Doc Searls Weblog

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Weekendings

Finals thoughts. I'm a lifelong Knicks fan who felt that the Knicks and the Pacers are (or were) so evenly matched that the difference would be coaching. And that's why I thought the Knicks would win game six in Indianapolis last night, and close the series with game seven in New York. Tom Thibodeau did such a great job game-planing against the Pacers for game five that I thought the Knicks were good for the rest. Alas, the Pacers are a bit better. And maybe really the best in the East. They did take out the Cavaliers, which is non-trivial. But the Knicks are still among the top few teams in the league, and no worse than third in the East. So I want them to hold the team together for next year. NBA teams aren't just a collection of "assets." They are men who play for each other. Don't discount what you've got. Oh, and work on offense. Get KAT more involved. Let Robinson keep improving. You know the rest. Meanwhile, I am in Indiana, which is crazy about basketball and the Pacers. So, in respect for my neighbors, I'd like to see the Pacers win the finals. But I'm betting that the Thunder take the series in five.

Not mine. Any more, anyway. Does alcohol kill brain cells?

Your altitude may vary. This is why my flight from Baltimore to Indianapolis was so smooth this morning: https://aviationweather.gov/

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3 responses to “Weekendings”

  1. Dave's linkblog

    […] Weekendings […]

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  2. Peter M. Avatar
    Peter M.

    (Warriors fan here) One interesting aspect of this year’s conference finals is that none of the aging superstars made it. No Lebron, no KD, no Curry, etc.

    In light of this, in terms of team building, the Knicks are already on the other side. Warriors haven’t started on this road, Lakers still have Lebron but they know it is another year or two and decision-making around this are already apparent.

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    1. Doc Searls Avatar
      Doc Searls

      My take, of the moment: With the new CBA limits— aprons, luxury taxes, penalties, and the rest, the alpha teams with the big star salaries (Warriors, Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Sixers…) and the hurt bodies are struggling, while the well-run young teams, with young bodies and affordable salaries, are winning. It’s no coincidence that the two finalists are from secondary markets and payrolls below the luxury tax. OKC has been especially smart. Here’s another factor nobody talks about: teams in the flat states, which includes Colorado from Denver eastward, have shorter flights to other NBA cities. As a frequent flier, I can say that matters. I now fly everywhere from Indianapolis, and it’s an hour easier to the West Coast than from New York, DC or Boston. OKC is even better positioned.

      I’m pulling for the Pacers now, but I don’t expect the series to go past five games. OKC is that good.

      Reply

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