**MVP LeBron James & World Champion Miami HEAT 2012-2013 Thread**

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Way way too early! OKC looks real good. The Finals last year were very close and couple of them could have gone either way.

You think OKC is better or worse than last year? I think most people would say worse becasue of the obvious loss of Harden. Also, I think Miami is even better this year. Somehow, Lebron got better. Their defense is great and the role players are fitting their roles perfectly. I think the Heat can handle OKC easier than last year.

Originally posted by sacniner:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Way way too early! OKC looks real good. The Finals last year were very close and couple of them could have gone either way.

You think OKC is better or worse than last year? I think most people would say worse becasue of the obvious loss of Harden. Also, I think Miami is even better this year. Somehow, Lebron got better. Their defense is great and the role players are fitting their roles perfectly. I think the Heat can handle OKC easier than last year.

Yes, it may seem like OKC is worse than last year because they traded Harden, but Durant, Ibaka, and Westbrook are better this year too. Harden played terrible in the Finals last year anyway. Had he made a big impact in the series, I may have a different view on this.

I also think having made it to the Finals last year will help them this year. All it takes is couple of unbelievable games from Durant, something he is fully capable of. Same goes for Westbrook. That's why I don't think you can count them out.

Miami looks great right now. They got so many 3pt shooters, and it won't happen often that none of them are firing. Lebron is just unbelievable right now. It wouldn't surprise me if he shoots 60% and averages 30+ in in the playoffs. It will be difficult to beat the Heat right now, but OKC got the weapons to do that IMHO.

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
Yes, it may seem like OKC is worse than last year because they traded Harden, but Durant, Ibaka, and Westbrook are better this year too. Harden played terrible in the Finals last year anyway. Had he made a big impact in the series, I may have a different view on this.

I also think having made it to the Finals last year will help them this year. All it takes is couple of unbelievable games from Durant, something he is fully capable of. Same goes for Westbrook. That's why I don't think you can count them out.

Miami looks great right now. They got so many 3pt shooters, and it won't happen often that none of them are firing. Lebron is just unbelievable right now. It wouldn't surprise me if he shoots 60% and averages 30+ in in the playoffs. It will be difficult to beat the Heat right now, but OKC got the weapons to do that IMHO.

If any team has a chance it would be OKC. But its pretty obvious that the Heat have been the HEAVY favorites all year.

I think 4ML's spot on. I'd still think Miami is about a 3-to-1 favorite to win a head to head series against them though. And the 3rd best team in the league (whoever that is) is MILES behind those two squads. I'd be shocked if the Finals aren't a repeat of last year.

Right now, the Heat have to be the favorites, but the Thunder match up very well as do the Clippers. Should be interesting. But at this point, I'd be really surprised if the Heat don't win.

MVP MVP MVP

Ok, everyone knew that back in feb. Can't wait for 2nd round. I want the Bulls!

Lets go bulls

Originally posted by marshniners24:
Lets go bulls

Can't wait to beat the Bulls. Should be a fun series. I expect a fight or two.

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by marshniners24:

Lets go bulls

Can't wait to beat the Bulls. Should be a fun series. I expect a fight or two.

This season has been decided for a while now I just want to see someone challenge the heat. You're a good dude I respect your bball knowledge

Originally posted by marshniners24:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by marshniners24:
Lets go bulls

Can't wait to beat the Bulls. Should be a fun series. I expect a fight or two.

This season has been decided for a while now I just want to see someone challenge the heat. You're a good dude I respect your bball knowledge

Thanks, and I get that. I wanted someone to challenge the Heat as well and Bulls are the perfect team for Heat to get ready for Conf. Finals...where they will likely face Indiana.

I respect the Bulls though. If your best player is too scared to play, it makes it very difficult for rest of the guys to buy in and give everything they got. They have done it for over a month and that's special.

Dude was nails in the last 5 quarters... just fun to watch the best athlete in the world do his thing... been a huge LBJ fan since high school. He was a year above me and we'd watch some of his highlights during practices, and just in shock that a highschooler could do the things he did...

But I think the Heat (as currently constructed) will be disbanded and there will be a big difference... probably trade Bosh. I expect Battier and Miller to retire. I've heard rumors about Greg Oden

Originally posted by NinerBuff:
Dude was nails in the last 5 quarters... just fun to watch the best athlete in the world do his thing... been a huge LBJ fan since high school. He was a year above me and we'd watch some of his highlights during practices, and just in shock that a highschooler could do the things he did...

But I think the Heat (as currently constructed) will be disbanded and there will be a big difference... probably trade Bosh. I expect Battier and Miller to retire. I've heard rumors about Greg Oden

If Miami can't find a legitimate C to play alongside Bosh...I'd like Bosh get traded for a young talent and 14M exception. Use that exception to land an all-star caliber player who fits the need.

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:
If Miami can't find a legitimate C to play alongside Bosh...I'd like Bosh get traded for a young talent and 14M exception. Use that exception to land an all-star caliber player who fits the need.

IMO, a legitimate C would hurt Miami more than he would help them. In order to the play the drive & kick system that they run, they need to space the floor. Riley knows this, and that's why instead of going after big guys, he went and quadrupled up on shooters like Miller, Battier, Allen, & Lewis.

I'm not sure who would be available for a $14M exception, and Miami doesn't have much in the way of picks that would need to go along with that. The only team that comes to mind that I know is looking to clear cap space is Boston, and I don't think they'd be interested in helping Miami, interested in what they'd have to offer, and I don't think KG would be an upgrade.

I felt pretty confident that Miami would win these last two titles, but I don't think they win it next year. I think that team shot their wad with this title run, very reminiscent of the '10 Lakers. But that 3rd title is the one that puts you in that next level of all-time great teams, IMO. 80's Celtics & Lakers, 90's Bulls, early 2000's Lakers, Spurs, etc.