NBA Playoffs 2012: What We've Learned About Kevin Durant and Others in Finals
Kevin Durant is an amazing scorer, but the NBA Finals has shown us that his all-around game is far from complete. He is an unstoppable force with the ball in his hands, but when he's guarding another great player he does not use his tremendous physical gifts.
He's slight of build, but he has great lateral quickness and condor-like length. He sounds like a guy that should be an excellent defender, but he's not.
He could also be a better rebounder and passer. He's averaging less than five rebounds per game and three turnovers in the NBA Finals. This is what happens in the Finals, players' weaknesses get exposed on the sport's biggest stage.
Fans and the media aren't judging players based on their impressive box scores and nightly highlights. The world is watching their every move.
Every time a player's man beats him off-the-dribble, every time he doesn't go as hard on defense, every time he doesn't extend for a rebound; we saw it, because there is only one game that's on.
It happens to almost every great player, and make no mistake, Durant is a great player.
But it's become clear that he needs to find other ways to impact a game besides just scoring. It's one of the areas in which Russell Westbrook actually has an advantage over him.
Here is what we've learned about Westbrook and some other stars in these NBA Finals:
Russell Westbrook's Aggressiveness is a Strength, Not a Weakness
Westbrook certainly has his critics, but where would the Thunder have been in Game 4 without him?
Blown out, or at least, handily defeated.
It wasn't just that he scored 43 points, it was how he scored. He was aggressive, angry and defiant. It was a mentality that more of the Thunder needed to have facing a must-win situation.
It's why he and Durant are a good complement of personalities. People love Durant's humbleness and laid-back mentality, but last night they needed Westbrook's attitude. If Durant can get involved in other ways when Westbrook is that hot, it would be ideal.
Last night that didn't happen, and Durant had the quietest 28 points I've ever seen.
In Game 3, Westbrook struggled with his shot, but he crashed the boards and went all-out on defense 95 percent of the time. The Thunder don't need to break this combo up. They probably will not win the NBA Finals this year, but they will have their turn.
James Harden Has Lost His Confidence
The beard has disappeared.
After two straight Finals performances with two of 10 shooting, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year is M.I.A. The Thunder have desperately needed his contributions, and he simply hasn't delivered.
It's series like this that label players as stars or goats. The latter isn't an impossible stigma to break, just ask Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James have shown. But it's difficult, especially considering Harden is a reserve and doesn't control the ball as much as Durant or Westbrook.
In the fourth quarter of Game 4 I knew he was mentally shot. He had open looks and he hesitated to take shots he normally would.
That's a terrible sign, and it could mean the worst for the Thunder in Game 5.
Dwyane Wade Doesn't Have a Lot of Years Left at an Elite Level
He could be injured, or just feeling the effects of being a 30-year-old, nine-year veteran in the NBA, but he's definitely not as explosive. At 6'4", his explosiveness is key to his effectiveness.
He's never been a great shooter, so when he loses that element, things are going to get much more difficult. People say Wade chose to defer to LeBron this year; I think he had to for the overall effectiveness of the team.
Wade simply can't do the things he used to. That said, he's still better than most in the NBA. But enjoy him now, because his body seems to be giving way.
Chris Bosh Deserves Your Respect
Critics have taken aim at Chris Bosh, but that notion should be put to rest. Bosh has shown how vital he is to this team. His scoring is lower than normal, but it's not because he doesn't have the ability, it's because he has accepted his role.
He plays the parts of the game that the team needs to win. He has stepped up his interior defense and played the role of the ignitor.
Anyone that doesn't see Bosh's worth is not looking, or doesn't know what to look for.
LeBron James' Knows How to Win in Postseason
All the jokes seem silly now. Most of the critics are quiet as LeBron is just 48 minutes away from his first NBA championship. He has shown in this series that he understands what it takes to win in the clutch, and in the postseason.
From his virtuoso performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, to his gutty performance through leg cramps in Game 4 last night. Check out the big three-pointer one more time:
James has turned the corner in his profession. People can say anything they want, but no one that knows the game can deny how spectacular he's been in these playoffs and Finals.
On Thursday night, I believe we will see the coronation of the King.
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