NBA Finals Game 7: A Night to Remember

     For six games, the Heat and Spurs played to a stalemate. It was a series that featured feats of excellence, drama, the sweet taste of victory and the agony of bitter defeat. We saw both teams play basketball the way it was supposed to be played.  It was a riveting 7 game series that gave fans a riveting and compelling drama.   

       Tonight, was no different. Both teams played each other with vigor, determination and a never give up never say die demeanor. Yes, it was sloppy at times, with the sloppy passing and execution.  Yet, both teams left everything on the floor because tomorrow, there would be no basketball to be played.

     Both teams played so well this series that any of them was deserving of the trophy. Alas, only one team can win and that was the Miami Heat.  It was a hard fought 95-88 victory and a very deserving one to say the least. 

      Miami did the little things: hustle, rebounding, and making timely shots. They were the aggressive team going to the 50/50 loose balls. One such example, the Spurs had three chances to score at the rim. Miami stopped them and hustled for the ball in the baseline to gain possession.    

      It was a team that has been polarized in the last two years, that came through when the moment presented itself. None have been more polarized than Lebron James. 

       Lebron was once again stupendous and downright dominant. The Spurs dared him to shoot jumpers, which has been inconsistent. On this night, he was making big shot after big shot. His shooting especially from beyond the arc, was amazing as he was deadly. 

    None bigger than the jumper with 29 seconds left. For years, the narrative was that he was never a closer or crunch time killer. Whether true or not, Lebron made perhaps the biggest shot of his career to date, with a jumper over Kawhi Leonard. It would put the Heat in the driver seat to their 2nd championship in 3 years. Additionally, it was the cherry on top of a dominating 37 and 12 tour de force performance along with his 2nd NBA Finals MVP. 

    Not to be outdone, Dwayne Wade gave big support as his jumper was spot on. He came up with important shots in the 1st Half and in the 4th and final quarter to keep the relentless Spurs at bay.

         Miami also  got timely shooting from Mario Chalmers and a guest appearance by Shane Battier. They came up huge with their shooting, which was the catalyst for the Heat runs. Shane was a sniper whose shot finally returned after a long absence. He made the Spurs pay for leaving him open. Chalmers played solid  defense and made perhaps the biggest shot of the third quarter. with heat down two in the final seconds, he nailed a 35 foot buzzer beater that turned it into a one point advantage with the 4th and deciding quarter looming.

  As for the Spurs, this was another bitter pill to swallow for such a classy group of guys. If they had won, it would have been a feather on the cap of a franchise that has quietly been in contention for a long long time. They came very very close but they could not convert. None more devastating than when Duncan drove to the paint for a driving hook that 9 times out of 10, he would convert.  Alas, it cruelly did not go thru or when Danny Green stole a lazy Heat pass and missed an open three point shot that could have tied the game. It is moments like this, that will haunt this Spurs team long after they have hung up their sneakers and until the day they pass on from this planet.

  As for the back to back champs, it is a job well done for persevering in the face of adversity. They earned the title and that is something that no one will take away. 

  That is, until next November where everyone will be going after them.But, they will also be chasing something else as well, history. Miami will be chasing a 3-peat and becoming the first team to reach the NBA Finals for the 4th consecutive year since 1987 Boston Celtics. We'll certainly tune in next Fall when they come back for a new season. Till then, have a wonderful Summer.