It's been a few days since the Miami Heat won their second of back-to-back championships, officially ending the 2012-13 NBA season. The year featured the rise of many young stars and up-and-coming teams, perhaps signaling the start of the cyclical turnover in the NBA. Perennial bottom-dwellers like Golden State showed they're a force to be reckoned with along with a few jumpstarts, namely the Houston Rockets, that have put the league on notice for future seasons. On top of that, the Lakers, Celtics, and Mavs, teams that ruled the previous decade (minus the Spurs, because who knows what else those ageless wonders are capable of) fell back into NBA mediocrity.
Here's a look back on some things we picked up throughout the course of the season.
1) The Heat are not as invincible as we all thought
Defending champs. 27-game win streak. Best record in the league. Everything seemingly fell into place for Miami this season, annihilating all doubters (at least that's what ESPN will have you believe). But that's just the regular season, and with great teams, all that matters is what they do in the playoffs. The Bucks and Bulls didn't really have a shot - the Bucks aren't good enough and the Bulls can't score without Derrick Rose.
Then came those pesky Pacers. The Heat's foil in terms of their style of play - going big instead of small - exposed Miami's softness on the interior, limited everyone other than LeBron, and contributed to many easy baskets. But the Pacers had seemingly no bench and turned it over a bajillion times a game, yet were only a few breaks away from pulling off the biggest upset in recent memory.
The Spurs had the Heat BEAT until they somehow managed to fumble away Game 6 and had Tim Duncan missing chippies over Shane Battier with seconds left (which reminds me...how in the world did Duncan miss those?!?).
Bottom line is the Heat caught a few breaks against a Pacers team completely overachieving, but needed huge breaks against an "old" Spurs team that proved to be just as good as Miami. The Heat are definitely deserving champions, just don't be surprised if their reign doesn't last much longer. In saying that...
2) LeBron James is really, really, really good
LeBron needed this. He really did. Not the 4th MVP, not the 2nd Finals MVP, not his 2nd title. He needed this playoff run where he dominated everybody, was the best player in the world at all times (with the exception of a few Stephen Curry heat check games - you know, when Steph Curry goes all Steph Curry), came through in the clutch, and won a championship all at once.
He needed to break away from those 2011 Finals - which he flashed back to for a minute in Game 6 - and break away from the stigma that the Heat aren't fully his team. LeBron literally carried Miami to the title, and didn't have a single thing in his game where people could point to and say "HA - See? He didn't do this!" or "MJ would've done that and LBJ didn't!'.
LeBron still has a way to go to catch MJ, but this season was one for the ages.
3) The Thunder really need to figure out their roster
The Westbrook injury killed OKC in the playoffs, and that's because by losing him, they lost half their scoring. Kevin Durant is the most efficient and deadly scorer on the planet, but it can be easy to stop him when no one else on the floor is a threat to hit shots. Ibaka exited stage left, Kendrick Perkins is Kendrick Perkins, and their role players aren't known for scoring (Kevin Martin just went cold against Memphis).
If the Thunder want to win a title, they have to have more than two guys who can beat you offensively. Everyone assumes they'll be fine once Westbrook gets back and they will, but they need one or two more capable guys off the bench. They have the 12th pick in the draft, on top of their other first in the mid-20's, so GM Sam Presti should be able to grab guys who can contribute in some fashion right away.
4) The Memphis Grizzlies are tapped out
The Grizz play great defense, but for a team that can't score the ball, they extremely overachieved this season (partial thanks to Patrick Beverly on that one). Oklahoma City will be back next year, Golden State looks like a threat to make deep runs for several years to come, ditto with Houston, the Lakers are the Lakers and the Spurs are the Spurs, the Clippers are gonna be better with Doc Rivers, and there are teams like the Jazz and Timberwolves that are primed to make it back into the playoffs.
So where are the points coming from? Mike Conley's not going to drop 25 points a game consistently. Marc Gasol averaged 14 a game, and Zach I'm-a-little-chubby-and-slow-and-can't-jump-but-still-good-somehow Randolph isn't a go-to guy on a championship caliber team. Not to mention their defensive linchpin, coach Lionel Hollins, is gone. Unless they trade for some offense or get unexpected production from someone, Memphis will be in trouble next year.
5) The Brooklyn Nets are a mess
The best thing about the Nets this year was the fact that they got out of New Jersey and don't have to play at the Izod Center anymore. They have a point guard who doesn't care, a ball-stopping lull-you-to-sleep shooting guard, and a 7-footer who gets 6 boards a game. No fun to watch, no sense of pride on the court (love Brooklyn fans off it), and seemingly just no care for winning or anything other than getting a paycheck.
