NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Thunder vs. Heat Is NBA's Best-Case Scenario

The 2012 NBA Finals may soon display the impact that a superstar free agent signing, three straight impeccable drafts and a franchise relocation can have on a team’s chances of winning an NBA title.

Four seasons ago, during the 2007-2008 campaign, the Miami Heat and then-Seattle Supersonics combined to win 35 regular season games and finish last in their respective conferences.

Fast forward to the 2011-2012 season, and the Heat and now-Oklahoma City Thunder combined to win 93 games during the regular season and finish in second place in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively.

And in a season that was at times considered a long-shot to even take place, the NBA may soon witness its best case scenario for the 2012 Finals.

Following their third consecutive victory over the San Antonio Spurs last night, the Thunder now sit just one game away from making their first NBA Finals appearance since the team relocated to Oklahoma City.

Meanwhile, although the Heat have lost two straight games to the Boston Celtics, the team is still within striking distance of making their second straight Finals appearance.

If the Thunder and Heat are able to advance to the Finals, the NBA will have two of the league’s four best scorers, including this past season’s scoring champ, battling for their first championship.

League MVP LeBron James finished the regular season averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game for the Heat.  In 15 games this postseason, he’s increased his points per game average to 29.9 and his rebounding average to 8.9.  James has also increased his scoring from 27.8 per game in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, to 30.0 in the semifinals, to 32.3 through four games in the finals.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant posted averages of 28.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 3.5 apg during the regular season for the Thunder.  Through five games in the Western Conference Finals, Durant has averaged 28.6 points while posting a field goal percentage of 65%.  He too has seen his scoring averages increase in each postseason series, so far.

Two of the best scorers in the league averaging nearly 30 points per game in the postseason and fighting for their first NBA title? 

Check.

But this potential NBA Finals match-up runs deeper than simply James and Durant.

Both the Heat and Thunder finished the regular season ranked in the top-10 in the league in scoring.  After James, the Heat also have another superstar in Dwyane Wade who already has one NBA Championship to his name.  The 2006 Finals MVP has seen his scoring increase to 23.0 ppg during the postseason, although the Eastern Conference Finals have not been as kind to him.  In four games against the Celtics, Wade’s scoring has dipped to 20.8 ppg.

The Heat are also hoping to witness the return of Chris Bosh and his regular season averages of 18 points and 7.9 rebounds in time to help the team potentially reach its second straight NBA Finals.

But for as much scoring power as the Heat are able to trot out each night, the Thunder are seemingly capable of matching them each step of the way.

Although he does not have the playoff experience that Wade has, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has combined with Durant to give the team two 20-point scorers during the regular season and playoffs.

Throw in 2012 Sixth Man of the Year James Harden, and the Thunder’s fire power may equal, if not exceed, that of the Heat.

Two teams with a trio of stars who have helped their teams rank among the league’s best in scoring averages?

Check.

So what more could the NBA want when it comes to a best case scenario for the 2012 NBA Finals?

Besides witnessing another attempt by James to win his first title, the potential Finals match-up could also have interesting results when it comes to television ratings.

In a recent article that can be found on The Miami Herald’s website, AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski describes an aspect of the current Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs series that stretches further than simply the game taking place on the court.

As Krawczynski explains, the Thunder do not play in one of the nation’s largest television markets.  In an age in which James and Bosh have decided to sign in Miami, and Carmelo Anthony has chosen New York, Oklahoma City currently has some of the league’s best players even though it is not one of the country’s major television markets.

Rather than use their place in a major television market as leverage, the Thunder have had to use solid drafts and trades to build their team.

Ironically, the Thunder may now have big-name players in a small market.

The Heat’s focus on free agency to build their roster has led to the team being one of the most dominant in the league over the past two seasons.  Meanwhile, the Thunder’s focus on drafting has also led to great success over the past few seasons.

Two contrasting styles in two very different markets?

Check.

A potential Thunder vs. Heat Finals match-up would not only pit two of the league’s greatest players against each other but also two of the league’s best teams.

If high scoring offense is what you enjoy, this series could be for you.  If superstar players with elite supporting casts is more your taste, this series could be for you.  If admiring the different ways in which teams are able to build their roster and maintain success is what you like, then a Thunder vs. Heat match-up could provide layers of enjoyment.

And for the NBA, it could be their best case scenario.