NBA Finals 2013: Heat, Spurs Ready For Game 7

Jun 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2), Manu Ginobili (20) and Tim Duncan (21) as he drives to the basket during the third quarter of game six in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After 82 regular season games, and about 20-some playoff games, it all comes down to tonight. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Game 7.

The San Antonio Spurs look to polish off a dynasty with a fifth title in 15 years, the Heat are looking to continue to write their own.

It all comes down to one game, one moment. Game 7.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s Big Three leaped over the hump in last year’s Finals, beating the Thunder 4-1, but now it feels like they’re back where they started.

The pressure, the expectations are as real as they’ve ever been. LeBron is being called-out no matter what he does — even after Heat wins.

It’s like we’re all partying like it’s 2011.

However, this isn’t 2011. Not even close.

In Game 6, we watched something that the 2011 Heat couldn’t do. Force a Game 7.

And, boy, did they do it in grand fashion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZA_I5V0kY

That’s all in the past now. Question is, have the Spurs moved on?

San Antonio had the Heat beat. Heck, the O’Brien was mere feet away as they began to bring it onto the main stage. Thankfully, for the Heat, it wasn’t 2011.

They fought back. Their prize? A Game 7, a chance to defend their Championship and an opportunity to start cashing-in on those promises they preached about in the Summer of 2010.

Even though he was just playing to his new fans, trying to win them over.

But it’s LeBron, he gets no pass.

Game 7. Perhaps the two greatest words in team sports.

The Spurs are going to be back. They won’t let the loss of Game 6 be the demise of this team. This era. Gregg Popovich won’t let that happen. They’re too well coached.

On the flip side, we could see a passing of the torch tonight.

In 2007, the Spurs swept LeBron’s Cavs. After the series, this happened.

Is this when LeBron finally takes the torch out of Duncan and the Spurs hands?

If so, he’s going to have to pry it out of the Spurs’ paws. They won’t go down easily.

This could be one of those moments that will go down in history. Let me re-phrase that. This IS going to be one of those moments that will go down in history. One that 20 years from now we tell our kids about.

One that will contribute in defining LeBron’s legacy. Whether we want to admit it or not, it will.

The Heat and Spurs have played one of the weirdest NBA Finals in recent history, alternating victoires in each of the first six games. But none of that matters anymore. It comes down to one game.

The Spurs will rally. The Heat are ready. This will be one of the greatest Game 7’s in NBA history.

Buckle in, grab a drink and enjoy the ride.

Folks, welcome to Game 7.