The NBA playoffs have certainly resulted in high drama. In an era where the parity is at an all time high, the unpredictability of this league never seems to amaze me even for as many flaws in terms of rules and narratives that there are. But you can’t deny how interesting yet unpredictable things can be now. Alright how’d everyone else do?
Los Angeles Clippers (Long Live Endless Misery): How the hell did the Clippers lose this game? Seriously against that Golden State team with Father Time starting to catch. With a 10 point lead with 4 minutes to go. I get that Chris Paul chose to retire before the end of the season and Bradley Beal got injured AGAIN, but seriously this was possibly the biggest meltdown that the inferior LA franchise has had since the bubble. You can’t even blame James Harden for choking this game, he got sent to the Cavs for Darius Garland at the trade deadline (Never change Dan Gilbert). And it wasn’t even Steph Curry who delivered the blows that did the Clippers away. It was 40 year old Al Horford. Not even Kawhi avoiding the injury bug can stop this from happening. (Should have never left Toronto buddy) The only saving grace for the Clippers was that the Pacers ButtFumbled the Ivica Zubac trade so they get a Top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. And as usual Olivier Sedra can not beat Golden State when it matters. It’s like he never left Cleveland at all. (How long until he and Steve Ballmer fire Tyronn Lue)
Miami Heat (The Outdated Culture): Something tells me that last year’s free fall wasn’t a fluke. It doesn’t matter if Bam Adebayo had the 2nd highest point total in a game in NBA History this season, 2026 will be remembered as potentially the shotgun blast to the head for anything hopeful in Miami in regards to the HeatCulture. How do I know this? They lost in the play-in round to the Hornets. Really the Hornets? The NBA’s version of the Colorado Rockies. You made them look like they were a competent team and pretended that they are relevant because they came back from a 10 point deficit with 6 minutes left to win in OT. Oh how the times have changed. If this year proves anything it’s that both Pat Riley and Eric Spoelstra may be long past their expiration date. It happens to a ton of the greats. And this is the fate that the Heat have reached. “OH BUT THEY’RE ABOUT TO GET GIANNIS OR JAYSON TATUM!” In your dreams 305, neither of those two at the top want to go near the luxury cap. Sadly like all the greats, empires come and empires go, and Miami has reached that. Hold your heads high, at least you aren’t alone.
Golden State Warriors (A Crumbling Dynasty): Let’s be real, the win against the Clippers was the worst case scenario for the Warriors. It deluded everyone in DubNation into thinking that this would be another WeBelieve run deep into the playoffs. Then we realized that yes they weren’t playing a team that self destructed and had youth and speed. Golden State stood no chance against Phoenix. Yes it was within striking range going into the 4th Quarter but that’s because Jalen Green was cold for the first three quarters. Once he got out of his slump there was no chance. Especially with Steph and Draymond finally getting to face Father Time for once. Even if Jimmy Butler was healthy I still think this would have been a lost cause. Not with how many former top prospects have stalled out and the fact that Steve Kerr may be past his expiration date. Speaking of Kerr they just gave him a 2 year extension. Really? After how badly he got exposed this year. (It says something that he and Guy Gadowsky are the only two coaches on each of my favorite teams that didn’t get fired in the past year) Do you seriously think that this team can run it back with this core? No but they’re going to try it again especially since Klay Thompson wants to come home. It’s either that or throw the kitchen sink to lure Giannis to the Bay Area. Lets be real even if they beat the Suns they were getting their asses kicked by OKC.
Charlotte Hornets (Typical Reality): How the hell did they go from gongshow back to being stuck in mediocrity. Well it makes sense when LaMelo Ball is finally healthy for once, Brandon Miller remembers that he was once a top draft pick and their defense isn’t a total mess. They could survive one game against a dying HeatCulture but against Orlando they were shot down instantly. Outside of their two best players Charlotte was mincemeat from the opening tip. Makes sense when most of your team can’t score. I know the Hornets may have had their best season in almost a decade but now you wonder whether or not they’ll open up their pockets in the offseason. They need a quality center and third wheel for Ball and Miller at minimum. Don’t mess this up, Hornets. I’M WARNING YOU!
