1. Russell Westbrook
Durant may have been the closer, but Westbrook was the one who carried them while they were struggling and did an outstanding job setting up Durant. 27-11-8 and lockdown second half defense is damn impressive. Coming into the series, my expectation was that Westbrook would have at least one game where you would think 'Wow, he could win Finals MVP!', two games where he made Wade look downright ancient (this was one) and one or two bonehead games.
2. Kevin Durant
After being a bit too passive for my taste through 3, Durant cranked up the defensive intensity and the scoring load in the second half - closing out the game for the Thunder.
3. Lebron James
It's not his fault. It's really not. He scored 30 points, snagged 9 rebounds and grabbed 4 assists - not to mention wreaking havoc on the defensive end early by disrupting OKC's passing lanes with 4 steals. He just needs more help.
4. Dwayne Wade
Let's not kid ourselves - there is a chasm separating the top 3 from him. If not for him assisting the early 3 point barrage that gave the Heat an early lead, he would be lower on this list.
In related news, if Miami loses, I would offer Wade for Bynum, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard. Immediately. It's not just tonight - he really looks like he has lost a step or two.
5. Nick Collison
After stealing Shane Battier's thunder (see what I did there?) for key role player who could swing this series, it will be interesting to see what kind of run Scott Brooks gives him for the rest of the series; he was the most effective of OKC's 3 big men tonight.
6. Mario Chalmers
I loved what he did early, but he totally disappeared in the second half. If Bosh's injury is still lingering and my above hypothesis on Wade is even remotely correct, Chalmers is going to have to morph into Super Mario for Miami to have a chance.
7. Shane Battier
For the first quarter, all I could think of was the Robert Horry game from Game 5 of the 2005 Finals.
8. Thabo Seflosha
This is why numbers don't tell the whole story. He made James WORK for his 30 points and was highly effective against anyone he defended. He also kept James Harden glued to the bench in the 4th quarter.
9. Chris Bosh Haters
If Miami loses this series, it is widely believed that the Heat will be broken up. 10 points and 5 rebounds isn't going to cut it, buddy.
10. Serge Ibaka
He wasn't spectacular, no, but he played solid defense, helped OKC have a +8 board advantage and didn't take anything off the table.
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