The NBA: Now On To Next Year!

Vendors Russell Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat about the world of sports with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: The NBA season is over, and one team has been declared the champion: The Stephen-Curry-led Golden State Warriors. The Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in 6 games: 4 to 2.

Russ: It started as a great series, but then…

John: I know, right? I felt it would go seven games…but, then, something happened and—

Donald: Shoot, Stephen Curry happened. He was mostly phenomenal.

Patrick: You called it, my man. I fought you, but you told me. I just didn’t listen.

Donald: Now you know. [Laughter.]

Russ: Listen, all I have to say about the playoffs is that I don’t believe Golden State will repeat as champions. There’re just too many good teams out here with a shot, and what they showed me in these Finals is that they are not a dynasty. I mean, they’re dynasty-ish, meaning their epitaph will read: a really good team that wins championships; they just don’t have the weight of, say, Michael Jordan’s Bulls or Magic Johnson’s Lakers or Bill Russell’s Celtics. Plus, over in the Eastern Conference, Boston, Philly, and Milwaukee were all only two games back of the leader, the Miami Heat. All this, and I haven’t even mentioned the contenders in the Western Conference.

John: The main thing for me about the playoffs is that there were just too many blowouts. So many that I found most games unwatchable. Too many teams were obsessed with shooting 3-pointers instead of taking the best shot available. Pair that with getting key stops on the defensive end, and I may get re-interested.

Patrick: John, you’ve never lied. That was easily one of the biggest things most folks have mentioned when talking about the NBA: That the games were over before they even started. Even if it becomes close at the end, the game is essentially a game of catch-up. It takes the fun out of it—even if it’s your team that comes back. Well, kinda.

Donald: I think The Warriors will repeat. Klay Thompson’s healthy. Stephen Curry will get a much-needed summer off, and the role players—for example, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins—will be more confident and prepared. Not a betting man, but I am calling this one: G-State wins it again next season.

Russ: Now, of course, Don, there’re things that’ll change everything. We got the NBA Draft and a ton of possible blockbuster trades. Kyrie Irving—where’s he gonna land? Anthony Davis of the Lakers? James Harden? Damian Lilliard? For the Bulls, we need trades. We need a big man and to improve on defense. We work on these, and we’ll be all right.

John: I’ll stick with the Bulls. If everyone stays healthy, they could go one round further— but no more.

Patrick: Agreed. As to the championship, I’m going to lean on the Milwaukee Bucks. This season, I believed them to be the favorites for the trophy. Unfortunately, a huge injury hit them. Khris Middleton, anyone? And, on the other side, as a Lakers fan, I believe with a change here, a nip there—Kyrie Irving?—and LeBron could have the opportunity for one more championship. [Laughter.]

Any comments or suggestions? Email pedwards@streetwise.org