2025 NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers

firestone should trade for him tomorrow while his stock is at an all time low.

 

The Pacers would be easily the most shocking championship run since I've been watching.

The Warriors first title shocked me based on preseason expectations, but by the time the playoffs rolled around it wasn't.

 

I think it would be second.

What would be first is Detroit's 2004 championship over the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, I'd put it first because it was not only a win, they dominated what was a dynasty team that also had ring chasing Gary Payton and Karl Malone on it.

It was such a destruction that they blew up that Shaq/Kobe dynasty when both players were still in their primes.

 

Them beating the Lakers is still probably the most shocking series result. But due to the pathetic east, I thought they had a really good chance of making the finals.

I thought this Pacers team was miles behind Boston, clearly behind Cleveland, and I also would have picked the Knicks over them. Even getting out of the east seemed like a pipe dream for them, much less beating the Thunder.

 

Surprising what type of beatdown this was, but maybe even more surprising was the lack of excitement from the crew besides Mike Breen. He was trying everything and they gave him NOTHING! What a bunch of assholes, also trying to excuse the refs for calling bullshit fouls for Shai. Btw this Pacers team has got to be the most Strength in Numbers team I’ve ever seen. The Spurs still had a collection of Duncan, Tony P & Manu for those championships. Warriors obviously were never that, even though they tried to sell it.

Glad Haliburton looked very decent and make no mistake: the Pacers took this!!! It was nothing like uncharacteristic play by OKC or just luck or Jalen not playing well. No, this was simply incredible defense and taking it to OKC’s chin, lead by Siakam, Nembhard and Nesmith and then TJ & Toppin came in and just destroyed their bench. The one thing I’ll say is the refs finally let the Pacers play more physical defense, but make no mistake: some of this will not fly in Oklahoma and we can almost guarantee who will be there for Game 7 to secure the victory for OKC.

Still, Pacers should bring the fight to them and they definitely have a shot. Carlisle might end up with 2 of the 5 hardest championship runs and underrated teams to win a trophy. But Pacers are definitely more talented than these ESPN pricks give them credit for. Let’s go Pacers!!

 

A Jalen for a Jalen

 

That's the one that came to mind for me also. That Detroit team was just so well-balanced and cohesive without a true superstar. It was such a great result and I loved every minute of it. Remember Rip Hamilton and his mask? lol

 

Whereas Flintstone wouldn't.

 

As the normally awful Doris Burks said last night, while making a rare good point, if you look at team records since Jan 1, these are the top 2 teams in the NBA.

People focus too much on the season standings, affected by the Pacers 10-15 start, with no Nesmith, no Nembhard, Haliburton nursing a hammy, and other bench injuries as well.

After that this was a top team, with a better winning percentage against the West than against the East. That poor start just gave them a more difficult path.

 

I should have bet the house

Rocket River

 

I also think that Doris was wrong, though just by a little. The best records after Jan 1 were 1) OKC; 2) Boston; 3) Indiana

What is surprising, and I get it, is the Pacers roster construction / deep rotation. It's a "system" approach, where any of 7 guys might lead you in scoring any given night. No ball dominant isolation guy. It's like your coach in junior high wanted you to play, where everyone cuts and the ball never sticks.

 

This is been pretty much the story in every game

Rocket River

 

If they win . . .. He is gonna want a Max Contract

Rocket River

 

Craziest thing is seeing Turner play and then already the franchise being committed to a max contract. I wanted Turner years ago, but seeing how weak he is, how he cannot make any shot, cannot use his strength against Chet, has absolutely zero moves around the basket it seems and even on defense makes rookie mistakes as far as helpside defense goes. If Turner had played like a decent center on both sides, this series would’ve been over.

 

In the 6 games of the finals, 4 different players have led the team in scoring (Sikam X3, Haliburton, Mathurin, Toppin)

more stats:

∎ McConnell had 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals, becoming the first bench player to hit those numbers in an NBA Finals game since starters and bench players were first tracked in the 1970-71 season.

∎ McConnell is the first bench player in NBA history with 60+ points, 25+ assists and 15+ rebounds in an NBA Finals, per StatMuse.

∎ Per Statmuse, Obi Toppin is just the second bench player in NBA Finals history with 70+ points, 30+ rebounds and 12+ 3s made. The other? Big Shot Bob, Robert Horry.