Elimination Games & Playoff Fame
It’s finally that beautiful time of the playoffs; we’re done with stimulation overload of round 1 and judging if a team is a fluke by evaluating how they perform in round 2. All series’ except one are in at least a game 6- it’s exciting elimination game time. We all know the greatest thing in sports is a game 7. What’s the second greatest? Lizzo twerking in a thong courtside at an NBA game. … SIKE. You’re welcome for unlocking a memory you had previously successfully suppressed. Cleanse your mind by remembering that something almost as great as a game 7 is a game 6. One team has the chance to deliver a definitive, finishing blow before it’s win-or-go home, while the other is begging for an even playing field. Game 7’s steal the show, but I’ll be damned if game 6’s don’t get the respect they deserve. Well we’re in luck Orb NBA fans, we got 2 game 6’s on the way, and after last night’s (ANOTHER) blowout in the Nuggets - Timberwolves series, we get a confirmed game 7. How lucky are we? . We almost had another exciting elimination game but Boston decided to actually play well in front of their home fans for once and close their series on Wednesday. Thanks, Boston.
We start with the Pacers and Knicks in Indiana tonight. I think this series is just destined for a game seven. It’s hard to look at this series and not think of the history of these two franchises going against one another. One of the most iconic clips of NBA history is Reggie Miller giving the choke hand gesture to Spike Lee. What an outrageous moment that was; could you imagine if that happened today? A star player giving that gesture to a celebrity? Twitter would have a hall of fame day, maybe up there with other major Twitter days like January 6th and when the Queen died. Man, what a time to be alive. Anyway, I think tonight’s game will show the shallowness of the Knicks’ roster with Tom Thibodeau being Tom Thibodeau, while the Pacers bounce back from a rough game 5 showing up on their home floor to even the series. I think it’ll come down to the role players or “others” tonight. Jalen is going to do his thing and Tyrese isn’t going to have 2 bad games in a row. I think it’s more likely that the Pacers’ role players force a game 7 than the Knicks rising to the occasion and closing the door in game 6 on the road. They are the New York Knicks, after all.
I didn’t expect a number 1 seed like the Oklahoma City Thunder to be anything other than competitive in these playoffs, but despite that, I have to say I am impressed with how they have played against the Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is using these playoffs to really cement himself as a prominent member in the next crop of stars in the Association. Outside of his generally superb play, I just think that there is too much overwhelming talent on this Dallas Mavericks roster. Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić are probably 2 of the most top 5 purely skilled players to ever grace this Earth and are a joy to watch. With the way that they are playing right now, either in tandem or rotating dominance on the court, I find it difficult for any team - yet alone, the inexperienced Thunder - to be able to take down this team. I predicted Dallas as the finals winner before the playoffs and I am still on that train, having them advance from either game 6 or 7. Game 6 is at home for the Mavericks and I anticipate the playoff experience from Kyrie and the wizardry of Luka to shine. With their control of the game being supported from the consistent contributions from their surrounding Mav role players, I think it’ll be enough to not give the Thunder a chance to advance to the next round in game 7 back in the Sooner State.
Nuggets - Timberwovles has been a strange series. Competitive….. but also not. Home court advantage has seemed to not matter, and 6 of the 6 games have essentially all been blowouts. Nikola Jokic has continued to be the best player alive when thinking about his horses more than the game plan, while Anthony Edwards has continued his infamous playoff run letting everyone know he’s the Heir to Air Jordan. Is the Joker going to dominate the” defensive player of the year” again? Will Edwards truly be great when greatness is demanded of him? Will Aaron Gordon continue to prove that having a dominant “other “or “Alfred” is paramount on a championship roster? So many questions surround game 7 of one the most interesting matchups the entire playoffs could produce. Going into Sunday’s game, I’m reminded that the Nuggets have been here before, and have seemed to be asleep at the wheel at times these playoffs. I refuse to believe Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will combine for 18 points in a game 7 in Denver. These Nuggets will turn it on and remind everyone they won it all last year. I’ll take the tactical Mike Malone and the dude who’s looking forward for the season to end one way or another to spend time with his horses over Ant and the Wolves. Remember, Michael Jordan struggled in the playoffs early in his career as well. Your time will come, Heir Jordan.
A brief aside worth mentioning before I forget: the rumor mill says the glorious “Inside the NBA” may have numbered days left on our television screens. Nothing is official or confirmed, but one would rather play it safe than sorry. Make sure to tune in to their postgame show on the nights the games are on TNT, as we don’t know how much longer we have to enjoy the beneficial analysis and generational humor that comes from that crew. I don’t think anyone can get enough of Shaq instigating Chuck to talk about the women in San Antonion and how dirty the water is in Galveston.
Back to business. At the end of the day, these are the games that we have been waiting for. The play-in games set the table for an exciting tapas appetziers round 1 of games, and now we’re approaching the meat and potatoes of the playoffs with the Conference Finals hanging in the balance. When you think about it, the majority of prolific, remembered performances in the playoffs happen in late series elimination games. This is where players rise to the occasion and prove doubters wrong or succumb to the immense pressure of what it is to be in a game 6 or 7.
As easy as it is to have an off game at the worst possibile time and end your season early, it’s just as easy for one singular play to carve your name into NBA Playoff immortality. Across sports, there really aren’t many things better than a long series culminating in a high stakes, era defining, childhood dream-filled elimination game. It’s nights like (at least) the next three that the players we enjoy watching can taint their legacy or secure playoff fame.
Enjoy.
Happy Watching!!!
Mickey Swish
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