The Western Conference finals between San Antonio and Oklahoma City will be a battle of opposing styles.
The Spurs have Hall of Fame players and coaching, a well-oiled system and consistent success. For the Thunder, there’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
The series is going to write another chapter in the history of a team versus individuals, such as LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston in 2010 and the upset of 1969 when an ageing Bill Russell inspired the Celtics past the Lakers of Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain 4-3 in the Finals.
It’s not as if the Spurs are lacking great individual players. Tim Duncan, even at 38, still churns out double-doubles and often turns the calendar back to the early 2000s.
Tony Parker is arguably the best offensive point guard in the league. But Kevin Durant is the MVP and Russell Westbrook is an allround force of nature.
Those two can play at a transcendent level and have at times carried the Thunder in the playoffs. But they alone can’t get OKC past the best team – in the truest sense of the word – they’ve faced yet and into the NBA Finals.
That’s why Serge Ibaka’s injury is so debilitating. OKC were thin as it was in the offensive department behind Durant and Westbrook, so losing their third-highest scorer is going be tough to overcome.
James Harden isn’t here this time around like he was in the 2012 conference finals, but Reggie Jackson has killed the Spurs and had a season-saving moment in the first round against Memphis when Durant and Westbrook struggled.
Still, this series is going to be on the shoulders of OKC’s double act. Durant has the unfortunate task of being hounded by Kawhi Leonard, while Westbrook will be licking his lips as Parker is dealing with a hamstring injury.
The Spurs, meanwhile, haven’t had anything close to their usual efficient offence against the Thunder in the last 10 meetings, but right now, San Antonio are in peak form after blowing out the highpowered Portland Trail Blazers.
In a match-up that should be ultra competitive and likely to produce a long series, home court can be just enough of an edge to tip the scales in favour of a team. The Spurs, if needed, host Game 7.
VERDICT: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the top duo in the game right now and San Antonio are going to have their hands full containing one, let alone both. But while the Spurs don’t have the two best players, they’re the better team. Spurs win in seven.
