In reality, this is our only semi-final series in either conference so far which has produced any real competitive drama. It would appear OKC, the NY Knicks, possibly the Detroit Pistons depending on their Game 3 today in Cleveland, and San Antonio are Final Four bound.
Three young teams and the veteran Knicks, who btw did win the Emirates NBA Cup way back in Decemeber over the Spurs.
Was the Emirates Cup way back then giving us a clue as to the teams headed for the NBA Finals?
My concern for the Thunder right now is they have had such an easy path to the conference finals they haven’t been pushed at all to take their game to a higher level.
Quite the contrary with the Spurs…. who had to take a very hard look in the mirror after their Game 1 home loss to the gritty Minnesota TWolves.
Coach Mitch Johnson, Wemby, and De’Aaron Fox were very much under the glare of the bright lights for their shortcomings in Game 1. But all three since have been superb as the Spurs have won two straight and head into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead.
Going into last night…Minnesota had previously won seven straight games at home versus the Spurs. But San Antonio came out of the gates with a 16-1 spurt to open the game and then held on in the fourth quarter with what I would describe as a historical glimpse of basketball from Wemby which might indeed be a look into the future of where NBA dominance is headed.
In the fourth period, Wemby scored 16 of his 39 points, and led his team in every imaginable manner. His line on the night read…39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks. His shooting lines were even more revealing…13-18 from the field, 3-5 beyond the arc, and 10-12 from the line.
It was a stunning exhibition against a good Minnesota team which prides itself on its defense and sense of overall hate towards the opposition. It was the singular moment so far in these playoffs which dwarfed Shai’s last two performances versus the Phoenix Suns, or what Cade did to close out the Orlando Magic.
Again…if I’m Sam Presti and the Thunder—I would be very much locked in on this opportunity for a repeat because with what we saw from Wemby last night just getting back to the NBA Finals might be a tough path with the Spurs standing in the way every season moving forward.
What I’m saying is…you could take all of those draft picks the Thunder still have stored away, and from what I’m seeing we’re just now witnessing what this guy is going to be capable of…kind of like an AI player of the future.
Chet, Isaiah…enjoy the rest of your Laker vacation because in front of you stands the present and the future.
As far as Anthony Edwards…he was courageous and excellent in this game. He gave himself up for his team. He threw the minutes restriction aside and played 40:33 on the night. He carried his team like a warrior. I was proud of him….Wemby was just better and more clutch.
AE had a 32 point, 14 rebound, and 6 assist night and it wasn’t enough.
Coach Chris Finch severely shortened his bench in Game 3 to eight players, actually seven when you consider Mike Conley only played 4 minutes in this game.
Again…there isn’t any blame here or finger to point. Wemby was just historically brilliant in what was a clutch moment we will all remember moving forward as passionate fans of the game which we love.
Game 4 in Minnesota is basically an elimination game for the TWolves. If the Spurs win this game…the series for all practical purposes is over. It will be interesting for me to see how Coach Finch allots his minutes given the rest period between games now shrinks from three days to two days of recovery.
In anotherwords…what will Anthony Edwards have left in his tank after Friday night and that 40:33 marker with a sore knee?
I’m not in the least excited about the Thunder-Laker today game and I’ll be covering the Detroit at Cleveland game for the blog in conjunction with the Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Game 3 tonight.
Very cool prospect for me with the Avs given we’re headed back to Colorado this coming week as they’re two games away from punching their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. Denver may be a Bronco town first, but its very much a big-time hockey town as well. I can’t wait.
Have a beautiful Saturday as more storms are headed our way again this evening in Deer Creek.
Mike J