The Dynamics

For much of the season, the Miami Heat and Oklahoma Thunder have emerged as popular picks to compete in this years NBA Finals.  Both teams arguably have the best collection of superstars and both seemed primed to meet head on in a Finals collision.  If they do collide, it will surely be the result of those teams taking two totally different courses.

Miami can take pride in boasting they have a "Big Three" but we all know the Heat's focal point on offense boils down to two players: Dwyane Wade and Lebron James.

In OKC, the Thunder have the best young and talented duo in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  So how do we decide which duo to favor in a potential showdown?  Here's How:

We identify Lebron James and Kevin Durant as the alpha-dogs on their respective teams or the 'go-to' players. For arguments sake, we wash that matchup as a draw and compare D Wade and Russell Westbrook.

WESTBROOK

Sure it's easy to stomp on a man when he's down (turnovers/shot selection) such as the case with Russell Westbrook. But it is what is is.

Westbrook is a young player trying to establish himself onto the league that he's as good or better than Pooh, DWill,CP3 or Rondo. I understand he may feel he has a mismatch that he can exploit each time he has the ball, but he must recognize the peking order and Durant is on top of that totem pole.

Instead of conceding to Durant in crucial moments, time and time again it has appeared that Westbrook has taken the honus to prove he's a superstar, which in turn has stifled the total success and potential of the Thunder; even of Durant to a certain degree.  In layman's terms, instead of giving it to the man in crunchtime with the hopes of winning, he wants to show the world he's the man. Is the need to be the man more important than winning?  He's going to have to decide quickly, because on this team he can't have both.

WADE            

Conversely you have the pro's pro in D Wade.  He's an NBA Champ, Finals MVP, scoring champ, Olympian, All Star Game MVP, and he's made his money. At this juncture in his life, he's not tripping off the ego.  He's established as a 'Made Man' and understands his legacy will be measured by the Championships he amasses.  The awards and stats are good, but they only complement the rings, not the other way around.

Wade at this point is willing to be the bigger man and pro-actively concede to Lebron on the floor and complement his talents. In turn, that will take a lot of stress off the team and allow them to play organically and worry free.

So if it's June and we're watching a Finals featuring these two teams, expect Lebron and Durant to show out (Yes, Lebron too).  But if your boy Westbrook is playing in his true Lunatic style (which I love most times) opposed to winning ball, you have to favor the Lebron/Wade duo.