If you’re looking for an illustration of why Celtics-Lakers is the best rivalry in the NBA – and perhaps the most enduring of any in the four major pro sports – then read the piece below. Before each game throughout the NBA Finals, we have been encapsulizing the top five Game 1s, Game 2s, etc. As the Thunder and Heat steel themselves for what should be a pretty intense Game 4 tonight, we offer you our top five Game 4 showdowns in
MIAMI — How in the world does a team win when it makes just 20 percent of its outside shots? The Miami Heat were 8-of-40 on jumpers during Game 3 of the NBA Finals … and they won. The prime reason the Heat were able to sneak away with the victory was because they attacked the paint, attacked the paint and attacked the paint some more. With one of the best driving forces of all time on their side in LeBron James, along
Game 3 of the NBA Finals is in the books, and the Thunder looked like a “young team” perhaps for the first time in the postseason. There was plenty to be discussed on why they fell short, from Kevin Durant’s foul trouble, Harden’s poor play and Westbrook’s limited minutes. David Aldridge on Kevin Durant and Westbrook’s growth since last season: “We don’t know what the Thunder will ultimately do with this group. But whatever they’re going to become, it’s happening now,
// MIAMI — You realize the Thunder had us spoiled, right? All playoffs long, they’ve been a comeback team. In Game 1 and Game 2, they were a comeback team. For nearly 2 months, they’ve looked wise beyond their years. After the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, I wrote that squandering an opportunity to take a 2-1 lead after holding the Heat to 37.8 percent shooting and forcing nine fourth-quarter turnovers was a sign
As the NBA draft approaches, you will undoubtably hear about teams looking to move up or move out as they try to make important moves for their immediate and long term futures. What I find most amazing about the draft is that historically, players who land anywhere from 20-45 can be mixed and matched based on team needs and executive opinions. Last year, guard Charles Jenkins of Hofstra was slotted anywhere from 20- 35 in most mocks and dropped to 44.
Every year, Jimmy Kimmel on ABC provides entertaining segments on his show (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) with coverage of the NBA Finals, and this year has been no different. Check out Guillermo hysterically butcher the name of every player, call Derek Fisher a 65-year-old and most importantly, his notable interview with LeBron James. For Metta World Peace calling out James Harden, click here. For Jeremy Lin and Roy Hibbert on Jimmy Kimmel, click here. For all blog items, click here. Follow @NBATupark //
(via NBAClipz) James Harden had a rough time in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, scoring just 9 points on two-of-10 shooting – his second single-digit scoring performance in the last three games. Check out Moke Hamilton’s thoughts here. His worst moment came in the final 30 seconds of the game with the Thunder trailing by three points. The Heat had possession and Scott Brooks had clearly elected not to foul, hoping to get a stop and the last shot to tie the
