This could certainly be a historic night for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Year 17 of the franchise being in Oklahoma instead of Seattle. The Sonics won their lone champuonship in 1979 with the Jack Sikma, Dennis Johnson, and Downtown Freddie Brown group. So for the franchise collectively…this could be the first title in 46 years.
We have no idea what the game time status of Tyrese Haliburton will be come tip. I will suggest this though…In ’71 Willis Reed did comeback, but he didn’t play the point guard position and wasn’t ask to direct his team’s offense against a pack of pit bulls and dobermans like the Thunder’s defense can be at times when they’re locked in with Alex Caruso leading the mob mentality.
I think it would be irresponsible of Rick Carlisle to throw Tyrese Haliburton out there if it’s obvious he can’t go at the very least around the 90% threshold. Plus, if he does play–I would think the minutes would be calibrated much lower than his normal minutes on the court.
We saw this same type of injury derail Aaron Gordon at the end of the semi-final round…and again, Aaron Gordon was not being asked to play the point guard position against this very physical, swarming Thunder defense.
To me…this means Rick Carlisle needs to tell his other five guards who have played in this series they need to be completely ready to absorb those Haliburton minutes and give their team a chance to win this Game 6 at home.
Which means TJ McConnell, Aaron Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Mathurin, and Ben Shepperd all need to elevate their games in a significant sustained manner for 48 minutes if Haliburton cannot go.
Do I think it’s possible in a home game setting for Indy to win without Haliburton.?
I do. But not something I would bet on. But you never know and that’s why we play the game. We have seen glimpes of excellence from TJ McConnell, Nesmith, Nimbhard, and Mathrutin in this series. But we did not see it in Game 5 in Oklahoma City from these latter three guys. Especiallly from Nembhard and Mathurin who appeared shell-shocked from the Thunder crowd.
To me…this would also mean Rick Carlisle should probably roll Obi Toppin out there for more minutes to absorb some of those Haliburton lost minutes. And it will be imperative for both Siakam and Myles Turner to both have strong games and stay out of foul trouble. And some good minutes are probably going to be needed from Bradley as well.
On the other side of the equation…this series should have been over in Game 5 if not for the overthink antics of Mark Daigneault screwing with the starting lineup and rotations which didn’t need Cason Wallace playing 33 minutes a game in the NBA Finals. I’m not going through my entire rant again on that, but it would seem to me the Thunder seem to have it figured out heading into Game 6 tonight in Indy.
What a special night it could be for the state of Oklahoma to hoist an O’Brien Trophy to culminate an NBA championship and an 84 win season of regular season and playoff games combined.
Complete and absolute vindication for Sam Presti and all that transpired after Game 6 versus Golden State in 2016 until basically tonight or in Game 7 in Oklahoma City if the series continues beyond tonight.
We will be witnessing history as the youngerst team since the ’77-’78 Portland Trailblazers could be culminating the original dream of Clay Bennett and Aubrey McClendon. That being, to bring and sustain championship NBA level basketball to Oklahoma City.
I wonder if Sam Anderson from the NY Times has an eye on tonight’s game and if he has something in the works as an epilogue of sorts to Boom Town.
A great deal to absorb as we get ready for what is now the most important game in the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I have to admit…the struggle and the rebuild are great stories in themselves.
Good luck to both groups. You’ve given us a compelling Finals.
Mike J