These NBA Finals are certainly one for the history books. The season and overall year have been quite the rollercoaster. Over the last few seasons, NBA fans have repeatedly seen the same narrative driven by having the same superstars make it to the Finals consecutively. Now for the first time in a decade, we have two new teams battling for the championship neither of which are lead by LeBron James or Stephen Curry. Despite the James/Curry rivalry dominating the 2010s, both should be remembered fondly for the legendary moments.
But emerging from this 2021 pandemic and injury-riddled season are two new contenders, The Milwaukee Bucks, and The Phoenix Suns. Smaller market teams who haven’t been to the Finals in decades as well. On top of that, you have the dramatic sagas of Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s individual careers. These are the reasons why NBA fans should cherish every second of these NBA finals.
Teams & Stars Align: CP3 & Phoenix Suns
Let’s talk about the teams and superstars involved. There’s Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo. First time either man has been to the Finals let alone chasing their first ring. Over his 16years in the league CP3 has been a constant presence in the NBA playoffs. However, during that time he has experienced tough breaks from battling through injuries to locker room turmoil and overall losing to better teams. Chris Paul now finds himself one series away from finally becoming a champion. Winning a championship at the age of 36 would cap off a legendary season solidifying his status as an all-time great. This past off-season saw Paul get traded to his fourth team in five seasons, The Phoenix Suns. After his runs with the Clippers & Rockets collapsed, CP3 bounced back last season making the Oklahoma City Thunder a 5thseed playoff entry nearly knocking out his former team.
Could CP3 recreate that magic with the Suns? Not only has he done it again, he leads the team to the second-best record in the league helping a group of young players see their potential in the process. He guided them to the organization’s first post-season glory since 2010 and first Finals appearance since Charles Barkley did it in ‘93. The Phoenix Suns also have Devin Booker, an exceptional young talent that unfortunately has never resulted in playoff contention.
Even during “the bubble” season last year, Booker lead the Suns to an 8-0 record and still couldn’t crack into the top 8. Now he finds himself in the Finals surrounded by a cast with the same inexperience yet stepping up in a big way like Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Dario Saric, and others. In fact, other than Suns current forward Jae Crowder losing in the Finals last season when he was playing with the Miami Heat, no other player on either team has been to the finals or won a championship.
The Greek Freak & Milwaukee Bucks
Across the court, there’s a squad that is ready to trample that feel-good story and replace it with their own. This may be the Sun’s first trip to the finals in nearly 30 years, but the Milwaukee Bucks haven’t been there in nearly 50. Unlike the Suns though the Bucks have been consistent playoff competitors within their conference over the last few seasons. Hailing for Athens, the Bucks have drafted a generational star in Giannis Antetokounmpo. During his blooming career “The Greek Freak” has already won impressive individual awards including being a 5x All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, 3x All-Player NBA, and 2x MVP. While some may debate whether or not he deserved winning certain accolades, there’s no denying Giannis is one of the top athletes in the league today.
It seems the fad nowadays is for high-profile players to join forces on larger market teams in order to win a ring. By staying in Milwaukee Giannis has bucked the trend demonstrating loyalty can pay off eventually. However, if the Bucks can actually win the Finals are another story.
Giannis’ devotion to the organization is admirable. As history has shown, earning solo awards, doesn’t always mean team success. That’s not Giannis’ fault either. Part of what makes his journey remarkable is gaining accolades while staying in the Midwest. Regardless if he is surrounded by matching talent or not. Take Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday for example. Alternately, both could be seen as B-players. They are solid starters but neither seen as a true Robin to Giannis’ Batman.
Khris Middleton has struggled in the past during the playoffs. Jrue Holiday is a newer acquisition and someone who can create his own shot. Now, both are being tested to the highest degree. Luckily both stepped up against the Atlanta Hawks in 6 games to get to the Finals while Giannis was out with an injury. Will they be able to step up again when it matters most? Can the Bucks go big and depend on guys like Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. Will their bench be able to produce against the Suns?
Respect the Past. Enjoy the Present.
Throughout the 2010s the Finals were always dominated by the presence of LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Whether it was LeBrons’ Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers eras or the emergence of “The Splash Brothers” duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Even last year’s “bubble” season saw LeBron James win his 4th championship with the Lakers. Obviously, both teams should be remembered for giving us one of the greatest rivalries of all time. Now for the first time in a decade, there is no James or Curry. Completely respecting both player’s accomplishments and athleticism for revolution the game of basketball it is refreshing to see new faces battling for the championship.
LeBron has always been a polarizing figure both on and off the court. Whether it’s his politics, style of play, or the fact he usually knocking out fan-favorite teams consistently there’s no denying his skill set. And while the Warriors were once an underdog team on the way up, they became villainous juggernauts arguably the best time in the league especially when they added Kevin Durant. Now in what feels like forever we have two small-market teams having a chance to shine. Perhaps none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the unfortunate sad reality that just like with every season there are injuries.
Part of the Game
One aspect of the game every team deals with each season is the unfortunate possibility of injuries. Sticking with the narrative of James/Curry, both missed their partners in crime at different points of this season. Klay Thompson reinjured himself while training and hasn’t played in a game since tearing his ACL in the 2019 Finals. Laker’s Anthony Davis went down with a groin injury in round 1. Even the main stars in these finals, Giannis and Paul, have dealt with injuries this post-season. Giannis hyperextended his knee while trying to block a basket. Being able to play in the finals is nothing short of a miracle!
During this playoff run, CP3 has been playing with an injured shoulder and torn ligaments in his hand. Also right before the Finals, CP3 got Covid! So again the fact that he’s back in time to finish the run adds another layer to the story. Plenty of times throughout the season players had to missed games due to Covid Protocol. If players were in close contact with someone with Covid or contracted covid the league forced them to quarantine them. However, there were countless other teams whose chances for a playoff run were seriously hampered by injuries:
Brooklyn Nets- James Harden and Kyrie Irving went down with injuries.
LA Clippers- Khawhi Leonard hurt again.
Atlanta Hawks- Trae Young tweaked his foot accidentally stepping on a ref.
Philadelphia 76ers- Joel Embiid torn meniscus.
Jamal Murray and Jaylen Brown both had season-ending before the playoffs started hurting the chances for both respective teams to go on deep runs. It felt like every week there was a player going down. Perhaps we should be glad there are some stars left?
All or Nothing
This series will be one to remember. Hopefully, when they speak of this championship they will mention the unique circumstances surround the spectacle. Everyone involved journey has an incredible story to tell from the star and role players to the coaches. The impossibility of both franchises make it to the Finals at the same time after so much hardship is inconceivable. Needless to say, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for either association to get it done. This may not even be possible without the list of injuries and global pandemics still taking place.
Who knows maybe once next season takes place the status quo will return. Superteams will return pushing the small market teams to the side. Hopefully next season everyone returns from injury healthy so we can really see who’s the best. Will the Bucks or Suns even be in the Finals next year? Let’s not worry about that now. For the moment fans can forget their trouble and enjoy some basketball. While you may be rooting for a certain team, every NBA fan wins in the end….Unless you’re gambling, be careful with that.