Tag: 2024 nba playoffs

Who should the Thunder root for to win 2023-24 NBA championship?

Who should the Thunder root for to win 2023-24 NBA championship?

The 2024 NBA playoffs have reached the conference finals, which means only four teams are left. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season ended in the second round.

In less than a month, a champion will be crowned. This will mark the sixth consecutive year a new team has won a title, a sign league parity is finally here.

It was a bit of a disappointing finish: The Thunder’s back-and-forth series against the Dallas Mavericks really could’ve gone either way. It went six games and finished with a zero-point differential. Game 6 was decided by one point.

There’s no consolation prize for falling short of a title — especially as a first seed. But the Thunder can take solace this was likely the first of several playoff runs with this core.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished as the runner-up for MVP and has ascended to the truly elite group of players. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren round out one of the best trios.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is fresh off a Coach of the Year award. Plenty of young talent fills the rest of OKC’s roster. The Thunder will have more bites at the apple throughout the 2020s.

With that said, who should Thunder fans root for to win the NBA championship this year?

Conventional wisdom suggests the Mavericks. If Dallas wins a championship, the Thunder can sleep knowing they at least lost to the eventual NBA champs in a grueling series. But there’s no real value in that.

A Mavericks championship is irrelevant to the Thunder besides feeling better about their postseason exit. That is especially true for the calculated and sharp front office like OKC’s.

The same can be said about the Indiana Pacers, who are on the verge of being swept by Boston in the Eastern Conference final. It’s a nice story, but this postseason run reeks of luck rather than dominance. Key injuries to the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks helped the fifth-seeded Pacers make a surprise run.

There’s nothing the Thunder can learn from Indiana’s run. They’ve been the poster child of mediocrity for over a decade. Most small-market squads are content with that, but OKC has larger aspirations.

A Minnesota Timberwolves title would sting. It’s a divisional rival, and both fan bases have become toxically hostile toward each other.

In addition, a team in which three of its four best players are centers would contrast OKC’s roster-building philosophy. The Thunder entered the postseason without a traditional backup big.

The real answer is the Boston Celtics.

It might cause Thunder fans to squirm initially reading that. Why would a small-market team root for a big-market legacy franchise like the Celtics? Why would you root for a Walmart takeover when the mom-and-pop shops struggle to stay open?

It’d go against everything the Thunder are about on a surface level. But digging a bit deeper, the similarities start to show.

Boston has had amazing roster continuity — something OKC hopes to have with its core. Jayson Tatum is in his seventh season, and Jaylen Brown is in his eighth season with the Celtics.

If the Thunder can get nearly a decade of playoff runs with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren, that would be a massive success. Odds are, a few of those runs result in conference finals and NBA Finals appearances. From that point, a championship for the Thunder would be within grasp.

But the Celtics weren’t the runaway best team in the league this season solely off their star duo. Massive contributions from Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford also helped out.

Porzingis was a nice get after a bounce-back year with the Washington Wizards last season. White has been a steal of an acquisition from the San Antonio Spurs, who are amid a rebuild.

Holiday was the odd man out from the Bucks after they made the blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard. He’s been phenomenal for the Celtics. Horford has been the steady veteran presence in his second stint in Boston.

All four of those pieces were acquired via trades — a route the Thunder can certainly take, especially with their wealthy draft capital and young prospects.

Even as contenders, the Thunder will likely struggle to attract outside free agents. It’s the brutal reality of being in one of the smallest markets in the league. Instead, the draft and trades have been the lifeblood of OKC’s roster construction since it relocated in 2008.

From this point, first-round picks should also be viewed as currency instead of college players to add to the Thunder’s roster. Nobody in the league can outbid OKC, and its pockets are so deep with draft picks that an overpay wouldn’t dent its wallet.

The Thunder have already acted on this principle this season. The Gordon Hayward trade failed, but the thought process made sense. Tre Mann excelled with the Charlotte Hornets, but wasn’t going to get those opportunities in OKC.

Even though the Hayward trade was a swing and a miss, the Thunder need to stay aggressive when it comes to adding veteran talent. Just as the Celtics did with the four players mentioned above, the Thunder will have to scour the league and take advantage of opportunities when an established player might be discontented.

The difficult part of building a contender is already done with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren. Those three by themselves should guarantee a playoff spot if healthy. It’s now about improving on the margins and OKC has enough room for error to figure that out on several attempts if needed.

The Celtics’ blueprint is replicable for the Thunder. They have their star trio figured out like the Celtics did with their star duo of Tatum and Brown.

