Championship Status: Heat Vs. Spurs NBA Finals Preview

Why the San Antonio Spurs will win…

1. Gregg Popovich Is A Coaching Mastermind

Although Denver Nuggets coach George Karl won this year’s Coach Of The Year honors, the 2012 award winner, Gregg Popovich, will be remembered as one of the best to ever do it when he steps down. Coach Pop demands and gets respect from his starters all the way down to the 12^th man. Nobody questions his moves and they buy into his system.

2. Long Rest Was A Blessing To Old Legs

The Spurs haven’t played since May 27, giving ample time to rest the battle-tested bodies of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Although the rust factor may be an issue, these savvy veterans know how to play with their heads even when their bodies begin to wear down.

3. The Emergence Of Kawhi Leonard

When the Spurs traded team favorite George Hill to the Indiana Pacers for the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard in 2011, many balked at the move. At 6’7″, Leonard is a versatile wing player who can knock down big shots. He’s also a defensive beast, and has the weighty task of guarding LeBron James in the series.

4. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

The Spurs have been accused of putting teams to sleep with their set pick-and-roll plays and screens. It may not make for high-flying  basketball but for purists, it’s exciting to see a team stick to its guns. The Heat will have to work hard to slow down the pass-happy offense of the Spurs.

5. The Big Three Of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili Are Winners

At 37, Duncan isn’t the workhorse he was a decade ago but he’s arguably the best big man in the game. Playing with passion near the end of a stellar career, the power forward showed skill in the Western Conference finals. Parker is 31, but he’s been with the team since he was a teenager. Despite the miles on his legs, the point guard is a fierce competitor and a tough assignment. The 35-year-old Ginobili can still play big when it matters as well.

Why the Miami Heat will win…

1. LeBron James, ‘Nuff Said

LeBron James finally won the coveted championship hardware in last year’s finals. The former Cleveland Cavalier is determined to get more trophies, as evidenced by him putting the Heat on his back during the tightly-contested Eastern Conference finals. Dominating on both ends of the floor, James can do it all and is virtually unstoppable.

2. Momentum Means A Lot

Although the Heat didn’t get much time off, the intensity of the Pacers series could work to their advantage. Crushing the Pacers last Monday (June 3) has to boost the confidence of the squad to new levels.

3. Home Court Home Cookin’

The Spurs are a formidable road team, but the Heat win in their building very often. With the home court advantage, the Heat will have to win their games at home to take the championship.  This season alone, Miami is 37-4 at the American Airlines Arena.

4. Long Distance Bombs Will Make A Difference

Although some woeful shooting from typically steady sharpshooters Ray Allen and Mike Miller has been a disappointment, the pair, along with backup guard Norris Cole, began to find their touch against the Pacers. If they get hot, the Spurs will have to work harder on the defensive end and match their offensive firepower.

5. Miami’s Big Three Have To Show Up

James won’t need any motivation to be jacked up for this series. Dwyane Wade, bad knee and all, is better than what he’s shown in the playoffs and may be saving his best for last. The same goes for Chris Bosh, who has beat himself publicly up for his frequent disappearances during the playoffs. If all three are in sync, they will remind fans watching of their deserved elite status and most likely win it all.