AROUND the NBA:

[KillerLeft]

I am glad the Knicks won.  These games have been fantastic and really shouldn't be 3-0.  So the Knicks stole one, but you can make the case Indy stole the first two.  KAT was awesome and stepped up big time. 

As much as the debate is everyone plays the same way, I would really like to see more teams copy the Pacers playbook.  fast movement, great ball movement and just hard cuts all the time.  I find it very enjoyable.

Of course! They are coached by the GREAT Rick Carlisle.

[F Gump]

Of course! They are coached by the GREAT Rick Carlisle.

That having been said, Carlisle couldn't get buy in (or coached like suck) the last half or so of G3. That game was there to be won, and for some reason the Pacers took their foot off the gas, and stopped attacking. Very passive and it cost them. It's a series now.

Let's see what happens in G4. It's a must-win for both teams, and coaching will matter a lot. Not just x's and o's, but also conveying mindset and the will to maintain it.

[Chicagojk]

OKC is on a collision course with the finals. First of many?

Minny shot the three well and kept them in the game. Making 18 at 43 percent. But the turnovers (21) and giving up the offensive rebounds were just killer. You just can't do that against OKC. Only 13 shots for Ant and wasn't very efficient with the ones he took. They need a bigger performance from their best player.

There were a few times when OKC went without Chet and Holmgren on the floor. It just got me thinking how Dallas can compete with their big lineup? Especially if OKC can compete on the boards. Certainly not a good sign for the league seeing SGA, Williams and Chet all have big games. They are a problem.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

OKC is on a collision course with the finals.  First of many? 

Minny shot the three well and kept them in the game.  Making 18 at 43 percent.  But the turnovers (21) and giving up the offensive rebounds were just killer.  You just can't do that against OKC.    Only 13 shots for Ant and wasn't very efficient with the ones he took.    They need a bigger performance from their best player.

There were a few times when OKC went without Chet and Holmgren on the floor.  It just got me thinking how Dallas can compete with their big lineup?  Especially if OKC can compete on the boards.  Certainly not a good sign for the league seeing SGA, Williams and Chet all have big games.    They are a problem.

Don't forget Randle went incognito, again...1-7 from the field, 0-3 from 3 for 5 measly pts.  If he plays well along with Ant, they usually win. Can't fault the bench who played great. DiVincenzo, Reid, Alexander-Walker, and rookie Terrance Shannon who looks like he could be a key rotation guy for them. Unfortunately, I think the series is over.

[cow]

Eat it, JB!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Who said Tyrese Haliburton is overrated? 32pts, 12 boards, 15 assists, 0 turnovers. Pacers 1 game away from their 1st finals.

[cow]

Who said Tyrese Haliburton is overrated? 32pts, 12 boards, 15 assists, 0 turnovers. Pacers 1 game away from their 1st finals.

If only the Kings would have accepted our trade-up offer, Nico could have traded Tyrese and Luka in the same year.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Correction. This would be the Pacers 2nd trip to the Finals. They lost in 6 to the Lakers 25 years ago.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Pacers-OKC will be the lowest ratings Finals all time.

It's Karma , Adam. It's Karma.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Pacers-OKC will be the lowest ratings Finals all time.

It's Karma , Adam. It's Karma.

I disagree. OKC is bigger, but I think it's a good matchup. They both play similar styles but OKC is better defensively.

[ThisIStheYear]

Jeez. OKC may be virtually unbeatable. I’ve never seen a better defensive team and they have the best offense too. Many of their role players make all star caliber impacts. This is another reason for the Mavs to trade or move off their older players and reset the timeline around Flagg.

[WildArkieBoy]

Pacers-OKC will be the lowest ratings Finals all time.

It's Karma , Adam. It's Karma.

The obvious focus will be Rick Carlisle adding a second championship.  

wab

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jeez. OKC may be virtually unbeatable. I’ve never seen a better defensive team and they have the best offense too. Many of their role players make all star caliber impacts. This is another reason for the Mavs to trade or move off their older players and reset the timeline around Flagg.

They're set up to win multiple titles for sure. Could be another Warriors type of run.

[Chicagojk]

Congrats to OKC. One more round though. I think this was headed this direction all season. Even if Dallas didn't trade Luka, I don't think they would have beat OKC this year. Would have liked to see it.

The beauty of OKC is their whole is much more than their parts. And their parts are pretty darn great too. They are so connected and because they are so connected they really elevate each other with the benefit of a team.

Potentially a big three. A very deep team. And a boatload of picks. They aren't going anywhere.

[FireNicoHarrison]

They're set up to win multiple titles for sure. Could be another Warriors type of run.

With new CBA it's very hard build a dynasty... They will have to make tough decision very soon.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

OKC will be interesting when the contract extensions for Williams and Holmgren come due and how the navigate the rising salaries?

But yeah they're setup well to let their role players walk and just replace them with all the draft ammo.

[cow]

Eat it, Rick!

[Chicagojk]

Got to give the Timberwolves some credit for making back to back WCF appearances. Personally, I did not feel like they were the second best team either year, but they got there. They have some very interesting moves over the next few years. A few older players who will age out. A upcoming FA in Randle. A new ownership group who I believe aren't the "ultra rich" owners. They have their star/super star and some nice role players but in the crazy west they have a lot of upcoming teams coming.

[Knutsen]

Who said Tyrese Haliburton is overrated? 32pts, 12 boards, 15 assists, 0 turnovers. Pacers 1 game away from their 1st finals.

But then really sucked in game 5… Still think I‘d take Brunson over him, but it’s close, isn’t it? Unfortunately the Mavs will never get their hands on either one of them.

[michaeltex]

Congrats to OKC.  One more round though.  I think this was headed this direction all season.  Even if Dallas didn't trade Luka, I don't think they would have beat OKC this year.  Would have liked to see it.

The beauty of OKC is their whole is much more than their parts.  And their parts are pretty darn great too.  They are so connected and because they are so connected they really elevate each other with the benefit of a team.   

Potentially a big three.  A very deep team.  And a boatload of picks.  They aren't going anywhere.

Interestingly, all OKC contracts end with TOs. There are no POs. So the ownership is in total control of salary structure. I think Holmgren, Dieng and Williams are all extension eligible next season. Jaylin Williams is the only non-guaranteed contract, so they can shed his $2.2M salary and open up a spot for a draftee.