Popovich, on the other hand, has no trouble getting the respect he deserves. He is rightfully credited with changing his team’s offensive identity over the past few years, pushing the pace a bit, and playing such a consistent, high-IQ game that is as disciplined as it is structured.
The old knock against the “kid” who was once thought to be in over his head when Miami’s Big 3 began their tenure by going 9-8? That talk is far, far in the past.
Spoelstra is a brilliant basketball mind, evidenced by his storybook ascent within the Heat organization. But in coach “Pop,” he may have met a wiser sage. Time will tell.
The “Who Has the 37-Year Old Knees?” Factor
“I know when I’m playing the game of basketball well, we’re even more of a special team than when I’m not… Doubt creeps in at certain times. You just have to get the doubt out. Get doubt out your house. Get doubt out your mind.” – Dwyane Wade
A lot has been made of the layoff factor. The Spurs—by virtue of their sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies—have not played a game since May 27. The Heat, on the other hand, just went through a grueling seven-games series against the Pacers that will have ended only about 72 hours before they tip-off against the Spurs for all of the marbles.
Dwyane Wade probably wishes things were reversed.
From afar, it is difficult to know who is 37 years old and who is 31. Duncan has looked fresher and healthier, and when the Finals begin, he will be more rested. Assume that both James and Tony Parker are able to exploit the weaknesses of their opponent and their personal advantages over their defenders.
(RELATED: Who Will Guard LeBron; And Who Will Guard Tony Parker?)
(RELATED: To keep building his own dynasty, LeBron must defeat another)
(RELATED: Sheridan Picks Spurs in 7. Here’s Why)
Even if Parker is dominant, the Spurs have no chance if Duncan cannot replicate the success he has had over the course of these playoffs. For a change, the Spurs are the underdog, and their overcoming the odds will almost certainly rest on Duncan’s ability to have his way with Andersen and Bosh on the interior, along with the production from Wade over the course of the series.
On the other hand, if Wade is able to dig down deep and find four more good—not great—performances, he and James could be the two best players in the series, and the team with the two best players and homecourt advantage will almost certainly not lose.
LeBron James: Then and Now
“LeBron is a different player than he was in 2007. That was like ancient history. He was basically a neophyte at the time… But at this point, he’s grown… So he’ll be a lot more of a problem than he was in 2007. That’s for sure.” – Gregg Popovich
Yes, coach Popovich, that is for sure.
In some ways, it may be a cop out to call LeBron James a key factor in the NBA Finals. But it would be an injustice to not cite the tremendous growth that James has made not only as a player, but as a winner.
And his avenging the 2007 Finals loss that his Cleveland Cavaliers suffered at the hands of Tim Duncan—and earning his second title in the process—is probably the lone demon left for James to exorcise.
James’ ability to control a game and give his team exactly what they need, when they need it, is something that few NBA players have ever mastered. If it takes a 40-point triple-double, James is down.
If winning requires him to defer to one of his less heralded supporting cast members who happen to be having a prolific shooting night, James does.
In the modern NBA, the term “legacy” is thrown around more than a football at a Dallas Cowboys’ practice. The ugly truth is that, while most of the NBA’s superstars claim to value winning over everything else, a great many only say it because it is politically correct.
The alpha-male personality and the ego that typically comes in conjunction with a huge salary and a guarantee of 25 shots per game makes the typical NBA “superstar” starve to not only win, but to be recognized by the masses as the reason why his team wins.
The masses recognize points, flashy plays, crossovers and slam dunks. Few laud fighting over screens, executing skip passes, taking charges, forcing misses and otherwise doing things that win, but don’t show up on the box score.
LeBron James is different. All he cares about is winning and for that reason, he will do any of it.
The major difference between 2007 James and James now, is that his over-deferring has ceased. He simply knows what to do and when to do it. And deep down inside, he knows that he is the best player on the planet. His aura has changed remarkably.
“I don’t play this game for my legacy,” he said. “I play this game because I love it.”
It probably is not true, but you certainly could not know that simply by watching James always make the right play.
I saw LeBron James walk across the stage and shake David Stern’s hand in 2003. In Cleveland, I saw him posterize Rasheed Wallace in Game 3 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals two games before he turned in one of the greatest playoff performances I have ever seen.
I saw “The Decision,” and last year, I saw The Decision end up being the right decision. I spent time with him in Houston at All-Star Weekend, and there is simply no doubt.
Today, LeBron is smarter and wiser. He gets it. And as long as his teammates come through for him. He will get it, again.
It may be a cop out, but Popovich repeating history and finding a way to foil James again, is obviously the biggest factor of them all.
MAY: Spurs in 6.
SCHAYES: Spurs in 6.
ANDY KAMENETZKY: Heat in 7.
BRIAN KAMENETZKY: Heat in 6.
