2025 NBA FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 1-0)

[Warriorguy]

So much ignorance.

Not really. That OKC team was more talented but just too fresh & top heavy. If that core stayed together, I think they would've won some chips. This OKC team is way more balanced & deeper though & works beautifully in today's NBA.

Nah it's ignorance especially coming from a Warrior fan. OKC lost a title to a prime Bron's first real finals run i. 2012. They were heavy favorites to win 2013 but lost Westbrook in the first round. 2014 they had Ibaka missing for the 2 crucial games. 2015 Durant missed the entire season after 30 games or so due to injury. 2016 the roster was finally fully healthy and they won a series against a 67 win team and pushed a 73 win team to 7 games.

Meanwhile, the worshipped warriors won their first title when Kyrie and Love were both injured in the finals, lost the next season after being up 3-1, and won in 17 and 18 due to an unprecedented cap spike and KD choosing to be a snake.

You need a lot of luck to win an NBA title. Warriors were one of the luckiest ones to do this. "Old okc quatro had more talent but they never won" is something I'll never even hear from a Warrior fan.

So much still does not dispute the fact they did not win. Plus as a KD fan all those were know facts. You can only beat the teams you play.

We have history to see how good OKC teams. With injuries etc OKC may never have another all star. See D Rose or bad luck of Warriors vs Tor aftermath.

Next year will be telling with some many extension eligible players

[littlerock2277]

Westbrook should sign a minimum contract with OKc next year and look to get a ring just be a bench warmer and have a good time.

[iggymcfrack]

I say Carlisle comes out with a great game plan to steal Game 1 and make it a series, but ultimately Thunder win in 6. Their talent is too much.

[cjx]

A prophecy for the RealGM Fam, embrace the power

Game 1: Pacers win (1-0)
Game 2: OKC wins (1-1)
Game 3: Pacers win (2-1)
Game 4: OKC wins (2-2)
Game 5: Pacers win (3-2)
Game 6: Pacers win (4-2), Siakam wins Finals MVP

It is what it is, book it !

[bucknut]

haliburton doesn't turn it over
pacers great transition defense
only team that can run with okc/match depth
pacers have more scorers and more shooters. more ballhandles
okc has less rebounding then knicks and cavs. Can chet attack turner like towns ?
paces have more dogs
pacers have another gear they can go to - haven't really been pushed yet but show serious grit when they are off a loss

people forget how bad the options outside sga were looking or how much jwill was being questioned as a legit #2

The Denver nuggets have one of the worst depth in the league, and actually had a zone that left plenty of open shots that okc missed routinely. Jokic played the 2 worst games of his playoff career. Actually Controlled the middle part of that series, and game 7 before the depth got inserted.
-
T-wolves had chris finch (not carlisle) and got there beating a stephless warriors. OKC out possessioned them by 20 in game 4 and still barely won.

OKC may have been so focused during the regular season they don't have another level like the pacers.

Outside of defense favoring okc , I think pacers have alot going for them. They already did the impossible beating the cavs. Think its going to be a long series and much closer to a coin flip

[Marrs-Law]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

[bucknut]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

pacers need to throw in to siakam more and let him work when the game slows down and they get caught in a halfcourt game. Barkley is right about this. Who guards siakam ?

[NyKnicks1714]

These two teams combined payroll is less than what PHX paid this year

According to Bobby Marks

I feel like this is a little misleading. It's mostly a testament to how crazy the luxury tax can get. Phoenix is about $33 million over the luxury tax threshold but they're paying over $150 million in luxury taxes. Also OKC has the benefit of having two all-star caliber players still on their rookie deals.

[Marrs-Law]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

pacers need to throw in to siakam more and let him work when the game slows down and they get caught in a halfcourt game. Barkley is right about this. Who guards siakam ?

Chet is too weak, inexperienced, and not long enough to make up for his weaknesses I suspect. I don't know tons about the Thunders' elite defenders like Jdub, Jwill, Cason Wallace etc. etc. but I don't know if those guys are big enough to slow down Siakam enough.

Could do something like they did against Jokic and go Caruso & swarm or whatever, but I feel the Pacers should be ready for that.