Phoenix Suns (At Least You Aren’t Houston): Well this was to be expected. Even in a season that saw the Suns defy preseason odds and make the playoffs despite getting rid of bad contracts involving two players who Mat Ishbia should never have traded for, the ending was predictable. Getting their asses kicked by OKC in a showing of mercy. Even without Jalen Williams the Thunder made this look effortless. Tends to happen when you have quality scorers up and down the lineup. Phoenix did have that… 5 years ago. But at least thanks to the Rockets being despite for a certain snake that may be the most fair weathered player ever, they aren’t in total hell yet. Well when you consider how much they’re paying Beal and Durant in dead cap, that’s not a good sign. Dan Snyder may be out of the NFL, but his spirit has been consumed whole by the alpha in the Desert. As long as Devin Booker doesn’t want out you’ll be fine. THE HELL DO YOU MEAN HE WANTS TO PLAY FOR A CONTENDER!
Portland Trail Blazers (Embracing Tradition): First of all congrats on making it back to the playoffs especially after how the last window came up short. Unfortunately the first lesson in becoming a good team once again is getting hammered by a team built to go far. But did it have to be The Empire. San Antonio has owned Portland since the mid 90s and it showed once again. Deni Advija had his coming out party this season but too bad for him he stood no chance against the Alien known as Wembanyama. (To be fair he does this to everyone) Yes the Blazers blew a big lead in Game 4 but in hindsight they’re not ready yet. Especially with their lack of depth compared to that of the Spurs. But with the way Scoot Henderson has upped his game this season plus Dame coming back after an 18 month vacation in Milwaukee, who knows what could happen in the future. As long as they don’t end up like a certain baseball team in Pittsburgh who tried to combine the past and present only to fail miserably I think they’ll be safe. For now. (As long as Chauncey Billups doesn’t come back and turn into a hack again, I think they’ll be fine)
Houston Rockets (Absolutely Pathetic): We freaking told you Houston. When will people learn that trying to nab one of those chokers from the Thunder in the early 2010s holds a team back both in the short and long term thanks to how much money and draft picks they demand. Unless you’re the Golden State Warriors at the peak of their dynasty it never works. Houston sold their souls for Kevin Durant and gave up their best player in Jalen Green to get him. And I think it’s safe to say that the Rockets could have really used him in this series. When you make an aging LeBron and JJ Redick look passable you know you messed up. The Lakers didn’t have Luka and Austin Reaves and they still embarrassed you in the first three games. But even then that wasn’t enough. You just had to tease your own fans in Games 4 and 5, proving that you’re a significantly better team without KD on the floor, the reverse sweep memes up in the air. And then you get smoked on your home court in Game 6 against the Boys Club of the league. I know the narrative is to blame Durant or Ime Udoka for this freefall but you know who it really is? Tilman Fertitta. Ever since he bought the team in 2017, he has made bad trade after bad trade that has held the franchise back. (Yes Daryl Morey was overrated but Fertitta was the main one behind the Westbrook and CP3 trades) The fact that he isn’t being considered as one of the worst owners in basketball is baffling. And the way he botched a young and exciting team with likable stars. Far for the course.
Denver Nuggets (You Miss Malone Already?): Title Contenders huh? After that showing against Minnesota? It’s like we never left 2023. Except even worse Minnesota was consumed by injuries as far as the eye can see and they still humiliated the Nuggets. Proving that Stan Kroenke made the mistake of getting into a power struggle with Mike Malone. If Malone is still behind the bench, Denver wins this series in 5. That’s how badly David Adelman was outcoached by Chris Finch. When you make no adjustments all series long and overly rely on Jokic and Jamal Murray to bail you out when they are fatigued due to playing more minutes than usual, it’s not gonna end well. Not to mention they did next to nothing against Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu (Miss him already Chicago?). This was like watching Steve Nash get schooled by Giannis in 2021 again. That’s how badly Adelman got outcoached and yet he’s sticking around. Don’t blame Aaron Gordon getting injured, Anthony Edwards was playing this series on one leg and still slaughtered you all. Have fun becoming the Bucks of the West Denver. At least Milwaukee has Jimmy Haslam as their handicap. What the hell’s your excuse?
