Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (left) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 95-88 to win the NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The aftermath of a Game 7. One team in overwhelming joy, one in absolute agony. In this case, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. In that order.
LeBron and the Heat kept jabbing and crossing the Spurs. Their resolve was second to none. It wasn’t until LeBron’s dagger with about 27 seconds left, putting the Heat up 92-88, that finally knocked the Spurs out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pG8gnfJok8
Miami would closeout Game 7 with a 95-88 victory over the Spurs. This series, as a whole, was so good. The best in who knows how long. I still need to let it all sit-in before ranking this Finals.
In the meantime, let’s get some Twitter reaction. The last of the Finals…
This was the scene following the Heat’s victory. What happened to the yellow ropes??
The scene. pic.twitter.com/ulnZWWIEXy
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 21, 2013
End of the Spurs era?
Arison on Spurs: "What a great run they HAD." I guess it must be over.
— Art Garcia (@ArtGarcia92) June 21, 2013
D-Wade has rings. Where does his career rank?
In other news, Dwyane Wade has three rings. Some career.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) June 21, 2013
LeBron said he came to Miami to put himself in a better opportunity to win. He was right.
James: improves to 3-0 in Game 7s with Heat.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 21, 2013
He was 0-2 with the Cavaliers.
Over/Under on how long before we see this on a shirt?
LeBron: "I ain't got no worries."
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 21, 2013
A side of Pop we don’t usually see/hear about.
Gregg Popovich with tears in his eyes talking about how proud of his team he is.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) June 21, 2013
Despite the noise, LeBron is a pretty good player.
LeBron James joins Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as only players in NBA history to win back-to-back regular-season MVPs & NBA titles.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 21, 2013
Gotta feel for Manu.
Manu Ginobili: "It's a big disappointment. Me, I still have Game 6 in my head."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 21, 2013
Miami, this is for you.
Parade is Monday
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
?
☑ Not 1
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) June 21, 2013
☑ Not 2
☐ Not 3
☐ Not 4
☐ Not 5
☐ Not 6
☐ Not 7
Spurs played with fire and got burned.
Ginobili says by time Spurs decided to blitz LeBron, he was too hot
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
Tony Parker. No bull.
Parker: "I have no excuse. I'm not gonna put it on my hammy. I just didn't play well."
— Izzy Gutierrez (@IzGutierrez) June 21, 2013
Hollywood as Hell.
Gotta give it up to Miami. Doubted they could come back from 2-1, let alone 3-2. On brink Game 6. Play in a glamour city but lots of guts.
— Michael Smith (@michaelsmith) June 21, 2013
2 Chainz?? Pfft.
Outside the locker room. Players shouting "2 rings!" pic.twitter.com/fSZGKFAj9j
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
Wonder what the narratives around LeBron will be next year…
Spoelstra on LeBron: "It became time"
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) June 21, 2013
Wow.
Spoelstra on LeBron: "He probably lost 12-15 pounds in this playoff run expending so much energy."
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 21, 2013
The Big Three.
Wade screaming to Bosh and James: "Thus is what we came together for!"
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
A lot of “what if’s” are going to come out of this series.
So would Spurs' window still have closed had they won tonight?
— Art Garcia (@ArtGarcia92) June 21, 2013
Danny Green taking it on the chin.
Danny Green: "I didn’t come to play tonight and help my teammates out. I left them out to dry. I let Timmy, Manu & Pop down.”
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) June 21, 2013
Duncan, last Finals appearance?
Tim Duncan: "The obvious word is 'disappointing.' It's just... a tough end to the game."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 21, 2013
More Duncan.
Kudos to the King.
Tim Duncan on LeBron: "He made enough shots to make us change our defense over and over again. We just couldn’t find a way to stop him."
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) June 21, 2013
Super Mario!!
Mario Chalmers on his 3 at the end of the 3rd quarter: "I thought it was all net."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
Mario (M-bleeping) Chalmers pic.twitter.com/cViMHBMujJ
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
CHRIS BOSH. But he did play solid D down the stretch.
https://twitter.com/MySportsLegion/status/347937223536148480
BIRDMAN, BIRDMAN
Chris Andersen: "I need security. Champ coming through." pic.twitter.com/jAcm3nA6JG
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
D-WADE.
Dwyane Wade is making reporters call him "3"
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) June 21, 2013
Ray Allen contemplating retirement?
Ray Allen: "This is the way to do it." Says he needs a little time to think about what he'll do next season.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 21, 2013
JAMES.
LeBron averaged 25.3 PPG, 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists for the series. Only other player to avg 25-10-7 in NBA Finals was ... James (2012)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 21, 2013
And THIS.
The 2013-14 NBA season starts in 134 days.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) June 21, 2013