Did you miss any star power in the playoffs and finals this season?

MrPainfulTruth · Post #1 » by **MrPainfulTruth** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:24 pm

Many guys predicted that the much more balanced situation in the postseason this year, once all superteams were removed, would lead to dull, uninteresting series. Superstars were missing, the star power of LeBron, KD, Steph, AD, Giannis, Lillard, Luka, Ant or Joker seems to be the thing that makes basketball watchable for some guys. But even as a dedicated Jokic fan i have to say i havent missed the big egos of former stars - now washed - a bit. Noone who is still playing falls in that category for me. How do you feel about the lack of star power?

Post #2 » by **cupcakesnake** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:43 pm

I think it depends on if someone enjoys watching basketball games.

Most people watching these finals are having a pretty great time. Amazing defense, incredible coaching. Incredible stand out performances from individuals, followed up by the other team adjusting the next game and humiliating them. Both teams having to work like crazy for everything. It's been pure basketball nirvana for 6 games going on 7.

If you don't have time or interest in tuning in to watch many of the games, maybe the characters and storylines aren't catching your interest. It's fine and I get that. I do kind of wish that it wasn't so common for people who weren't watching to voice their opinion as though they were.

UcanUwill · Post #3 » by **UcanUwill** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:46 pm

Would have liked seeing Luka for longer, but I am good.

Kingdibs19 · Post #4 » by **Kingdibs19** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:59 pm

MrPainfulTruth wrote:Many guys predicted that the much more balanced situation in the postseason this year, once all superteams were removed, would lead to dull, uninteresting series. Superstars were missing, the star power of LeBron, KD, Steph, AD, Giannis, Lillard, Luka, Ant or Joker seems to be the thing that makes basketball watchable for some guys. But even as a dedicated Jokic fan i have to say i havent missed the big egos of former stars - now washed - a bit. Noone who is still playing falls in that category for me. How do you feel about the lack of star power?

So Jokic has a big ego and SGA doesnt? Don’t agree with your made up narrative for the premise of this thread.

MrPainfulTruth · Post #5 » by **MrPainfulTruth** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:10 pm

Kingdibs19 wrote:
MrPainfulTruth wrote:Many guys predicted that the much more balanced situation in the postseason this year, once all superteams were removed, would lead to dull, uninteresting series. Superstars were missing, the star power of LeBron, KD, Steph, AD, Giannis, Lillard, Luka, Ant or Joker seems to be the thing that makes basketball watchable for some guys. But even as a dedicated Jokic fan i have to say i havent missed the big egos of former stars - now washed - a bit. Noone who is still playing falls in that category for me. How do you feel about the lack of star power?

So Jokic has a big ego and SGA doesnt? Don’t agree with your made up narrative for the premise of this thread.

Jokic has zero ego. But i dont feel like SGA is on that superstar level yet. He is kind of primus inter pares among that very balanced OKC team. One night its him another its someone else. We root for or against OKC, not SGA. Thats quite different with previous generations of superstars.

Optms · Post #6 » by **Optms** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:17 pm

SGA is the MVP, possible Finals MVP, First team All NBA, best scorer in the league and arguably the best player in the game.

If he isn't a superstar then no one is.

Optms · Post #7 » by **Optms** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:21 pm

I feel like these finals has everything you'd want as a basketball fan minus the big markets.

Yes, SGA brings plenty of star power too. He isn't on the LeBron or Curry tier of name recognition but he's better than both. Don Luka will be back in the Finals next year everyone so dont worry.

Post #8 » by **tsherkin** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:22 pm

There has been plenty of star power. But this Finals matchup has been fantastic regardless. And of course, SGA is a monster of a player, a superstar anyway. And the Pacers have Hali and Siakam, so it's not like they've lacked upper-level talent, they're just a more distributed offense.

whatisacenter · Post #9 » by **whatisacenter** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:26 pm

I chose that I don’t miss the stars but I think the thread is a little misleading.

SGA is superstar material so I think it should be, “Do you miss watching the old guard-LeBron, Steph, KD, Giannis etc”.

These finals have been exciting if you like good basketball.

jkvonny · Post #10 » by **jkvonny** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:31 pm

Optms wrote:I feel like these finals has everything you'd want as a basketball fan minus the big markets.

Yes, SGA brings plenty of star power too. He isn't on the LeBron or Curry tier of name recognition but he's better than both. Don Luka will be back in the Finals next year everyone so dont worry.

True post.

Also, will Luka be joining the Thunder or Pacers next season?

jkvonny · Post #11 » by **jkvonny** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:32 pm

whatisacenter wrote:I chose that I don’t miss the stars but I think the thread is a little misleading.

SGA is superstar material so I think it should be, “Do you miss watching the old guard-LeBron, Steph, KD, Giannis etc”.

These finals have been exciting if you like good basketball.

This right here.

M2J · Post #12 » by **M2J** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:32 pm

The star power helps, but to me being a real fan of the league.... SGA is a real star. Everybody else, maybe not

jkvonny · Post #13 » by **jkvonny** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:32 pm

tsherkin wrote:There has been plenty of star power. But this Finals matchup has been fantastic regardless. And of course, SGA is a monster of a player, a superstar anyway. And the Pacers have Hali and Siakam, so it's not like they've lacked upper-level talent, they're just a more distributed offense.

And this, too.

adubmac · Post #14 » by **adubmac** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:40 pm

This is how new stars are born. Even SGA, who is a star, who jump another level in terms of recognition with a win tonight.

MavsDirk41 · Post #15 » by **MavsDirk41** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 5:07 pm

Dont care about star power, just want a good series. SGA is the league mvp and a star anyways.

Effigy · Post #16 » by **Effigy** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 7:12 pm

No. We are seeing new stars emerge not watching the old declining ones.

jokeboy86 · Post #17 » by **jokeboy86** » Sun Jun 22, 2025 10:56 pm

cupcakesnake wrote:I think it depends on if someone enjoys watching basketball games.

Most people watching these finals are having a pretty great time. Amazing defense, incredible coaching. Incredible stand out performances from individuals, followed up by the other team adjusting the next game and humiliating them. Both teams having to work like crazy for everything. It's been pure basketball nirvana for 6 games going on 7.

If you don't have time or interest in tuning in to watch many of the games, maybe the characters and storylines aren't catching your interest. It's fine and I get that. I do kind of wish that it wasn't so common for people who weren't watching to voice their opinion as though they were.

I’ve come to realize that a lot of people don’t really enjoy watching the actual game of basketball but just the highlight plays. Like I’ll watch high level basketball played by 11 or 12 year old boys or girls or the best boys or girls high school basketball teams. Been watching the WNBA since its inception and will watch Fiba games. The sport of basketball has so many elements to it that make it enjoyable (imo)to watch so it’s surprising to me how many people don’t watch if said “star” is not on or the word boring is thrown around if no one is dunking, crossing over, or shooting 3’s. Maybe I’m just a junkie :dontknow: