For the first time since 2006, the NBA’s Larry O’brien trophy is single,ready to mingle and has little to no idea who will be kissing her goodnight at seasons end. Hell,Even the wide open season of 06 was an anomaly. Picture a life long monogamist being blind sided by their spouse’s Ashley Madison account and subsequently suffering through an unforeseen divorce caused transition period, complete with a short fling with a bartender (Antawn Walker)before settling back in with a fellow sweet heart done wrong divorcee with a steady job and well behaved children.
Save the fling of 06,believe it or not this could be the first year since 1995 (!!!) that the finals haven’t involved at least one of the following people: MJ(96,97,98), Tim Duncan(99,03,05,07,13-14) Kobe(2000-2002, 2009/2010, 2004/08) Lebron ( 07,’11-18) or Steph Curry (2015-2019). That is only 5 people! 25 years and 5 people. Sure, you could make the list more fun and substitute in Robert Horry for a few years or less fun and replace Tim Duncan with Popovich but it is remarkable to me that one of these 5 people has been on the court in the Finals for the past 25 years. I suppose it just shows that the best players are almost always in the Finals (groundbreaking statement, I know).
And I hope it is the year we break the 25 year curse. I hated the KD Warriors so much they made me root for Cleveland Lebron (gasp!). I would have rooted for Satan himself over Miami Lebron. On opening night for the past 7 years we have known for sure at least one team that would be in the finals. No one misses the years when we knew the regular season had little to no meaning and the only truly exciting games would be the Western conference finals and the inevitable Cavs vs Warriors finals.
This season feels like going on a blind date set up by your sketchiest friend.You could fall in love, you could get murdered (possibly both).
Who will end their season by giving Larry O’brien a big, sloppy smooch on the lips?I hope it’s not the Clippers but Vegas tentatively has them as the favorite. Kawhi looks like the new MJ, but will Paul George’s knee and dating history get in his way?It could be the Bucks. Hell, Pat Connaoughtan (who I wish was pitching for the Orioles) could be the finals MVP. For the first time in a long time we are one injury, trade, or affair from chaos. I love chaos. Did I not mention China?
Back Court Press 