Official NBA General Discussion 2025-26 V1.0

[djsunyc]

if okc loses, will presti have the balls to make an additive big time move? i guess we can shelve that discussion for a later date.

[sidsid]

if okc loses, will presti have the balls to make an additive big time move? i guess we can shelve that discussion for a later date.

I said it before game 7 in Denver. Win it all or lose, I'd trade Jdub for Giannis to make sure you don't get out flanked by the Spurs basically immediately. I know it wouldn't happen in the former, but it's the videogame trade you do to cement a dynasty.

[Basketball_Jones]

I guess Kawhi didn’t win OKC a championship after all!

[Tripod]

Isaiah Joe plays 4 mins and goes 2-2 from 3.

Maybe play him a little more?

[Coco Costanza]

OKC looks green.

And this is why I wasn't buying stock in OKC. They're not some grizzled, experienced team. They might be the better team, but the Pacers aren't afraid of them.

[dozo]

Both benches have been the difference maker for all three games of the finals.

Game 1: TJ,Obi
Game 2: Caruso,Wiggins
Game 3: Mathurin, TJ, Obi

The last 6 champs had guard depth and a veteran front court.

[pingpongrac]

It was definitely a flagrant, but you don't deserve a comeback win if you're just handing the ball lazily to the other team all game. TJ and a pretty perfect game from Mathurin prevented this from becoming another OKC blowout.

Weird one is I don't know what you'd change outside of more Chet/IHart minutes for OKC. You got what you wanted all game until winning time.

Still OKC in 6 for me. OKC slowly solving the various matchups they have. Just play cleaner and the wins should be comfortable.

This game was never trending towards being "another OKC blowout". OKC jumped out to an early lead then Indiana came right back, but neither team led by more than double digits all game. It was close all night and Indiana just played a more complete game and executed down the stretch.

This is why the games are played. OKC was the heavy favourite and they have led for the majority of the series, but their inexperience — and Indiana's experience as well as getting production from everyone — has given the Pacers a 2-1 lead. It's wild to me that OKC pretty much needs to win in blowout fashion because the Pacers have just been so composed and clutch down the stretch all post-season that you can never count them out if it's close in the 4th.

[DonDoolie]

Heart wants Pacers to win it all but my brain is still set on OKC in 6.

Always got to root for the underdog

[Westside Gunn]

Overrated
Overpaid
Selfish
Cabal
Holding Barnes back
Pecking order
On track to be the worst 3 point shooter in NBA history

TOOK HER ON A TRIP AND SPUN HER LIKE SIAKAM, 2 WINS AWAY FROM A 2ND CHAMPIONSHIP. Win or lose, what an amazing season for the Pacers. All facilitated by robbing the Raptors.

i opened this thread just to look for something like this

the siakam glazefest is back on

[Westside Gunn]

Missed the game again

But pretty surprised at the result
Really hard to replicate what the Pacers are doing, I dont think many of us saw them winning two games

[AbC?]

Overrated
Overpaid
Selfish
Cabal
Holding Barnes back
Pecking order
On track to be the worst 3 point shooter in NBA history

TOOK HER ON A TRIP AND SPUN HER LIKE SIAKAM, 2 WINS AWAY FROM A 2ND CHAMPIONSHIP. Win or lose, what an amazing season for the Pacers. All facilitated by robbing the Raptors.

i opened this thread just to look for something like this

the siakam glazefest is back on

Might've struck a nerve. I get it.

[Basketball_Jones]

Pacers suddenly turning into defensive juggernauts is probably the only thing surprising. They were supposed to be competitive due to their high octane offense but it’s their defense that’s taken them to the next level.

[Boardbreaker]

Nembhard and others being able to hound shai full court has him gassing hard by the end of games.

[HiJiNX]

Tried to tell yall this Pacers team had juice.

[WaltFrazier]

OKC looks green.

Yeah their youth is showing, great talent but first time Finals jitters. Chet and Williams need to be tougher

[pingpongrac]

Nembhard and others being able to hound shai full court has him gassing hard by the end of games.

Reminds me of our Championship run a bit. Having FVV/Green/Lowry all over Steph tired him out and forced others to step up as the series rolled along. He (and SGA so far) still put up numbers, but their overall impact was minimized.

[sidsid]

It was definitely a flagrant, but you don't deserve a comeback win if you're just handing the ball lazily to the other team all game. TJ and a pretty perfect game from Mathurin prevented this from becoming another OKC blowout.

Weird one is I don't know what you'd change outside of more Chet/IHart minutes for OKC. You got what you wanted all game until winning time.

Still OKC in 6 for me. OKC slowly solving the various matchups they have. Just play cleaner and the wins should be comfortable.

This game was never trending towards being "another OKC blowout". OKC jumped out to an early lead then Indiana came right back, but neither team led by more than double digits all game. It was close all night and Indiana just played a more complete game and executed down the stretch.

This is why the games are played. OKC was the heavy favourite and they have led for the majority of the series, but their inexperience — and Indiana's experience as well as getting production from everyone — has given the Pacers a 2-1 lead. It's wild to me that OKC pretty much needs to win in blowout fashion because the Pacers have just been so composed and clutch down the stretch all post-season that you can never count them out if it's close in the 4th.

Yes, Indiana came back...with bench minutes that have sank them for most of the playoffs. With handing TJ the ball for an immediate layup 3 separate times, and Mathurin dropping 27 instead of his combined 2 points in the two previous games. Had they played to their usual level, the OKC lead stretches and you're looking at game 2 again. The Pacers pushing for answers and OKC slowing the pace to a crawl and executing.

OKC has dominated the first two games and large stretches of this one.

If you believe these teams are equals, go ahead and say it. None of the numbers back this, and no analysts who are paid to comment on basketball think that either.

Yes, the games need to be played, and massive underdogs can win them, which is what the Pacers are.

[Los_29]

I guess Kawhi didn’t win OKC a championship after all!

Series isn’t over. Both are excellent teams and OKC has shown they can come back after a loss all year.

But I do believe Kawhi should be the first player to win executive of the year and first person to win executive of the year for a team he never worked for. He needs a statue in OKC.

[Los_29]

OKC basically took a page from Masai and Nurse’s playbook in that they rely so heavily on turning teams over and winning the possession battle. Only difference is OKC has an MVP in SGA.

OKC is a fun team to watch. Their defense is lethal. Tons of great defenders.

[Brinbe]

the pacers doing what they're doing is providing hope for every franchise that they can get there too with proper roster-building and great coaching. no one is pre-ordained.

not even as if the thunder played super horribly either. turnovers hurt but the pacers just shot better and mathurin emerging as the 3rd guy they've needed is pretty cool. and to think they're missing isaiah jackson during this entire run too