AF1: 2014 NBA FINALS GAME 7 PREVIEW (Heat vs. Kings)

[Cruzerr]

What happened? Damn, that sucks. Now, I just hope Nets dominated Miami

[Nutellar]

Cant believe you lost, but thats the playoffs

I hope you can do better next year, sad to see Chris Paul couldnt step up.

[kibaxx7]

OMG! Lots of upsets in the East.

[Grandmama Johnson]

OMG! Lots of upsets in the East.

Tons. I can't remember the last time a conference had three of the top four seeds out in the first round. Complete opposite from the West.

Ouch, Posey tastes defeat

He sure did. Despite the upset, he still had a fantastic rookie year. It'll be interesting to see how he and the Bobacts bounce back next season.

Cant believe you lost, but thats the playoffs

I hope you can do better next year, sad to see Chris Paul couldnt step up.

Thanks, it was actually a pretty crushing loss. I honestly thought this was a much better team after the regular season. Of all people to choke, I wouldn't have expected CP3.

What happened? Damn, that sucks. Now, I just hope Nets dominated Miami

Haha, well somebody dominated in that series, that's for sure. Next round will be posted soon.

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
QUARTERFINALS RECAP

WEST
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeat (4) Memphis Grizzlies in 7 games
(3) Sacramento Kings defeat (2) Golden State Warriors in 7 games

EAST
(8) Atlanta Hawks defeat (5) Orlando Magic in 5 games
(3) Miami Heat defeat (7) New York Nets in 4 games

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEW

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Sacramento Kings


Two small market do battle for a chance to grace the biggest stage of all. The Thunder are in hot pursuit of a “three-peat”, only eight wins away from immortality. Meanwhile, the Kings are one of the league’s “feel good” stories this season, going from potential relocation only a few years ago to the brink of the NBA Finals.

After easy first round wins, both teams faced adversity in the quarterfinals to reach the final four. Oklahoma City survived a determined Memphis squad, hungry for revenge after last year’s conference finals. OKC went down 3-1, only to show why they are back-to-back champions and prevailing in Game 7. Similarly, Sacramento went 7 in their series with the Warriors, establishing their Northern California supremacy.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the usual suspects for OKC, once again driving a high-powered contender deep into the playoffs. They’ll look to stop Tyreke Evans (21.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.0 APG), who has become one of the game’s superstars at 24. Evan Turner and Nate Robinson will also be handfuls for the Thunder defense. It’s been 63 years since the Kings’ last conference title, but if Sacramento can dethrone the champs, then the long wait may be over soon.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
(8) Atlanta Hawks vs. (3) Miami Heat


In a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal matchup, Miami and Atlanta have taken very different paths back to this year’s showdown. The Hawks won the 2013 series in seven games, but history will be thrown out the window when these teams tussle for a spot in the 2014 Finals.

After beating the Heat, the Hawks continued their dream run before eventually losing to the Thunder in the NBA Finals. Atlanta entered this year as a preseason favorite, but underperformed greatly and barely qualified for the playoffs at 38-44. Since then, the Hawks have risen again and continued their postseason heroics. They shockingly took down first-seed Charlotte in six games before beating the Magic in 5. Joe Johnson is back to his best and, if they can defeat the Heat again, they’ll be back in the Finals for the second consecutive season. An 8-seed in the Finals? Atlanta says don’t bet against it.

The Heat have also had a long road back to the rematch. After last year’s quarterfinal exit (their second in a row), the Heat got serious about returning to the top. New coach Phil Jackson has put the buzz back in Miami and the team appears to be peaking at the right time this season. A five-game victory over the Pacers and quarterfinal sweep past the Nets has the Heat liking their odds. Chris Bosh (28.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG has had a breakthrough postseason, while MVP LeBron James and Dwyane Wade can also put the team on their backs. If they can overcome Atlanta, the Heat will be a formidable opponent for whoever comes out of the West.

[Nutellar]

I voted for Atlanta in the beginning of the season, it seems they now take charge.

[hova-]

Has been a while since I was following. Looks like you got eliminated again. I hope the Kings can win it all.

[Justine.]

Oklahoma City will win the title again, just as I said Tough luck on your team though.

[Bucket]

Another title for OKC...

[thatwizardguy]

I wish i did previews like yours

[Houndy]

Atlanta vs OKC please

[Grandmama Johnson]

I voted for Atlanta in the beginning of the season, it seems they now take charge.

You were definitely right about that one. It's amazing to see how this team can flick "the switch" on during the postseason.

Has been a while since I was following. Looks like you got eliminated again. I hope the Kings can win it all.

Glad to see you checking in Cavs did get eliminated, but there were also dramatic improvements this regular season. I'm optimistic for the future

Oklahoma City will win the title again, just as I said Tough luck on your team though.

Thanks, man. Don't worry though: we'll be back

Another title for OKC...

Time well tell, haha.

