2012 Miami Heat vs 2025 OKC Thunder

[Lebron23]

Who wins in a best of 7 series? I got Miami in 5

[1987_Lakers]

There is no way I'm picking OKC against a peak LeBron with that cast after how I just saw OKC struggle against Denver & Indiana.

[AlternativeAcc.]

There is no way I'm picking OKC against a peak LeBron with that cast after how I just saw OKC struggle against Denver & Indiana.

The heat struggled against Boston in 2012 and Pacers in 2013 who were both worse than Denver and this years Pacers.

I think it'd be a tight series. There are not many teams you can day would just run through OKC.

[1987_Lakers]

The heat struggled against Boston in 2012 and Pacers in 2013 who were both worse than Denver and this years Pacers.

I think it'd be a tight series. There are not many teams you can day would just run through OKC.

I feel like those 2012-2014 Indiana team have become underrated as the years have passed. They were a force on the defensive end.

Wade also played injured in that 2013 Indiana series. Bosh missed 4 games vs Boston in 2012.

[AlternativeAcc.]

I feel like those 2012-2014 Indiana team have become underrated as the years have passed. They were a force on the defensive end.

Wade also played injured in that 2013 Indiana series. Bosh missed 4 games vs Boston in 2012.

And OKC is an all-time force on defense lol.

They have multiple guys they can throw at LeBron and Chet/Hart in the paint. I would actually probably favor OKC slightly honestly because of depth.

[Carbine]

Since this is the 2012 version of the Heat with a better Wade and ultra focused and motivated Lebron you gotta favor them over this OKC team.

We are talking about Peak Lebron here, Caruso/Dort isn't going to be a problem for him. Miami had a great defense too, it's not an ideal matchup for OKC.

[dankok8]

The 2025 Thunder are a better team if you trust the metrics. I'd go with them in 6/7 games. The Thunder have a major edge on the bench. Obviously Lebron is better than Shai but the game isn't played 1 v 1.

[AlternativeAcc.]

The 2025 Thunder are a better team if you trust the metrics. I'd go with them in 6/7 games. The Thunder have a major edge on the bench. Obviously Lebron is better than Shai but the game isn't played 1 v 1.

This. Peak LeBron was actually 2016-2018 and he narrowly won one ring due to juggernaut teams in that span. Almost lost to 2013 Spurs as well.

Pacers played OKC to the brink because of 3pt shooting, depth, and coaching. All of which the 2012 Heat were much worse than current Pacers.

[ArbitraryWater]

The 2025 Thunder are a better team if you trust the metrics. I'd go with them in 6/7 games. The Thunder have a major edge on the bench. Obviously Lebron is better than Shai but the game isn't played 1 v 1.

OKC very likely just loses to Indiana.

Unless you think this Pacers team is right up there with the 2012 Heat, this is a silly belief to have.

[ArbitraryWater]

The heat struggled against Boston in 2012 and Pacers in 2013 who were both worse than Denver and this years Pacers.

I think it'd be a tight series. There are not many teams you can day would just run through OKC.

They stomped the Pacers after going down 1-2. Were never seriously troubled. 3 straight blowouts. And the Pacers had the 5th best league record believe it or not. Better than these Pacers.

They only struggled with Boston and thats easily explainable.

[Full Court]

There is no way I'm picking OKC against a peak LeBron with that cast after how I just saw OKC struggle against Denver & Indiana.

Lebron repeats his 2011 worst choke job of all time. OKC's defense would make him mentally crumble.

OKC in 5.

[HoopsNY]

And OKC is an all-time force on defense lol.

They have multiple guys they can throw at LeBron and Chet/Hart in the paint. I would actually probably favor OKC slightly honestly because of depth.

This is peak LeBron we're speaking about. Not to mention, Miami was also a deep team. Miller-Battier-Allen-Andersen off the bench? Not to mention being top heavy with LeBron-Wade-Bosh. Even if we were to argue that OKC has more depth (which I'm not convinced about), then the distance isn't that great between them.

Miami also won 66 games in 2013. They're one of the greatest teams of all time.

[ImKobe]

Since this is the 2012 version of the Heat with a better Wade and ultra focused and motivated Lebron you gotta favor them over this OKC team.

We are talking about Peak Lebron here, Caruso/Dort isn't going to be a problem for him. Miami had a great defense too, it's not an ideal matchup for OKC.

Not really. 2012 Heat almost lost to a Celtics team that was bottom 5 offensively. This OKC squad is better on both ends.

[HoopsNY]

Not really. 2012 Heat almost lost to a Celtics team that was bottom 5 offensively. This OKC squad is better on both ends.

It happens. Bosh missed 4 games in that series but all time great teams being pushed to 7 games isn't something unheard of tbh. The '92 Bulls were a 67 win team and went to 7 games against the Knicks who were a 51 win team.

The 2000 Lakers team were pushed to 5 games in the 1st round (the league hadn't extended the series to 7 games back then) against Sacramento if you recall. The Kings were a 44 win team that season.

The 2008 Celtics got taken to 7 games multiple times that PS if I'm not mistaken; and that was a 66 win defensive juggernaut.

[ImKobe]

It happens. Bosh missed 4 games in that series but all time great teams being pushed to 7 games isn't something unheard of tbh. The '92 Bulls were a 67 win team and went to 7 games against the Knicks who were a 51 win team.

The 2000 Lakers team were pushed to 5 games in the 1st round (the league hadn't extended the series to 7 games back then) against Sacramento if you recall. The Kings were a 44 win team that season.

The 2008 Celtics got taken to 7 games multiple times that PS if I'm not mistaken; and that was a 66 win defensive juggernaut.

For sure, OKC is much younger and more athletic though and led by a player who can match Lebron's scoring output, and they have the advantage at the 5. '12 Celtics were an old team that had to play a tough lockout season schedule with a lot of B2Bs in the RS and only 1 day rest between Playoff games.