No matter how you cut it up:Its down to LeBron vs. Durant

[ecnirp]

The Heat were down 1 going into the 4th.

Durant scored 17 (2 when the game was already over by a stupid foul from Miller, smh), LeBron scored 7. Thunder win by 11.

Now is this fair? Not really. But something has to give.

If LeBron is not guarding Durant in the 4th....Well he has to score big points in the 4th. It cant be Durant kill the Heat in the 4th, LeBron NOT guard him....and the Heat only get 7 from LeBron.

If LeBron matches Durant...thats a close game till the end.

LeBron played 46 minutes. About the same as Durant. Durant wasnt guarding LeBron in the 4th. He was well rested to score.

So Spo has to adjust. Play LeBron 40 minutes instead of 46. But in those 40 minutes...Make him guard Durant all game. I'd rather LeBron have enough energy to score late and guard Durant, instead of him playing 46 minutes and not being able to guard Durant so he can score late on offense.

Managing LeBron determines the series. Its not fair, but it is what it is. LeBron HAS to be rested by Spo...so he can have enough energy to limit Durant (he wont stop him...but C'mon on man. Can't give up 17 points) and be able to score near double figures in the 4th.

I can live with Westbrook's crazy play. Its Durant that can kill the Heat. The only deterrent to Durant....is LeBron. Putting LeBron in position to dominate on offense and having enough energy saved to play defense on Durant in the 4th.

LeBron and Spo have to figure this out. Wade's hurting, it sucks, it is what it is. What better way for LeBron to make up the bad finals last year (well you can never make up....still wish the Heat had that ring ) then do dominate these finals and get the ring?

It comes down to LeBron and Durant this series. Durant got game 1. I think and hope LeBron takes game 2.

[infinite11285]

I agree to an extent but even if LeBron scored 40 last night Miami still loses because Wade played like garbage.

The key to beating the Thunder is by daring Westbrook to beat you.

[ecnirp]

I agree to an extent but even if LeBron scored 40 last night Miami still loses because Wade played like garbage.

The key to beating the Thunder is by daring Westbrook to beat you.

Look at it this way...

LeBron scores 40....You're down 1 with a chance to win the game?

Again...It comes down to LeBron vs. Durant. Its one thing if Westbrook outplays Wade (27 to 19)

But LeBron CANT be outplayed by Durant if the Heat want to win this series. Why were the Heat able to overcome Indiana and Boston? LeBron WAS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT.

Its early...KD got game 1. Need LeBron to take game 2 and so on.

[LuxHeat]

It started in the third quarter. From a certain moment on the Heat just didn't know what to do on offense and you could feel that they weren't going to win this game continuing to play like this. Wade and James were forcing up Jump Shots and seemed lost. I don't know who's fault it is? Spo? Does he need to call more plays?

[SweetTouch]

The last 3 quarter possession was where the Heat went full blown stupid

Watch how Wade & LBJ are waiting for the pass from Bosh, and Bosh just heaves something

[OtW]

That's the thing. This whole issue should not be LeBron versus Durant, but the mentally challenged media will make it seem that way.

[ecnirp]

That's the thing. This whole issue should not be LeBron versus Durant, but the mentally challenged media will make it seem that way.

LeBron CANT LOSE THE MATCHUP against Durant.

[Brovva Blaqq]

I think just the opposite is the case - LeBron and KD are performing on the same level. Its the players around them that will make the difference. Especially the bench players will decide the series.

[Respect My Mind]

No not really. This thread is a prime example of why I need to be a Coach/Analyst (Or maybe you guys just lack bbiq). I saw Nick Collison making winning plays in the 4th with key stops, O-reb and dunks. I didn't see Bosh doing anything but launching 3's. Westbrook took over in the 3rd' quarter. Wade didn't take over in any quarter.

It should be much easier for Bosh to win his match-up with Nick Collison . Wade was dominated by Westbrook. Why the heck do you expect LeBron to erase all of this?

[Miamis3rdRing]

IMO it's on Wade-Bosh. 29 points combined on 11-30 shooting is not going to get it done. That's scrub status right there. We would've been better off with Shane as our 2nd option and Mario as the 3rd last night. If that crap continues let's just start Harris and ask Varnado to come over from Europe. SMH.

Westbrook outplayed them both.

Harden was a non-factor otherwise we might have lost by 20+. In fact, Ibaka outplayed Bosh, and played less minutes. Collison outplayed Bosh, and played less minutes too.

LeBron may get outplayed some games, but he's not going to get killed in his match up.

[ecnirp]

IMO it's on Wade-Bosh. 29 points combined on 11-30 shooting is not going to get it done. That's scrub status right there. We would've been better off with Shane as our 2nd option and Mario as the 3rd last night. If that crap continues let's just start Harris and ask Varnado to come over from Europe. SMH.

Westbrook outplayed them both.

Harden was a non-factor otherwise we might have lost by 20+. In fact, Ibaka outplayed Bosh, and played less minutes. Collison outplayed Bosh, and played less minutes too.

LeBron may get outplayed some games, but he's not going to get killed in his match up.

Harden scored 5 points. Yes Westbrook outplayed Wade. But he still was 10-24 from the floor.

Durant TOOK OVER. Either he needs to be limited or there needs to be counter where one of our guys goes off on offense. The game was right there.

