NBA experts are pretty split on predicting who will win the NBA Finals in 2013. As the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs prepare to face off for Game 1 in Miami, predictions are flying all around as to who the favorite is. While at a book signing for Eleven Rings, the Zen Master himself Phil Jackson predicted the San Antonio Spurs would take home the championship over the Heat.
Jackson knows a thing or two about winning championships. The legendary coach does have 13 titles to his name. He is also very familiar with the Spurs, a team Jackson faced more than enough times during his coaching tenure. The pick is rather surprising considering the Heat are being led by the league's best player in LeBron James. It is a similar situation to when Jackson was paired with Michael Jordan for a few championships. Does Jackson have no love for James?
Could it be more of a Pat Riley issue? The two did face each other multiple times during several Bulls-Knicks series. Or it could be that Jackson believes more in the veterans on the Spurs than some of the young players that fill up Miami.
Jackson has certainly been passing out all sorts of tidbits during his recent book tour. Besides making his Finals' prediction, he also is handing out advice about his former Los Angeles Lakers team. He believed several of the team's key payers were being misused. Jackson noted that Kobe Bryant received almost no help throughout the year, while Dwight Howard could not thrive in the style of offense being run.
While Jackson might be putting his vote of confidence in the San Antonio Spurs, James is putting the confidence in himself to win the championship. The reigning MVP said he has not forgotten about how the Spurs embarrassed the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2007 on their own home court. He insists the memory still leaves a bad taste in his mouth and this series will be revenge.
