Why did the Thunder come out of the West, and what can the Spurs be taught from them?
Marilyn Dubinski: The Thunder got here out of the West as a result of they’re probably the most well-rounded, versatile staff. They completed the season 4th in offensive score and 1st on protection for the most effective internet score (so it goes with out saying that they will each rating and defend). They addressed their weaknesses from final season by including a fringe stopper in Alex Caruso and a defensive-minded huge man in Isaiah Hartenstein to take some strain off Chet Holmgren. Lastly, they’ve the MVP to cleared the path. If all of this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of it’s precisely what we’ve been saying the Spurs must do and what we’re listening to they’ll this offseason: get an improve on the wing, and add dependable depth and flexibility at heart to construct out round an MVP candidate in Victor Wembanyama.
Mark Barrington: There’s not lots of thriller right here. They’re loaded with expertise, they’ve the MVP, and an progressive younger coach. They’re deep, versatile and simply rattling good. The one factor that might preserve them from turning into a long-term dynasty is the CBA and the very fact that they’re going to should pay loads to maintain their roster intact because the rookie contracts roll off. However they will preserve their core and preserve replenishing it with the handfuls of draft picks that they’ve stockpiled, so perhaps the Spurs are simply going to want to get a LOT higher as an alternative of ready for the Thunder to fade.
Jacob Douglas: Protection wins championships… and having the MVP helps too. The Thunder had been 1st in defensive score and third in opponents’ factors per recreation this 12 months. They’ve lockdown defenders like Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren to again up SGA’s scoring. The important thing right here is that these defensive studs may knock down photographs. San Antonio has some good defenders like Jeremy Sochan and Stephon Citadel, however they will’t shoot. Including extra two-way gamers who can create an elite protection round Wembanyama might be key to constructing a contending roster.
Jesus Gomez: The mixture of top-end expertise and depth is tough to beat. They’ve among the finest scorers the league has seen lately and loads of complementary two-way items that not solely assist however improve what SGA does on offense. And their disruptive protection makes it exhausting for opponents to develop any kind of rhythm. However expertise might be what put them excessive. Final season OKC completed first within the West however had a younger core that was nonetheless discovering its identification and bought bounced by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. After that failure, they made the precise acquisitions and tweaked their model to develop into the juggernaut they’re right now. The Spurs must do the identical. If the whole lot goes properly, they need to make the playoffs subsequent season and use that have to learn the way good they’re and what it will take to get higher.
Why did the Pacers come out of the East, and what can the Spurs be taught from them?
Dubinski: Your complete reply is much like the Thunder. The Pacers are 2nd on offense and eighth on protection, so once more, the makings of a championship staff. They’re sturdy at each place and have depth, which is what allowed them to outlast the New York Knicks, and as soon as once more, truthful or not, Tom Thibodeau’s lack of rotations and heavy minutes for his starters are being blamed for his staff failing to succeed in the finals. (That being stated, I by no means thought they’d hearth him.) Again to the Pacers, it additionally wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Tyrese Haliburton was motivated by that dumb gamers ballot calling him probably the most overrated participant within the league. Enjoying with a chip in your shoulder and harnessing it the right means is nearly at all times a recipe for fulfillment.
Barrington: Rick Carlisle is an all-time nice coach, and he constructed the Pacers’ system to maximise doing the issues that match their abilities. They’re not simply quick, they’re at all times ready to advance the ball to the frontcourt earlier than the protection is about. They rating a ton of fastbreak baskets off of made buckets for the opposite staff. There’s by no means a wasted possession, and so they put on opponents down with their depth and relentless defensive strain. Haliburton is their star, however each participant is aware of their function and excels in it. This preparation is particularly vital in crunch time, because it makes them able to stealing any recreation the place the rating is shut with time operating out. The Spurs want to repeat their depth and execution and discover ways to win shut video games.
Douglas: Can we are saying it’s as a result of the Celtics choked towards the Knicks? Kidding, in fact. Indiana is one other strong defensive staff that has gamers everywhere in the courtroom who can knock down photographs. I significantly like how they’ve a number of ball-handlers who can create performs or knock down threes. Possibly San Antonio can have one thing comparable with Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox down the road?
Gomez: The Pacers know who they’re. They’re extraordinarily well-coached, they’ve a definite identification, and everybody is aware of what is anticipated of them. So far as one-two punches go, Haliburton and Siakam wouldn’t rank extremely on paper, however there’s synergy between them and all the staff. The items match. That’s what the Spurs ought to take away from their run: the entire needs to be better than the sum of its components. Discovering underappreciated expertise is tough however mandatory as a result of new CBA, and names are much less vital than cohesion.
Who do you suppose will win the NBA Finals and why?
Dubinski: I feel it will likely be the Thunder just because their finest gamers are barely higher than the Pacers’, however I feel it will likely be nearer than many suppose. I see most polls saying Thunder in 4 or 5, however in the event you suppose the Pacers will fold that simply, you haven’t been watching. They’ve the power on either side to maintain up, so I feel they get it to six or 7, however finally the Thunder can have an excessive amount of firepower and self-discipline to beat.
Barrington: The Thunder has the sting in expertise, however the Pacers have the higher scheme and are better-coached. I feel Daigneault is an efficient coach, however Carlisle is an all-time nice, and he’ll discover and dissect any flaws within the opponent’s recreation plan. I feel this sequence might be loads just like the 2014 Mavericks-Spurs first-round playoff sequence, the place a less-talented Dallas staff nearly pulled off an upset on the loaded Spurs, who had been on a revenge tour after dropping to the Warmth within the Finals the earlier 12 months. I feel the Thunder will win, however it will likely be a really shut and entertaining sequence. I wouldn’t be shocked if the sequence goes to seven video games and is determined by the ultimate shot. I’d discover it exhausting to wager towards Haliburton in that state of affairs.
Douglas: OKC is a juggernaut. I don’t suppose the Pacers will have the ability to cope with the entire totally different lineups they will throw out, significantly the smaller lineup with Holmgren on the 5. If Indiana has any hope, it’s that the staff that doesn’t flip the ball over a lot has usually gained in these playoffs. The Pacers are wonderful at taking good care of the basketball, however the Thunder are nice at taking it away. I don’t suppose it’ll be a sweep, however give me the Thunder in 6.
Gomez: The Pacers are proficient, powerful, and enjoyable, however the Thunder appear to be on one other degree. It’s going to be fascinating to see who wins the turnover battle, as Jacob identified, as a result of it may very well be the distinction between shut video games Indiana can win and potential blowouts. I can see issues going properly for Rick Carlisle’s guys a few occasions, particularly if Jalen Williams struggles, however no more than that. OKC merely has too many good defenders and has proven they will rating towards top-tier groups at a excessive sufficient price. I feel we’ll get 5 – 6 entertaining video games earlier than the Thunder win their first title.
