No…Jeb Bush wasn’t debating inside of Gainbridge Arena on Thursday night during Game 6 of these NBA Finals. But given the apparent disinterest and listfulness displayed by the Thunder…it had that Jeb Bush feel to it from the Thunder minus the nice 10-2 start which went poof soon-after.
108-91 in no way indicates how bad the Thunder were…or maybe, how gritty these stubborn Pacers are. But know this…I’m pretty certain these Pacers who have been absolute road warriors during these NBA Playoffs are going into Game 7 with the belief they can win the game even if Scott Foster is one of the game officials.
Since I mentioned Scott Foster…this is where I would suggest as you breakdown Sunday’s Game 7 in Oklahoma City you might use what MJ calls the Scott Foster metric in OKC. That being…if Scott Fosster is part of the crew you might want to calibrate 12-16 free throws for SGA.
Give the Pacers a ton of credit in this game. They handled the Tyrese situation just about perfectly. Tyrese looked pretty much healthy and played lighter minutes and yet made a solid contribution with 14 points, nice ball decisions, and that smile of his which I’m sure is infectious to his teammates.
I don’t think in anyway MJ will need to mention Willis Reed or Aaron Gordon on Sunday morning when I do my Game-Day breakdown of Game 7.
Six Pacers scored in double figures with Obi Toppin leading the way with 20 and Andrew Nembhard clutch with 17 points, excellent on ball decisions, and tough, physical defense on Shai.
In all six Pacers scored in double figures with Siakam kicking in a 14,13 double-double, TJ MCConnell excellent again with 17 points, and Aaron Nesmith adding 10 points, physicality, and TPSSN all over the floor.
*Toughness, Physicality, Smarts, Snarl, Nasty. The passive submissives over there at the Daily Thunder could never come to terms with this very simple metric. Tramel understands it though. MJ’s best pupil by far.
Indiana didn’t turn the ball over much. Didn’t fuel easy transitional points to the Thunder. Shot a very respectable 15-42 from beyond the arc. Won the boards 46-41. Won almost every meaningful 50-50 ball…and got their starters off the floor for most of the fourth period.
Rick Carlisle was masterful on how he handled the Tyrese injury situation from a human standpoint. That’s what great coaches do..they always remember their players are human and not some piece of chattel.
2nd Rule of Coaching…The great coaches display their own unique character and personality to their players for special moments. This Game 6 was special moment for the Pacers in the present and in the future down the road.
I’m going to take a break from the Finals tomorrow and go see that new FI movie starring Brad Pitt. That’s definitely a movie I will see in a real theatre.
Then I’ll get back on here Sunday morning for my Game 7 takes for what for me has been a very special NBA Finals as far as the enjoyment I derived from being able to be healthy enough to actually do this. and spend more time with my loved ones.
My Four Stars of Game 6 went in this order…1 Andrew Nembhard, 2 Siakam, 3 TJ McConnell, and 4 Obi Toppin.
Have a wonderful Saturday day off from the NBA Finals. This has really turned out into a great series either way it goes on Sunday evening.
Mike J