The 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs will begin on Thursday, June 6, at 8:00 p.m.
Here is a look at the 10 most important players who will each have a key role and could be significant factors in the outcome of the best-of-7 series.
10. Chris Andersen
2013 playoff stats: 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 15.5 minutes
The 6’10” forward provides energy off the bench, runs the floor well in transition, and is arguably the Heat’s best rebounder.
On a per 36 minute basis in the playoffs, the “Bird Man” is averaging a team-best 9.5 boards and also leads Miami by grabbing 16.5 percent of the available rebounds while he is on the court.
Andersen’s intensity is appreciated, but the veteran of 11 years will need to keep his emotions in check to avoid outbursts like the scene in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
While the crowd may love it in the moment, the league office was not impressed and suspended Andersen for Game 6.
9. Boris Diaw
2013 playoff stats: 4.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 17.8 minutes
While Diaw may be past his prime, he still possesses a scoring touch, dishes the ball well for a big man and can gobble up a few rebounds.
More importantly, though, the Spurs will just need the 6’8″ forward to hold down the fort at the defensive end when the starting frontcourt players need a rest.
8. Chris Bosh
2013 playoff stats: 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 45.7 FG%, 31.9 minutes
Bosh has a chance to shine in this series if he can find his scoring touch. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)
He has been an NBA All-Star in eight straight seasons, yet Bosh is considered by some as the weak link in the “Big Three” assembled by the Heat in the summer of 2010.
Bosh is hauling in only slightly less rebounds per game compared to the 2012-13 regular season (6.8), but his scoring average has taken a dip of 4.3 points.
The strength of the 6’10” forward is his shooting touch from 12-18 feet and the Heat’s offensive attack, particularly LeBron James, could really benefit if Bosh gets hot in this series.
2013 playoff stats: 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 37.1 minutes
Kawhi Leonard is just 21 years old. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
The second-year forward has been a major contributor for the Spurs in their run to the NBA Finals.
Leonard, who leads the team in total minutes and minutes per game in the 2013 playoffs, has made the most of his time on the court and is a double-double threat every game.
San Antonio will be in good shape if Leonard keeps up his current scoring and rebounding production as well as his efforts on defense.
6. Ray Allen
2013 playoff stats: 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 36.5 3P%, 23.8 minutes
Nobody does it better than Ray Allen from 3-point land. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
Every team needs a player capable of knocking down 3-point shots and for Miami, Allen is that guy.
With 340 makes from beyond the arc, the 37-year old is the all-time playoff leader in that category. For reference purposes, Reggie Miller (320) is second and Kobe Bryant is third with 292 playoff 3-pointers.
And while I’m on the topic, the smooth-shooting Allen is also the all-time regular season leader with 2,857 makes from downtown.
The point is that Allen, who earned a ring with the Boston Celtics in 2008, can still deliver baskets, especially in key moments.
2013 playoff stats: 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 25.8 minutes.
The 6’6″ guard, also capable of knocking down game-changing shots, will undoubtedly be the best bench player in this series.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he delivers a game-winner much like that one earlier in the playoffs.
4. Tim Duncan
2013 playoff stats: 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 34.4 minutes.
Tim Duncan is chasing his fifth championship ring. (Photo Credit: Killbucky, Flickr.com )
The “Big Fundamental” has had an exceptionally good career, so how about one more ring to top it off?
Duncan helped the Spurs to a championship victory in 1999– his second year in the league–but that was just the beginning. The Spurs, with Duncan as the centerpiece, also won the NBA Finals in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
The 6’11” center should be able to have his way in the post against the weak interior defense of the Heat.
3. Tony Parker
2013 playoff stats: 23.0 points, 7.2 assists, 47.5 FG%, 37.0 minutes
Tony Parker will be making his fourth appearance in the NBA Finals. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
Parker finished sixth in MVP voting for the 2012-13 regular season and the 31-year old floor general is showing no signs of slowing down in the playoffs.
What stands out about Parker’s game are his abilities to drive and kick, but also score often and at will in the paint.
I suspect the Heat will have a tough time keeping up with Parker.
2. Dwyane Wade
2013 playoff stats: 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 35.1 minutes.
Despite playing through an injury to his right knee, Wade has still managed to log heavy minutes in the playoffs.
But the fact that he is providing almost 10 points less per game than his career average in the playoffs shouldn’t be much of a concern because he has a knack for showing up when it really matters.
The latest example was Game 7 versus the Indiana Pacers in which he contributed 21 points and nine rebounds.
However, for the Heat to have a chance at winning this series, Wade will need to bring that kind of effort from the opening-tip…
Can Wade and James lead the Heat to a second straight championship? (Photo Credit ?)
1. LeBron James
2013 playoff stats: 26.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 41.2 minutes
…unless you think that James can win this series by himself, which would be difficult, but not completely out of the realm of possibilities.
The 2012-13 regular season MVP is leading the Heat back to the NBA Finals for the third straight year, with an opportunity to repeat as champions.
This is also a rematch of sorts for James as he took on the Spurs in the 2007 finals as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James has worked heavy minutes and carried both ends of the log for Miami thus far in the playoffs, but I fully expect him to be firing on all cylinders in this series.