Since they were paired in 2018, Boston has been in five out of seven Eastern Conference finals and one — likely two soon — NBA Finals. The Thunder had a similar run in the 2010s with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in four out of six Western Conference finals and one NBA Finals.

If the Celtics steamroll their way to an NBA championship during Tatum’s and Brown’s second contracts with the franchise, the Thunder will be reassured what they’re doing can ultimately lead to the pinnacle of the sport.

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PHOTOS: Boston vs. Indiana – Celtics grab epic 114-111 Game 3 win

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 3 of their East finals series vs. the Pacers.

The Boston Celtics grabbed a 114-111 win against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the East finals Saturday night on the road. Boston trailed big time for much of the night, but ultimately moved ahead to earn a 3-0 series lead.

Indiana had a historic open to the game. They scored 69 points across the first two quarters, shooting 63.6% from the field in the process. Boston couldn’t contain the speedy Pacers, especially around the rim. Indiana led by as many as 18 at one point in the game, though the Celtics were eventually able to settle in on the defensive end and slowly mount a comeback. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 3 of their East finals series vs. the Pacers.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Cason Wallace jokingly apologizes for previously low opinion of OKC

Cason Wallace jokingly apologizes for previously low opinion of OKC.

After being involved in a 2023 NBA draft trade, Cason Wallace didn’t sound ecstatic about living in Oklahoma City for nine months out of the year.

The Texas native was close to joining the Dallas Mavericks, but they elected to go with Dereck Lively II instead via a trade. It looks like the move paid off for both sides.

“I definitely will be fine in Oklahoma,” Wallace said after being drafted. “There’s not much to do, but it lets you stay focused.”

It appears the lack of distractions paid off. Wallace enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign with OKC. He was a key part of its rotation and was the unofficial sixth starter when someone was out.

The 20-year-old averaged 6.8 points on 49.1% shooting, 2,3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He shot 41.9% from 3 on 2.3 attempts. He played a vital role in OKC’s playoff run and was named to the All-Rookie second team.

In his exit interview, a relaxed Wallace jokingly issued an apology for his previous opinion on Oklahoma. The former Kentucky guard said his time in OKC changed his outlook on the state.

“Yeah, owe the world an apology, I’ll say that,” Wallace jokingly said. “When I first did my press conference, I was like, there’s not much to do out here. There’s a good amount of things to do here.”

If Wallace continues to develop at the rate he’s shown since arriving at the Thunder, there’s a good shot he’ll have plenty more time to spend in OKC. The 20-year-old has the ceiling of a quality 3-and-D starter.

Wallace joins a long list of draft successes for the Thunder in the lottery range. They’ll have another chance to add someone new to the list with the No. 12 selection of the 2024 NBA draft.

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Jalen Williams hopes crowd barking continues next season

Jalen Williams hopes crowd barking continues next season.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season progressed, a new tradition formed: dog barks. By the time the playoffs rolled around, fans barked in unison when Jalen Williams did anything positive on the court.

During pregame festivities, the jumbotron would show fans in the crowd who sported dog masks. The K-9’s call became the Thunder’s rallying cry as they captured the first seed and advanced to the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Williams, one of the faces of the barking tradition, said in his exit interview he hopes it will continue next season.

“I think it’s cool. I’ve been on record saying I’ve been barked at Target or Starbucks,” Williams said. “We could probably chill on that a little bit. I think it’s a really cool thing.”

Williams said it’s another way the squad and fan base can strengthen their relationship. The 23-year-old has spoken about how much he tries to make the game day experience special for the individual fans by interacting with them.

“It’s like our team thing,” Williams said. “Kinda going back to the social media thing, like people were hating on that too, but I think it’s just a really fun thing that we didn’t even try to do. It just kinda ended up happening.”

Williams detailed examples in the Thunder’s home playoff games, stating it was surreal to see thousands of people bark whenever a massive play happened.

“Somebody’s mom was barking during the game. So it’s like one of those things that’s really cool. So I hope it happens,” Williams said. “It’s kinda like our identity. It’s been cool. I think a lot of our identity hasn’t been forced either. A lot of it is just like us being goofy and then it kinda ends up being something pretty cool.”

Williams has been a fan favorite on the Thunder since his arrival. His free-flowing personality has won a lot of fans over. The second-year wing has gone out of his way to build a bond with OKC fans.

“I enjoy it. I hope it continues,” Williams said. “I’ll keep doing like little T-shirts with pregame things. Nothing in that department is going to change.”

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With the Minnesota Timberwolves beating the Denver Nuggets, are the Boston Celtics now title favorites?

Does this sea change in the West race make the Boston Celtics the favorites to win it all?

