Charlie & Adam Email About NBA Finals

So this is late and long, but Adam Hatlak and Charlie Tritschler emailed about the NBA Finals plus what could be next for San Antonio and Miami after a stunning Game 4. 

Charlie Tritschler  
Truth be told, I have no idea where to start with this one. We are four games into the NBA Finals and the Spurs are absolutely dominating. It reminds me a bit of 2004 NBA Finals when Detroit Pistons came in and housed the Lakers in five. Granted, Spurs were not as big of underdogs as the Pistons yet it was the last time we saw a true team effort take a title.

My first question for you Adam is where do we put Kawhi Leonard in the echelon of great players? It would probably be an overreaction to say he made 'the leap' because he had two great games. But he definitely will have more eyes on him? The expectation should be he's an All-Star next year. I also think he will be the main reason why Pop will coach for at least five more years.

Adam Hatlak 

I'm honestly not getting too excited about the Leonard "jump", I mean, isn't this who we thought he was? I thought he made a jump last finals as a player who COULD do this, but not a guy who was ready for night in and night out dominance. I think that is still the case. Coming in, I thought he was an excellent defensive player, that was continuing to make strides on offense. He didn't have a great start to the series, but has played really well the last two games. We forgot about him during the season and the beginning of the playoffs because he's a quiet guy, and plays for the Spurs, but I honestly don't think my opinion on him has changed that much.

Now, I'm concerned that sounds like I don't like Kawhi, which couldn't be further from the truth, he's fun to watch, plays hard, and impacts the game significantly on both sides of the ball. I saw the article by Tom Ziller about Leonard deserving more credit for his development than the Spurs, which is true, but the fact he was able to develop in a system instead of having to be "The Man" right away helped him. If the Kings had taken him, he'd be forced to play outside of his game to start. He's going to keep growing in the Spurs ball movement focused offense.

I'm not a fan of overreactions to one or two games, but it seems obvious that the type of games that have been on display in the Finals will alter both teams' off season plans. Do you think a Finals win means retirement for the Spurs players? Will they all go together, or separate? Let's ignore the Melo story line for right now, but what are the Heat going to do to fix this?

Charlie Tritschler 

You're right. It was one of those situations where Leonard fell into the perfect spot. No pressure and allowed his game to build like his 3-point shooting. He shot 29 percent at San Diego State, and in his first three years with the Spurs, he shoots around 37 percent. That's not San Antonio driven, that's more Leonard making himself a better player. I have a feeling he will only get better.

I have a feeling Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will ride off into the sunset if the Spurs win. Duncan has nothing left to prove, added his fifth ring, will only be the third player to win a ring in three decades. He can retire on top, something very rare for a player to do. Ginobili would also get similar satisfactions and with how his body has taken a toll over the years, it makes sense. This would also make San Antonio an interesting team this weekend.

Miami is screwed. Dwyane Wade is going to stay on his player option meaning he will be there another year which is terrible for the team. Chris Bosh might opt-out if he is smart. I know he loves Miami but you gotta think about being a good second banana to a team or the headliner. Imagine if he went to Dallas or Golden State? Even Houston for that matter. LeBron is the million dollar question. A part of me thinks he will opt-out causing everyone to freak out, but then he at least gives him a chance to explore his options. I don't know if it all blows up, but it could get real interesting.

Back to the Finals... Even though he will not win the NBA Finals MVP, is it fair to say Boris Diaw is the second or third-best player on San Antonio's team right now?

Adam Hatlak 

I think you're right on the Spurs off season, Duncan and Ginobili can go out on top, as well as getting rid of the demons from last year's collapse. I think Pop might follow them out the door as well, but he might hang around with Parker.

Is Wade a max player anymore? I tend to think not, he took off a bunch of time during the regular season, and isn't consistent enough right now to carry a team. I tend to view a max player as a guy who can bring his team to the playoffs as the number one option, and I don't think Wade fits that bill anymore. James isn't going anywhere, he's in a destination city now, and can tell players to come play with him. I really don't think he will leave, but I think this team will look different next year. Battier, Chalmers, and Allen could all be gone next year, it might get ugly.

