Kevin Durant's Decision and Player Legacies

As I've mentioned many times before, I'm obsessed with player legacies across sports. I'm convinced that Super Bowl XLIX clinched Tom Brady's status as greatest QB ever. I know for a fact that Derek Jeter is overrated by every fan who says he's one of the best 10 baseball players ever just because he won five World Series. And for me, none of Karl Malone's 36,928 career points matter as much as the two he left on the table when he missed two free throws in the final moments of Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. On the flip side, the shot that Michael Jordan hit to win that game is an example of what made him the greatest to ever play. Stuff like that is what brings me back year after year.

And that's why Kevin Durant's decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to form a super team on the Golden State Warriors really bothered me. Like REALLY bothered me. To me, there's nothing as respectable as being the best guy on a championship team, the guy who leads others by example and lifts everyone's game until they reach the promised land.

We've always known that KD had that type of ability. He's a completely unique talent. He was the youngest scoring champion in league history. He's seven feet tall with the athleticism and ball handling ability of a guard and he can pull up from 30 feet. Nobody in the NBA has ever been quite like him. He's like George Gervin if the Iceman was seven feet tall and could shoot from anywhere.

This playoffs, KD unlocked the two-way ability he's hinted at since his stint at Texas. He's always been an unbelievable scorer, but in the series against the Spurs and Warriors, we saw Durant become a versatile force, scoring, distributing, and using his once-in-a-generation physical tools to guard every position defensively. He would switch out onto Stephen Curry, force Curry to give it up, then recover to stuff a Warrior at the rim.

There was one play in Game 4 against Golden State that has become a bit of an internet sensation among NBA nerds. Durant switched onto Curry up top, contained him, and forced a pass to the right wing. As Curry set a screen for Shaun Livingston, Durant switched with Andre Roberson onto Livingston cutting to the basket. The ball went to the corner and then down low to Draymond Green, who was able to muscle Russell Westbrook out of the way and moved to the rim. Durant rotated over, jumped to force Green to drop it off to Livingston. Durant somehow lands, and immediately lifts off of two feet to stuff Livingston at the rim. It was an incredible display of athletic fluidity by a guy with all the tools to be the best player in the league on both sides of the ball.

And now he's joining the team that just set the record for wins in a regular season. A team that, up until they went up against Durant's Thunder, looked unstoppable without Durant. Don't compare this to LeBron James' Decision in 2010. The Heat had to completely dismantle their roster just to put two other really good players around LeBron. The Heat won 47 games the year before LeBron went there. The Warriors won 73 games last year, and don't have to destroy their team as much as the Heat did that first year with LeBron.

I'm just really disappointed that Durant copped out like that. And not just because my Celtics were apparently his second choice. We saw that he could be the best player on a championship-caliber team. I want Durant to become that guy, but now I feel like whatever he wins is tainted by the fact that he had to join an all-time team to do it.

The only way that Durant could salvage this and maintain the possibility of being a top ten player all time is if he takes control of this Warriors team, becomes their best player and leader, and leads them to four or five straight titles. And he has to be the go-to guy, the leader by example for all of them. LeBron had to take control of the Heat to push aside the narrative that he was too weak to win one of his own accord. Durant has to do more because he's joining such a great team.

To me, narrative is everything in sports, especially in basketball. Bill Russell was better than Wilt Chamberlain because he was all about winning and Wilt was all about stats, which showed up in their head to head record. Michael Jordan is the greatest ever because he constantly came through on the biggest stage when he needed to most. Magic Johnson solidified himself as a top-five guy with the killer baby hook to go up 3-1 on my Celtics in 1987. Until Durant does something incredible with the Warriors, like being Finals MVP for the only four-peat by a non-Celtics team, he won't be able to cast aside the narrative that he didn't earn his place among the greats. At least not in my mind.

2016 NBA Mock Draft First Round

It's that time of year again: the NBA Draft is upon us. The Finals have just finished and everyone is looking toward the future, starting with Thursday night. This is the time of year when greatness is distinguished from bad decision-making, when bad teams set themselves up for the future, and good teams try to find that missing piece.

Let me be clear. This is not what I think is going to happen on Thursday. This is purely what I think each team should do. Also, the draft is hard enough to predict as it is without accounting for trades, so I am saying what each team should do at their current draft pick(s). Let's go.

1) Philadelphia: Ben Simmons, F, LSU, 6-10, 240 lbs.

MEMO TO THE 76ERS: DON'T OVERTHINK THIS!!! A lot of people have been picking Simmons apart since he opened this year as the clear cut number one prospect. Analysts have harped on his bad jump shot, how he seems to fade in and out of games, and his lack of team success at LSU. The reason LSU missed the tournament this year wasn't Ben Simmons. It was the lack of talent around him and the God awful coach who had no idea how to run his team. Simmons is a hulking mass of talent at with great athletic gifts and a passing gene rarely found in someone his size. Kawhi Leonard couldn't shoot in college either. Now look where he is. The point is, don't sleep on Simmons.

2) LA Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke, 6-9, 195 lbs.

Ingram has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant throughout the year due to his build and skills, which isn't really fair to Ingram. Nobody should expect him to be one of the NBA's all-time scorers, but Ingram has a ton of value for the league's current style. He's long (7-3 wingspan) and athletic with the ability to shoot from range and create his own shot if need be. He showed the ability to move his feet and play solid defense as well as rebound, so if he puts some bulk on his frame he could be a perfect four as his career progresses. He is very skinny, and his strength level can prevent him from getting to the rim and finishing through contact. He's the clear number two prospect in my eyes, and this Celtics fan is very angry that the Lakers will get the only other player in this draft with legit star power.

3) Boston: Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky, 6-5, 201 lbs.

This was basically the hardest pick I had to make. There are a number of players who could go here, and none of them really fit what the Celtics need: a superstar. The Celtics just missed out on their chance at a star in this draft and will now most likely have to trade this pick. I certainly would try to trade the pick if I was Danny Ainge. But those are not the rules of this article. I have to make a pick for Boston, and I'm going with Jamal Murray. The Celtics were ranked 28th in three point percentage, and Murray is right behind Buddy Hield for best shooter in the draft. Murray can also create for himself and others in the half-court, something the Celtics struggled with when Isaiah Thomas hit the bench. Murray's defensive and athletic issues can be hidden by Boston's strong team perimeter defense and the brilliance of head coach Brad Stevens. It isn't a perfect fit, but if the Celtics stay at three they should go with Murray.

4) Phoenix: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington, 6-10, 233 lbs.

