The NBA Finals Are Boring, These Two Concepts May Really Be Price Watching

Because the NBA’s inferior convention determines whether or not its third- or fourth-best staff shall be despatched to the slaughter, basketball followers with out Caitlin Clark for a few weeks pray for some type of leisure within the Finals.

I’ve recognized a few sources with some potential — neither of which shall be selling the New York suburbs or one thing known as “Cers” throughout their warmups.

A Boat Race Starting

Wannabe NBA saviors appear fascinated by one thing known as the “Elam Ending,” by which some extent complete, quite than a clock, determines the sport’s finish. First one to, say, 120 wins — similar to once we performed “21” as children.

One of many benefits, those that have rekindled the concept this month boast, is that it might stop groups which can be successful from deliberately fouling the opponent to stop 3-point shot makes an attempt down the stretch of an in depth recreation. Frankly, in “21” phrases, it’s extra bust than blackjack.

However a “Boat Race Starting,” then again, is likely to be simply what the physician ordered for blowout pairings in a Tremendous Bowl, Novak Djokovic tennis match or NBA Finals — the latter of which is now staring us within the face.

Below the basketball model of this situation, the groups would play 4 instances — twice at every web site — utilizing cumulative rating to find out the champion. The weaker of the 2 groups would tip off Sport 1 with a sure variety of factors — a handicap, if you’ll — to assist the matchup finally turn into aggressive.

This can be a time-tested methodology of permitting Charles Barkley to presumably win a wager towards Tiger Woods on the golf course. It will have been good if utilized to final 12 months’s romp by the Celtics, and it’s undoubtedly wanted to make this 12 months’s matchup attention-grabbing.

One of many many benefits a “Boat Race Starting” has is that it minimizes the intentional-foul challenge that has prevented some probably thrilling finishes on this 12 months’s playoffs. There can be no cause to foul with time winding down within the first three video games of the sequence, because the aim can be — correctly — to maintain the opponent as far behind as attainable.

The PGA Tour tried this at its season-ending championship however couldn’t get the handicaps proper, so it has scrapped the concept. In associated information, Scottie Scheffler has introduced he’d prefer to be the subsequent NBA commissioner.

I say: Give the Pacers or Knicks a 34-point head begin in a four-game sequence and also you’d generate much more pleasure than what ABC goes to fake exists.

If solely the idea had a catchier identify.

An Alumni Sport

Normal supervisor Sam Presti is getting Gregg Popovich ranges of reward for being the mastermind behind this still-developing Thunder monster. However as with Pop, who’s accused of tanking in an effort to create a David Robinson–Tim Duncan pairing from which a dynasty hatched, there are those that downplay Presti’s achievement, noting:

For crying out loud, Elgin Baylor may have flipped Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook right into a superpower.

And let’s not neglect Paul George, Chris Paul and Domantas Sabonis.

Oh yeah, additionally Al Horford, Josh Giddey, Jerami Grant, Steven Adams, Jeff Inexperienced …

You catch the drift. It’s laborious to think about one franchise had all these gamers sooner or later. And now it has none.

However have a look at what the treasure chest and Presti’s creativity have created.

The query is: Who’s higher … at the moment’s Thunder or yesterday’s Thunder?

Wouldn’t OKC vs. its alumni make for an interesting recreation? Even a sequence?

With out query, the used-to-be-SuperSonics have essentially the most spectacular assortment of energetic alumni within the NBA. Think about …

Durant matching up with Chet Holmgren. And vice versa. The fashionable-day mould for the stretch 4 standing as a mirror picture with the place’s future.

Westbrook getting one other shot at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP needed to overcome 18-point and five-turnover video games to outlive their first set of head-to-heads earlier this month.

The masterful Paul coping with the Thunder’s defensive stress. Harden and George capturing over it. Sabonis, Horford and Inexperienced dominating the within. And even Adams off the bench if Isaiah Hartenstein begins pushing guys round.

To not point out Giddey, Grant, Ty Jerome, Dennis Schroder, Doug McDermott and Cameron Payne having the potential to tackle outstanding roles when Durant, Paul and George endure their inevitable accidents.

Even with retired alums Kendrick Perkins and Carmelo Anthony serving as co-coaches — sorry, P.J.; you possibly can announce it — a one-game, winner-take-all may want a “Boat Race Starting” to ensure that Shai and the gang to compete.

However over seven video games? Pure magic.

All video games in America’s heartland, the place the group … dare we are saying there can be a break up allegiance? Even a small slice of nostalgia lovers? Hey, Thunder followers nonetheless like some of those guys. Simply not Durant.

Positively not Durant.

On the similar time, you gotta imagine these banished superstars would take pleasure in a shot at exacting not less than a small measure of revenge … earlier than informing Thunder followers: Heck no, I’m not repping your ugly jersey at my Corridor of Fame ceremony.

And possibly we throw Westbrook, Harden or Paul a bone — that elusive championship ring — in the event that they win.

Ultimately, with Durant, George and Paul watching, it might be the Thunder in seven. A scores multiplier higher than even Taylor Swift performing as a curtain-raiser.

Or possibly we save this for All-Star Weekend. With out the “Elam Ending.”