After two rounds of stellar basketball in the 2014 Playoffs, which featured the best first round in NBA Playoff history, the conference finals are set to kickoff on Sunday. Even with the unpredictable nature that consumed the playoffs to this point, the teams that made it to the Final Four–NBA style–are not too surprising for the fans.
The final series to determine which team will represent the East in the Finals is highlighted by the two teams that just about every basketball fan expected to be there late last Fall: the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the two teams that ruled the top of the Wild Wild West during the regular season–the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder–will face each other in the Western Conference Finals.
Now that we know what teams will play for their respective titles, let’s take a look at which three individual one-on-one matchups are the ones to look out for in the round before the NBA Finals.
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3. Russell Westbrook vs. Tony Parker
The battle of the point guards is quite interesting in the Western Conference Finals because Russell Westbrook and Tony Parker play their position in the opposite fashion. Parker is a playmaking, pass-first point guard that is essentially the definition of consistent. In contrast, Westbrook is a ball-dominant, shoot-first type of point guard that is streaky but a constant threat.
Parker has averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds on 48.1 percent shooting in six playoff games against Westbrook. On the other end, Westbrook has posted 18.2 points, 7.3 dimes and 5.8 boards in those six playoff games against Parker (per Basketball-Reference).
In the regular season, Parker averaged 20.5 points and 5.5 assists on 46.8 percent shooting in four losses against Westbrook and the Thunder. Westbrook put up similar numbers in three games against Parker and the Spurs this season, averaging 21.3 points and 7.3 assists on 43.1 percent shooting.
Westbrook is coming off a huge series against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he put up nearly 30 points, over eight assists and nearly seven boards per game. Meanwhile, Parker had another solid performance (18.4 points and 5.2 dimes) in the Spurs’ second-round series against the Trail Blazers despite only playing 10 scoreless minutes in Game 5 due to a hamstring injury (grade 1 strain).
Russ represents the edge that OKC needs to have success. His decision-making on the court can be frustrating, but more often than not, his superior athleticism, quickness and explosive skills are too much to handle. As the saying goes, “Let Westbrook be Westbrook.” Parker is the cool and collected veteran, who has the high basketball I.Q. that allows him to dictate and orchestrate the court at all times. He may not be the scoring threat that Westbrook is, but he can manipulate and overpower his opponent by using fundamentals that make any basketball nerd swoon.
2. Paul George vs. LeBron James
This particular one-on-one matchup has gained the most attention and hype since they met up in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. We all remember the handshake of approval LeBron James gave to Paul George mid-game, which sparked debate among fans. Further, the Pacers/Heat series during the regular season provided some of the most competitive and entertaining battles the NBA had to offer.
In the four thrilling games this season against Miami, George averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals on 42.9 percent field goal shooting and 42.3 percent shooting from downtown. During this season the 24-year-old recorded an offensive rating of 107, a defensive rating of 97, and a usage percentage of 28.3, according to Basketball-Reference.
Meanwhile, LeBron averaged 28.9 points, 9.3 boards, 4.8 dimes and 1.5 steals on 52.2 percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc in four games against Indy during the regular season. The two-time champ posted an offensive rating of 121, a defensive rating of 105, and a usage percentage of 31 this season, according to Basketball-Reference.
George may not be able to stop ‘Bron at the rim or during post-up plays, but hey, virtually no one can. However, PG can limit his ability to get inside and contest outside shots, as he is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. On the other hand, if the early 2013-14 season George shows up, his versatility and range offensively will be a challenge for LeBron to limit for all 48 minutes.
Despite Lebron James and company appearing to be on cruise control to the 2014 Finals thus far and the Pacers being a bipolar team, this is the one-on-one matchup that basketball has been preparing for all season long. Miami and Indiana seem to bring out the best in each other, as both parties elevate their game when facing one another. On top of that, the LeBron James/Paul George duel has yet to disappoint.
1. Kevin Durant vs. Kawhi Leonard
The one-on-one matchup between the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard and OKC’s Kevin Durant has the potential to become epic. It pits the newly crowned MVP against the superstar of tomorrow. While Durant has finally emerged as the top dog of the league this season, Leonard has quietly formed into one of the NBA’s top two-way players, and is essential for San Antonio’s run.
During OKC’s regular season series against the Spurs, Durant averaged 26.3 points, eight boards and 3.8 assists on 45.9 percent shooting from the field, but struggling from the three-point line (26.3 percent shooting). On the flipside, Leonard averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 boards and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 42.9 percent from the field in three appearances against the Thunder this season.
Leonard, or “Sugar K” as Shaq now calls him, came alive and stepped up his offensive game in the Spurs’ second-round series against Portland, scoring in double-digits in every game. On the defensive end, he kept Nicolas Batum at bay at the three-point line, especially in Games 1 and 5. Leonard is not the offensive juggernaut that Durant is on a nightly basis, but his impact is felt in every square inch of the court. His incredible 7-3 wingspan and 11.5-inch massive hands, combined with his lateral quickness, will undoubtedly frustrate and give KD problems offensively. Remember how Tony Allen got in the MVP’ head in the first round?
Yet Durant is the MVP this season for a reason. His offensive abilities will often outweigh even the best defense. Not only is the Durantula coming off an amazing season, he also just played a phenomenal series against the Clippers in the semifinals, posting around 33 points and 10 boards on 47 percent shooting in six games. Even when he struggled, he found a way to still have an impact and eventually come through when it mattered most. Durant can’t lose Leonard when playing defense, as the young Spur is one of the best in the business at creating space and using a plethora of screen cuts to score.
Kevin Durant is unquestionably the driving force behind the Thunder’s sometimes criticized offense (yes, I’m talking to you Scott Brooks). Will it remain Durant’s year, as his dazzling skills lead OKC to the Finals? Or will Leonard’s defensive containment of the MVP become the story of the Western Conference Finals? This Southwest duel is definitely the one for every basketball fan to watch.
*Stats provided by ESPN unless otherwise noted.
What are the matchups you’re most excited about?
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