Phoenix is desperate for front-court players, and after Simmons and Ingram, Chriss may be the next best possibility. He's an elite leaper with good mobility and lateral quickness, a must-have for big men in today's league of defensive versatility. He's great at timing blocked shots and offensive rebounds. He also possesses a wide offensive skill set, able to shoot the three, attack from the perimeter, face up in the post, and finish lobs very well. He isn't consistent on defense or in defensive rebounding, but that can come with coaching. Chriss is one of the few players in the draft with star potential after the first two picks.

5) Minnesota: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma, 6-5, 212 lbs.

Forget that he's a senior. Forget that he'll be a rookie who is older than your three core players. Forget that he isn't a great athlete and didn't play a ton of defense in his college career. Buddy Hield can play, and he is the absolute perfect fit on the T-Wolves. Hield is the best shooter in the draft and the Wolves need shooters around penetrators Ricky Rubio, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach LaVine. He can also drain kick outs from star center Karl-Anthony Towns on post-ups. Minnesota was ranked 25th in the league in three-point shooting, something Hield can immediately help with. Hield has ability to create his own shot and won't have to worry about defense as much with Towns anchoring that end of the floor. Minnesota has to pull the trigger on this one.

6) New Orleans: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence, 6-4, 205.

The Pelicans really just needed legit NBA players last year, as they were destroyed by injuries that left them on the outside of the playoff picture. Dunn is one of the most complete, NBA-ready guys in the draft, and is by far the best point guard. He has almost everything you want from a PG: elite size (6-9 wingspan) and athleticism, shiftiness with the ball, ability to finish at the rim. The guy can make every pass there is to make and would live to set up Anthony Davis for easy looks. He's an inconsistent shooter but can make threes in spot-up and off the dribble situations. He can also defend really well because of his physical tools, despite battling consistency issues.

7) Denver: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia, 7-1, 225 lbs.

Denver doesn't really have a definite need. They're rebuilding and probably looking for the best player on the board, perhaps with an emphasis on high upside. Bender has his questions: he didn't get many minutes with Tel Aviv, has a very narrow frame with little strength, and battled inconsistency on his jumper. Most importantly, his strength limits him from having an impact around the rim offensively, defending down low, and on the defensive glass. Many try to compare him to Kristaps Porzingis, but Bender lacks the explosiveness that allowed Porzingis to dominate the offensive boards this year with highlight put-back slams. However, Bender is a very fluid player for his size. He moves really well and this mobility in conjunction with his length could make him a great big man defender at the next level. Just in this Finals, we saw Tristan Thompson be able to switch onto Stephen Curry and hold his own one-on-one. I could see Bender being able to do that down the road. I also like Bender's ability to see the floor and make good passes at his height.

8) Sacramento: Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, California, 6-7, 223 lbs.

Brown at eight is good value for the Kings. He fits a need, as the Kings should be trying to find capable wings so Rudy Gay can move to his perfect fitting PF spot. Brown is an explosive athlete in a great body type for an NBA wing. He can elevate and finish strong at the rim in transition and play superb defense when motivated as a result of his world class physical tools. Brown struggles to make plays off the dribble and is a spotty shooter, but his shooting can be remedied with time and hard work. It's up to him to put in that work. I hate to send what seems like such a nice and thoughtful guy to the Kings, but hey, it's the NBA.

9) Toronto: Henry Ellenson, PF/C, Marquette, 6-11, 242 lbs.

The Raptors were able to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals this year, the most successful season in franchise history. They did have one glaring weakness, however: they didn't have a single big man who could really face up and hit a jump shot. This is necessary in today's NBA, especially at the PF. Ellenson may not have the quickness to always play the four, but he's a strong body and certainly gives the Raptors the added dimension of a big man with touch out on the perimeter with a little bit of handle. His athleticism doesn't lend to ideal defense, however.

10) Milwaukee: Jakob Poeltl, C, 7-1, 239.

I'll admit it freely: Poeltl doesn't exactly fit the mold of the ideal center in the NBA moving forward. He's somewhat big and hulking and although he moves pretty well, he doesn't have the type of defensive versatility that Tristan Thompson just showed as necessary for the center position. His horrid performance against Domantas Sabonis in the tournament is a worry for Poeltl's transition to consistently playing against players at his talent level. But as I said, he moves pretty well and can play above the rim (allowing him to be a roll man and not just a post-up guy), he's efficient offensively and solid as an interior defender and rebounder. The Bucks need someone to anchor the middle on both ends.

11) Orlando: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky, 7-0, 216.

Labissiere is somewhat similar to Myles Turner when he came out of Texas a year ago: very talented, athletic and mobile, touch on the perimeter coupled with defensive upside, underwhelming college performance. Labissiere is a more extreme example, as he averaged just 6.6 PPG at Kentucky in very limited minutes. There are worries about Labissiere's toughness, also similar to Turner. Well, Vogel had great success with Turner in Indiana, who made the All-Rookie Second Team. I wouldn't necessarily expect that from Labissiere, but if anyone should take a stab at Skal's potential it's Orlando, who hired Vogel in May.

12) Atlanta: Wade Baldwin, G, Vanderbilt, 6-4, 202.

Baldwin has incredible length (6-10 wingspan) and build which allows him to play the type of suffocating defense that can really help an NBA team. Atlanta traded PG Jeff Teague for this pick, so it follows they would take a guard to replace him. Baldwin doesn't have that much in the way of ball skills and playmaking, but he's an athletic, dynamic force with the chance at succeeding at the next level.

13) Phoenix: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga, 6-10, 231.

Sabonis isn't a high-upside guy, but the Suns (hopefully). already got their high flyer in Chriss  Sabonis will be able to contribute at the NBA level because he's strong, pretty mobile, and has a high motor. His limited wingspan and explosiveness are a bit concerning, but after watching him decimate Poeltl in that tournament game, I have fewer reservations about Sabonis being able to handle players bigger than him. The guy can really rebound on both ends, gives toughness and emotion, can hit the open shots he'll get around talented guards, and even has a little of the passing gene his father Arvydas showed during his time in the league.

14) Chicago: Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State, 6-11, 237.

Davis might be one of my favorite players in the draft. This article has been a love-fest on Tristan Thompson's defensive versatility from the Finals, and I think Davis fits that mold perfectly. He's long, athletic, and really fluid. He can switch on the PnR and has great instincts as a rim protector. Another similarity to Thompson is that Davis moves well offensively as well, with the ability to play above the rim, catch lobs, and has the touch to make some of those floaters that took Thompson to another level offensively this playoffs. He's not a polished offensive big man, but that isn't really necessary anymore.

15) Denver: Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Washington, 6-5, 170.

