LeBron James and Kevin Durant are both hungry for their first NBA Title.
The NBA Finals series begin today and through it, the whole world will not only be able to witness which team is the league's best but also which star-player out-does the other in terms of hungriness (this word really exists).
Although both teams possess impressive talent enough to clinch the series, OKC edges Miami in terms of speed, vitality, and overall team play. Miami on the other hand shadows Durant & Co. in terms of power and Playoffs experience (although don't count on the latter too much to determine the series).
Game 1 will start today at 9:00 p.m. ET with Miami taking its talents to Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy Arena.
LeBron James does have Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh at his side but Durant's sidekicks also suffice. Russell Westbrook and James Harden are not celebrated the same way D-Wade and CB3 are, but that doesn't mean they are less dangerous, in this series at least.
Although the spotlight in the series will be placed on the increasingly growing James and Durant duel/storyline, Durant told the NBA that the match is more than an individual face-off.
"Everybody is going to make the most out of the matchup of me versus LeBron, but it's the Thunder versus the Heat," Durant said. "One guy versus another guy, it's not going to be a 1-on-1 matchup to win the series, it's going to be all about the team," number 35 said.
As far as predictions go, an unofficial poll at NBA.com displays very even opinions. 51 percent believe the title will go to the Miami Heat while 49 percent believe it will go to OKC's Thunder. NBA Commentators and writers however, see it differently.
In a blog post, Steve Aschburner, Fran Blinebury, Scott Howard-Cooper, Shaun Powell and Sekou Smith predict the Thunder to win in either 6 or 7 games against John Schuhmann who believes the Heat will win in 6. That's 5 to 1.
Latinos Post Prediction: Thunder in 5.
Care to share yours too? (Either vote or leave a comment below. We'll select a few to post.)
2012 NBA Finals Series TV Schedule:
Game 1 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Tuesday, June 12, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
Game 2 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Thursday, June 14, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
Game 3 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Sunday, June 17, 8:00 PM ET, ABC
Game 4 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Tuesday, June 19, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 5 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Thursday, June 21, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 6 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Sunday, June 24, 8:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 7 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Tuesday, June 26, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*if necessary
All games on ABC and ESPNRadio.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