But I love the Jason Kidd hire. When J-Kidd is with the Nets, good things happen.
6) We all love JaVale McGee
No words needed.
7) The Magic may have gotten the best part of the Dwight Howard trade
First, let's look at the other 3 teams involved in that deal:
Lakers - sacrificed a ton, got Dwight, barely made playoffs
Sixers - sacrificed a ton, got Andrew Bynum and his afro-type-thing on the bench, missed playoffs
Nuggets - sacrificed little, got Andre Iguodala, lost in first round of playoffs
In the case of the Nuggets and Sixers, this season may have been the last for their rosters as they exist now, and will probably begin the rebuilding/retooling process this offseason. The Lakers are just a mess, and Dwight Howard might not ever play for them again.
As for the Magic? They picked up an above average young big in Nikola Vucevic, young athletic wing in Mo Harkless with loads of potential, and veteran Aaron Afflalo who will probably be moved in a trade centered around bringing Eric Bledsoe to town, plus a bunch of cap space and draft picks. They'll add the second pick in this year's draft to this young core, and will probably be at the bottom of the NBA again. But that leaves them in top lottery position (along with Charlotte in all likelihood) for the 2014 draft class that some consider to be the best since 2003.
Can you imagine Vucevic, Harkless, Bledsoe, Victor Oladipo/Ben McLemore/Anthony Bennett, and Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker on the court together in 2 years? Wait...what? The Magic might be good again soon people!
8) The Splash Brothers are awesome
Not only is their nickname awesome, these two absolutely lit up Denver and San Antonio for the better part of that series it what was the most fun playoff run of the year. I'm starting to believe Mark Jackson when he said he has the best shooting backcourt of all-time.
Imagine if they had David Lee healthy in the postseason too? The Warriors are gonna be fun to watch next year.
9) It's gonna be weird to have a team called the New Orleans Pelicans
Just reread that sentence. Point proven. Moving on.
10) Only one more year of the Bobcats!!!
Does this really need to be explained? No more of the team that has been nothing more than a shit-stain on the NBA's underwear their entire existence. No more!! The Charlotte Hornets were one of the leagues better franchises before they moved to New Orleans in 2002, and they'll bring their winning tradition back with them (This is me trying to convince myself. Let me have my fun.).
I don't care that all the players will still be the same. They'll play better once they're not Bobcats.
(Side note: When the Hornets debut in 2014, their starting lineup may look like Kemba Walker, Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Bennett, and hopefully a free agent center so Biyombo doesn't have to start. I'm seeing future Hornets-Magic battles for the top of the Southeast!)
GO HORNETS!!
Here's a look back on some things we picked up throughout the course of the season.
1) The Heat are not as invincible as we all thought
Defending champs. 27-game win streak. Best record in the league. Everything seemingly fell into place for Miami this season, annihilating all doubters (at least that's what ESPN will have you believe). But that's just the regular season, and with great teams, all that matters is what they do in the playoffs. The Bucks and Bulls didn't really have a shot - the Bucks aren't good enough and the Bulls can't score without Derrick Rose.
Then came those pesky Pacers. The Heat's foil in terms of their style of play - going big instead of small - exposed Miami's softness on the interior, limited everyone other than LeBron, and contributed to many easy baskets. But the Pacers had seemingly no bench and turned it over a bajillion times a game, yet were only a few breaks away from pulling off the biggest upset in recent memory.
The Spurs had the Heat BEAT until they somehow managed to fumble away Game 6 and had Tim Duncan missing chippies over Shane Battier with seconds left (which reminds me...how in the world did Duncan miss those?!?).
Bottom line is the Heat caught a few breaks against a Pacers team completely overachieving, but needed huge breaks against an "old" Spurs team that proved to be just as good as Miami. The Heat are definitely deserving champions, just don't be surprised if their reign doesn't last much longer. In saying that...
2) LeBron James is really, really, really good
LeBron needed this. He really did. Not the 4th MVP, not the 2nd Finals MVP, not his 2nd title. He needed this playoff run where he dominated everybody, was the best player in the world at all times (with the exception of a few Stephen Curry heat check games - you know, when Steph Curry goes all Steph Curry), came through in the clutch, and won a championship all at once.
LeBron still has a way to go to catch MJ, but this season was one for the ages.
