Yeah, so I didn't get the review up immediately after the game, and I may wait the day after to post a review of every finals game to be quite frank. I can get all the access to the videos (because I can only use Youtube), photos form the game, etc.
However, because we're running short on time, I'm going to blend in this postgame with the next game's preview, which starts tonight at 7:00 CST.
However, because we're running short on time, I'm going to blend in this postgame with the next game's preview, which starts tonight at 7:00 CST.
After the Buzzer: Postgame
Prediction: San Antonio: 104, Miami: 89
Final Score: San Antonio: 110, Miami: 95
I nailed the margin of victory, as long as the victor. In all reality though, this game was much closer than I thought it would be.
I thought San Antonio would take control of the game early, and the game would never be within 5-7 points after the first half.
Instead, Miami made this a very good game, and this game built a lot of excitement for the rest of the series.
However, the stadium's air conditioning in San Antonio failed due to an electrical problem, and unfortunately for Miami fans and fans of basketball who wanted to see a great finish to game one, LeBron James has a history of cramping problems. They showed their ugly head in game four of the 2012 finals against Oklahoma City, before he was able to check himself back in and make the clutch three that made the series 3-1. This time however, LeBron checked himself back into the game, made a layup off of the fastbreak, but was unable to get himself back on defense, and needed the help of the training staff to get back to the bench. I'll go into more detail about what I think of the social media backlash and #LeBroning in a moment, but let's keep going with a game summary.
When LeBron left the floor for the last time, the Spurs were leading the Heat, 94-92. For the rest of the game, the Spurs went on a 16-3 run to close it out, and take the 1-0 series lead.
Final Score: San Antonio: 110, Miami: 95
I nailed the margin of victory, as long as the victor. In all reality though, this game was much closer than I thought it would be.
I thought San Antonio would take control of the game early, and the game would never be within 5-7 points after the first half.
Instead, Miami made this a very good game, and this game built a lot of excitement for the rest of the series.
However, the stadium's air conditioning in San Antonio failed due to an electrical problem, and unfortunately for Miami fans and fans of basketball who wanted to see a great finish to game one, LeBron James has a history of cramping problems. They showed their ugly head in game four of the 2012 finals against Oklahoma City, before he was able to check himself back in and make the clutch three that made the series 3-1. This time however, LeBron checked himself back into the game, made a layup off of the fastbreak, but was unable to get himself back on defense, and needed the help of the training staff to get back to the bench. I'll go into more detail about what I think of the social media backlash and #LeBroning in a moment, but let's keep going with a game summary.
When LeBron left the floor for the last time, the Spurs were leading the Heat, 94-92. For the rest of the game, the Spurs went on a 16-3 run to close it out, and take the 1-0 series lead.
Postgame Comments/Thoughts
I want to mainly address LeBron in this section, along with the media scrutiny he is currently facing, but first, let's talk about the Spurs.
The Spurs did an excellent job of spacing themselves on the floor to set up wide open looks throughout the fourth quarter. When the fourth quarter was all said and done, the Spurs had shot 88% (14-16) from the field! Just an amazing job of getting open looks and finally nailing the three-ball to separate themselves form their opponent.
I said at halftime that Danny Green, Boris Diaw, and Kawhi Leonard needed to step up their points production in order for the Spurs to win this game. Stepped up their game they did. Although Diaw only had 2 points, he also came up with 10 boards and 6 assists, which is a great number for a PF. Leonard and Green combined for 22 points in the second half, which Green sparking a 13-4 run in the 4th quarter, putting up 11 points in a span of 1:54.
The Spurs, though, are going to need to take MUCH better care of the ball, because this result won't happen again if they continue to rack up the turnovers. In game one alone, the Spurs had 23 turnovers. 23! their playoff average before the game was 12, and they're lucky that Miami turned the ball over multiple times as well.
Now for the Heat, let's address the elephant in the room. LeBron James left the game early due to cramps. Social media had a field day with this, creating a fad called "LeBroning", which I can show, better than explain.
The Spurs did an excellent job of spacing themselves on the floor to set up wide open looks throughout the fourth quarter. When the fourth quarter was all said and done, the Spurs had shot 88% (14-16) from the field! Just an amazing job of getting open looks and finally nailing the three-ball to separate themselves form their opponent.
I said at halftime that Danny Green, Boris Diaw, and Kawhi Leonard needed to step up their points production in order for the Spurs to win this game. Stepped up their game they did. Although Diaw only had 2 points, he also came up with 10 boards and 6 assists, which is a great number for a PF. Leonard and Green combined for 22 points in the second half, which Green sparking a 13-4 run in the 4th quarter, putting up 11 points in a span of 1:54.
The Spurs, though, are going to need to take MUCH better care of the ball, because this result won't happen again if they continue to rack up the turnovers. In game one alone, the Spurs had 23 turnovers. 23! their playoff average before the game was 12, and they're lucky that Miami turned the ball over multiple times as well.
Now for the Heat, let's address the elephant in the room. LeBron James left the game early due to cramps. Social media had a field day with this, creating a fad called "LeBroning", which I can show, better than explain.
This is the act of LeBroning, which I have multiple problems with.
But, I have two problems with this "LeBroning".
First, this isn't LeBroning. Actually, LeBroning is, and had already been, a thing for the past couple of months. LeBroning is when you flop because you made light contact with another person, such as this.
First, this isn't LeBroning. Actually, LeBroning is, and had already been, a thing for the past couple of months. LeBroning is when you flop because you made light contact with another person, such as this.
Which I find rather hilarious.
However, my second issue with this is we're actually making fun of a person because they're human. I really can't explain well why I hate this new "LeBroning" (which I dub fake LeBroning), so I found an article which explains it much better than I can.
