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| Having just swept the Clippers, Tony Parker and the Spurs will take on the number two seed Thunder. |
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| After beating the Lakers, the Durantula and Co. will take on the Spurs. |
The Spurs come into this series having won 8 straight games in the playoffs. First blowing out Utah, and then decimating the Clippers. Counting the regular season, the Spurs have won an astounding 18 games in a row. The Spurs have been led by its two stars, Tony Parker and Duncan. Parker has been putting up 19 points per game, and 7 assists, and Duncan has been contributing a team high 9 rebounds per game.
OKC has come in hot as well. Beating the Lakers 4-1, in a series which could have gone either way, as the Lakers lost leads in multiple games. As usual, the Durantula has been dominating the competition for the Thunder. He has been scoring 26 points, and getting 8 boards per game. As usual, James Harden has been contributing off the bench, scoring 17 points in 30 minutes.
Team Comparisons:
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook (OKC) vs. Tony Parker (SA)
Both of these players are superb. On one hand there is Westbrook, the Batman to Durant's Robin, and on the other, there is Parker. Parker, once a supporting cast member to Tim Duncan, has now officially had the torch passed to him. He led the Spurs in points and assists, and finished third in player efficiency rating on his team.He also had the best assist to turnover ratio in his career. There is also the young Westbrook. Westbrook has, willingly or not, been second fiddle to Durant. He has of course contributed, but let's be real, Parker is the star, and Westbrook is the co-star. It should be fun to see these two go at it come Sunday.
Edge: San Antonio
Shooting Guard: Thabo Sefelosha (OKC) vs. Daniel Green (SA)
Well this is a rather interesting battle. Despite starting each game, both of these players play less than their better known sixth men; James Harden for the Thunder, and Manu Ginobili for the Spurs. Green averaged 8 points during the season, while Thabo averaged just 4. Green got a little bit more playing time, 23 minutes compared to Thabo's 21, and did more with his time. These two are just really on the court in order for their more famous backups to play, but Green gets the edge, as Thabo has been struggling this playoffs.
Edge: San Antonio
Small Forward: Kevin Durant (OKC) vs. Kawhi Leonard (SA)
Sorry Kawhi, but Durant just won his third straight scoring title. This playoffs, he has constantly helped his team when they desperately need him. And what you have done? You've been a good starter for the Spurs and could be a vital part of the next Spurs Dynasty. But for now, it's Durant's time to shine.
Edge: Oklahoma City
Power Forward: Serge Ibaka (OKC) vs. Tim Duncan (SA)
Ibaka is one of the best young players in the game. He can score, block shots, get boards, anything you need. Oh, and he's also 6 foot 10 and 235 pounds. In the other corner, is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Tim Duncan, for years he has averaged a double. Until these past two years. Where he failed to reach double digit rebounds. Does that make him worse than Ibaka? No, it does not. Duncan has played and started in 184 playoff games. Ibaka has played in just 32. Duncan has experience, Ibaka doesn't. That's all you need to know.
Edge: San Antonio
Center: Kendrick Perkins (OKC) vs. Boris Diaw (SA)
Perkins has the experience, and was a great addition for the Thunder. Diaw is a little small, but is still a solid player. Neither of them score, but Perkins gets some boards. Neither will really be a large factor in the outcome of the games, but Perkins has won a championship, so I'll give this battle to him.
Edge: Oklahoma City
Bench:
Both the Thunder and the Spurs have great benches. The most intriguing battle of all on the bench, will be James Harden against Manu Ginobili. Both of these guys can score, and shoot lots of jumpers. The Thunder added Derek Fisher this season to help bolster their point guard position. Besides Ginobili, the Spurs have Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, and Stephen Jackson. Because the Spurs have more depth in their bench, they should score more, but Harden can give Manu a run for his money.
Edge: San Antonio
The Pick:
Both of these teams, are really, really good. The Spurs have lots of experience in playoff games, and while the Thunder does as well, their two core players, Durant and Westbrook have never been to the finals. Parker and Duncan meanwhile, have won three championships together. This series will be really close, but the Spurs have experience in the championship, and no what it takes to win, and that should carry them over the Thunder.
Spurs over Thunder in 7