Murray is a straight-up athlete. He can fly down the court, has long arms, and can finish above the rim. He's really shifty with the ball in his hands and can make a consistent floater. His shot isn't broken, but it goes along with his decision-making as a playmaker in the category of "Needs Work." The Nuggets would do well to grab him as he could turn into a great secondary guard down the line.

16) Boston: Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, France, 6-7, 205.

Luwawu is similar to Murray: he's an incredible, long athlete. Luwawu can finish above the rim from well outside the charge circle, liable to take off from anywhere. His physical tools can help him with his consistency issues on defense, but the decision-making and shooting just isn't there for him to create at an NBA level. Boston has so many players on their roster and so many picks left to make, that snagging a foreign prospect they can stash for a little while is probably a good option.

17) Memphis: Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse, 6-6, 200.

With the very real possibility of Mike Conley leaving in free agency, the Grizzlies' needs are playmaking and shooting in the backcourt. Richardson can provide both along with the length to help him become a better defender. Richardson is a streaky shooter who also casts up a lot of iso jumpers, but he's the best the Grizzlies are going to do at 17.

18) Detroit: Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Mischigan State, 6-6, 210.

Valentine's stock has dropped due to an apparent knee issue, but that shouldn't stop the Piston's from going for the local talent. Valentine has superb offensive versatility as a big guard who can pass very well and shoot when need be. He basically ran MSU's offense last year as the number one creator on a top-five team, so he was facing the best the other team had to offer every night. His knee issue combined with his existing athletic limitations are worrisome, but can be helped in Detroit by the athletic force that is Andre Drummond. Drummond will help minimize Valentine's defensiveissues and give Valentine a great lob man off the PnR.

19) Denver: Juan Hernangomez, PF/SF, Spain, 6-9, 220.

Recent reports are that Denver is trying to trade Kenneth Faried to Minnesota. Depending on if they complete the deal who they get back, the Nuggets may want a player who replaces some of Faried's athleticism. Hernangomez can do some of that and add more offensive versatility to the mix. He's a very fluid athlete who jumps well and can play above the rim, similar to Faried. He is also liable to make a jumper (spot-up or pick-and-pop), attack the rim (cuts and on closeouts), can pass, and brings some of Faried's rebounding talent. Hernangomez brings similar defensive struggles to Faried but lacks the same game-breaking athleticism.

20) Indiana: Taurean Prince, SF/PF, Baylor, 6-8, 220.

Prince would be a very good fit on the Pacers. He has athleticism and length, which would allow him to play the four and help switch onto guards. He has the shooting ability and strength to be a viable stretch four alongside Paul George, and even brings a little of-the-bounce shot-making to the table. He won't have to create that much with the Pacers running their offense through George and the newly acquired Jeff Teague, which is good because that's where he can get into trouble.

21) Atlanta: Ante Zizic, C, Croatia, 7-0, 250.

The Hawks need someone who can contribute almost right away, especially if Al Horford leaves in free agency. The number one factor in rookie big men being successful is high motor, which allows them to beat the opposition to rebounds and compete on defense. Zizic is the essence of maximum effort. He's a great rebounder because he's always going hard. He has some physical tools that would allow him to play some defense as well, and he can learn from Tiago Splitter on how to be a more sophisticated offensive big man.

22) Charlotte: Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey, 6-7, 185.

The Hornets could be losing both of their small forwards in Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist this offseason. Korkmaz doesn't have the build to play the traditional small forward, but with the way the league is downsizing, he could play the other wing spot alongside the host of shooting guards on Charlotte's roster. Korkmaz can shoot and make plays for himself and others as a fluid athlete. He isn't a good defender and struggles to finish in the paint, but no prospect is perfect, especially at this point in the draft.

23) Boston: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia, 7-1, 265.

Zubac has all the physical tools to be a starting center in the NBA. He's huge but moves well, giving him the flexibility on both ends of the court to be productive, and he has a pretty well established offensive skill set with touch. The biggest issue with Zubac is an injury history that has sapped some of his explosiveness and may keep him from seeing the court consistently. His other big issue is defensive fundamentals, but a high upside stash guy is perfect for a Celtics team with so many picks and so many players on the current roster.

24) Philadelphia: Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame, 6-2, 194.

Philly has taken so many big men over the past few years that they virtually no NBA-level guards to even get those big men the ball. Jackson isn't exactly a pass-first PG, but he showed he was capable of it, as he is capable of just about any skill to become an above-average guard. He's an incredible, strong athlete, which makes up for his average size at 6-1. He can shoot, finish at the rim, make plays getting into the paint, and be a great on-ball defender when he's locked in. He isn't going to be an incredible playmaker, but he gives Philly a really good chance at getting a solid guard to build with.

25) LA Clippers: Deandre Bembry, SF, Saint Joseph's, 6-6, 207.

The Clippers really just need live bodies on the wing. Bembry may be a little small to defend traditional threes, but he's very athletic with a long 6-9 wingspan. He also has some offensive game, being good in transition and as an off-ball cutter. He also rebounds very well for a player his size. He needs to improve his shooting if he wants to contribute to a team right away, however.

26) Philadelphia: Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State, 6-5, 190.

Like I said, at this point the Sixers are just looking for non-big men prospects. Beasley is a very good athlete who can play above the rim in transition and slashes well in the half-court. The key to this is that he covers a lot of ground with his dribble and can finish in the paint through contact or with a floater. He has good mechanics on his jumper which paid off at Florida State this year. By all accounts he's a high character guy, good teammate, competes on defense and on the glass. He's ot going to be the one creating offense for the Sixers moving forward, but I love Beasley as a solid role player on a contender down the line.

27) Toronto: Cheick Diallo, PF/C, Kansas, 6-9, 220.

Since the Raptors already snagged a pretty reliable prospect in Ellenson, now they can go for potential with Diallo. Diallo has an incredible 7-4 wingspan for a 6-9 guy, and his mobility and light feet could make him a great roll man, rim runner, and versatile defender. He has great timing as a shot blocker and is just a really good overall athlete for a man his size. The problems are that he is very limited offensively (no polish or jump shot to be seen), but isn't strong enough yet to play the five professionally. Also, he barely saw the court at Kansas last year and garnered little experience. However, I think the Raptors should roll the dice with Diallo if he's still here, especially if they're thinking of parting ways with resident rim protector/physical force Bismack Biyombo.

28) Phoenix: Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt, 7-0, 244.

Jones has all the tools. It's all there: size, length, fluidity, explosiveness, length (7-4 wingspan). He can rim run and explode in traffic with the ball or for lobs. He was pretty good on the O-boards at Vandy, has a bit of offense in him complete with touch on his jumper and hook shot, and his athleticism gives him the opportunity to protect the rim and switch onto guards and hold his own. His instincts protecting the rim need work, but Tyson Chandler can help with that. The number one issue Jones faces is his motor, which especially hurts him on the defensive glass. It's going to be up to Jones whether he gives the effort every night to become a productive NBA big.

