2025 NBA Playoffs

Most years after my home team, the Toronto Raptors ended their season I didn't bother watching the playoffs.  This year there was a special incentive.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from my home base of Hamilton, Ontario was already the top scorer and whose team had the best record was a focus of attention.

In general a lot of Canadians were key players.  Foreign players are drawing attention, but Canada supplies the most foreign players.

 The Indiana Pacers were not the favorite in any of their playoff series, but they knocked off more established teams including Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.  A lot of the games were come from behind.  Tyrese Haliburton was outstanding, particularly at the end of games when he shot the winning basket.  One upsetting time for me was when the Oklahoma City team led pretty much for the entire game and even built up substantial margins, but Tyrese kept his cool and shot the winning basket with only 0.3 seconds left.  Unfortunately with the 7th game Tyrese had a severe ankle problem and was lost for the second half.  Another outstanding Pacer was Pascal Siamkim who had been a key player for the Toronto Raptors.  Caitlin Clark was a fan at Indiana home games and they won each one.  Indiana had the top Raptor fan who cheered Pascal.

In the finals it was pointed out a Montreal connection, but split between the two teams.  One story showed the two mothers had become friends watching their sons play in high school.  Lou Dort came from Haiti and took to basketball.  He was a starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder noted for his defense, but also came through with a number of unexpected 3 point plays.  Indiana had Benedict Malthurin who developed his talent in Montreal and in one finals game was the leading scorer.  Another Canadian was Andrew Nembhard from Aurora, Ontario.  He was a starter and often used to keep Shai, a fellow National team member under check.  

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander developed his talent in Hamilton at Sir Allan MacNab High School.  This season he was the highest scorer which lead to the MVP for the season and from there he went on to be the MVP in each of the playoff series including the finals.  Indiana really ganged up on him, but he scored big and just as important worked with team mates to win. 

One change that has been developing has been a greater emphasis on defense.  From my high school days hands on was not allowed, but it is normal in the NBA.  The referees have a lot of discretion in deciding how much contact was allowed and it was frequently stated that if there was no wind-up the defense action was acceptable or at least not considered fragrant.  Bill Russell once described basketball was a "contact sport" and admitting hat football was a "collision sport."

The playoffs were as dramatic as any sports. It probably surprised fans that it was two small market teams made it to the finals, but good for the game.  I am glad I allowed Shai to lure me into watching the playoffs.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/my-60-year-love-affair-with-basketball.html