Image via Complex Original
It's unfortunate that this post had to go up a tad early in June. It wasn't expected either. A Spurs-Heat 2014 NBA Finals match-up was one that seemed to promise six or seven games, but the Spurs took care of it 4-1. Two months of NBA playoffs action wrapped up abruptly last night—that's a long damn period of basketball to remember. In the long-run, we'll remember the Finals and whatever fall-out it has, but there were plenty of important moments to also re-live. From the Clippers' taking off their warm-ups in solidarity after Donald Sterling's racist remarks leaked to that time Lance Stephenson blew in LeBron's ear, look in to the 2014 NBA Playoffs Recap As Told Through GIFs.
Roy Hibbert the Struggle Center
Date: 4/19/2014
Game: Hawks @ Pacers
Roy Hibbert—already an awkward player to watch because his offensive skills and rebounding seem to come short of the expectations that his obvious physical tools produce—had a crappy postseason. His rebounding and point production dropped off, and his importance as the anchor of the Pacers defense was diminished.
Blake Griffin Hits the Showers and a Fan
Date: 4/20/2014
Game: Warriors @ Clippers
That fan now has a great story to tell in relationship building conversations.
The Lint Roller Game
Date: 4/22/2014
Game: Nets @ Raptors
Drake is like the 7th most popular NBA player now.
Russell Westbrook Breaking Things Again
Date: 4/22/2014
Game: Grizzlies @ Thunder
Having to wait an entire summer to watch him play again will be painful. Refer to this GIF repeatedly if withdrawl symptoms appear.
An Unimpressive Kevin Durant Shot
Date: 4/22/2014
Game: Grizzlies @ Thunder
It was apparent that the Thunder had serious holes in their title resume after the Grizzlies gave them such a tough time.
Jeff Teague Bothers the No. 1 Seed
Date: 4/24/2014
Game: Pacers @ Hawks
The Pacers' were pushed to seven games from the East's 8th seed (which is kind of like being 8th best in a remedial pre-calc class) thanks to insane shots from players like Jeff Teague.
The King Stares Down the GOAT
Date: 4/26/2014
Game: Heat @ Bobcats
Lame hot take opinion: "Maybe if LeBron was less concerned about showing up the legend Michael Jordan to assert his own, he'd have a Game 6 to play." Lol.
VC From Three
Date: 4/26/2014
Game: Spurs @ Mavericks
The Mavericks were able to nick this game off the Spurs in the first round thanks to some throwback playoff magic from Vince Carter.
The Clippers Send a Message
Date: 4/27/2014
Game: Warriors @ Clippers
One of the most powerful moments in NBA history.
Steph Curry Can Shoot
Date: 4/27/2014
Game: Clippers @ Warriors
Steph Curry put up 23 PPG this postseason, but it wasn't enough to prevent his team from having a new coach next season.
Vince Carter Goes Rubbernecking
Date: 5/2/2014
Game: Spurs @ Mavericks
The flopping this postseason was one of its only low-lights.
Damian Lillard Sends Houston Home
Date: 5/2/2014
Game: Rockets @ Trailblazers
Chandler Parsons got beat off the inbound and Damian Lillard delivered the Trailblazers' first playoff series win since 2000.
Paul Pierce Still Has Legs
Date: 5/4/2014
Game: Nets @ Raptors
This block on Kyle Lowry sealed a Game 7 win on the road for the Nets, who managed to get their shit together after an awful start to the regular season. For a team with the highest payroll in basketball history, however, a second-round exit is a failure.
Pass and Move
Date: 5/21/2014
Game: Thunder @ Spurs
A perfect modern NBA offense.
"Me? Too Aggressive?"—Russell Westbrook
Date: 5/25/2014
Game: Spurs @ Thunder
The Thunder's disappointing end to the postseason was oftened by how embarrassing the Heat looked overall to the Spurs, but that still will not quiet the critics of #LetWestbrookBeWestbrook.
Lance Stephenson Is a Weirdo
Date: 5/28/2014
Game: Heat @ Pacers
Lance Stephenson, with the Pacers' struggles, his own inconsistent play, flopping, and weird incidents like this, did not have a great postseason. He's still going to get paid this offseason though as a 23-year-old free agent, who can potentially become a championship-caliber two guard for the next decade. Someone's bound to offer him something a notch below a max contract.
Spurs' Ball Movement Wins Again
Date: 6/10/2014
Game: Spurs @ Heat
This is how you beat a two-time defending NBA franchise with the best player alive starting against you.
Boris Diaw, The People's NBA Finals MVP
Date: 6/12/2014
Game: Spurs @ Heat
Boris Diaw was lowkey one of the most important parts of the Spurs' Finals success. Diaw, who only started 24 games in the regular season, started the two most important games of their season: the last two. His minutes also increased to 35 per night. 32 year old Boris Diaw was legitimately a starting power forward on an NBA championship team. His passing and cutting in the paint helped tee up proper plays to keep the offense moving in a factory-like manner. Of all the role players in this series, Diaw was the best.
Kawhi Leonard Grows Up
Date: 6/12/2014
Game: Spurs @ Heat
We all knew he was capable of a series like this. His defense was already worthy of an All-NBA Second Team spot, but his role in the Spurs' offense often shifted, and Kawhi Leonard never fully took advantage of one clear role at any point in the regular season. He'd occasionally go off for 26 against the Grizzlies while contributing solidly in other areas (6.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.7 SPG are good box score stat averages to eyeball), but he only scored over 20 points in three games in the regular season. That number climbed to five in the postseason, including three straight 20-plus point nights to close out the Finals.
And Defeats One MVP to Win Another
Date: 6/15/2014
Game: Heat @ Spurs
Call it the "Paul George Leap." Kawhi Leonard, a Spurs' rotation player who didn't have the kind of breakout regular season that people were expecting after an impactful 2013 NBA Finals, is now the MVP of the 2014 NBA Finals. (For clarity: George had a much better regular season and breakout postseason in the 2013-14 season than Leonard.) Leonard played three of the best two-way games you'll ever see in an NBA Finals. The initial stats may not be eye popping (17.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 SPG), but he also did all of that while matched up with LeBron James. James, who had a brilliant series himself, appeared gassed at times, and turned the ball over 18 times over the first four games of the series. Leonard bothered him.
Of course, the depth of the Spurs, their expert passing and cohesiveness, and their coaching is what ultimately put the Spurs in the drivers seat to give Leonard the opportunity to become the player he now is. With the possibility of a few of those guys below retiring this summer, Leonard is primed to become the next Spurs superstar. From David Robinson to Duncan to now Leonard?