29) San Antonio: Diamond Stone, C, Maryland, 6-10, 254.

Apparently, Stone has significant issues with his background and interviews, so he's slid a little in recent weeks. This will not intimidate Gregg Popovich; Stone will seem like a piece of cake compared to Stephen Jackson, and Pop won a title. With the possible departures of legend Tim Duncan and internet sensation Boban Marjanovich, the Spurs may be in need of big men. Stone moves fairly well for such a big body, scores well with touch and footwork inside, and has range on a soft jumper that could even be extended. His lack of explosiveness hurts him on defense and rebounding, but if anyone is going to get the most out of Stone, it's the Spurs.

30) Golden State: Brice Johnson, PF/C, North Carolina, 6-11, 210.

Golden State's biggest weakness is rebounding. Enter Brice Johnson. The UNC product averaged 10.5 rebounds per game last season, including almost 3 OREB per game. The Warriors are still the league's best team and favorites to win it all next year, so they need a guy who can contribute. Johnson has the singular skill of rebounding to keep him afloat, plus he has dynamic athleticism and the ability to score out to 18 feet. Johnson will always compete and has the pedigree as the best player on a team who appeared in the national championship game. I like him for Golden State.

That's it. I can't wait to watch the draft which is always so entertaining. Thank you to DraftExpress for the Strengths and Weaknesses scouting videos that helped me formulate my opinions on the prospects. If you want to know more about the player your team picks, I would definitely suggest you go watch the DraftExpress videos on him.

CLE-GSW Game 7 Thoughts

Last night's Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors will go down forever as one of the NBA's most memorable and impactful games. There was so much on the line last night from a legacy stand-point and the result affects so much going forward.

First and foremost, anyone who hates on LeBron James, who questions his talent, skill, or mental fortitude, is ignorant. I was fearful that he broke his wrist in that collision with Draymond Green while going to the hoop for a dunk. He made his second free throw in a situation in which many players would have missed both even if they were fully healthy. Before that he had that incredible block of Andre Iguodala, an act of such supreme athleticism that I've already seen multiple writers compare it to an act of God. He now holds the corner as the best player on the only team to ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals, against the greatest regular season team of all time, no less. He's the first player to lead a Finals series in each of the five major statistical category, had consecutive 41-point performances, and finished as the third player ever with a Finals Game 7 triple-double. I'm not saying he's better than Michael Jordan was, but he's surely in the top seven or so all-time and has solidified himself as the greatest player of his generation. If there's one thing you can't deny, it's that LeBron's evisceration of Golden State following their calling him a crybaby after his Game 4 incident with Green was inherently Jordan-esque.

Remember around February or March when there was a huge fuss made when LeBron said he wouldn't mind playing with friends Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony? Well, now that James has brought that elusive championship to Cleveland, there's no absolute requirement for him to stick around. Perhaps we'll be seeing the gathering of the Super Friends sooner rather than later. As Stephen A. Smith has said, it's "in play", even if it's unlikely.

One of the reasons that the idea of a Super Friends team up came about was the awkward fit that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love seemed to have with LeBron. Neither played enough defense for LeBron's liking. Kyrie didn't pass the ball enough, pounding the ball into a pulp in stagnant isolations for 20 seconds before casting up contested jumpers. Love has struggled to find an offensive fit on the team since he was traded to Cleveland, ultimately being forced to become a spot-up shooter.

Both Irving and Love showed their worth in Game 7, however. Irving continued his string of impressive scoring performances since Game 3, spelled LeBron during Cleveland's 19-5 stretch in the third quarter, and hit the biggest shot of the series: a step-back three over Curry with 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter that came right out of the Chef's repertoire. There will no longer be murmurs similar to the Chris Paul for Kyrie trade rumors. Kyrie is set up to take over as LeBron slowly declines and his improved defense in this series has to be a good sign for his future. I mean, the guy just outplayed the unanimous MVP for seven games.

Meanwhile, Love had his best game of the series on Sunday night. From the beginning of the game, his role was different; he wasn't just spotting up on the perimeter, he was a presence inside, battling for offensive boards and drawing key free throws. He had seven rebounds in the first quarter alone and finished with 14. He had a team high plus-minus of +19. But Love had possibly the most important and unexpected stretch of the Finals after Irving's made three in the final  minute. On the Warriors' next possession, Love ended up getting switched onto Curry up top after a Draymond Green pick. This is exactly what the Warriors were hoping for: Curry had routinely torched much quicker bigs than Love in isolation all season, and Love's minutes dipped significantly this series because he was unable to keep up with the quickness and shooting of the Warriors. Up three, with the season on the line, Love was up to the challenge. He kept Curry in front as the MVP crossed this way and that, forcing Curry to give it up and then playing similarly stellar defense when Steph got it back and put up an off-the-mark jumper. That one possession was just as important a contribution to a Cavs' win as Kyrie's three or LeBron's block, and it may have saved his market value this offseason. Who knows, it may have been enough for the Cavs not to trade him this summer.

Of course, there are two sides to a Game 7. This is a huge stomach-punch loss for Warriors' players and fans. After the historic 73-9 regular season filled with Steph's heroics, after Curry won the unanimous MVP, after they endured through Steph's injuries in the early playoff rounds, and after trading haymakers with the Thunder in their own 3-1 comeback, it was fair to assume the Warriors would win this series handily. It's what I thought would happen. I initially picked the Warriors in five, and I thought that prediction looked pretty good after the Warriors busted Cleveland in the first two games and went up 3-1 after Game 4. But then Draymond Green got suspended for the nut shot to LeBron at the end of Game 4 and the series changed.

I hate to put blame for the collapse (yes it was a collapse) on Green when he was the one player on GS that really showed up for Game 7, but I remain convinced that the Warriors would have won the series at home in Game 5 had Green not gotten himself suspended. Not only did they miss his defensive impact in the game (James and Irving had 40 apiece), but the incident directly led to the comments of Klay Thompson and other Warriors questioning LeBron's toughness and manhood in the days leading up to the game. They awoke the monster slumbering within LeBron's chest and he made them pay in the last three games.

Also, the 2015-16 Warriors will now be remembered right alongside the (sigh) 2007 New England Patriots as the greatest regular season teams of all time in their respective sport who choked on the biggest stage with the chance to solidify themselves as the greatest team ever. They have to face the reality that they blew their chance at something really special. The good news for us basketball fans is that one of history's most prolific team's is going home without their crown and will have the summer to stew and get more motivated than ever. That makes next season even more intriguing.

