Playoff Hoopla: The Luckiest Team in the Playoffs

This would be a daily segment on the blog wherein I discuss some puzzling and mind boggling things on the NBA Playoffs. I know I've started late and may use some 'old' material but nevertheless I hope I provide an exciting new daily segment on the blog. 

Inscribed on the mouth piece of LeBron James is the number 16 in Roman numerical form. XVI not only represents how many wins each team needs to win the NBA championship but it's the hardwork, sacrifice, dedication, and luck needed for one team to call themselves NBA Champions. 

In this year's version of the NBA Playoffs, let us catch-up to the latest happenings. 

THE THUNDER ARE THE LUCKIEST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS 

The Durantula: Virtually Unguardable.

Think about it this way. Before the postseason started, everybody and I mean everybody knew that the Thunder had the roughest road to the NBA Finals. Dallas, the defending NBA Champions, in the first round. The Lakers in the second round and either LA or the Spurs in the conference finals. They are matched-up with three teams who combined to have win 10 of the last 13 NBA championships. 

Shocking isn't it? 

Game 1 of the first round, Dallas was up 7 heading to the last two minutes of the game poised to steal homecourt advantage from the young and 'inexperienced' team. When all things seem to go as planned, Dirk Nowitzki misses a WIDE OPEN 3-pointer which could have pushed their lead up 10 with less than 2 minutes remaning. He didn't miss that against Miami last year. It was literally cash money! 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder go on a sudden offensive surge capped by Kevin Durant's miraculous jumper over Shawn Marion's out stretched arms as time expired. HE JUST FLICKED THE FRIGGIN' BALL!!! 

Game 2. Same scenario but this time it's the veteran Jason Kidd taking and missing another WIDE OPEN 3-pointer. 

Poised to potentially steal another game in Oklahoma and even the series at one apiece... 

Instead. What happens? 

The Thunder again go on another sudden offensive surge and steal game two and sweep the defending champs. 

Think of this way, Dallas could have gone back home with a 2-0 lead instead of an 0-2 deficit.  

Second round against the Lakers. The team (Thunder) who commits the most turnovers per game in the NBA all of a sudden seem to take care of the rock and manage to not throw away the ball. Russell Westbrook, whom I've said time and time again to pass the ball and take care of the ball more, seems to listen to me. He passes the ball to Durant more and score when he needs to. 

Game 2, the Lakers are up down the stretch poised to steal Game 2 and what happens? Kobe Bryant. Yes, you heard that right, freakin' Kobe Bryant throws an stupid and errant lob pass which Kevin Durant easily converts to a fastbreak dunk and starts ANOTHER Thunder comeback. 

And by the way, Kobe doesn't choke. He doesn't miss or screw up during crunch time. That was a miracle in itself!!! 

Game 4, AGAIN (we really have to stress a point here) the Lakers are up down the stretch but the confidence-challenged Pau Gasol throws the ball away and sets up KD for another game winner. 

This really is painful to watch... 

The Thunder are a deadly team. When the game is down the wire and where most teams think that these young players will falter under the bright lights, they don't. They seem to shine and be at their best when the game is on the line. 

Westbrook and the Thunder seem to magically cut down on  their turnovers and convert at a much higher rate. Their relentlessly convert on the break and seem to have an answer to every thing the opposition throws. 

Don't forget they have the Durantula---their secret weapon. 

The sky is the limit for this team but their time to shine maybe not just yet.

Well, luck is definitely on their side.