Orlando Magic (You’re Gonna Talk About It Scooter): YOU HAD THEM! YOU FREAKING HAD THEM! The Pistons were clearly overwhelmed by the spotlight of the #1 seed and were deer in the headlights from the moment they walked in. Over the first 4 games, everything Orlando did was perfect. Comparisons to the 2003 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the NHL were running wild especially since that Mickey Mouse franchise also knocked off a top seeded Detroit team in the 1st Round. A 3-1 series lead against a franchise that hadn’t won a playoff series in almost 20 years. Memes were ready to be served. And then they lose Game 5 at the Pizzadome. Don’t worry you’re going back to the Magic Kingdom for Game 6, you’ll be fine. See what I mean you’re up by 24 in the 3rd Quarter. It looks like this is a done deal. “DEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALL!” Really Orlando? REALLY! WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL IS THIS! Are you trying to turn into the Rockets against Golden State in 2018? Missing 32 of 35 shots down the stretch? 19 points in the 2nd Half? With 13 of them coming from the free throw line? ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC! We don’t even need to play Game 7 at this point. We all know that the Magic are going to get crushed. (BOOM!) “WHAT DID I SAY!” Yup you knew that was happening after that -46 performance in Game 6. And the crazy part was that the Pistons literally handed you the series and still outchoked them. Mo Wagner being injured and Jalen Suggs having a dud of a postseason doesn’t help but real teams finish off their opponents when they’re down. At least it can’t get worse. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN THE MAGIC TRADED THEIR FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR THE NEXT HALF DECADE FOR DESMOND BANE AND HIRED A PUPPET IN SEAN SWEENEY AS THEIR NEXT HEAD COACH FOR THE SAKE OF GOOFY WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!
Toronto Raptors (The Luck Ran Out): Interesting to see the Raptors back in the playoffs now that they have a completely different regime and Drake isn’t involved in day to day operations as he once was. But hey Scottie Barnes looks like the next great face of the franchise and they have gobs of young talent still emerging in their system. If only they could have traded for Jaren Jackson at the deadline especially given Brandon Ingram got hurt early in the series, but honestly they did dodge a bullet on that one because it would have required three 1st Round picks. But despite their shortcomings and being undermanned Toronto forced Cleveland to bend the knee in Game 6 thanks to shades of Kawhi in 2019. But then we realize that the Raptors indeed suck on the road. If Game 7 was at Jurassic Park they probably win that game with ease. Instead they get a harsh learning experience by means of Jarrett Allen having his best postseason game of his career. Series over, the Toronto Sports Stereotype strikes again. But unlike their inner city brothers, the Raptors at least have promise going forward. And I expect them to be busy in the offseason. The future is yours if you make the right moves.
Atlanta Hawks (BLEEP NICOLET!): People really called these boys the sleeper team of the playoffs. All because they proved that they didn’t need Trae Young in order to be successful and told him to go and mind his own business. Jalen Johnson and Jonathan Kuminga came into their own during a furious run to claim the 6th seed in the East, they pulled two rabbits out of their hats against the Knicks in Games 2-3. The chance to bury New York was right there. (BOOM!) That was until the National Media gave Mike Brown’s team bulletin board material. The Knicks while being injected with fire from the ghosts of Willis Reed burned the ATL with gobs of machine guns for the next 3 games. It’s almost as if General Sherman was still alive and consuming that area whole. That’s how bad it was in Game 6. The biggest beatdown in a clinching game that the NBA has seen since the Cream City Massacre in 2015. It would have been awfully nice if Zaccharie Risacher didn’t become the Hawks answer to Andray Bruce in terms of #1 overall pick mistakes. At least Bruce had a solid tenure with the Raiders after he left Atlanta in the early 90s. Risacher could be heading towards being the biggest bust in ATL History. Not only that but you gave the Knicks momentum. And now everyone in the East wants you dead.