3) The Thunder really need to figure out their roster
The Westbrook injury killed OKC in the playoffs, and that's because by losing him, they lost half their scoring. Kevin Durant is the most efficient and deadly scorer on the planet, but it can be easy to stop him when no one else on the floor is a threat to hit shots. Ibaka exited stage left, Kendrick Perkins is Kendrick Perkins, and their role players aren't known for scoring (Kevin Martin just went cold against Memphis).
If the Thunder want to win a title, they have to have more than two guys who can beat you offensively. Everyone assumes they'll be fine once Westbrook gets back and they will, but they need one or two more capable guys off the bench. They have the 12th pick in the draft, on top of their other first in the mid-20's, so GM Sam Presti should be able to grab guys who can contribute in some fashion right away.4) The Memphis Grizzlies are tapped out
The Grizz play great defense, but for a team that can't score the ball, they extremely overachieved this season (partial thanks to Patrick Beverly on that one). Oklahoma City will be back next year, Golden State looks like a threat to make deep runs for several years to come, ditto with Houston, the Lakers are the Lakers and the Spurs are the Spurs, the Clippers are gonna be better with Doc Rivers, and there are teams like the Jazz and Timberwolves that are primed to make it back into the playoffs.
So where are the points coming from? Mike Conley's not going to drop 25 points a game consistently. Marc Gasol averaged 14 a game, and Zach I'm-a-little-chubby-and-slow-and-can't-jump-but-still-good-somehow Randolph isn't a go-to guy on a championship caliber team. Not to mention their defensive linchpin, coach Lionel Hollins, is gone. Unless they trade for some offense or get unexpected production from someone, Memphis will be in trouble next year.
5) The Brooklyn Nets are a mess
The best thing about the Nets this year was the fact that they got out of New Jersey and don't have to play at the Izod Center anymore. They have a point guard who doesn't care, a ball-stopping lull-you-to-sleep shooting guard, and a 7-footer who gets 6 boards a game. No fun to watch, no sense of pride on the court (love Brooklyn fans off it), and seemingly just no care for winning or anything other than getting a paycheck.
But I love the Jason Kidd hire. When J-Kidd is with the Nets, good things happen.
6) We all love JaVale McGee
No words needed.
7) The Magic may have gotten the best part of the Dwight Howard trade
First, let's look at the other 3 teams involved in that deal:
Lakers - sacrificed a ton, got Dwight, barely made playoffs
Sixers - sacrificed a ton, got Andrew Bynum and his afro-type-thing on the bench, missed playoffs
Nuggets - sacrificed little, got Andre Iguodala, lost in first round of playoffs
In the case of the Nuggets and Sixers, this season may have been the last for their rosters as they exist now, and will probably begin the rebuilding/retooling process this offseason. The Lakers are just a mess, and Dwight Howard might not ever play for them again.
As for the Magic? They picked up an above average young big in Nikola Vucevic, young athletic wing in Mo Harkless with loads of potential, and veteran Aaron Afflalo who will probably be moved in a trade centered around bringing Eric Bledsoe to town, plus a bunch of cap space and draft picks. They'll add the second pick in this year's draft to this young core, and will probably be at the bottom of the NBA again. But that leaves them in top lottery position (along with Charlotte in all likelihood) for the 2014 draft class that some consider to be the best since 2003.
Can you imagine Vucevic, Harkless, Bledsoe, Victor Oladipo/Ben McLemore/Anthony Bennett, and Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker on the court together in 2 years? Wait...what? The Magic might be good again soon people!
8) The Splash Brothers are awesome
Imagine if they had David Lee healthy in the postseason too? The Warriors are gonna be fun to watch next year.
9) It's gonna be weird to have a team called the New Orleans Pelicans
Just reread that sentence. Point proven. Moving on.
10) Only one more year of the Bobcats!!!
Does this really need to be explained? No more of the team that has been nothing more than a shit-stain on the NBA's underwear their entire existence. No more!! The Charlotte Hornets were one of the leagues better franchises before they moved to New Orleans in 2002, and they'll bring their winning tradition back with them (This is me trying to convince myself. Let me have my fun.).
I don't care that all the players will still be the same. They'll play better once they're not Bobcats.
(Side note: When the Hornets debut in 2014, their starting lineup may look like Kemba Walker, Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Bennett, and hopefully a free agent center so Biyombo doesn't have to start. I'm seeing future Hornets-Magic battles for the top of the Southeast!)
GO HORNETS!!
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