Write On Sports LLC - "NBA Finals Preview" by Jake Lloyd

NBA Finals Preview

2007-06-07 17:16:58 | By: Jake Lloyd

So the NBA was saved from another NBA Finals ratings collapse when the Cleveland Cavaliers steamrolled the Detroit Pistons to advance to their first ever NBA Finals.

Cleveland will succeed at boosting ratings for the NBA Finals.

Their task on the basketball court will be much more difficult. Beginning Thursday night, they will face the NBA's best team of the post-Michael Jordan era. They will take on the team with the least weaknesses in the league. They will battle the team with the most stars in the league. Yes, Cleveland's chances of beating the San Antonio Spurs are slim, but weren't we saying the same thing before the Eastern Conference finals?

Yes. But the Spurs aren't like the Pistons.

There will be no taking the Cavs lightly. There will be no bickering amongst themselves. There will be no technical-foul-laden tirades.

No. The Spurs are as calm and steady as your living room rocking chair. I know this sounds mundane, but they wear teams down with good basketball -- on both ends of the court.

On offense, the Spurs feature three players who can initiate their attack. They can post up Tim Duncan, who will either attack the rim or get double-teamed and find the open man. They can let point guard Tony Parker penetrate off the pick-and-roll (or on his own) or shoot mid-range jumpers when he's feeling good about the shot. Finally, especially when the fourth quarter comes around, they can give the ball to Manu Ginobili, who has quickly become the new Mr. Clutch for the Spurs (no offense, Robert Horry).

Cleveland counters with LeBron James, who was nothing short of SICK the last four games against Detroit. The only reason I give Cleveland a shot in this series, is King James has figured out how to lead his team to close victories. He has become comfortable with putting his team on his back and carrying it.

There will be close games this series. James will shoulder the load. He might even win his Cavs a few games.

But not enough to bring home a championship.

San Antonio is too good, too consistent and too focused to let its fourth NBA title slip away. Sure, Cleveland's Daniel Gibson will have a great shooting night. Heck, he might have two. I'm sure Cleveland's other role players will have good games as well.

But not every night. That's the difference. San Antonio brings it every night. As long as two of its Big Three are playing well, it's tough to beat. Plus, there's always the x-factor, which this year comes in the form of scrappy big man Fabricio Oberto. He'll grab the key rebounds and make the killer tip-ins for the Spurs.

I think James is good enough to win a game for the Cavs. I also think their rabid home atmosphere at the "Q" will win them another. But then the Spurs will close the series out on Cleveland's home floor, showing once against why they're not only the kings of the West, but the kings of the modern-day NBA.

Even if they don't garner good TV ratings.