In a few hours, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals will tip-off. With Game 7 looking to have all the elements of a classic-in-the-making, it seems only fitting to have a 7-step preview to tee-up the match-up and what it means.
Q: How does Miami feel heading into tonight’s Game 7?
A: Miami most likely has a false sense of security right now: they appear to be self-assured and poised, but if they are honest about the situation they know that self-assurance is shaking. Yes, they are defending champions, and they faced exactly this scenario just last year; but there is a serious difference between their current situation and having to win a Game 7 against an old, exhausted Boston team last year. LeBron’s performance from last season’s Game 6 was the most dramatic and arguably the best of his career, which surely gave his teammates a morale boost heading into the deciding game. In this series, LeBron has delivered a steady dose of his usual excellence, but he has yet to be transcendent and though normally that would be okay, his usual greatness alone won’t be enough here. He needs to deliver a truly special performance in order to push Miami over the top now, because the Ghosts of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh certainly do not seem capable of giving him the support they did last season. Everyone not named LeBron does not look themselves, and that is trouble against a Pacers team that continues to grow in confidence. It is a pretty big indictment on the rest of the Heat that they have the best player alive, playing in his prime, and they cannot give even the support necessary. The performance of Wade, Bosh, Allen, and Battier suggests that Miami may have peaked during its 27-game winning streak, and worse, they seem to know it. Their confidence for Game 7 is rooted in two things: 1) playing at home, and 2) having LeBron. No doubt that the latter point is a hell of an ace card to be holding, but if they don’t give him at least a little help it may not matter.
Questions 2-7, after the jump… Continue reading
Low Culture, High Concept 