The Thunder are NBA Champions. Had been they undeniably the most effective workforce this season?
Marilyn Dubinski: It’s fairly onerous to take a look at the truth that they’d the most effective common season file by a landslide in a tricky Western Convention Finals and league total, after which flip round and attempt to spin it one other approach. The actual fact is regardless of incomes the highest seed final season, they’d apparent weaknesses that proved to be their demise. They addressed these weaknesses within the offseason with the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, and now they’re champions. In addition to, I believe like most Spurs followers who needed to endure all of the “asterisk” speak again within the day, I’m not within the enterprise of diminishing accomplishments with “yeah however…”. (On this case, individuals will moan about their opponents being injured.)
Mark Barrington: They had been the most effective, however the aggressive nature of the finals and their sequence in opposition to the Nuggets could cloud the simple nature of it a bit. With Haliburton’s unlucky damage, we’ll by no means know if the Pacers may have pulled off the upset at full power. Accidents are a part of the sport, however you hate to see it break what had been an virtually good sequence to that time.
Jesus Gomez: They had been the most effective. Their common season file confirmed they’d the depth to take care of accidents, they usually managed to recover from 60 wins whereas managing the minutes they had been giving to Caruso. They did catch some breaks, however they didn’t solely get previous the Nuggets and beat the Pacers due to well being points. The truth that they’d scares and didn’t look as dominant as individuals anticipated hurts the notion of their run, however they had been the most effective. No asterisks on titles, ever.
The Pacers would have gained Recreation 7 had Tyrese Haliburton been obtainable. True or false?
Dubinski: It’s definitely potential, though there’s no approach of figuring out for positive. The Pacers admirably had the lead by means of halftime and by no means let the Thunder really put them away, however no matter having Haliburton or not, profitable Recreation 7 on the highway within the NBA Finals is a Herculean process. If any workforce had the need and energy of the basketball gods behind them to make it occur this season, it was the Pacers, however they simply lastly ran out of magic.
Barrington: Unknown. The large run by the Thunder the place they shut down the Pacers from the final a part of the third to midway by means of the fourth appeared fairly unstoppable, however they may have been capable of survive it with a wholesome Tyrese. I actually needed to see a recreation the place Haliburton had the ball in his palms with an opportunity to win or tie on the closing possession. I wouldn’t have even been sad if he missed the shot, as a result of that second would have been nice, nonetheless it got here out. However not every thing all the time performs out the best way you desire to. The backup gamers made a valiant effort, however McConnell, whereas he had a superb second half, couldn’t elevate the remainder of the workforce like Haliburton does, and demanding turnovers doomed the short-handed Pacers. It was an ideal sequence, however I’ll all the time surprise the way it may have been.
Gomez: It’s such an fascinating hypothetical. Haliburton was taking part in nice. The shaky begin to the third was partially brought on by guys who wouldn’t have dealt with the ball if the star guard had been on the courtroom. Hali was restricted by his damage even earlier than the Achilles tear, however he gave them an identification, and whereas others tried to step up, they couldn’t substitute what he dropped at the desk. I nonetheless assume the Thunder would have gained, however it will have been a really completely different, doubtless way more entertaining recreation.
Do you assume we may get a rematch subsequent season? And might the Thunder be the primary to repeat since 2018?
Dubinski: There gained’t be a rematch subsequent season if Haliburton’s Achilles is actually torn and he’s out for a yr. The East is extensive open for the taking (I’d favor the Knicks in the event that they weren’t so idiotic with the firing of Thibs). The second half is definitely potential as this Thunder workforce has positioned itself to be a juggernaut for years to come back, assuming their stars are as unselfish because the Spurs’ Large Three had been again within the day. Nonetheless, like everybody else, they’re only one damage away from a ruined season, and also you by no means know what is going to occur within the Wild Wild West.
Barrington: I believe the Pacers had been on a magical run, and I don’t see that run taking place once more subsequent yr until Haliburton recovers quicker than anticipated they usually add not less than yet another star. They will even have to discover a option to retain Myles Turner, who’s a free agent this offseason. They’ll have a good workforce by constructing round Pascal Siakam, with Nembhard and Nesmith as supporting forged, however that’s not adequate to be a contender.
The Thunder have the most effective expertise within the league and depth for days. They’ve Hartenstein underneath contract for 2 extra years, and the double massive lineup of him and Holmgren goes to be powerful to deal with for not less than that lengthy. Their weak spot was expertise, and with profitable a title, that’s now not an issue. Their largest points going ahead would be the well being of their stars and never busting their wage cap as gamers age out of rookie contracts. Each different good workforce contends with those self same issues, so it’s simply going to take some glorious roster administration and a bit of luck to get previous them within the West for the foreseeable future, which is 2-4 years within the NBA.
Gomez: The dream of a rematch evaporated with Haliburton’s damage. The East ought to be extensive open subsequent yr, however the Pacers with out Tyrese can be an extended shot to be the final workforce standing. As a result of the East, not less than proper now, seems to be weak, the primary impediment between the Thunder and a repeat appears to be the gauntlet that ought to be the West subsequent yr. Even with improved opponents of their convention, OKC ought to be the favourite to advance to the Finals, and I can see them repeating in the event that they keep wholesome.