At the end of the day, Siakam isn't Giannis, and while he basically won two games for the Pacers, he has his limitations. We will need other players to play above their level.

[ShootersShoot]

So much ignorance.

Not really. That OKC team was more talented but just too fresh & top heavy. If that core stayed together, I think they would've won some chips. This OKC team is way more balanced & deeper though & works beautifully in today's NBA.

Nah it's ignorance especially coming from a Warrior fan. OKC lost a title to a prime Bron's first real finals run i. 2012. They were heavy favorites to win 2013 but lost Westbrook in the first round. 2014 they had Ibaka missing for the 2 crucial games. 2015 Durant missed the entire season after 30 games or so due to injury. 2016 the roster was finally fully healthy and they won a series against a 67 win team and pushed a 73 win team to 7 games.

Meanwhile, the worshipped warriors won their first title when Kyrie and Love were both injured in the finals, lost the next season after being up 3-1, and won in 17 and 18 due to an unprecedented cap spike and KD choosing to be a snake.

You need a lot of luck to win an NBA title. Warriors were one of the luckiest ones to do this. "Old okc quatro had more talent but they never won" is something I'll never even hear from a Warrior fan.

To say that thunder team with harden never won one is absolute ignorance. Harden was 23 years old when they traded him and broke up the core. They are imo one of the biggest what ifs in nba history. People act like that core was together a decade and never won a chip.

[___Rand___]

It's hard to tell how teams with really dominant team identities will clash with each other. Pacers play really fast, and OKC is a really fast and deep team. Either the speed and ball movement will be kryponite to OKC's defense, or OKC's propensity to turn teams over will actually act as a multiplier against a team that moves the ball a lot (more movement equals more passes and more opportunities for turnovers). If OKC's turnover machine can force Indiana into 1 on 1 offense with minimal passing, OKC wins easy. If Indiana can work their offense to break down OKC's defense, they can win it.

I really don't know. Good luck Pacers fans. I love yall now but hate yall going forward.

OKC is as fast as Pacers. And they are also more disciplined on transition defense than Knicks. So Pacers won't be getting that many fast break points. Same goes for OKC. Pacers have better ball handlers than Wolves who were easy picking for OKC. OKC won't be getting that many turnovers. OKC has the quickness and length to defend the 3 point line so this is going to really cramp up Pacers' style. OKC can also pick up Hali full court entire game and slow him down, and limit his passing ability. OKC has the defenders to shut down Hali. OKC has the bigs inside to slow down Pascal although I think Pascal can be defended by Dort or Caruso or other wings who have quicker feet. Carlisle will have to come up with some different looks than what we've seen from them so far. As much as I want to see competitive Finals, I don't think this series will be long. Most likely OKC in 5. (I would love to be wrong!!!)

[___Rand___]

I’m very curious as to how OKC is going to deal with Siakam. He’s been a major matchup problem throughout the playoffs, and I see no reason as to why he doesn’t have his way with Chet in this one. And that depth of Indy is going to be unlike anything OKC has ever dealt with.
SGA vs Haliburton is going to be a war. Can’t wait to see it.

Pascal is better defended by someone like Caruso, with Hartenstein as rim protector.

[james vincent]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

pacers need to throw in to siakam more and let him work when the game slows down and they get caught in a halfcourt game. Barkley is right about this. Who guards siakam ?

A combo of Chet, J-Dub, Dort, Caruso, Jaylin and some Hartenstein. It’ll be by committee.

[ArksNetsSince99]

Voted Pacers in 6 , but I’m not so confident this time around

Let’s GO PACERS !!!!! I’m with you all the way

[Dadouv47]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

pacers need to throw in to siakam more and let him work when the game slows down and they get caught in a halfcourt game. Barkley is right about this. Who guards siakam ?

Chet is too weak, inexperienced, and not long enough to make up for his weaknesses I suspect. I don't know tons about the Thunders' elite defenders like Jdub, Jwill, Cason Wallace etc. etc. but I don't know if those guys are big enough to slow down Siakam enough.

