Congratulations are in order for the Heat, who beat the Thunder 121-106 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight to clinch the 2011/12 NBA championship. LeBron James put up a triple-double, and was the unanimous choice for Finals MVP. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert took to Twitter and stopped short of recognizing James and the Heat, instead congratulating the Heat and Thunder for "an exciting Finals" (hat tip to Mary Schmitt Boyer and Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer). With the season now at its end, the real fun begins, as full attention can be paid to next week's draft and the start of free agency soon thereafter. Here's some early offseason chatter:
- Andy Kamenetzky of ESPNLosAngeles.com rounded up Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak's comments today from the Mason & Ireland Show on 710 ESPN. Kupchak echoed the sentiments of Jim Buss, the team's executive vice president, who believes the team will retain its core players and still be successful.
- Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld tries to read between the lines of Buss' recent remarks, concluding that the team's most significant moves may involve the acquisition of complementary veterans like Brandon Roy and Rashard Lewis, assuming both are available.
- Luol Deng is drawing plenty of interest from around the league, tweets Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Earlier today we heard the Warriors could be interested in acquiring the Bulls small forward.
- The Associated Press confirms (via ESPN.com) that a toe injury will keep Bobcats center Byron Mullens from playing for Britain in the Olympics this year.
—–
Congratulations to Miami. Now here is not only my dream scenario but potentially Dream Team. I would like to see KG and Steve Nash take their talents to South Beach. KG left Minnesota (approved the trade) to win a title elsewhere. What happened the 1st year out of MN? He won a title because he was surrounded by individuals just as hungry as he was to get a title. That same year/playoff, Garnett whispered in Lebrons ear after knocking the Cavs out (Lebrons last year in Cleveland). My guess is Garnett told Lebron Its time to do you, regardless of the backlash. Now this time around it’s Lebron’s turn to reach out to KG. It was Kevin’s time, now it’s Lebron’s time. I say in 2013….let it be their time
KG is the last player I want to come to Miami. We need a C and a legit PG
I think Lewis is Roy would fit right in. Lewis could play SF and part time PF so he’s most comfortable. Roy can give Kobe needed rest and provide a solid one/two punch at SG and could also get some minutes at SF. If Roy is healthy, even being away from the game due to injury I dont see why he can’t regain at least half of his all-star caliber game. Lewis is streaky, but the Lakers tend to get away from feeding inside to Gasol/Bynum so adding these two veteran scorers could be huge. A well rested Kobe come playoff time, and more guys around him able to carry the load could spell a title for them.