NBA Finals 2012: Why We Can’t Count Thunder Out Just Yet

Not so much.

While the Heat are still in the driver’s seat—now more than ever—we cannot count the Thunder out of this series just yet.

Sure, no team since the 2-3-2 format was implemented in 1985 has ever come back from such a deficit, but the Thunder are no ordinary team.

As much of a cliche as it is to admit, Miami has yet to actually beat Oklahoma City, the Thunder have been hurting themselves. The Thunder shot just 18.8 percent from beyond the arc and were once again out-rebounded by team whose two best rebounders play on the perimeter.

Chalk some of Oklahoma City’s struggles up to Miami’s suffocating defense and lights out offense, but look more closely and you’ll see those are open shots James Harden is caroming off the rim, those are blown defensive assignments that are allowing Heat players to traipse their way into paint, those are reachable balls the Thunder aren’t leaving the ground to rebound, that was an 18-point lead the Thunder blew and that was a lapse in judgment Russell Westbrook displayed at the end of Game 3.

Oklahoma City’s three straight losses aren’t about Miami as much as it is about Oklahoma City itself. There’s not a team in the league who can shut down the Thunder for three straight games without the Thunder themselves helping out.

And no, it’s not an excuse, but it is reality. The Thunder have been far from their best over the past three games, and yet, they’ve had opportunities to win each and every one.

That’s why we can’t count this team out. They’re the same team that beat the San Antonio Spurs three consecutive times to advance to the finals in the first place, so you better believe they have what it takes to turn this series around.

So don’t start getting your ring finger fitted just yet, LeBron. There’s still plenty of basketball left to be played.