The OtherArena

[JAG]

Nobody has come back from 3-1 in Finals and it wouldn't start this year.

The pressure in elimination games is too great in June. OKC has to figure it all out by tipoff tomorrow, if not, it's a wrap.

I see very correctable things (turnovers, shot selection, foul trouble) and there's nothing big games from Westbrook and Durant wouldn't cure.

The biggest problem is they haven't put doubt in LeBron's mind and without that, he's easily the best and most complete player on the floor.

Jagdip

[jdw]

[Rian]

I missed the game, was coming from the Galaxy/Timbers game back to LAX and just saw literally the last two minutes in the bar at LAX. OKC needs to cut down the turnovers and play a little better defense. They have the physical talent to win this, but do they have the mental?

[corrado]

All in the game yo.

The inevitable Whitlock NBA Finals Wire column.

I got a good laugh at "David the Greek Stern"

[corrado]

Heat are one win away from the Title after a 104-98 win. Crazy game with Lebron missing most of the final minutes with "cramps". I dont think he'll miss the next game despite the "cramps."

Westbrook had a 43 point game and saved the game for the Thunder when they were down. Until he had a brainfart late and fouled Chalmers (who had a breakout game tonight) with the Thunder in the penality.

I really cant see OKC coming back from this.

[jdw]

Hard to see the Thunder coming back given how they played: monster 1st quarter to answer all the knocks about having bad first quarters, only to completely fall apart quickly in the 2nd. Just... strange. Where were these Thunder when the Lakers and Spurs were playing them? How did these Heat go so long with the Celts (well... Bosh may mean more than some of us give him credit for).

John

[corrado]

Thats a wrap. What a disappointing end by the Thunder. Heat really chopped them up tonight. Led by Lebron who shook everything off and won his 1st title. But it wasnt just Lebron who was key tonight. Mike Miller off the bench. Chalmers. Bosh. Battier. And believe it or not Wade didnt do that much compared to the aforementioned names.

The Thunder though will be back. This isnt going to end them. They are still incredibly young and this will hopefully teach them in the long run.

Now time will tell if the Heat will do as Lebron delievered and win 7 more titles. They wont but if the supporting players step up like they did this postseason, they'll be fine as well in the long run.

[jdw]

We can put away the Lebron Is A Choker stuff.

Thunder either grow from it or fracture and need some fixing. I think they're the more talented team that third got outplayed, third got out coached/adjusted (on the defensive end) and third our Lebroned. All three of those are surprising as hell given the past two seasons of the Heat in the post season. Talent is there... they just need to avoid the meltdown. Lots of great teams have hit walls like this and then bounced back and broken through it.

John

[Steve Yohe]

Great final. You got two even teams....the two best teams...& the best players. Went head to head...and OKC didn't have it. Great to watch.

Now all James has to do is prove he's the greatest player of all time.

Happy for Riley & McAdoo.---Yohe

[JAG]

LeBron gets his face turn, but will America be a willing audience?

He was sublime in these playoffs and his Game 6 in Boston will be in the annals forever. He may be good enough to create a dynasty (even a mini one), but Wade has clearly dropped a level and I don't see it getting better.

Happy for Riles, like Yohe said. The Jordan years were tough on him and it's nice on some level to see him be back on top without a hair out of place.

As for OKC, Durant has to take the next step now and affect the game in other ways. It's cute he's not a diva, but how about rebounding and defending some? I have soft spot for Westbrook, but that bad breakup may still be coming. And Harden cost himself about 40% of his next contract and if I'm Presti, moving him and Perkins for a true third piece would be my play this summer.

Considering how shitty things looked in November and how giddy guys like Rian were about it, a truly superb season for the NBA.

Wonder what the audience was for the coronation? 20M?

Jagdip

[Rian]

Harden pretty much wrapped it up after game 1. No one else stepped up to take his role either.

No one is really going to remember who the Heat beat when it's all said and done. And good to see Fisher revert to his Laker ways with the "flagrant" foul on LeBron.

Time for someone else to step up and take the crown away from LeBron.

[jdw]

NBA Finals ratings second-best ever on ABC

Going only 5 games and having Game 5 be a blowout held it back a bit. Strong numbers.