June 25, 2025
The NBA season was a memorable one. Two small market teams emerged as not only the finalists but the models of effective team building, organizational management and creating cohesive team culture that transcends the business aspect of the sport. There is much to discuss so let’s go ‘3 From Deep’:
1. OKC a dynasty in the making? That seems to be the hot topic of discussion in the ‘hot take’ driven mainstream and social media worlds. But isn’t this, as the eminent quotable of quotables, Yogi Berra, said, ‘This is deja vu all over again.’ I recall this same statement last year after the Celtics broke through and won with nothing but blue sky and calm seas ahead. Until there wasn’t. Injuries, of course. Tatum’s achilles changes everything. Haliburton’s rupture is the same for the courageous, overachieving Pacers.
The Thunder are poised to be in the hunt for dynastic possibilities with the blend of young, maturing, existing talent and chemistry in the here and now with a truckload of draft capital to work with for trades or developmental picks. They are the most likely to repeat since the great Golden State teams without question but here are the realities they have to deal with like all other mere mortals: – You never know when fate’s cruelty will show up and spoil the fun. One injury can do that. – It is always great when you win. They have done that. And they have Canadian sensibilities in the mix making the ego issues maybe a bit less likely to disrupt the karma that presently exist. – They will have to make moves because players will want to be paid market value which OKC can’t afford. They are still a small market. Tax aprons matter. Roster moves will happen. They have the smartest and most diligent guy at the helm in Sam Presti who is pretty much batting 1000. There is no reason to doubt him like we can doubt Masai Ujuri who rolled the dice and won the ‘One and Done’ in 2019 and has been wrestling alligators ever since to bring the Raptors back to respectability, never mind contention. Who leaves and who comes in? OKC Is at the top but every franchise is always on the teeter totter of unpredictability of pro sports.
2. The WNBA had a bizarre week. Caitlin Clark is back and not playing like we have all grown to expect. Indiana’s head coach and one of their key off-season player acquisitions are on personal leaves shrouded in mystery and secrecy. The officials still reek of incompetence. Unsettled is the word that keeps jumping to mind. Hopefully, calmer seas are ahead as the season progresses and the WNBA leadership accepts its responsibilities to lead in a manner befitting the attention they are receiving. And I hope Caitlin gets her game back soon..
3. The Canadian Elite Basketball league is now in its 7th season. I have had the privilege of being able to be the color analyst for the bulk of the Edmonton Stingers games. The league continues to strive for respectability and credit is due to the league ownership and management for mostly getting it heading in a good direction. The players are better and better year on year. The crowds are rounding out in many markets so that the arenas are full or close to full; they are not there yet as the GTA has so much basketball going on which makes CEBL games not as impactful as in other markets. I am not a fan of the Target Score format. Anything that has to be explained at every game for nearly 7 years is more of a distraction than anything. But I am saying this with humility – the league is working and that is more important than how games end. *One final hometown note: Watch out for the Stingers the rest of the way, CEBL. I think they are going to be pretty good!
I hope you will join Ryan Reed and me for ‘The Basketball Show’ live every Saturday from 10am – Noon MST on Sports1440 in Edmonton and sports1440.ca across Canada. Our shows are all on your favorite podcast provider, as well. I hope to have Stinger royalty this week with Xavier Moon and/or Brody Clarke, who was the first ‘Ring of Honour’ inductee by the Edmonton franchise this past Sunday. Pat Boylan, play by play voice of the Indiana Pacers and Fever, will talk about the finish to the season for the Pacers, Tyrese’s injury and the Fever’s challenges and struggles.
In honor of my son, Ben, please treat each other with kindness and respect every day as we don’t know what people are dealing with in their lives.
Have a great week and enjoy the NBA Draft!
Yours in basketball,
Paul
Paul Sir is the creator and host of ‘The Basketball Show’ which has been on the air since 2016 in Edmonton. He is the founder and CEO of the 3×3 Basketball Association, dedicated to the growth and development of the Olympic sport of 3×3 ( 3x3ba.ca ). He is the Director of the Hoop City3x3 Basketball Festival which will be held at the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall from July 31st to August 3rd. He is the color commentator for the Edmonton Stingers CEBL team. You can contact Paul at paulsir3x3@gmail.com.