Pretty much no one but the players on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster had that ball club beating the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the West postseason, but yet, here we are. And now that the team who has had Boston’s number more than any other team in recent years is out of the running to represent the Western Conference in the 2024 NBA finals, to boot.

Does this sea change in the West race make the Boston Celtics the favorites to win it all? Or is it a healthier conversation for Boston’s fans and players both to focus more on the games and the series in front of them right now in the Indiana Pacers?

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning sat down with guest Nate Spurlin to talk it over. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Kyrie Irving made Anthony Edwards regret calling him out before Game 1

Anthony Edwards should have some regrets.

Part of what makes Anthony Edwards so special and magnetic is his confidence. The Minnesota Timberwolves star will talk himself and his teammates up every chance he gets. But that overconfidence comes with a price. Namely, when the opposing team’s stars take notice and use the trash talk as motivation.

That’s what the Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving did during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

After the Timberwolves star confidently said he “had Kyrie” before the series started, the veteran Irving took it as warranted bulletin board material. He channeled that energy into relentlessly attacking Edwards all night on Wednesday, dropping 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting to help Dallas take a 1-0 series lead.

When the Inside the NBA crew asked Irving about Edwards’ trash talk, he revealed that he wanted to make Edwards regret his brashness:

That’s the perfect way to respond to anyone’s trash talk. Not by coming back with sharp words but by doing it with your play in a big spot.

Edwards shouldn’t necessarily regret coming at Irving, but it should make him think twice about giving the Mavericks’ guard more fuel to his fire.

Charles Barkley roasted Kenny Smith’s NBA playoffs opinion as ‘one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard’

Charles Barkley absolutely roasted Kenny Smith here.

Charles Barkley wasn’t having fellow TNT analyst Kenny Smith’s position about the importance of the 2024 NBA Western conference finals.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks game, Smith argued that the winner of that series would become the face of the NBA between Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic.

To Smith, whichever team would come out of the Eastern Conference between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers would get overshadowed by the star power of Edwards or Doncic, to the point where the loser would get more attention than the winner if the loser featured one of those players.

Barkley immediately chimed in after Smith by saying, “that was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.”

Like, that’s absolutely brutal from Barkley.

On the same night he got blasted for his unfounded hot take about perceived pettiness toward Caitlin Clark, Barkley got in a roast of his own at his co-worker for his hot take about the importance of this NBA playoffs.

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Charles Barkley actually wore a hat with that hysterical Anthony Edwards quote on it to the Western Conference Finals

Charles Barkley wearing a hat with that Anthony Edwards’ hilarious quote on it is absolutely delightful.

Charles Barkley has fully embraced his exchange with Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.

After Edwards playfully told Barkley to “bring ya ass” to Minnesota during a postgame interview a few days ago, Barkley arrived at the first game of the 2024 Western conference finals in Minneapolis wearing a Bring Ya A”” hat.

He also hilariously reiterated the now-famous Timberwolves catchphrase in a video to showcase his new hat.

This has turned into one of the most wonderful moments of the 2024 NBA playoffs, and it’s making us all want to make the trip to Minnesota and be a part of this very exciting moment in sports.

Even though he’s technically there for work with TNT, Barkley absolutely had the right idea to make the return to Minnesota.

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Mavericks and Timberwolves announcers: Who’s calling the 2024 Western Conference Finals on TNT?

Here’s the answer.

We’re down to just two squads left in the West.

That’s right, just a pair of teams are left in the Western Conference playoffs, with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks going head to head in a best-of-seven matchup that’s sure to be an amazing one. The winner goes to the NBA Finals.

And if you’re here reading this, you may be wondering: who are the voices you’re hearing on your TV with TNT when you’re watching the two teams play?

You’ve come to the right place. Kevin Harlan will be on the mic doing play-by-play, with Stan Van Gundy and Reggie Miller as analysts and Allie LaForce reporting.

That’s it! Enjoy the series.

Minnesota funeral parlor had a hilarious way of supporting the Timberwolves with cremations

We are deceased. This idea is to die for.

The vibes surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves have found their way to a local Minnesota funeral home. The business has decided to offer cremations that also support the Timberwolves.

Listen, I blame Anthony Edwards for this wild discourse. If he never told Charles Barkley to “bring ya [expletive]” out to Minnesota, we would never have a website using his hysterical slogan or Barkley continuing the joke when he actually arrived in Minnesota.

But no. He just had to give us such a phenomenal one-liner. Now, there’s a funeral parlor telling potential customers how they can choose eternal rest for their loved ones. LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, ANTHONY.

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