When a team falters and loses momentum, they look to their star to take over and get them through the rough patch. I love Stephen Curry's game and disagree with everyone who thinks he is overrated by the media, but he didn't step up when his team needed him to. I don't know if he was injured or not, but he said himself that pain was no excuse for poor play and if it's good enough for him it's good enough for me. I hold him most accountable for the Warriors' shocking loss, not Green and his suspension, not Andrew Bogut's injury, not Thompson's crappy shooting. If it was James' team, we would be holding him the most responsible, too. This is the first time in Curry's pro career that he's had to face this type of adversity, when he was unable to rise to the moment. We'll have to wait and see if he reclaims his mantle of best player in the world next season.

Which brings us back to LeBron James. I agree with what many have said that this is the King's crowning achievement. Coming back from down 3-1 against this Warriors team  is possibly the most impressive aspect of any player's legacy... ever. He won Game 7 on the road. He made all the big plays necessary to will his team to win the series. He's the mental and emotional leader of the team along with being its most talented, and the beauty of LeBron's game is how well he involves his teammates. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are the only players at James' talent level that could have gotten those performances from Kyrie and Love after the turmoil they faced this season.

The most incredible part of what LeBron did? He fulfilled his promise. After all the years of heartbreak and doubt, after he couldn't take them up the mountain, after he left Cleveland on such bad terms, after he returned promising a championship,  LeBron hoisted the hopes of the city of Cleveland on his shoulders and delivered. It had been 52 years since Cleveland's last professional sports championship. That takes a toll on the collective psyche of the fanbase and the team: just ask fans of the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. Both know how hard it is to get over that hump after so long and what it takes to break a curse. LeBron knew it as well as anyone growing up in poverty in Akron. James' journey from hometown high school phenom to savior of the franchise to the basketball equivalent of a wrestling heel, to returning savior and finally champion is the stuff of fairy tales. No other NBA player is as important to their team and city as LeBron is to the Cavaliers and Cleveland. When LeBron looks back on his career years from now, the first and happiest memory that will come to his mind? I won one for the Land.

Thank you to the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers for an incredible Game 7. I can't wait for next year.

P.S. A couple of other thoughts:

• Kevin Love was great in Game 7, but Tristan Thompson was Cleveland's third best player in the series. He was incredible on the boards, made huge plays passing and scoring as a roll-man to the rim, and played phenomenal defense when switched onto the Splash Brothers. He proved to be worth every bit of that $82 million contract.
• I blamed Curry the most for the series loss, but Klay Thompson doesn't get a pass for his role in the Warriors' losing their place in history. Klay showed he was one of the league's best two-way players in Steph's absence and Game 6 against Oklahoma City. I needed to see more from him.
• Earl Joseph Smith III is an NBA champion. J.R. SMITH IS AN NBA CHAMPION!!! THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONVERSATION BELOW IS AN NBA CHAMPION!!!

From http://ballislife.com

What a time to be alive.

Cleveland's Kevin Love Dilemma

Two nights ago the Cleveland Cavaliers turned the tables on the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. After suffering two discouraging double-digit losses in Games 1 and 2, the Cavs turned the tables on the Warriors and handed them their own 30-point defeat behind 30 and 32 points from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James respectively. Now it's the day of Game 4 and the Cavaliers face an issue: What should they do with Kevin Love?
You see, in Game 2 the back of Love's head was struck by Harrison Barnes' flying elbow while the two were fighting for a rebound. Love missed Game 3 while in the league's concussion protocol and now faces questions about his usefulness to the team after they won in a blowout without him. Some have said he should have his minutes reduced and be removed from the starting lineup. Others have said the Cavs should bench him entirely due to the possibility of a sour attitude. I think the answer is fairly clear: Love should come off the bench in reduced minutes as the priority scorer in the second unit surrounded by the Cavs' best defensive players. However, that's not really what I wanted to discuss.
After Game 3, I have come to the conclusion that the Cavaliers play better without Love, that he doesn't really fit with their team, and that they should trade him in the off-season if they want to maximize their chances to win a championship in LeBron's remaining time as a great player. Love just can't keep up with Golden State's high octane ball movement and shooting ability, and Draymond Green is the perfect player to neutralize his effectiveness on the other end. Since everything Cleveland is doing should be geared towards beating Golden State, it is essential that Love is traded.
But where does he go? The trade market isn't generally high on slow, non-rim-protecting big men who aren't producing the way they were two years before. The Cavs need to find a team that 1) has good wing defenders/scorers (the Cavs greatest necessity) to add in to the deal, and 2) can maximize Love's skills similar to the way that he was used in Minnesota when he was putting up 26 and 12 every night. Teams that can get some star power out of Love will be willing to actually give up something legitimate. Those teams would have to have good defensive players to spare and one creating guard to alleviate some of Love's offensive load.
The number one team that has been connected to Love is Boston, and Beantown is probably the destination that most fits the above the description. They have a number of very good wing defenders in Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley, and Marcus Smart, all of whom could give the Cavs the three-point shooting they need around LeBron (except Smart, who's shooting is still a question mark). It also makes some sense since what the Celtics lack is a go-to star scorer, which Love proved he could be in Minnesota. And I think Love could thrive in Brad Stevens' offense in which he would be the focal point. However, after showing varying levels of interest in Love since the summer of 2014, including a time last summer when they appeared very intrigued, the Celtics apparently gave Cleveland a very lackluster offer for Love at this year's trade deadline (per ESPN's Zach Lowe), and don't seem to want Love that much anymore.
(As a Celtics fan, I have to say I agree. The Celtics' success this year was based on hard work and tough perimeter defense, something Love has never proven he can be a part of. If Love came in for Crowder and Bradley, the Celtics would lose their defensive leaders. I really think that having Crowder and Bradley alone made them a good defense because they don't have that much defensive talent on the rest of the roster. Those guys took the pressure off others to be good defenders. I'd rather try to add a star using the plethora of draft picks at their disposal than trading the backbone of their defense for a pseudo-star. And the Cavs don't want draft picks. They need to win now.)
Other than Boston, where else is left? The Rockets have been thrown into the discussion, and while Love would fit well in new coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense, he is too much of a defensive liability on a team full of them. An interesting option that I've heard is Portland, which is where Love grew up. Supposedly he would go there for C.J. McCollum, but why would the Trail Blazers trade the Most Improved Player winner and rising star scorer for Love? Nicolas Batum of the Hornets would be a perfect fit, but he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, so why would the Cavs trade a significant trade chip for someone they could get for nothing but money? (However, there's still the possibility of a sign-and-trade.) People have talked about a Love-for-Carmelo deal which would actually probably work for New York but doesn't solve Cleveland's defensive issues. A possible Love-to-Orlando deal for Victor Oladip would be nice, but Orlando doesn't have the contracts to make it work.
Possibly the most dynamic possibility is a trade with Washington for Bradley Beal. Beal has struggled with injuries in his career, so this is a great risk for a team that needs to maximize her chances of winning while LeBron is still one of the league's best players. But for the way they seem to play better without Love, it might be well worth the risk, and the reward would be tremendous. Beal would be a perfect fit with the Cavs. He's a great pure shooter with the ability to create his own shot in a pinch and athletic enough to be a difference-maker defensively.
The Cavs should definitely look into a Beal trade, just as they should look into any of these possible destinations. Love is just not the fit that people envisioned when he was acquired in the summer of 2014, and he hasn't seemed to mesh in the locker room either. It's time for the two to part ways, but the question remains: Which team will give up something the Cavs can actually use?