Could do something like they did against Jokic and go Caruso & swarm or whatever, but I feel the Pacers should be ready for that.

At the end of the day, Siakam isn't Giannis, and while he basically won two games for the Pacers, he has his limitations. We will need other players to play above their level.

I think JDub has a decent chance of doing a great job against Siakam.

To me, it's gonna come down to the front court battle whether it's a very competitive series or not. If Chet/Hartenstein/JDub gets the best of Turner/Siakam I don't see us losing but if the opposite occurs it's gonna be a very tough and close series.

[hardenASG13]

Dog quotient

Pacers dogs. Nembhard mcconnell neismith and shephard

OKC dogs. Caruso

in what world mcconnel (is this guy playable?) is a bigger dog than dort cason chet jdub

McConnel is definitely playable and a dog. I don't disagree about OKC having the same type of guys though.

[azcatz11]

I wonder how raps fans are feeling watching this POs and all their old guys absolutely going off. Siakam for BI seems like a downgrade of epic proportions. Just a rough, rough situation

Civil war may break out on our forums yet again.

With that said, it wasn’t just Siakam for Ingram. It was Siakam for Ingram at ~80% of the salary on less years + Walter + Agbaji + Jamal Shead + whatever we do with Portland’s 2nd this year.

Your board is something else man…talk about passion. A lot of different opinions. Non stop entertainment lol

[Raps in 4]

A prophecy for the RealGM Fam, embrace the power

Game 1: Pacers win (1-0)
Game 2: OKC wins (1-1)
Game 3: Pacers win (2-1)
Game 4: OKC wins (2-2)
Game 5: Pacers win (3-2)
Game 6: Pacers win (4-2), Siakam wins Finals MVP

It is what it is, book it !

Agreed.

[Raps in 4]

I wonder how raps fans are feeling watching this POs and all their old guys absolutely going off. Siakam for BI seems like a downgrade of epic proportions. Just a rough, rough situation

Moving on from Pascal was the right move. He isn't a first option, his role overlapped with the much younger Barnes, and having him on the team would have prevented us from rebuilding. The Raptors with Siakam were a treadmill team.

The wrong move was waiting until he was an expiring contract to trade him, and then immediately after one season of rebuilding, paying a worse version of him to play for us. We're now back on the treadmill with little to show for trading Siakam. If the goal was to treadmill, we could have just kept the old core together.

Siakam, OG, and Fred should all have been traded in 2023 and we shouldn't have traded the 2022 #20 pick for Thaddeus Young and the 2024 #8 pick for Yakob Poeltl.

[flytimes11]

On offense, I assume that the Pacers will quickly and accurately attack OKC in schemes with drop coverage, free-safety, sagging etc. and make OKC play straight up. I can't imagine Haliburton is not at least partially limited in this series. The Pacers' offense has been very resilient, and players like Siakam, Nembhard etc. have shown they can sustain competent offensive production at times, so I don't think we're doomed. OKC's defense is a different animal than the Knicks and Cavs, however. I don't think they have anyone who really matches up on Siakam too well; we need him to have another huge series. I don't think the Pacers will be scoring in the nineties but I think OKC has a really good chance to slow us down a little bit, and in that case the math doesn't really add up with how much OKC is scoring.

On defense, Shai can average forty like Giannis & Mitchell, but we need to be able to limit his creation for others. I think Neismith has a decent chance of staying in front of Shai, and while it's not "good" per se I think the Pacers have a path to victory if we keep Shai a jumpshooter who isn't really generating good advantages for others. If we can consistently make JDub, Chet, and the Thunder role players the players who have to beat us and limit advantages I think we have a shot.

I trust Carlisle much more than Diagneault, and I think the Thunder are inexperienced and are much more likely to make mistakes in close situations. I hate to say it, but objectively I think it goes Thunder in seven. I worry that the Thunder are just too good; there's only so much you can play up against an opponent. I do think we have an, albeit unlikely, shot. If anyone can upset them with this strength disparity, it's this Pacers team. Should be a great series.

Don’t overthink it. I think okc beats pacers worse than they beat Minnesota.