Boston Celtics (PDTTC!): How am I not surprised at this. Even in a season where little was expected after several key pieces left in trades, where Jayson Tatum missed most of the year due to injury, Boston once again laid a massive egg in the playoffs. And honestly this may have been the worst one they’ve suffered during the Brad Stevens Era. Seriously, when you have a 3-1 series lead against a franchise you’ve owned since the 1960s, invaded South Philadelphia in droves, and consumed Embiid and Paul George for the entire series, you should close it out. BUT THEY DIDN’T! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It’s honestly a broken record at this point with the Celtics. HOW MANY TIMES WILL THIS TEAM PLAY DOWN TO COMPETITION AGAINST OPPONENTS THEY SHOULD DESTROY IN THE PLAYOFFS! Far too many to count. As a result the 76ers for the first time ever come back from a 3-1 series deficit while Boston blows a 3-1 series lead for the first time ever. (And their first loss to the Sixers in a series since 1982) And I know the narrative is saying that Jaylen Brown should be run out of town when in my opinion it should be Tatum. If Mazzulla didn’t run their offense through JT in Games 5 and 6 this series would have been over. And him missing Game 7 was a mercy killing. It would have been awfully nice if Al Horford and Jrue Holiday didn’t leave town. Then you probably would have been hammered by the Knicks in the 2nd Round.
Los Angeles Lakers (Predictable Failure): If I were to describe the Lakers performance in this series it would be the equivalent of the Boys Team facing the Masters in that iconic Rugby Match in Monty Python’s Meaning of Life. Utter domination. (And there was NOOOOOOOO doubt about it) As much as the media tried to ignore this fact, the only reason LA even got this far was because Houston was an even bigger gongshow than they were. Yes JJ Redick, you held SGA below his normal point total. It’s just that everyone else was left off the hook. (Did he not learn a damn thing from the Minnesota series last year) But don’t tell that to the Boys Club, they’ll just blame this series on Luka being hurt and call it a day. Seriously even if Doncic was playing they still were getting swept. (Nico Harrison may be wanted in Dallas but he knew that Luka was going to face the injury bug in LA) Especially since OKC out-talented them from start to finish. Let me put it this way. Nothing is going to change until LeBron, Redick, and Rob Pelinka are sent to the guillotine. And even if Mark Walter owns the Dodgers as well, he knows that he’s got his work out for him especially with how much power those three have. We all know what they’re going to do this summer if LeBron chooses not to come back for an insufferable farewell tour. Throw everything at the Greek Freak or Anthony Edwards. Speaking of AntMan…
Minnesota Timberwolves (Typical Minneapolis): Something something Minnesota Sports. It doesn’t matter how many times they keep trying to change their fate, the ending is still the same. And in the Wolves case they once again were outclassed by a machine that has bested far greater opponents than them. Although that won’t stop the fanbase from crying foul. Nearly every single top player was injured during this season. And all it did was zap them from whatever powers they possessed. No DiVincenzo, no AntMan, no Julius Randle. From that moment they were done, and Wemby took full advantage of an inferior opponent. (He even did things that would make Dennis Rodman pleased like elbowing dudes in the face) The fact that this even went to 6 games is proof why Chris Finch is one of the most underrated coaches in the sport. How many times is it going to take for Minnesota to get over the hump? Not sure but hopefully when expansion kicks in they’ll be the ones moved to the East. But that won’t stop the media from trying to get Anthony Edwards to experience the same fate that Kevin Garnett did 20 years ago. We get it ESPN, you want Ant to join Luka in LA, THATS NOT GOING HAPPEN! Not when the Wolves are this close to breaking through. You need help. Find a way to get it.