I wish i did previews like yours

Thanks, I really appreciate that! I only wish I could incorporate photos like you can

Atlanta vs OKC please

That'd be interesting--the first Finals rematch in many years if that happened

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA PLAYOFFS
CONFERENCE FINALS RECAP

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Sacramento Kings defeat (1) Oklahoma City Thunder in 4 games

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Miami Heat defeat (8) Atlanta Hawks in 6 games

[Grandmama Johnson]

2014 NBA FINALS PREVIEW
MIAMI HEAT vs. SACRAMENTO KINGS


It’s King vs. Kings.

The 2014 NBA Finals begin tonight in Miami with a classic, coast vs. coast battle. MVP LeBron James leads a star-studded Heat lineup against Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings, who are looking for their first title in 63 years.

“We’ve spent two years outside the Finals, but it’s good to be back,” James told media in Miami. “The Atlanta series prepared us well and we’re ready to jump on it, starting from the opening tip.”

The Miami Heat return to the championship series after two quarterfinal exits in 2012 and 2013. They’ll look to add a third banner to their 2006 and 2011 crowns, while LeBron, a 5-time MVP, seeks his second ring.

The Heat went 55-27 in the regular season, earning the third seed before ripping through the playoffs. After a first round victory over Indiana (4-1), quarterfinal sweep of the Nets, and conference finals triumph over the Hawks (4-2), the Heat are firing on all cylinders. Phil Jackson has gotten the best out of his stars, particularly Chris Bosh, averaging 26.3 PPG and 11.2 RPG in the playoffs. More performances like that and the Zen Master will be taking his team (and a record 12th ring) back to South Beach.

The Sacramento Kings will be the sentimental favorite for most NBA fans, having survived potential relocation and reaching the NBA Finals. Small-market Sacramento has got basketball fever, having witnessed their young team go from last year’s lottery to this year’s title match. Evans and Evan Turner have emerged as true stars, who will now face the biggest challenge of their careers. If their conference finals sweep of the defending champion Thunder is any indication, they’re ready.

“I’ve been a part of Sacramento in good times and not so good times,” Evans said prior to Game 1. “If we can bring a title back to those fans, it’ll make it all worth it.”


PROJECTED STARTERS



Miami Heat
PG Mario Chalmers (age 28, 79 OVR)
SG Dwyane Wade (age 32, 98 OVR)
SF LeBron James (age 29, 98 OVR)
PF Chris Bosh (age 30, 89 OVR)
C Mehmet Okur (age 34, 69 OVR)

Sacramento Kings
PG Nate Robinson (age 29, 78 OVR)
SG Tyreke Evans (age 24, 95 OVR)
SF Evan Turner (age 25, 90 OVR)
PF Craig Brackins (age 26, 75 OVR)
C Demarcus Cousins (age 23, 81 OVR)

[Bucket]

What the ......?
How Kings made a Finals?

[Cruzerr]

SG Tyreke Evans (age 24, 95 OVR)
SF Evan Turner (age 25, 90 OVR)

Are these typos ? If not, Im rooting for the Kings. That just rocks. Second title to the Kings !

[Justine.]

They swept the Thunder? Common

[Nutellar]

This Kings team is really looking great. I hope they make it

nice to see Turner having an 90ovr in 2014

[kibaxx7]

Okur in Miami? That sucks Go Kings!

[Houndy]

What the....

[Grandmama Johnson]

What the ......?
How Kings made a Finals?

What the....

I know, guys. Very surprising result, but the Kings have a really solid 1-2 punch with Evans and Turner. Both are a few years older, a few years wiser, and surrounded by good role players (Cousins, Robinson, etc.)

SG Tyreke Evans (age 24, 95 OVR)
SF Evan Turner (age 25, 90 OVR)

Are these typos ? If not, Im rooting for the Kings. That just rocks. Second title to the Kings !

:applaud:

This Kings team is really looking great. I hope they make it

nice to see Turner having an 90ovr in 2014

Not typos at all. Both of these players have matured well in this association. Tyreke is a legitimate superstar and Turner has matured into a guy who could either be the star on a decent team, or a sidekick on a title contender. Here, he's the latter. And yes, Osaki, this bodes well for you if Turner ends up developing as well in your story

They swept the Thunder? Common

Haha, not the best exit for the two-time defending champions. I thought the Kings had a shot, but wouldn't have guessed a sweep.

Okur in Miami? That sucks Go Kings!

Well it looks like there is a serious anti-LeBron, pro-Sacramento consensus here

Thanks for the comments, everybody! I hope to have an update coming soon.

[qfrmcpt310]

Wow this is looking nice. Cleveland has to get it done in the postseason though.

Go Sac-Town! lol

[rise]

WAT. Kings in the Finals, Evan Turner is good...

[Grandmama Johnson]

Wow this is looking nice. Cleveland has to get it done in the postseason though.

Go Sac-Town! lol

Thanks, man. Cavs are still a work in process. Hopefully, we can bring it in the playoffs next year.

WAT. Kings in the Finals, Evan Turner is good...

Haha, he definitely is a force. One of the best young stars in the game