May 26, 2025
I hope you enjoyed your weekend!
The Eastern and Western Conference Finals are the basketball equivalent of the Incredicoaster at Disneyland. Up, down, twists, turns and double loops are an accurate way of describing this remarkable pair of series with 4 teams that found a way to weave their way to this point.
On a personal note, I have been watching the NBA and the playoffs since Wilt, Russell and West were competing. The playoffs this year have been highly entertaining as much for their unpredictability as for the outstanding play of individuals and teams at times combined with historic meltdowns and reversals of fortune in disproportionately bizarre manners. One aspect of the playoffs is that it is both a microcosm and showcase of what is both good and bad about the NBA game in 2025.
Let’s go ‘3 from Deep!’
1) Let’s start in the Eastern Conference Finals. Games 1 and 3 featured ludicrous comebacks by both teams. Indiana’s 138 – 135 overtime victory in front of a stunned Madison Square Garden crowd was unique. The Knicks were up 9 with 58 seconds to go and lost. The Pacers were up 20 in Game 3 in Indiana and came roaring back on the 4th quarter play of KAT and a mixture of bench players that stepped up while Jalen Brunson sat on the bench with 5 fouls. Check out the stories on the nuances of the game by Ben Golliver at the Washington Post of several pieces in the New York Times Athletic section. Particularly touching is the dedication of KAT to his Mom’s memory.
2) The Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Thunder just became very intriguing. The Thunder looked like a juggernaut after 2 convincing, dominant beatdowns of the Wolves in OKC. The Wolves responded with a 40 point thrashing in Minneapolis. Game 4 tonight will tell many tales!
3) The WNBA is now in full swing and the most disappointing aspect is that the play of the teams and individuals is overshadowed by the petty, mean spirited focus on the demeaning of Caitlin Clark. This is at the league level with their inept silence that this is real. This is at the officiating level in their blatant biased calling of the game when Clark is playing. This is at the player level with their cheapshots and childish jealousies on full display. Talk about not ready for primetime… I am going to look deeper into the uncomfortable social issues before commenting. To the WNBA – you are only in the public eye because of Caitlin Clark’s appeal. Just like Tiger, Michael, Larry and Magic; you can’t predict when a person will galvanize the interest around a sport. The WNBA gets an F- in my books in how they continue to allow the junior high antics to continue.
● Overtime…
– Canada Basketball’s men’s 3×3 national team qualified for the FIBA3x3 World Cup by winning 3 straight over the weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan. Edmonton’s Steve Sir led the way with 22 points and 9 – 2 pointers in the 3 contests. This Canada’s first World Cup appearance for the men since 2018. The
powerhouse women’s 3×3 team had previously qualified. The World Cup is hosted by Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and runs from June 23 – 29.
– The CEBL has also kicked off with the hometown Stingers dropping their first 2 games by a total of 5 points, winning in Saskatoon and then getting blown out by the clear early season frontrunner, the Vancouver Bandits. The Stingers are back home for games against Brampton on May 28th and Vancouver on May 30th in the Expo Centre.
– The game announcers are clearly A and B teams. Kevin Harlan, Stan Van Gundy and Reggie Miller are so good in their analysis and chemistry. Mike Breen (who I believe is the best play by play basketball announcer) carries Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson. Burke and Jefferson are good but Reggie and Stan are great. Trade Breen for Harlan and you have the super team!
Join Ryan and me on Saturday from 10am-noon on The Basketball Show on Edmonton’s Sports1440 and online on sports1440.ca. We will be discussing the Singers and CEBL, the WNBA upcoming opening week, the 2025 Hoop City3x3 event and, of course, all your NBA playoff updates.
In loving memory of my son, Ben, please take care and always be kind to each other – we never know what others are dealing with in their lives.
Yours in Basketball,
Paul
Paul Sir
Host, The Basketball Show
CEO, 3×3 Basketball Association
Color Analyst, Edmonton Stingers
*Email Paul at paulsir3x3@gmail.com with your thoughts on his blog and ‘The Basketball Show.’
