The 2013/2014 NBA Finals turned out not to be as competitive as I thought they'd be; the Spurs were able to handle the Heat in only 5 games. Wow. This series showed us the difference between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference and how good the Spurs REALLY are.
So the first two games were really close. Game 1 will be remembered as the 'Cramp Game' from now on, unfortunately. I believe that if LeBron got to play the whole game, the Heat would be able to grab this victory. The reason why Miami lost this series so easily was because nobody apart from LeBron contributed in any way. Mario Chalmers was turning the ball over, unable to make the open shot. Dwyane Wade looked awful, despite saving him all season so he could be rested for the Finals. Chris Bosh hit a couple 3s' and got dunked on by Manu in game 5. Rashard Lewis, Norris Cole, Chris Andersen, Udonis Haslem, Ray Allen, they all played very, very poor, mainly because they were too fatigued from the long 82 game long season. I really don't understand why Coach Spoelstra didn't play Michael Beasley more often. Wasn't he a starter for the Timberwolves and the Suns a couple years back averaging over 15 PPG? It's a real shame that Greg Oden didn't get to play at all, it's probably because he simply couldn't play, because of his 80 year old knees... People are talking about how bad the Heat were in the Finals, but I think they should be talking about how good the Spurs were. Seriously, San Antonio plays beautiful, TEAM basketball and that's what it's all about, about the TEAM. They kept making extra passes until they found an open Patty Mills in the corner, or a cutting Kawhi Leonard for the easy points. And that's how basketball should be played. I am mad that the Spurs are getting credit only in the Playoffs when the whole world is watching them play, but what can you do, right?
Now, let's talk about the Heat and the important decisions they have to make in this off season. Starting with their star players, I feel all three of them should opt out and take sign new deals with the Heat, you simply don't walk away from Pat Riley. Wade and Bosh could get a 5 year deal, earning 11-14 mln $ a year and LeBron a 5 year deal, earning 15-18 mln $ a year. By taking a pay cut they would have better options in the market. Next they should draft Shabazz Napier or Kyle Anderson, they are both good point guards that have potential to be better than Mario Chalmers. During free agency they should target players like Trevor Ariza, Marcin Gortat, Kyle Lowry, Pau Gasol, Kent Bazemore, Anthony Morrow, basically they need guys that could take a load off LeBron, Wade and Bosh. A perimeter player that is a knockdown shooter and definately a big man, Bosh at center isn't working out in my opinion. Also a player like DJ Augustin, Rodney Stuckey or Nate Robinson coming off the bench and provide some scoring would be great, as it was the Heat's bench that failed them the most (the lack of a defensive presence in the paint is second). Nate Robinson vs. Miami Heat
Enough talking about the Heat, NBA Draft is in 5 days!!! As you probably heard Joel Embiid hurt (probably broke) his foot and was forced to undergo surgery earlier today. Embiid was supposed to be the #1 overall pick in this draft, but now some teams are afraid that he will be another Greg Oden or Sam Bowie. If I'm the Cavs I'm still taking Embiid at #1, he was the #1 pick in most mock drafts during these past couple of months so why should he drop out of the top 5? He is a terrific prospect, right now he is just injured. Now I will write down my NBA Draft predictions, basing on who I think the team SHOULD pick.
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers - Joel Embiid, C
This guy will be amazing, at first I wasn't so sure about him, since I don't get to watch college basketball but after watching his workout he convinced me that he indeed is worthy of being selected as the #1 overall pick. For Cleveland, he is the 7 footer that can protect your paint, block shots, grab rebounds and on the other side of the court, he can score on the block, he has a nice, soft touch from midrange, all in all a great player who can evolve into your franchise guy that goes along with Kyrie Irving. Joel Embiid Workout
#2 Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker, SF
Here the Bucks should go with Jabari, he is the most ready player to play in the NBA coming out of 1 year of college at Duke. He would provide instant scoring from every part of the court, and could one day turn into a Carmelo Anthony/Paul Pierce type of player.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers - Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF
The Sixers fell in love with Wiggins. There are reports that they want to trade Michael Carter-Williams and Thad Young to the Lakers for Steve Nash and their 7th overall pick and use their 3rd pick on Dante Exum, but I don't see it happening. I think they will pick the best player available and that's Andrew Wiggins. I also believe that he is the player with the most upside that could turn into a Tracy McGrady type of player or in the worst case a Tony Allen, where he would be a defensive stoper basically.
#4 Orlando Magic - Dante Exum, PG/SG
Orlando Magic has shown interest in Exum and rightly so, that is the right choice. After drafting Oladipo you would want to pait him up with another young guard and that is Dante Exum. He may not turn out to be Penny Hardaway, but this kid has potential to be very good in this league. He still has to improve his shot and passing, but other than that, he's fine.
#5 Utah Jazz - Marcus Smart, PG/SG
With Derrick Favours and Enes Kanter in the frontcourt, the Jazz should select Smart. Gordon Hayward will probably leave during free agency, so Trey Burke/Marcus Smart could be you backcourt of the future.
#6 Boston Celtics - Julius Randle, PF
Julius Randle is an athletic version of Zach Randolph. He has some post moves that he presented in Kentucky, but he also has a nice midrange game.
#7 Los Angeles Lakers - Noah Vonleh, PF
Vonleh can grow into a LaMarcus Aldridge/ Chris Bosh type of player. He is a good athlete with some range up to the 3 point line.
#8 Sacramento Kings - Aaron Gordon, PF
Aaron Gordon is a freak athlete that still has a lot to learn. He already is a defensive beast, all he has to do now is develop an offensive game. The Kings are stacked with forwards, with Jason Thompson, Derrick Williams, Carl Landry and Quincy Acy so I expect the Kings to make a couple of trades involving these players.
#9 Charlotte Hornets - Nik Stauskas, SG
The Hornets need another guard to go with point guard Kemba Walker and Nik Stauskas is the solution. The Michigan player is a terrific shooter with deep range and is also athletic, he showed a 40 inch vertical during the Lakers workout.
#10 Philadelphia 76ers - Doug McDermott, SF
Doug is a player with the highest basketball IQ in this draft, he makes the right decisions on the court and is an outstanding shooter also, but he will not match up to the other, more athletic small forwards in this league.
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