scoring effort but a defensive one as well. He must play better on the defensive end than he did against Tony Parker of the Spurs in the WCF. The other key participant in these Finals will be the loved and hated James Harden. The beard is a blog by itself so I won't go there but what I will say is that if Harden can continue to perform and be aggressive like he has been all playoffs than the "Heatles" are in trouble. Harden is the best 4th quaarter scorer off the bench and gets to the charity stripe like it's a free lap dance. The kid means business.

Who will reign as King

Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight as we all know will be important to both teams but to me it means more to the road team which is the "Heatles". With the 2-3-2 format the team with the 3 games at home cannot get swept in any of the 2 games on the road. Miami can set a tone and show the young fellas of OKC what it feels like to be in the NBA Finals with a win tonight. I think Miami can and will do that tonight but only because OKC may not be ready for this stage tonight. I think if KD sets the tone early and the rest of the firing squad follows than OKC wins, but only if KD in firing first. Sit back relax and let's take this ride on the NBA Finals coaster!