NBA Finals TIED 2-2
- Early in the fourth quarter of Game Four, you asked yourself, “Where is the league’s MVP?” because it’s now or never for the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP, stepped up magnificently and bailed his team out of what could have been a 3-1 hole. Shai scored 15 of the last 16 points. That’s underscored in their last 11 points in the come-from-behind victory. He was truly a lifesaver for the Thunder and an unveiling to the casual basketball fan of how good he is.
- Coming into this game, I thought Mark Daigneault and Shai had the most pressure on them. He was coaching the heavily favored and league’s best team and was down 2 games to 1 in the series. People don’t forget a coach losing a final series after being a big favorite. He’s also been out-coached by Rick Carlisle. Shai was being worn down facing full-court pressure when he brought the ball up court, so he adjusted by not always having Shai bring the ball up. This kept him fresh at the end of the game. Oklahoma City likes to play at a fast pace, but the Pacers play faster. In the fourth quarter of Game 4, the game slowed down a bit, and OKC was able to isolate Shai successfully.
- By the way, this takes nothing away from the outstanding defensive play of Andrew Nembhard in this series. Nembhard seems to combine gritty defense with just enough annoyance to get under Shai’s skin and take him out of the game. Good as Nembhard has been, a player as great as Shai is going to go off, and he did in the 4th quarter.
- The NBA is a copycat league. What the Pacers are doing is really impressive. In my mind, they do not have a top-10 player in the league. The thought has always been if you win a title, you must have a top-10 player. The Pacers pressure you all over the court and play at a fast pace and move the ball mostly by passing. Young legs and a roster that can keep the pressure on a team. The rest of the league will soon be copying this style.
Random Thoughts
- Just wondering what teams the Knicks have asked for permission to speak to about their coaching position. As I said before, it is amazing to me how you fire a successful coach with no plan on who to hire. Their management has been an embarrassment. The Knicks believe because they are in New York, they are the smartest people in the room. The old adage applies here: when you think you’re smarter than everybody, you’re really not.
- The Phoenix Suns are beginning to realize they probably are not going to get the haul they thought they would get for Kevin Durant. He is a great player, but he will be 37 years old by next season. He has one year left on his contract, so the team trading for him will have to add a year or two at a high price.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo seeming to want to stay in Milwaukee is refreshing. That is, only if he doesn’t change his mind and decide he wants to be traded. Most star players today want to be traded when they realize their team isn’t going to contend. Players today don’t value playing their career for one team like they once did. This helps fans realize the league is a business.