GSW at OKC Game 6: What's Going Down Tonight

I am a basketball fan for whom legacies hold a lot of significance. The place of a player as he compares to others throughout history is very important to me. The same goes for teams. I love to argue which players were better, which teams would have won a series against one another, etc. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers just closed out the Toronto Raptors last night to secure a trip to the NBA Finals. This will be LeBron James' sixth straight Finals appearance. That number is absolutely mind-boggling to me. It's so incredible that only players from the 1960's Celtics had ever done it before- which was a different era with less talent in the league. Things like that, things that give a player historical significance, matter to me. It should matter to everyone.

With that being said, there's even more on the line in Oklahoma City tonight when the Warriors play at the Thunder. The Warriors won Game 5 at home after going down 3-1 in the series with a couple of blowout losses at Oklahoma City. Obviously they need to win tonight to keep the series going and set up a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Oakland, and obviously OKC would like to avoid heading back to Oracle Arena, but there's more than just that in the balance tonight. There are real historical stakes riding on this game. Let's break them down for each team.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

• If the Warriors go down tonight, or even if they lose Game 7, this historical 73-9 season loses almost all significance. I thought Bill Simmons made a good point on his podcast this week that it will be remembered like the 18-1 Patriots from 2007; people will say "Oh yeah that regular season was fun... BUT then they choked in the Western Conference Finals." The Warriors have probably lost the chance to be considered the best team of all time with their play this series, but they still have the chance win back-to-back titles which puts them among some of the greatest teams ever.
• If the Warriors go out with their tails between their legs in six games, all of the older players who questioned their greatness will be validated. Nobody will be able to say that Oscar Robertson and Charles Barkley were wrong, especially since the guy who all the old-schoolers swear by is on the other side in Russell Westbrook.
• Similarly, there will have to be a question of the Warriors dominance and play style going forward. For the last two years much of the league has fallen in love with the Warriors and their high-octane style of play predicated on crazy threes. Many writers and even team executives have thought that the Warriors will continue their dominance for the next 5 years. I love how the Warriors play and think the advanced-metrics say that a lot of three-point attempts is the best way to play, but the Thunder have exposed the weaknesses in the Warriors' style. The Thunder have used their incredible length at all positions to protect the rim, contest jumpers, and close passing lanes, which has suffocated the Warriors' ball movement and limited easy looks. Taking away the easy shots is key in stopping the Warriors because once Steph Curry and Klay Thompson see one or two go in, they can hit just about anything thereafter. And once those threes start to drop, every other part of the team's game improves because they gain energy from those shots. All I'm saying is that now we have to seriously question if the Warriors will run roughshod through the league with their incredible shooting and passing like we thought they would, because the Thunder have given the blueprint on how to beat them.
• If Steph Curry wants to begin his ascent into the pantheon of all-time greats, or at least leave little doubt as to his legacy, he needs to have a great game. He cannot go down with only one and a half good games in this series in the year that he won the MVP on the greatest regular season team ever. They definitely can't get blown out and he probably has to have a similar game to the one he had in Oklahoma City earlier this year, when he dropped 46 and hit the game-winner from half-court. He needs to be heroic if he wants to continue his ascent among the all-timers. 

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

• If the Thunder revert to their regular season identity and choke away three straight games with a trip to the Finals on the line, there's still the slightest possibility that Kevin Durant leaves over the next two summers. I still believe he will sign a two-year contract with a one-year opt-out to return to the Thunder and maximize his payday, but it's still a possibility, especially if Curry and the Warriors catch fire and blow them out of the next two games (by the way, that's always a possibility with the Warriors).
• If this Thunder team wins the title, it will be among the greatest postseason accomplishments in NBA history. They will have taken down the Spurs, Warriors, and LeBron in three consecutive series. That's a 67-win team, a 73-win team, and the greatest player of the current generation. The only team it's comparable to is the 1995 Rockets, the only team to have to play four 50-win teams on the way to the title. Those are close, but I would lean towards the Thunder due to the dominance they displayed over two of the best regular season teams ever.
• Russell Westbrook has harnessed his world-class athleticism and crazy competive motor and combined them with cerebral playmaking and decision-making. Ever since they were blown out by the Spurs in Game 1, he's made the decision to get other guys involved and look for his shot in the best situations, like transition or big-man match-ups. He's also been very good on Curry defensively, part of which comes from him cutting down on his defensive lapses and part of which is credited to his relentlessness in all areas of the game wearing Curry (and the rest of the Warriors) down. I though this was another good point from Simmons; Westbrook is always going at the opposition, and it has an effect on a team when they always have to worry about a guy coming at them with everything he has. Even when they make a shot he's getting the ball and coming right back at them down the other end. My point is that Westbrook has become the player many wanted him to be, and he and Durant remind me of Shaq and Kobe back in the day in that it's really hard to beat a team with two of the best three players in the league. That's incredible.
• A title would give Kevin Durant historical significance above anything else. Durant is already one of the best scorers the game has ever seen, but his growth during this playoff run has been awesome. Not only has he dropped forty a few times this playoffs, he's using his length to rebound, defend the rim, and be the secret defensive weapon against Curry. Coach Billy Donovan has stuck Durant on Draymond Green so that Durant can switch on the Curry-Green pick-and-roll and effectively stifle that play's effectiveness. Durant has stepped up his overall game throughout the playoffs and has been a leader of the Thunder's renaissance. We might be seeing him climb the ranks of all-time players into the top-20, especially if he can finish with a title over his long-time nemesis LeBron.
• On the flip-side, losing a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals would add to the legendary missed chances the Thunder have sustained since the James Harden trade. In the summer of 2012, everyone thought that the young Thunder, coming off a Finals appearance, were set for the future. A few months later, James Harden was traded. The next playoffs, Russell Westbrook was hurt in a collision with Patrick Beverly in the first round, and was lost for the playoffs. The Thunder lost in the next round to Memphis. The next year, they ran into a ball-moving, retribution-seeking buzzsaw that was the 2014 Spurs. And then Durant got hurt last year and the Thunder missed the playoffs. The constant missed opportunities have colored the public opinion of the Thunder to the point that I was surprised at how well they have played with everything on the line this playoffs. If they blow another chance, this being the worst yet, would be devastating to the franchise. It's possible that the group would disband and we would lose an incredible team in a similar way to the 1990's Magic. The Thunder are right in the moment for historical significance in the NBA, and now it's on them. What are they going to do?

