The NBA's rich history can be great fun to discuss. Unfortunately, it can also distract us from enjoying the new legends springing up, or those who are building upon their legacies as we quietly watch on.This NBA Finals, given the stature of the two teams involved, will no doubt focus on the historical comparisons between competitors, and the Ghosts of Finals Past. You'll hear about how LeBron's championship totals stack up against Michael Jordan and Larry Bird's, after equal numbers of seasons, and at the same age. You'll be treated to the factoid that Miami Heat are the first team since the 80's Celtics to make the Finals four times. Next is the Spurs, and how their run of 17 straight playoff appearances and fistful of championships are comparable to the same 80's Celtics or the Showtime Lakers. All of these comparisons are valid, and they should serve to put us on notice that we are #blessed to have these two teams in the Finals, again.Hopefully, what these comparisons don't do is rile fans into making the same tired "LeBron vs. MJ" arguments that we've heard constantly. To state the obvious, LeBron James is not Michael Jordan, he's LeBron James. He's the best player in the world and one of the best to ever play. That's enough reason to care, to watch, and to just enjoy what he is, because what he is is a damn great player.As to the actual matchup between these teams, Miami-San Antonio gave basketball fans one of the absolute best Finals ever last year, from a drama and aesthetic standpoint. Both teams employ systems that swing the ball around the floor, relentlessly hunting for the best, most efficient shot available. Expect more of the same in this iteration. There will be moves and countermoves and counter-countermoves from coaches Erik Spoelstra and Gregg Popovich.In last year's Finals, the Spurs boldly dared James and Dwyane Wade to beat them with jumpers. San Antonio essentially conceded any long jumper James or Wade wanted, and the disrespect appeared to surprise and rattle the Miami duo initially. It was almost enough to allow San Antonio to steal the series. It'll be interesting to see if Popovich returns to the strategy, or if he has a new trick up his sleeve to attempt to slow two-thirds of Miami's Big Three. If the Spurs employ the same strategy, I would expect the Heat, and James in particular, to be ready for it.These two teams are so evenly matched that this series will, as was the case last year, almost certainly come down to the wire. Last season, Miami benefited from a rebound kicking hard off the backboard directly into the hands of Chris Bosh during a mad dash after a badly missed three ball from LeBron, which famously set up Ray Allen's series-saving dagger from the corner. Down the stretch of Game 7, Tim Duncan, wearing Shane Battier, missed a hook shot from close inside that he nearly always makes. These sorts of bounces make the difference when two teams are this closely matched. Maybe those bounces go San Antonio's way this time or maybe they don't.On paper, the Spurs appear to be the favorite. They had the most wins in the league and the best point differential (while playing in the more challenging Western Conference). They have home court advantage. Their bench is better and deeper than Miami's. But ultimately, despite all of that evidence, I still believe that LeBron James will find a way, just like Jordan always seemed to do.Heat in 7.
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