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/6/6/5786184/lebroning-meme-lebron-james-cramps-heat-spurs/in/5548397
Hope the link works, it should. It basically calls out all the people who made the pictures.
But there's something more behind why I dislike it, and I think it has to do with social media in itself. I'm getting really tired of all the sports memes and sports trends being called "(insert name here)-ing". Can't you come up with something more creative? You even copied another popular meme, one in which I find much funnier.
On top of that, I just can't get into the whole concept of making fun of one person for your own gain. It's like we make fun of somebody else because of injury, and we're WAY better than he ever could be, right? Unlike the LeBroning of before, which was LeBron flopping all over the place which I find suitable for criticism and mocking, this one was a sports injury that can happen to anyone at anytime. Are we really much better off because of this? Nah.
But enough about that, let's get to the real game.
The Heat were in this game until LeBron left, then you could see the huge gap in talent between the two teams. The next possession, Danny Green drilled a 3, then Kawhi Leonard checks in for Green, and drains a 26-foot three himself. The Heat wee lacking athleticism after LeBron left, and there was nothing the remaining starters could do about it.
If the Heat want to win game two, they need to be able to take care of the ball. They forced San Antonio to make 23 turnovers, but that's not very helpful when you make 18 turnovers yourself.
Mario Chalmers has to stay out of foul trouble. Chalmers picked up his third foul with 7:00 left in the second quarter, then picked up his 4th foul with 8:51 left in the third quarter. He then proceeded to pick up his 5th foul with 11:11 left in the fourth quarter. You see where this is going? Chalmers has the ability to get past Tony Parker on the drive and defend Parker pretty well, especially with the bum foot Parker has. However, getting in foul trouble makes you become more cautious on defense, allowing the player you're guarding to start going right at you in hopes you pick up more fouls. If the Heat want to win game two, Chalmers needs to stay out of foul trouble.
LeBron James addressed the media on Friday, saying he was very sore from the cramps suffered in game one, but will be 100% in game two.
However, my second issue with this is we're actually making fun of a person because they're human. I really can't explain well why I hate this new "LeBroning" (which I dub fake LeBroning), so I found an article which explains it much better than I can.
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/6/6/5786184/lebroning-meme-lebron-james-cramps-heat-spurs/in/5548397
Hope the link works, it should. It basically calls out all the people who made the pictures.
But there's something more behind why I dislike it, and I think it has to do with social media in itself. I'm getting really tired of all the sports memes and sports trends being called "(insert name here)-ing". Can't you come up with something more creative? You even copied another popular meme, one in which I find much funnier.
On top of that, I just can't get into the whole concept of making fun of one person for your own gain. It's like we make fun of somebody else because of injury, and we're WAY better than he ever could be, right? Unlike the LeBroning of before, which was LeBron flopping all over the place which I find suitable for criticism and mocking, this one was a sports injury that can happen to anyone at anytime. Are we really much better off because of this? Nah.
But enough about that, let's get to the real game.
The Heat were in this game until LeBron left, then you could see the huge gap in talent between the two teams. The next possession, Danny Green drilled a 3, then Kawhi Leonard checks in for Green, and drains a 26-foot three himself. The Heat wee lacking athleticism after LeBron left, and there was nothing the remaining starters could do about it.
If the Heat want to win game two, they need to be able to take care of the ball. They forced San Antonio to make 23 turnovers, but that's not very helpful when you make 18 turnovers yourself.
Mario Chalmers has to stay out of foul trouble. Chalmers picked up his third foul with 7:00 left in the second quarter, then picked up his 4th foul with 8:51 left in the third quarter. He then proceeded to pick up his 5th foul with 11:11 left in the fourth quarter. You see where this is going? Chalmers has the ability to get past Tony Parker on the drive and defend Parker pretty well, especially with the bum foot Parker has. However, getting in foul trouble makes you become more cautious on defense, allowing the player you're guarding to start going right at you in hopes you pick up more fouls. If the Heat want to win game two, Chalmers needs to stay out of foul trouble.
LeBron James addressed the media on Friday, saying he was very sore from the cramps suffered in game one, but will be 100% in game two.
Game Two Preview: Miami Heat @ San Antonio Spurs
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I'm really looking forward to tonight's game. Game one, at least for 3 1/2 quarters, provided everything we wanted to see. It was a close battle all the way through before LeBron was unable to stay on the court. What can we look forward to in game two?
Prediction
Well, I'm going to dive right into it. I've already addressed what each team needs to do better in the postgame column, so this is just about making a prediction. Will we see a repeat of game one, sending San Antonio up 2-0 as the teams head to Miami, or will Miami even the series up at 1-1? Will we see a close game again, or will this one be a blowout?
Well, I think this game will be a very close game. The lead will never be more than 7 points throughout the game. This will comedown to which team makes the key plays first?
I think that team will be Miami. I think LeBron James is going to come out, and score over 30 points. I actually think it isn't out the realm of possibility he rails off a triple-double in this game.
Although the Spurs have a better team than Miami, I think Miami has the best player, and tonight, it's going to be a one-man show. LeBron goes off in a Miami win.
Well, I think this game will be a very close game. The lead will never be more than 7 points throughout the game. This will comedown to which team makes the key plays first?
I think that team will be Miami. I think LeBron James is going to come out, and score over 30 points. I actually think it isn't out the realm of possibility he rails off a triple-double in this game.
Although the Spurs have a better team than Miami, I think Miami has the best player, and tonight, it's going to be a one-man show. LeBron goes off in a Miami win.
Game Two: Miami: 102, San Antonio 94
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