The 2013 Playoffs have been filled with surprises in certain areas. Can the San Antonio Spurs make it to the NBA Finals in 2013? They are likely set to clash against the Miami Heat who looked unbeatable at the end of the regular season and easily got into the second round. Will LeBron James have a chance to get payback against the Spurs, who spoiled his first ever entry into the NBA Finals?
It might be too long ago to remember, but the Cleveland Cavaliers were good when they had James in their organization. The Cavaliers were so good that they made it to the NBA Finals were they easily fell to younger Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in four games. James tried, but the secret was out by 2007, stop LeBron James and the Cavaliers will not be able to beat you.
However, fast forward to 2013 and James is bigger, he already has a ring and playing without pressure. Dare one say, he has more talent than he did 2007? Wait, that might not make sense. He has developed his talents and skilled his way to becoming the most dominant player in basketball and is now taking the baton from Kobe Bryant.
The Spurs might have received good news along with everybody else in the Western Conference. Russell Westbrook is injured and as proven in Games 4 & 5, the Oklahoma City Thunder don't look as dominant anymore. They are missing the extra points and their game has become a little disorganized. Reggie Jackson is a good point guard, but he's not an All-Star like Westbrook. Now, Kevin Durant has all the pressure on his shoulder, pressures the Rockets are building on as they pushed the series to Game 6. Meanwhile, the Spurs are relaxing and awaiting a winner between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
With the Thunder not as dominant, the Spurs' path to the NBA Finals is slightly more open. They won the two games they played in the Western Conference Finals last year. Without Westbrook, if they are to meet the Thunder in the WCF, then the Spurs' chances of winning are pretty high.
The Heat control the East as it looks like only the New York Knicks can challenge their reign, but they haven't played well in the last two games.
In the end, this means Heat vs. Spurs and Miami has everything to beat San Antonio as they are loaded with power, length and points off the bench. Will this be the year James gets further revenge? He probably might want to beat the Dallas Mavericks more than anything, but he might have healed that wound by winning his first trophy last season.