So here's the point: It's fun to have these subplots going on in your head as you watch a game. It gives the game higher stakes and you're damn sure that the guys out on the floor are thinking about it, too. The energy that is leading up to this game is real, it's legitimate, it's palpable. This game is important. It's an event. It matters. And when the clock hits triple zeros tonight, some sort of history is going to be made. 

Top Four Teams For Kevin Durant To Choose This Summer

One of the top story lines of the past two seasons in the NBA has been Kevin Durant's impending free agency. This summer, Durant will hit the free market, and almost every team in the league has been clearing cap space, gearing up to make an offer for one of league history's best scorers. Durant is one of the league's top five players, a totally unique scorer; 6'11, 235, ability to handle the ball like a guard and pull up from thirty feet, necessary speed and quickness to get open, incredible length so that it doesn't matter if he's well-guarded or not, he's getting a good look at the basket. There is no way to guard this guy (unless Kawhi Leonard is on your team and even then it's a toss up). Durant has the type of talent that can change the balance of power in the NBA... depending on where he goes. So where will Durant choose to go? Or will he stay in Oklahoma City? Here are his top four possible destinations, according to me. (FYI: These teams need to meet the following recommendations: KD would be the go-to scorer, would have at least a large share of the leadership, and the team with KD would have a legitimate shot at winning a championship/make it to the finals. I don't think KD is going to the Spurs or Warriors to take a back seat for a ring. He wants to earn it. Also, this is where I think KD should go, not where I think he will go.)

4) Washington Wizards

This was a huge story after the Wizards' playoff run last year took them near the Eastern Conference Finals. Durant is from the D.C. area, and that paired with his fit alongside guards John Wall and Bradley Beal got this potential landing spot trending. While I still think KD would have success in D.C. and the fit with Wall (an incredible playmaker and passer) is still great, this choice is dropping off the list of true contenders for Durant. The Wizards are sitting at tenth in the East right now, out of the playoff picture, and legitimately disappointing after last season's success. Wall has been one of the league's best point guards, but everyone else have been letdowns. Bradley Beal has proven that he cannot stay healthy, the big men Nene and Gortat have fallen off the map, and the bench is awful. In addition, coach Randy Wittman, after seeming to finally understand the pace-and-space, three-point centric playing style in the playoffs last year, has gone back to the 90's style, clogged-up toilet bowl offense predicated on mid-range jumpers. It would be a good story, but I don't think Kevin Durant's best chance to win is in Washington.

3) Miami Heat

The Heat have rebuilt very quickly after the loss of LeBron James in the summer of 2014, and Pat Riley deserves a ton of credit for his savvy moves; I just knew he'd somehow end up stealing Justise Winslow at number 10, and Hassan Whiteside can dominate down low for a good value. After he looked to be on the decline in LeBron's last year in Miami, Dwyane Wade has come back stronger this year, showing more signs of the old Flash than in any season since LeBron's second title campaign. Everyone in the Miami organization deserves props for not letting themselves fold with the loss of LeBron and Chris Bosh's scary health issues. If KD wants to go somewhere where he can learn the science and method of winning, nowhere's better than the Miami Mafia (creds to Jalen Rose). However, the uncertainty of Bosh's health, Whiteside's future, and Wade's mileage place Miami behind the next two teams on this list.

2) Boston Celtics

MEMO TO KEVIN DURANT: THE CELTICS ARE REALLY GOOD. THIS ISN'T JUST A CELTICS FAN BEING A HOMER. BOSTON ACTUALLY IS REALLY GOOD. They're third in the Eastern Conference and headed to the playoffs for the second straight year. They have an assortment of fun, young talent (like Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk) mixed with cagey veterans (Amir Johnson and Avery Bradley). On the court they are led by point guard Isaiah Thomas, a first-time all-star this year and possibly the best under-six-foot scorer in NBA history. But the real reason Durant should heavily consider the Celtics? Coach Brad Stevens is easily one of the league's top four coaches. He's motivated this young Celtics team into becoming a top-five defense, despite a roster with multiple below average defenders. He knows exactly how to run a game, when to call timeout, which plays to draw up to get his guys a good look. All of his players love him and he's eked out every drop of production from a roster that isn't exactly striking on paper. What the Celtics lack is a star, a go-to-guy who they know they can get production from every night, and that's exactly what Durant can provide. Other factors that would encourage a Durant/Boston marriage is the leisure of playing in the Eastern Conference, Boston's history of excellence, and Durant's good fit with the system and personnel. Unlike OKC, Boston runs a real offense, and Durant wouldn't have to work so hard to get shots at the end of games. As a Boston fan, I'm stoked at the slightest possibility of Durant going to Beantown. As a writer and budding analyst, I know there's somewhere safer and probably better for Durant to end up...

1) Oklahoma City Thunder

Here's what I think is going to happen this summer; Durant will re-sign on a one-year deal to make one more title run with Westbrook, then re-enter free agency again the next summer alongside Westbrook when the salary cap is higher, as well as his potential payday. Lost in the glow of Golden State's blazing sun of basketball destruction (and, to a lesser extent, the Spurs) is the fact that the Thunder have reincorporated Durant into the team as seamlessly as before he was injured, and with a little luck and a few coaching and personnel tweaks, this team is absolutely capable of winning a championship. It's a better option in terms of the possibility of winning a title than the other options, anyway. Could that change by this summer? Of course it could. But this option gives Durant the most flexibility and the best chance to win in the short-term. None of these other options include a top-five player alongside Durant, and that's what OKC has to offer. 

