NBA Finals Prediction: "Look at these fucking hipsters ..."

I believe I was one of perhaps like four people who did not initially predict that Miami would be meeting Oklahoma City for the NBA Championship this season (see here ... or here, for example), and I attribute that reluctance to the doubts I had about the Thunder. Talented as all hell, sure, but still need another year or two of coming up short before they get to the Finals. Or so I thought.

Most of us who are not still blinded by the rage caused by the debacle known as "The Decision" can admit that LeBron James has arguably been the best player in the league for a number of seasons now, but these playoffs have allowed another player to possibly take over that title along with the Larry O'Brien Trophy: Kevin Durant.

While I typically say how the NHL playoffs are more entertaining than the NBA playoffs right around this time of year (or so it seems), this year has indeed provided some quite stellar basketball the past few weeks. It is now only appropriate that it come down to the Heat and the Thunder.

Just to be clear, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals pulled in the highest rating ever for an NBA game on cable, and now with this level of starpower for all the marbles, we're talking about possibly the highest ratings of this century.

Looking back on last year's experts, I realize now that I failed to include the crew from CBS Sports, but perhaps I can add in their experts' totals in the final wrap-up if I am able to remember. For now:

1. (3) Kelly Dwyer, Ball Don't Lie: 13-1 (3)
2. (1) Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN: 12-2 (5)
3. (11) Jon Barry, ESPN: 12-2 (4)
3. (11) Eric Freeman, Ball Don't Lie: 12-2 (4)

3. (11) Tim Legler, ESPN: 12-2 (4)

3. (2) Chris Perkins, Sheridan Hoops: 12-2 (4)
7. (3) Chris Broussard, ESPN: 12-2 (3)
8. (6) Marc J. Spears, Yahoo: 11-3 (5)
9. (7) Henry Abbott, ESPN: 11-3 (4)
9. (7) J.A. Adande, ESPN: 11-3 (4)

9. (7) Chris Bernucca, Sheridan Hoops: 11-3 (4)
9. (7) Johnny Ludden, Yahoo: 11-3 (4)
13. (11) Bruce Bowen, ESPN: 10-2 (3)
13. (19) Chad Ford, ESPN: 11-3 (3)
13. (11) Moke Hamilton, Sheridan Hoops: 11-3 (3)
13. (11) Mark Heisler, Sheridan Hoops: 11-3 (3)

13. (11) John Hollinger, ESPN: 11-3 (3)
13. (11) Marc Stein, ESPN: 11-3 (3)

13. (3) David Thorpe, ESPN: 11-2 (3)
20. (19) James Park, Sheridan Hoops: 11-3 (2)

20. (27) Israel Gutierrez, ESPN: 11-3 (2)

20. (19) Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo: 11-3 (2)
20. (19) YOURS TRULY: 11-3 (2)

24. (23) Dan Devine, Ball Don't Lie: 11-3 (1)
25. (24) Adam Zagoria, Sheridan Hoops: 11-3 (0)
26. (25) Michael Wilbon, ESPN: 10-3 (3)
27. (26) Greg Anthony, Yahoo: 10-4 (2)

28. (28) Jan Hubbard, Sheridan Hoops: 9-5 (2)
29. (29) Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Hoops: 8-6 (4)

As is the case every year, it seems, ESPN's David Thorpe did not have his pick posted among the experts, but whatevs. Kelly Dwyer currently holds a game advantage over everybody else, but if he's wrong with his Finals pick, somebody else with more correct number of games predictions could overtake him. As for me, I'll be lucky to move up any higher than the Top 20. Still, my pick:

Oklahoma City Thunder over Miami Heat in seven games

I really don't know. I figure we're looking at splits through the first two and then the first four games. My guess is that the Thunder takes the opener, Miami comes back to Games 2 and 3 before Oklahoma City wins Game 4. After that, I think the team holding home court wins out. Either way, I'll be rather surprised should any game result in a blowout. This entire series has the potential to be one down-to-the-wire game after another. Still, in the end, my rooting interest against the Heat guides me to believe that the Thunder are being led by a player who has come into his own during these playoffs. Durant will continue to shine and his overall supporting cast (beyond the Wade and Bosh vs. Westbrook and Harden subset) remains superior to that of James. Make no mistake, I'm expecting a helluva series, and it would be astonishing if this series actually concludes in Miami. With Games 6 and 7 being in that raucous redneck environment in Oklahoma City, I just can't pick against the Thunder. 

NOTE: HIPSTER PHOTOS TAKEN FROM HERE AND HERE