LeBron: This year's NBA Finals feature a great matchup for true basketball fans
LeBron: This year's NBA Finals feature a great matchup for true basketball fans
This year's NBA Finals, at least at first glance, isn't exactly a marquee matchup. The Los Angeles Lakers, yet again, aren't involved, and neither are teams such as the Golden State Warriors or Boston Celtics, both of which have large and loyal fan bases.
For a little while, it appeared that the New York Knicks, who obviously play in the nation's biggest media market, had a real shot at getting to the championship series. But the Indiana Pacers knocked them out of the Eastern Conference finals to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder for all the marbles.
However, for true fans of basketball and students of the game, this is at least a somewhat attractive championship matchup, as both teams excel at the basics of the game. Oklahoma City has gotten lots of praise for its defense, which some have described as being historically great, while the Pacers feature a relentless fast break and an underrated defense of their own.
On a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast, Lakers superstar LeBron James outlined why this championship series is a good one for those who truly love basketball.
'So we have this Indiana-OKC situation and these are two great teams,' James said. 'And if you are a basketball fan and you really love our game, you can learn so much from watching the way both of those teams play. Yes, I understand you have your favorite players, you have your favorite colors, or whatever the case may be that drags you to it.
And I understand. There is something about that. But if we're just talking about the purity of the game and the sport, these are two teams that play the game the right way. And you love to see it.'
Both teams in the NBA Finals feature plenty of depth. Oklahoma City, in particular, has laughed in the face of the orthodox thinking that a team must tighten down to an eight-man rotation in the playoffs. Head coach Mark Daigneault has regularly given nine or even 10 men meaningful playing time during the playoffs, and only two of his players — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams — have averaged over 30 minutes a game.
The Pacers, who are coached by Rick Carlisle, have also played nine or 10 men throughout the postseason. This willingness to maximize bench players has allowed both teams to maintain a high-energy style of play on both ends of the floor.
On the other hand, Lakers head coach JJ Redick only seemed to trust seven of his players in the first round versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played only five men throughout the second half of Game 4, which led plenty of people to criticize him.
The Pacers currently lead the series two games to one after taking Game 3, 116-107, on Wednesday. Game 4 will take place on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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