I KNOW its not fair. But I can count about 4 close to the hoop plays LeBron simply missed. Bunnies, he has to make. This including the fact he only made 2 jump shots all game.

You say LeBron matchup Durant? No...Durant had 6 more points. If LeBron matches or does better (He was the MVP) the game is even closer.

LeBron needs to win that matchup for the Heat to win. Cant be LeBron not scoring as many points as Durant AND not defending him. A recipe for disaster.

Look at it this way....

You saw DWADE TAKE OVER THE FINALS in 06? Put the team on his back and get it done. Durant is a great player and when it was time he did that. LeBron has the ability to do that as well. If LeBron derails Durant....the series goes to Miami.

[contract]

The Heat were down 1 going into the 4th.

Durant scored 17 (2 when the game was already over by a stupid foul from Miller, smh), LeBron scored 7. Thunder win by 11.

Now is this fair? Not really. But something has to give.

It was plenty fair in '06 when Wade had to carry the team in the Finals. Lebron wanted this ... now he needs to nut up and dominate Durant.

[Respect My Mind]

The Heat were down 1 going into the 4th.

Durant scored 17 (2 when the game was already over by a stupid foul from Miller, smh), LeBron scored 7. Thunder win by 11.

Now is this fair? Not really. But something has to give.

It was plenty fair in '06 when Wade had to carry the team in the Finals. Lebron wanted this ... now he needs to nut up and dominate Durant.

Lol at using 06 as an excuse for Wade being overpaid in 2012

[DWadeno3]

Basketball is always about more than one matchup. The media may feed the hype, but the media is dumb and lacks basketball knowledge. This isn't tennis or golf, basketball is a team game where you win or lose as a cohesive unit and that includes everybody who steps on the floor as much as the coaching staff's work.

[ecnirp]

The Heat were down 1 going into the 4th.

Durant scored 17 (2 when the game was already over by a stupid foul from Miller, smh), LeBron scored 7. Thunder win by 11.

Now is this fair? Not really. But something has to give.

It was plenty fair in '06 when Wade had to carry the team in the Finals. Lebron wanted this ... now he needs to nut up and dominate Durant.

Lol at using 06 as an excuse for Wade being overpaid in 2012

Im not excusing Wade for his play. He needs to be held accountable.

However, Wade is hurting, LeBron is in his prime. If he is THE KING...shouldnt he be able to do what DWADE did in 06? Or what Durant is attempting to do this series?

LeBron's my favorite player. But he CANT be outplayed by Durant. Its as simple as that.

[contract]

The Heat were down 1 going into the 4th.

Durant scored 17 (2 when the game was already over by a stupid foul from Miller, smh), LeBron scored 7. Thunder win by 11.

Now is this fair? Not really. But something has to give.

It was plenty fair in '06 when Wade had to carry the team in the Finals. Lebron wanted this ... now he needs to nut up and dominate Durant.

Lol at using 06 as an excuse for Wade being overpaid in 2012

I'm using '06 to shut up everyone making excuses for Lebron getting outplayed by Durant. in '06 Wade needed to play like Superman, and he did. Now it's Lebron's turn to put on his cape and dominate. The series is on HIS shoulders.

[contract]

Basketball is always about more than one matchup.

There are no ands, ifs or buts about it. Lebron needs to win that matchup. Lebron needs to be the best player on the court every single night. He has 6 games to prove that he is who he claims to be.

[Respect My Mind]

Lol at using 06 as an excuse for Wade being overpaid in 2012
I'm using '06 to shut up everyone making excuses for Lebron getting outplayed by Durant. in '06 Wade needed to play like Superman, and he did. Now it's Lebron's turn to put on his cape and dominate. The series is on HIS shoulders.

Dallas is a worse team than OKC... Devin Harris? Josh Howard? Erika Damiper? LOL GTFOH You cant compare Abraham Lincoln to George Washington

[contract]

Lol at using 06 as an excuse for Wade being overpaid in 2012
I'm using '06 to shut up everyone making excuses for Lebron getting outplayed by Durant. in '06 Wade needed to play like Superman, and he did. Now it's Lebron's turn to put on his cape and dominate. The series is on HIS shoulders.

Dallas is a worse team than OKC... Devin Harris? Josh Howard? Erika Damiper? LOL GTFOH You cant compare Abraham Lincoln to George Washington

That's not a problem because Lebron is better than Wade ever was too. Enough excuses for "The Chosen One". We're going to find out if Lebron is "King" of the court, or just the "King" of stats.

[nyk_buc]

I agree to an extent but even if LeBron scored 40 last night Miami still loses because Wade played like garbage.

The key to beating the Thunder is by daring Westbrook to beat you.

Look at it this way...

LeBron scores 40....You're down 1 with a chance to win the game?

Again...It comes down to LeBron vs. Durant. Its one thing if Westbrook outplays Wade (27 to 19)

But LeBron CANT be outplayed by Durant if the Heat want to win this series. Why were the Heat able to overcome Indiana and Boston? LeBron WAS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT.

Its early...KD got game 1. Need LeBron to take game 2 and so on.

what kind of stupid logic is this? look at the shots OKC gets for durant? easy looks. why? b/c WB drew attention himself to free up durant.

now if wade plays like WB did last night, lebron would have a much easier time to operate.

you seem to forget WB almost got a triple double and he was the reason OKC won the game, not durant. wb's explosion allowed durant to get off b/c the team couldn't key in on durant.