FUK IS CHET?
While watching the highlights from Game 1, the thing that kept playing in my mind is 'where is Chet Homlgren?' Like why aren't the Thunder going to him more? They de-factored him, basically.
Either Indiana outsmarted OKC, or OKC outsmarted themselves. They got sucked into sort of a fast-paced, athletic game. The Thunder can run with the best, but still, downsizing their strategy to match the Pacers' speed wasn't particularly smart, almost like they forgot what got them here in the first place. Holmgren may be hell of a basketball player, but he isn't necessarily fast and athletic. The Pacers' win wasn't overly convincing, in terms of them proving that they're actually a better team, but they did win the mind game.
To my knowledge, Isaiah Hartenstein has been starting throughout the entire Playoffs. So why now all of a sudden they decide to bring him off the bench? Are the Pacers truly that intimidating, that you have to change what works, and then still lose? At least lose a game with the proven starting lineup before making changes.
THE SIZE FACTOR?
The one clear advantage OKC has over Indiana, all things considered, is their size. The Pacers aren't exactly small themselves, but since Myles Turner doesn't play like a traditional C, nor Obi Toppin like a standard big, still there's a size advantage.
It may be debatable how much size is truly advantageous against a team that not only favors the three but also tends to make them. But again, let the Pacers actually beat the bigs before concluding that the starting lineup needs to change. Now, if OKC does roll out the starting bigs in Game 2 and lose again, oh my goodness, confidence shaken.
The thing about the Pacers is that there's so many guys you have to keep your eye on. You have these long stretches where like Tyrese Haliburton doesn't really seem to do shit. Sometimes, it looks like he's even hiding. like 'please don't pass me the ball'. But when they need him most, he shows out and succeeds. If Indiana also wins Game 2, you know, on some last-second play type shit, the "miracle" implications are going to reach a whole new level.
SHOUTOUT TO OBI TOPPIN
Of all the players in this series, the one I would like see win a championship most is Obi Toppin, not saying I necessarily want Indy to win, but still. He was one of the first players, upon the Knicks recently going into GM Lebron mode, who ended up being devalued and eventually 'traded to the Pacers for two future second-round picks', despite being a NY fan favorite. Damn, the disrespect.
SHOUTOUT TO PASCAL SIAKIM
Pascal Siakim isn't necessarily what you would call a superstar. Like he seemed, after a hot start, to sorta fade away as Game 1 wore on. But that hot start was exactly what the Pacers needed, like 'yeah, it is possible to beat OKC in the Finals on their homecourt'.
Pascal is aging, but he's always been more or less a supporting star anyway. And that's the thing about Indiana, like their entire roster is made up of (overachieving) supporting players. Even Haliburton, you know, he may be "Steph of the East", but he isn't like a deadass Steph, like he hasn't reached (prime) Curry's level of consistency yet, if ever.
These guys all like compliment each other well. The mark of a good team isn't when all players are perfect but rather when they mitigate each other's deficiencies. OKC is also like that, to some degree, but they need to stick to the gameplan, win or lose, that got them here.
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