There was an incredible amount of hype around the 2012 NBA finals rematch between Kevin Durant and LeBron James, but the game didn't quite live up to the billing - Miami fell to the Thunder 112-95 as Durant extended his streak of games with at least 30 points to 12.
It seemed that the Heat-Thunder game was all about James and Durant, and the event was billed as a competition between the two. While the two players have already met in the NBA finals, a rivalry between the two hasn't been considered a major NBA storyline...until now.
Despite the media buildup, the game didn't end up being an epic struggle between the two stars. Magic Johnson said it best in a tweet:
Beside Durant, Derek Fisher and Jeremy Lamb played a big role in the Thunder win over the Heat last night!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 30, 2014
Comparing James' and Durant's stats from the game, though, the two weren't that far apart. James had 34 points, three rebounds and three assists. Durant had 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists. If they would have been the only two on the court, the game would have ended much closer than 17 points apart. While the game could have been a nail-biting showdown between the two stars if both of their supporting casts showed up, only the Thunder brought playoff intensity and the game turned into a rout.
The real decisive factors were Jeremy Lamb, Serge Ibaka and Derek Fisher of Oklahoma City, who outplayed Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. For long stretches of the game it seemed like the Thunder just couldn't miss, and the Heat couldn't hold on to the ball. Miami turned it over 20 times, first giving OKC the opportunity to pull ahead, then making sure they stayed there.
Lamb and Fisher made some key three-pointers, combining for a total of nine, and Ibaka added eight rebounds and 22 points.
Despite the result, the hype around the game made it clear that the NBA's next great rivalry has arrived. James has recognized Durant's skills, and earlier in the season stated that he was "jealous" of the number of shots KD gets to take. He also said that Durant "can't be stopped by any 1-on-1 player." While Durant has avoided discussing LeBron in the media, the debate on who the better basketball player is will continue even if both stars sidestep the issue. There's no question that James and Durant are two of the greatest players of this era, and their matchup earlier this week was just a preview of the hype you can expect whenever these teams match up in the near future.
Miami and Oklahoma City are arguably the two best teams in the league, and they play like it. With Kobe's Lakers fading and no other players stepping up, the LeBron-Durant rivalry could be a major NBA storyline for years to come.
The two teams play again late in February, this time in Oklahoma City. The Heat will be fighting to prove that this result was just a bump in the road, and the Thunder will do their best to show that they - and their superstar - belong at the top.
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