Detroit Pistons (Is That Urban Meyer?): The NBA Playoffs are so unpredictable aren’t they. One team can benefit from their opponents pulling off a legendary choke only to see them go out in the same fashion. Pistons, what happened to Orlando is about to happen to you. It didn’t look this way through the first 2 games as the Cavs were mauled in the Pizzadome as James Harden was getting mocked. Then Cleveland proceeded to wake up from their nap and win three straight including an overtime epic in Game 5. Donovan Mitchell couldn’t be stopped which honestly makes sense since he knows all of JB Bickerstaff’s tendencies by the book. But even then that’s not painful enough. Detroit had to give their fans hope once again. Going into Rocket Mortgage Arena in Game 6 and silencing a home crowd ready to feast on their Central Division rivals. Cade Cunningham reminded everyone why he’s one of the most underrated superstars in the sport, Tobias Harris wasn’t over the hill, the chance to laugh at James Harden was at hand. “OOOOOO! WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, (How do you get blown out in a home Game 7 by a team that vanishes under pressure? HOW!) THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN! (Really Jaren Duran? How were you that invisible all postseason long?) WE’RE FROM OHIO!” Some things never change, do they? (You could have made us laugh at Dan Gilbert for lowballing JB but NOOOOO!)
Philadelphia 76ers (The Process Is The Process): CONGRATULATIONS yeah you already know the line by now. (A quarter century without a Conference Finals appearance. WOOF!) Lets be real the Sixers were either going to Finals after their comeback against Boston or getting swept in the next round. Guess what happened. Philly was mauled in every sense of the word by a team playing up to their full potential. (New York didn’t even have OG in this series) For four straight games. We can’t even blame Embiid and Paul George being injured, they played the entire series and still got routed by the Knicks. To be honest I don’t think Jared McCain would have helped had they not traded him to the Thunder. (That trade is looking worse for the Sixers by the day) Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges ran circles around the VJ Max duo before they even started running. It was that bad. But that’s not even the most hilarious part other than this being the final straw for Daryl Morey. You know how the Sixers made sure to raise ticket prices to prevent their opponents fanbase from invading X-Finity Mobile Arena? Little did they know that they underestimated the fact that the average New Yorker has significantly more resources and are willing to spend. That building turned into MSG South in Games 3 and 4. This marks the first time ever that both the Sixers and Flyers have been swept in the same year. One team at least didn’t throw in the towel and fought until they had nothing left while the other gave Philly fans the middle finger. Take a guess as to which one. Clap your hands you say? Well the fans did clap their hands but for your opponents. COUNT IT ON SUCKERS!
Oklahoma City Thunder (Consumed By Aliens): So much for becoming the reincarnation of the Jimmy Johnson Era Cowboys huh? Against almost any other opponent the Thunder would have likely crushed them to pieces, injuries or not. But any hopes of them defending their title was snatched away by their boogeyman for the majority of the last 20 years. The Spurs own OKC in the playoffs whether it’s during the KD-Westbrook Era or now with SGA and stacked lineup. Their physicality matches up very well to that of the Thunder. Especially Chet Holmgren. In almost any other circumstance he would have had no issues putting up 18 a game and playing solid defense. Too bad he’s up against Wembanyama. Who’s had his number ever since he came into the league. But despite all of that OKC was up 3-2 and had home court in Game 7. And then Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell got hurt in Game 6. Even if they tried keeping up in Game 7, San Antonio consumed their souls in a win or go home scenario like they did during the Tim Duncan Era. (It also helps that the Spurs were white hot from 3 in that game too) And on the 10th Anniversary of them blowing a 3-1 series lead to Golden State in 2016, their title defense was zapped by a team with Harrison Barnes on it. Great. (If Haliburton doesn’t get hurt last year these boys are meme’d to death) The boomerang eventually comes back to bite you and that time it did.
