SGA is MVP. The reason I'm pointing that out is because he received the MVP treatment at the end of Game 4 - so much so that even the opposing coach had to defend the refs. But he is MVP. Out of all the players in the league, Shai is entitled to that treatment, so to speak.
The thing tho is that Game 4 shifted the momentum of the series. Of course, I can't say that the Pacers would've won if Shai wasn't receiving somewhat generous calls or non-calls down the stretch. I don't like playing what if. But let me just say that, up until Game 5, OKC never definitively established themselves as the dominant team, as everyone, including myself, was expecting. I wasn't expecting them to dominate Indy like they did Minny, but still, niggas was struggling.
Shai was once again magnificent in Game 5, but the man who really led the charge, who was also instrumental during crunch time in Game 4, was Jalen Williams. SGA recently made a comment where he said he understood the value of a second fiddle when it comes to winning a championship. Williams is like the second coming of Scottie Pippen. And what people don't say is that there were times, even if not so often, when Pippen played better than Jordan.
As for Tyrese Haliburton, I sorta see him becoming like a Ben Simmons. But that's not to say the series is over - far from it. During these Finals, it's like you can feel the homecourt advantage. Look at how Haliburton shrinks in OKC. But in Indy, it's a different story. And as for Pascal Siakim and even T.J. McConnell, you know, those types, dudes don't give AF. Try to tell them they don't belong on the big stage or that the Thunder are flatout better.
SHOUTOUT TO AARON NEISMITH & CHET HOLMGREN
Also shoutout to Aaron Neismith, who once again had a ridiculous dunk, this time on Chet Holmgren. Remember that Aaron Gordon banged it on Chet also. The 2025 NBA Playoffs have been no joke.
I like Holmgren, because even though he's young and skinny, he's not afraid of the post or playing defense. It's players like him who are reminding the rest of the NBA that size does matter. And you know, he's like the Kukoc of the team, so to speak. But wait until Williams or SGA go down, and then you'll see how valuable he is.
All things considered, that's probably the biggest advantage the Thunder have over Indy - depth. I can't even call Myles Turner overrated, because I never really heard anyone big him up anyway, at least not in the last five years type shit. And unless dude turns into Shaq during these last two games, I'm really interested to see how much Indy is going to offer him this summer. Yeah, let him go to Detroit or whatever team is dumb enough to throw a shitload of money at Myles.
KEVIN DURANT IN "THE DIVA BLUES"
Speaking of Detroit, if there's one team in the NBA I'd like to see KD go to, without them giving up too much in return, it's the Pistons. Talk about instant contenders. And it's interesting that there doesn't seem to be any team out there, not even the lowly Spurs or the starchasing Knicks, that seem overly interested in him except, based on reports, Minnesota which, if I were them, I wouldn't give up Randle for Durant. Giving up Randle or Reid or any of those guys would sorta defeat the purpose. Gobert, if they can get rid of him, would make more sense, even though that would leave a big gaping hole in the middle. And now, looking at the way OKC is dominating the paint, you remember the value of interior D.
NBA teams have been incepted and are no longer enamored by divas. They know that KD has now been at the center of two failed superteams, the latter more disappointing than the first. They see how trying to placate an over-the-hill Lebron has destroyed what has traditionally been the best braintrust in the NBA. So, good luck KD. If you haven't already, learn how to concede the point.
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