Super Bowl Pick

Alright, here we are. The last game of the year. For two teams, the entire season comes down to one more game. The ways that the two teams, the Panthers and the Broncos, got here are very different. The Panthers dominated their way through the regular season to the tune of 15-1, played an incredible first half against Seattle, and culminated in four quarters of blasting the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Broncos' season was predicated on getting dominated, hanging around, and ultimately winning in the luckiest way possible in just about every game. They went 12-4, won a game they got worked in against Pittsburgh, and then utilized their tremendous defense to eke out a win against my Patriots last week.
Many people have been saying that this Super Bowl will be reminiscent of the 43-8 beat down the Broncos suffered at the hands of the Seahawks two years ago. While I agree that trouble could definitely be in store for Peyton Manning in a similar way this year, it isn't the same dynamic. John Elway used that Super Bowl to begin the creation of the NFL's best defense, and it sure looked like that last week. The Broncos absolutely eviscerated Tom Brady and the Patriots' offensive line, hitting Brady an astounding 20 times and forcing him into two interceptions. They held the vaunted Patriots offense to just 18 points, and it was a total team effort. It started with the secondary cutting off Brady's quick throws to Edelman and Amendola, and they laid crushing hits on any receiver who actually did find enough space to catch the ball. The defensive line took over from there, winning one-on-one match-ups with the depleted New England offensive line and putting more pressure on Brady than a QB has had to face in about 10 years. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware lead the pass rush and Miller put on one of the all-time playoff performances by a defensive player last week. He was everywhere, and his 2.5 sacks don't even reflect how many times he hit Brady. He also had a key interception in Patriots territory leading to a Broncos TD. All year everyone said the Broncos had the league's best defense, and they sure looked like it last week. But they haven't faced someone like Cam Newton yet.
Newton leads the Panthers' offense on and off the field. He has grown from being a pouty, whiny college kid to a thoughtful, confident, charismatic leader of the league's best team. Newton is right up there with Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers among the league's best dual threats at the quarterback position, accounting for 45 total touchdowns and 4,473 total yards. At 6'5 250, he's been an unstoppable combination of power and speed running the ball ever since college, but what has made him this year's leading candidate for MVP is his evolution in the passing game. He's now a premier pocket passer, standing tall and strong in the pocket and delivering throws down the field to his receivers. His accomplishments are made all the more impressive when considering his situation at receiver. Tight end Greg Olsen has been playing at an all-pro level, but other than him, the Panthers don't have the kind of weapons on the outside that the league's best offense usually has. Second year star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin went down with a torn ACL before the season, so Newton has had to rely on Ted Ginn Jr. as his number one receiver. Ginn is a great deep threat with incredible speed, but isn't the best route runner and can generally be counted on for at least one or two drops per game. The Denver defense has to be able to take advantage of Carolina's dearth at wideout, because they will need to focus on the Panthers' league-best running game. Running back Jonathan Stewart is one of the league's most underrated runners, a strong and dynamic back who can cut through a defense or run right through it. The Panthers are also one of the only teams who still use a fullback in the running game, Mike Tolbert, who when running through defenses is best compared to a bowling ball toppling pins. And then, of course, is Newton, who had 636 running yards this year and ten rushing touchdowns. On any given play any of those three can get the ball and hurt you, or Newton can throw the ball to hurt you. It's this dynamic ability that made the Panthers so unstoppable this year.
The Panthers have a stifling defense to their credit as well, though perhaps not as swarming as that of the Broncos. They have one of the league's best two defensive players in linebacker Luke Kuechly, who can get to the QB, cover running backs and tight ends, return interceptions for touchdowns, or just lay the smack down on a running back who thinks he has a hole. Kuechly was paired with fellow linebacker Thomas Davis, the poor man's Kuechly, for much of the season, but Davis suffered a broken forearm last week. Although he says he will play, it will be something to watch out for. The Panthers have a defensive line almost as effective in getting to the passer and stopping the run as Denver's is, led by Star Lotulelei, Charles Johnson, and the returning Jared Allen. All-pro cornerback Josh Norman anchors the secondary, which has been a turnover-creating machine this year, which doesn't bode well for Peyton Manning.
Speaking of Peyton, I heard an astounding stat about him recently; he's about to join a select group of quarterbacks to start four Super Bowls, but he will be the first to do so with four different coaches. As a Pats fan, I've always sung the praises of Brady and tried to focus on Manning's shortcomings, but there's no denying Manning's incredible run. He does, however, have to win another Super Bowl to be mentioned with Brady and Montana and Unitas among the greatest quarterbacks to ever play, and he faces a steep challenge against this Panthers juggernaut. Although he's played better since returning from injury, simply limiting turnovers will not be enough against this Panthers team. Sure, he threw for two touchdowns and no interceptions last week against New England, but he didn't have a drive go more than 50 yards after the first one. That New England defense laid the blueprint for how to stifle the Broncos offense, and the Panthers have a better defense by any calculation. Sure, Manning has some of the best weapons in the league to throw to in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but the Pats essentially held them in check for most of the game. Manning's two touchdowns went to tight end Owen Daniels, and you can be sure the Panthers won't let Owen Daniels beat them. There isn't much hope for Denver in the running game either, which also struggled against the Pats last game, when the Patriots don't ave a great run defense and the Panthers do. It's going to be hard for the Broncos to score,which is why I think that Manning could have similar issues to that Super Bowl of two years ago, when he may have been playing a better defense, but was still at the height of his powers coming of his record breaking 55 TD season. This year's version of Manning is still apt to missing throws and putting the ball in the hands of the defense. It's just a matter of if the Panthers will be able to take advantage, unlike the Patriots.
So now that I've laid it all out for you, here's my pick...

Carolina (-5) over Denver, 6:30 ET.

What you have to remember about my picks is that they're about who I think will win, not who I would bet on. If it was who I would bet on, I would go with the Broncos because they keep every game close because of their defense. I don't think they will lose by five points or more, because of their defense, like I said, and the lucky horseshoe sticking out of their butts. They are absolutely the luckiest team football has ever seen, and that, along with the possibility of a fairy tale ending for Manning in a career full of bad luck, scares me the most about this game. I'm going to be honest; I don't want the Broncos to win. Come 5:30, I will be rooting heartily for the Panthers, because I'm a Patriots fan and that game from two weeks ago is still pissing me off. However, that doesn't change my pick. I really do think that the Panthers have the better team, but I also appreciate that the Broncos' eerie ability to stay in games in which they are being dominated is a skill. But I think this is the week that their luck runs out. The Panthers are a freaking juggernaut that laid one of the all-time playoff poundings on a really good Cardinals team two weeks ago. They forced Carson Palmer into six turnovers. Remember, this guy was an MVP candidate for much of the year, and the Panthers annihilated him. How do you think old noodle-armed Peyton Manning is going to fare against this defense? I think the Broncos defense will keep them in the game, perhaps even recording a defensive touchdown. But I just don't believe that Manning can get it done against this defense. We'll see.

Carolina 20, Denver 13.
Playoffs: 9-1
Overall Season: 98-46