Cleveland Cavaliers (Let Em Know, NOT!): I could have told you this when he was in Brooklyn, Philly, or LA. You don’t win titles with James Harden unless every single thing goes your way. What do you think happened? (And even then he will still mess it up. The Donovan McNabb of the NBA for a reason) The Cavs got their asses kicked by the Knicks in a throwback to the early 90s. Once they blew that 22 point lead in the 4th Quarter of Game 1, everyone knew that Cleveland was going to get swept. The next three games were utter domination but don’t tell that to Kenny Atkinson and the Beardman. They won those games analytically! They were better than the Knicks on paper! TELL ME LIES TELL ME SWEET LITTLE LIES! Mike Brown got his revenge after being lowballed by Dan Gilbert almost 20 years ago. The Knicks as they did in the first two rounds ran circles around their opponents and 3 point shot them to death while combining that with generation ball movement. And like the Sixers and Hawks, Cleveland learned absolutely nothing and raised ticket prices to prevent Knicks fans from coming to the City by the Lake. Oh they came alright, and came in droves. (The Celebrity Row at MSG wasn’t stopping for nothing) Good news for you Cavs fans, nothing is changing and everyone is coming back in 2027. Although I will say this. Cleveland hasn’t won a game in the Conference Finals outside of the LeBron Era. And I think it’s safe to say that King James needs Ohio and Ohio needs him. And honestly that’s probably the only way that the Cavs are ever going to get over that dreaded hump. That and if the NBA tries to rig it for them based on that alone. At least Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift got humbled HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That never seizes to put a smile on my face. PAUSE.
For as many blowouts as we saw in this postseason, the drama has certainly been there nonetheless. Who cares whether or not those ugly games or the new Anti-Tanking Rule has come into effect when we’ve reached the Finals. And I think it’s safe to say there is one term that best describes the representative from the West… THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!
San Antonio Spurs: (Slaughter Club from Hitman playing) The NBA has seen its fair share of historic franchises and dynasties. The Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Warriors, and Heat certainly get all of the attention for the successful eras that they have had. But one team’s history has certainly flown under the radar especially for being the envy of the league for almost 20 years. The Spurs. During the Tim Duncan Era they had a dynasty that rivaled the Kobe Era in LA if not better. The cutting edge of modern basketball, a player development system that franchises would kill for and one that a lot of teams modeled their success after, Gregg Popovich coaching circles around some of the most creative minds in the sport, and being an absolute pain in the neck to play against in big games. And here’s the crazy part, San Antonio might be witnessing the beginning of another legendary run in their franchise’s history. We thought the Duncan Era was insufferable, this could be even more of such. Especially since even though Coach Pop retired after last year his fingerprints are still all over this roster. And while Mitch Johnson is still unproven in the NBA landscape, he could very well be the next great coach if he takes this kind of opportunity and runs with it. And with this roster there’s plenty to be excited about. Remember when people said that the First Order had emerged from the Evil Empire in regards to the New England Patriots. The same thing is happening with the Spurs. And it’s led by what could be considered the most overpowering talent the NBA has ever seen. Victor Wembanyama. There was a reason why he was being labeled as the Greatest Prospect the NBA had seen since LeBron. His 7’4 presence and all world skills have been the centerpiece for this return to glory. You thought Nikola Jokic was a Unicorn of a talent, Wemby is that X10. And he’s only gotten better over the last few years especially in his postseason debut this year. An MVP and Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner for years to come. And just like a certain savior during the original Empire, Wemby has an outstanding supporting cast consisting of either high draft picks or players who were let go of by dumb organizations. Speaking of which, here’s DeAaron Fox. We all knew how great he was in Sacramento. Being the driving force on a Kings team that seemed to finally turn the corner. And then Ranadive proceeded to happen and he shipped him off to the Spurs. (The nuns show no mercy, Amen) Like Tony Parker was to Duncan, Fox is to Wemby. An elite talent whose skills and will to win are unmistakable and perfect as the Robin to the Batman. But that’s only the beginning. Their young talent on display is breathtaking. Just like their rivals in OKC they’ve benefited from top draft picks coming into their own. Mainly Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. These two Top 5 picks haven’t even blossomed yet but are among some of the more deadly two way players in the West. There’s also Devin Vassell who is another stud in a long line of young riches. He’s their their #5 in terms of best players. That’s saying something with how effective he can be on both sides. Hell Keldon Johnson would be a starter on most teams and ran away with the 6th Man of the Year award. Same with Julian Champagnie who went from overlooked commodity to franchise cornerstone in about a year. His Game 7 performance against the Thunder proves it. Carter Bryant has rarely seen the court this postseason due to the stacked rotation ahead of him and even he is a threat to beat you. In addition to the young guns you have vets like Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet providing much needed leadership. Plus Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk to fill out their roster and also get a chance at a ring. While everyone may see the Spurs as the good guys at this moment in time, I tend to disagree with that thinking. Why? San Antonio has already had an insufferable dynasty that ticked plenty of franchises off in the Western Conference especially Dallas, OKC, and Phoenix. (If not for Ray Allen, Duncan has the same amount of rings as Michael Jordan. Let that sink in) Getting another run of dominance would put the Spurs in a class where only the Lakers and Celtics would be ahead of them. While San Antonio may be gearing up for the first of many great runs, their larger than life opponents are looking to finally get their Date With Destiny. And they’ll certainly never shut up about it if accomplished.