I don't think it's fair to say that Diaw is the second or third BEST player on San Antonio's team. If I were listing best players, it would look like Duncan, Parker, Leonard, Ginobili, Diaw. No doubt, Diaw is incredibly important to what the Spurs do, and presents a terrible matchup for Miami, but I don't think that makes him one of the best players. He could be considered for MVP of this series, though, and that's an incredible thought for a player who was once cut by the Bobcats.

Flash forward to a week from now, (June 20th would be the day of a game 7 if it happens) and miraculously the Heat have won two in a row to force a game 7 in this hypothetical, how would they do it?

Charlie Tritschler 

I disagree about Pop. I mean he is 65 years old, but with Parker and Leonard as his key cogs, it is not unreasonable to think he couldn't get a sixth title with those guys in the next five years. I don't see him coaching into his seventies, but who the hell knows with him. He seems like a 'by my own rules kind of guy.' 

He isn't but Wade wants a max deal. He has said publicly in his mind, he is still a max player. Now, he was TERRIBLE in Game 4 and really hasn't played well for most of the Finals. I don't think he is a number two on most teams in the league right now with his knee problems honestly. He cannot be taking seriously. But with all those players gone, they could reload with younger, more efficient bench players. What if they added Kyle Lowry as a starter with Trevor Ariza and Rodney Stuckey to their bench (All unrestricted free agents) with the Big 3, isn't that a scarier team than what they have right now?

Okay, maybe I overreacted there, but Boris is playing his ass off right now. It finally showed up a little more in the box score with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists. I think he has been one of the most valuable guys on this team and a big reason it is 3-1.

The way the Heat get to Game 7 is actually pretty simple... They win Game 5. In an arena that will be jacked for the Spurs, Miami finds a way to kill their will would be massive. They also need more Chris Bosh. He added only 21 points in the last two games after back-to-back 18 point games in the first two. He needs to be part of the offense early on as that seems to be the key to unlock Bosh's scoring.

Adam Hatlak 

I think the title window closes for the Spurs when Duncan retires. They will still be good, but I don't think they will be able to win the loaded Western Conference. The Clippers, Thunder, Rockets, and Warriors are all on the way up still, and a Duncan-less Spurs would slip just enough in my opinion to not be contenders anymore. It's going to be too difficult for them to acquire a top-notch interior presence to replace Duncan. I doubt they will fall off a cliff like other teams do when they fall from contention, but the title window will close.

Ariza, Stuckey, and Lowry would make that team better, but I'm guessing Lowry will go for the team that offers him the most money, and that won't be Miami. Just like the Heat's first title run, the key, in my opinion, is Wade. LeBron took over the team when they finally won their first ring, but part of that was Wade realizing James was a better player. If Wade realizes again that the team can't be a dynasty with him at a max deal, and accepts a lesser role, the Heat can obviously reload right away. If Wade demands max money, something that nobody should fault him if he does, it will be tough for this team to fulfill their absolute potential. I could see them adding a big man Spencer Hawes or Jordan Hill, a wing who can defend and shoot, Ariza would be great if they can make it, and a point guard, would Patty Mills or Nate Robinson be the bench energy they need?

If the Heat are going to win any games, they need the Big Three to be the Big Three. The Spurs have out played them, no doubt about it, but Miami was built to have three players dominate with the role players doing specific jobs. Currently, only LeBron is dominant night in and night out. They need more help.

How long does this series go?

Charlie Tritschler 

You're probably right. They really cannot replace Duncan and Ginobili's production that quickly, but if Pop does stay, he is still the best coach in the Western Conference without question. If they get three good years, I could see San Antonio making some improbable run because of Pop and Kawhi is a next level player. They will be a perennial playoff team, but yes, the West will only get better with the Kings and Pelicans nipping at the heels as well.

Yeah that's probably a little ambitious by me, but I like where you headed with this one. Hill or Hawes would be a great option for Miami giving them some size and Patty Mills whom I love as a player and think could be a starter on some teams. Nate would be a fun one because I think he would add more character to this team and could be a valued bench player.

I think it ends Sunday. I really cannot see Miami bouncing back from two blowouts and finding a way to win on Sunday. What do you think.

Adam Hatlak 

I think San Antonio finishes them off in 5. Most series, I'd say that the Spurs are due for a drop off, but I think you're right, after how the series ended last year, I can't see the Spurs letting up. I expect a big game from LeBron, and one of Wade/Bosh, but I don't think all three will put it together.

Charlie & Adam