2014 NBA Playoffs, Day 38

Finally, an ending.  And finally, a storyline mercifully snuffed out.

Game 6: Indiana vs. Miami.

I'm not sure this game was close.  Maybe in the opening minute or two?

After that, Miami was off to the races, ready to prove that this year's team is no slouch and that they are the better group all-in-all.

And really, such a devastating beatdown only serves to prove Miami's dominance as well as their lack of true competition.  Forget about people claiming that Indiana is an "elite" team.  That is completely bogus.

Plus, their weaknesses have been exposed and they're up against the salary cap (supposedly).  Those two things in concert equal a troubling offseason to come.

For my part, I'm pretty sick of the Pacers.  When they got off to the great start, it was fine.  And when they continued to dominate into 2014, I was actually looking forward to seeing them in the playoffs.  But then the wheels fell off and after the constant nonsense surrounding them through March and April, plus their inability to get past Atlanta or Washington with ease...well, it's easy to get tired of such things.

And, really, they probably should have been knocked out by Atlanta.  Had Al Horford played in the series, it probably would have happened.

Miami now goes to their fourth-straight NBA Finals.  This is impressive on its face, but when you dig deeper and look at some of the teams they've faced on their way to the Finals, especially this year and last year, it looks a bit less impressive.

My contention is that it's not quite as impressive as the last three teams who did it, mostly because they all did it 25+ years ago.  The competition was undoubtedly better.

This year's Eastern conference was just weak.  The greatest sign of that was that the Pacers were the #1 seed, stunk through most of the second half of the season, and still managed to get to the conference finals and then push Miami to six.

I'm glad Miami won.  I just wish they had done it in Game 5.

Miami wins the series 4-2.  They move on to the NBA Finals.

Later today, Game 6 in Oklahoma City.  With a win, the Spurs move on to the NBA Finals.