New York Knicks: (Sargasso Theme playing) The New York Knicks have made it to the NBA Finals. To the disgust of everyone outside of the Big Apple, the golden child of New York City is finally getting its chance on the big stage for the first time in decades. To understand this rise to power you have to take a deep dive over the past 20 years. After Patrick Ewing retired, the Knicks as we knew them were done. Constant drama consumed the organization whole. The feud between Charles Oakley and James Dolan was a sight to behold, the failed Superteams of the early 2010s, Isiah Thomas becoming the latest example of a great player not translating into a great executive. Phil Jackson being a dud of a GM once his coaching days were over. Losing the KD and Kyrie sweepstakes to Brooklyn in 2019, losing season after losing season. 2 playoff series wins from 2001-2022. But how did this all change you ask? How did this franchise all of a sudden regain their glory days of the 1970s and 1990s? One free agent signing changed the culture. That man’s name? Jalen Brunson. Coming off a breakout season in Dallas, it seemed like many Knicks free agent signings over the years this would be a gigantic bust. Instead the opposite happened. (Go New York Go New York Go playing) Brunson’s arrival ushered in a new era of Knicks Basketball. No longer would they be considered a punchline. They would become championship contenders overnight. This year in particular was where every single move made by Dolan and Leon Rose finally paid off. They haven’t just gotten to the Finals this year, but they’ve flat out broken every team in their path. Atlanta went from the sleeper of the playoffs to having severe questions on whether they can do anything with their current core. Philadelphia went from pulling off the Greatest Comeback in Franchise History to suffering arguably the most Humiliating Defeat in Franchise History. Cleveland went from winning back to back Game 7s to getting massacred beginning with one of the greatest single game collapses in Playoff History. These were all teams that on paper looked to challenge the Knicks in every which way. And New York still made it to the Finals with legendary ease. 11 straight double digit postseason wins which is a new NBA Record. Now how did they get this good you ask. Well if you know the Knicks they love throwing money at everything that moves. But this time around instead of getting name brand players they went for guys who fit their style of play and have great chemistry with Brunson. In particular two of his teammates from Villanova. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart who the Knicks each paid a premium to get. They all won National Championships at Nova in college, and now in the Big Apple they’ve each played key roles in this run on both sides of the ball especially when it comes to shot creativity and ball movement. OG Ananoby was a young buck on the 2019 Raptors championship team, now in New York he has become a defensive wall who’s gotten better with age injuries or not. Karl Anthony Towns was once the face of the Timberwolves for almost a decade, since coming to the Knicks he hasn’t skipped a beat and has been the franchise center they haven’t had since Ewing. In recent years the Knicks biggest Achilles heel in the playoffs was lack of depth. This postseason it’s been one of their biggest strengths. Every one of their five guys off the bench has contributed in big ways. Deuce McBridge who is a threat to burn you from the outside any chance he gets. Landry Shemet same deal and his clutch performances against Cleveland were no fluke. Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson might be on minute restrictions this postseason but even they can get you in a hurry especially Clarkson. Then there’s Mitchell Robinson who ironically is the last one left from the Pre-Brunson Era. He may not have good instincts on offense, but on defense and in the rebounding department he’s been a vital piece. Finally the coach. Tom Thibodeau did turn around the franchise, but in order to get back to the Finals despite coming up close several times, they needed the right man to guide them. Mike Brown has been just that. His track record in the NBA has certainly been a good one