Tracking the NBA playoffs

With apologies to our late, great forefather Benjamin Franklin, besides death and taxes, maybe some things in sports are inevitable as well. Tiger Woods was bound to win another tournament sooner or later -- and so he did. Strike up the marching bands and send in the clowns.

But this is about the NBA.

The Oklahoma City -- San Antonio series features a youthful team with ridiculous talent, speed, and athleticism going up against the "old pros", who have been there, done that, rarely make mistakes, play smart, and likely have the wiliest head coach in the game. Both teams are formidable in their own way and it always seemed like whichever squad blinked first -- was going to lose. San Antonio blinked by losing Game 5 at home. That means the Thunder can close out the series in Game 6 back in Okieland, where they have been very dominant all year long, especially in the playoffs. They likely will. It's too bad in a way, because I dare say San Antonio was the sentimental favorite amongst the majority of NBA hoop fans without a home team in the hunt. How can you root against a guy like Tim Duncan?

Thing is, this might very well spell the end of an era in San Antonio. Their superstars are getting a little long in the tooth by NBA standards, and if Okla City can keep their team together while dealing with the salary cap, potential free agency, and add another piece or two along the way -- they could become the next dynasty. Betcha some people in Seattle are having second thoughts right about now about not building the former Supersonics a new arena, and the team leaving town.

Similar comparisons could be made to the Boston Celtics -- Miami Heat series. Boston plays hard-nosed, physical, up in your face basketball, and on any given night, they can beat anybody. But if San Antonio's getting old -- the Celtics, with the exception of their point guard, Rajon Rondo, are getting ancient. The end of their era is getting closer and closer. The Heat aren't as youthful as the Thunder, but rather seem to be in their "prime" right now. They have a couple of superstars named Lebron and D-Wade, and a pretty good supporting cast to boot. If they get Chris Bosh back from injury, they'll be just that much better. That series is tied 2-2, but Miami has home court advantage, and I just don't see the Celtics winning a game in South Beach.

It sure looks like it's going to be Miami and Okla City in the NBA Finals. With all due respect to the other teams, the older guys will likely get kicked to the curb by the current prime time players. Again, sometimes it's just inevitable.

Who will win? I've maintained all along that this is Lebron's year. The man's on a mission. Then again, Okla City will have home court advantage, where they seem unbeatable. Little Havana has to win at least one game in Dustbowlville to be crowned champs. Whether they can pull that off is a good question.

But here's a not so fearless prediction. Given those two teams, the NBA Finals would set an all-time record -- for dunks. Watching Celtic coach Doc Rivers match wits with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich would have been more cerebral, but if you're into slam dunks every which way, the Heat/Thunder series should be quite a spectacle.