Post by Miege22 on Mar 24, 2014 18:29:45 GMT -5
A year ago, the Utah Jazz entered the NBA finals looking to cap off an undefeated season. They had blitzed the league for 18 weeks en route to a division title, a conference title, and the first ever unblemished regular season. They were also looking to wrap up some unfinished business, as they had lost in the finals the previous year to the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks. Unfortunately for the Jazz, they ran into a 14-2 Nets team that was playing as well as anyone, and had their own postseason demons to overcome. The Nets defeated the Jazz, ending Utah's perfect season. After several years of disappointing early-round exits, the Nets were finally champions.
Brooklyn kept much of that core intact, making some changes on the margins, while counting on improvements from within. Now, here they are, looking for a second consecutive title, on the cusp of an undefeated season. In their way are the 14-2 Utah Jazz, a team that hasn't lost since the first week of December. That's right, everyone, we have our first ever finals rematch. Two weeks from now, a champion will be crowned, and history will be made.
Cue up the NBA on NBC theme music!
How They Got Here
Brooklyn is the top seed from the East. They finished 16-0 and won the Atlantic Division title. In the first round, they defeated the Toronto Raptors, 7-2. In the conference finals, they defeated the Orlando Magic, 8-1.
Utah is the #1 seed from the West. They finished 14-2 and won the Pacific Division title. In the first round, they beat the Portland Trailblazers, 7-2. In the conference finals, they beat the Kansas City Kings, 6-3.
Regular Season Meeting
These two faced off in week 1 (Oct. 29-Nov. 3), a 7-2 victory for the Nets
Key Injuries
Brooklyn - Kevin Garnett (back)
Utah - Al Horford (torn pectoral), Jordan Farmar (groin)
Who Returns from 2013?
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Jonas Valanciunas
Joakim Noah
Deron Williams
Marc Gasol
Jamal Crawford
Al Horford
Thaddeus Young (with the Nets last year)
Who's new?
Channing Frye (trade)
Dirk Nowitzki (trade)
Tony Snell (trade)
Kevin Garnett (FA)
Ray Allen (FA)
DJ Augustin (FA)
Gerald Green (FA)
Steve Blake (FA)
Kent Bazemore (FA)
Trevor Ariza (trade)
Paul Pierce (trade)
Pau Gasol (trade)
Danny Granger (trade)
Elton Brand (FA)
Mo Williams (FA)
Manu Ginobili (FA)
DeMarre Carroll (FA)
Jordan Farmar (FA)
What exactly happened with Thaddeus Young?
At the conclusion of the 2013 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets elected to let Thaddeus Young reach free agency. What ensued was a remarkable bidding war won by the Chicago Bulls for the low, low price of $15,500,000 for one season. On December 2nd, 2013, Young was then traded by the Bulls for a 2016 pick in a classic win-now move. In the end, Young finds his way back to the finals.
Important Things to Know
-As of right now, the Jazz are set to play five more games than the Nets. That is, of course, subject to change if injuries should arise on either side
-After playing just 6 games a piece for each of the last two rounds, Kevin Durant and James Harden are scheduled to play 7. Chris Paul is on the docket for 8.
-For the Jazz, Marc and Pau Gasol are both scheduled for 8. As are Paul Pierce, Jamal Crawford, and Manu Ginobili. Thaddeus Young is set for 7.
-The Jazz have been the West's dominant team for three years running. They are making their third consecutive finals appearance.
-The Nets are also in their third finals, however, their streak is 3 in 4.
-This is the first finals rematch in league history. Either the Jazz will win their first title, or the Nets will become the league's first two-time champion.
Brooklyn kept much of that core intact, making some changes on the margins, while counting on improvements from within. Now, here they are, looking for a second consecutive title, on the cusp of an undefeated season. In their way are the 14-2 Utah Jazz, a team that hasn't lost since the first week of December. That's right, everyone, we have our first ever finals rematch. Two weeks from now, a champion will be crowned, and history will be made.
Cue up the NBA on NBC theme music!
How They Got Here
Brooklyn is the top seed from the East. They finished 16-0 and won the Atlantic Division title. In the first round, they defeated the Toronto Raptors, 7-2. In the conference finals, they defeated the Orlando Magic, 8-1.
Utah is the #1 seed from the West. They finished 14-2 and won the Pacific Division title. In the first round, they beat the Portland Trailblazers, 7-2. In the conference finals, they beat the Kansas City Kings, 6-3.
Regular Season Meeting
These two faced off in week 1 (Oct. 29-Nov. 3), a 7-2 victory for the Nets
Key Injuries
Brooklyn - Kevin Garnett (back)
Utah - Al Horford (torn pectoral), Jordan Farmar (groin)
Who Returns from 2013?
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Jonas Valanciunas
Joakim Noah
Deron Williams
Marc Gasol
Jamal Crawford
Al Horford
Thaddeus Young (with the Nets last year)
Who's new?
Channing Frye (trade)
Dirk Nowitzki (trade)
Tony Snell (trade)
Kevin Garnett (FA)
Ray Allen (FA)
DJ Augustin (FA)
Gerald Green (FA)
Steve Blake (FA)
Kent Bazemore (FA)
Trevor Ariza (trade)
Paul Pierce (trade)
Pau Gasol (trade)
Danny Granger (trade)
Elton Brand (FA)
Mo Williams (FA)
Manu Ginobili (FA)
DeMarre Carroll (FA)
Jordan Farmar (FA)
What exactly happened with Thaddeus Young?
At the conclusion of the 2013 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets elected to let Thaddeus Young reach free agency. What ensued was a remarkable bidding war won by the Chicago Bulls for the low, low price of $15,500,000 for one season. On December 2nd, 2013, Young was then traded by the Bulls for a 2016 pick in a classic win-now move. In the end, Young finds his way back to the finals.
Important Things to Know
-As of right now, the Jazz are set to play five more games than the Nets. That is, of course, subject to change if injuries should arise on either side
-After playing just 6 games a piece for each of the last two rounds, Kevin Durant and James Harden are scheduled to play 7. Chris Paul is on the docket for 8.
-For the Jazz, Marc and Pau Gasol are both scheduled for 8. As are Paul Pierce, Jamal Crawford, and Manu Ginobili. Thaddeus Young is set for 7.
-The Jazz have been the West's dominant team for three years running. They are making their third consecutive finals appearance.
-The Nets are also in their third finals, however, their streak is 3 in 4.
-This is the first finals rematch in league history. Either the Jazz will win their first title, or the Nets will become the league's first two-time champion.