to say the least. He took a Cavs team with no depth around LeBron to the Finals in 2007, he stepped in when Steve Kerr took a leave of absence in the 2017 playoffs and led the Warriors to 15 straight playoff wins, he took the Sacramento Kings from the joke of the league into playoff contenders, and now he has proven to be the missing piece in New York. (Everyone bashes him for failing in LA but honestly nobody was solving the Lakers soap opera of 2012-13) Not only have the Knicks as a team been a massive storyline this postseason, so have their fans. In each round they’ve invaded every single opposing venue they played in, featuring the entirety of their Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden during some of those games especially in Philadelphia. And while NYPD has shut down watch parties from outside MSG, it won’t stop the fans from invading gobs of highly recognized venues in NYC including Radio City. (This kinda reminds me of the 1994 Rangers run in terms of the hype in possibly ending a long title drought but unlike in those days, it’s easier to get tickets to opposing venues than ever before) The narratives about the NovaKnicks run deep. And it’s not just their Big 3, three former assistants including the legendary Maurice Cheeks were on Jay Wright’s staff when Villanova won a National Championship in 2016. Not to mention Jalen Brunson’s dad who was on their 1999 Cinderella team is also on this staff. Speaking of 99, it’s been that long since the Knicks have made the Finals. And that team got there as the 8th seed by discarding and humiliating several teams in the East that had pressure to get to the Finals now that Jordan was out of the picture. Their reward for such an unexpected run was getting slapped around by the aforementioned Empire. Now they’ll get their chance at them again. And if they win this time. Considering that this would be New York’s first major sports championship since the 2011 Giants. GOD HELP US ALL! PAUSE.
(1999 playing) When I woke up this morning I could have sworn to myself that it was the NBA’s version of Judgement Day. (Prince if he were still alive would definitely have made an appearance and performed that song in a pregame concert) That’s the kind of vibes we are getting in this series no pun intended. One franchise looks to regain its Mighty Empire, the other is looking to become the modern day version of the 1994 New York Rangers by breaking a 50+ year title drought while captivating the fans of the most insufferable sports city in America. The contrasts between both of these teams is very noticeable. While the Spurs have basically built this team from the ground up after the previous Empire had faded to black. The Knicks constructed their roster from free agent signings and trades. Not a single player on their roster was originally drafted by New York. (Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride were drafted by the Thunder but were shipped to the Knicks in 2017 for Carmelo Anthony) And no the Knicks aren’t a Superteam, most of those guys outside of Brunson and Towns weren’t big free agents or trade targets. No matter what happens in this series the rest of the NBA is going to lose decisively. Why? Because either San Antonio is going to likely kickstart their First Order of dominance, or New York’s 53 years of long frustration will come to an end. Spurs Nuns and Pope Leo of Nova Nation rejoice! IT’S TIME TO PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999!
Prediction: When a team enters the Finals on a historical run that has seen them destroy everyone in their path, you’d think they’d be locks for the title. Not in this case. While the Knicks have had a run rivaling the 2001 Lakers and 2017 Warriors, they have yet to face an opponent of this quality. And they’ll be tested right from the word go. Especially with the amount of young talent that the Spurs have. But do you really think the NBA is going to let San Antonio despite their rich history make it past the Knicks in the Finals? With Adam Silver as the commissioner? You don’t say! With that being said, I think that New York will break their long drought in an exciting 6 game series. Knicks fans are going to be so insufferable if they win it all.
Bragging Rights Sports 