2022 NBA Finals (Game 6): Warriors Win NBA Title

As a lifelong Boston Celtics fan, this was a disappointing NBA finals. This team at its best was a joy to watch. Their defense was suffocating and aggressive. When the ball was moving on offense, they were nearly unstoppable. Yet, the ball movement was not great throughout the series, and the defense was thwarted by one Wardell Stephen Curry II. However, while disappointed, I must acknowledge that for all those moments when the Celtics did not play to their standard, and the inconsistency of the officiating (and NBA staple), more credit must be provided to the Golden State Warriors. They earned this title.

2022 NBA Finals (Game 5): Andrew Wiggins Steps Up for Steph

After the Golden State Warriors Steph Curry had a legacy defining game in Game 4, the Boston Celtics started Game 5 by having a defender faceguard and follow him at all times. Whether it was their efforts to turn the game into a four-on-four contest or a split fingernail, Curry had a subpar offensive performance and failed to make a 3-pointer for the first time in 233 games (regular season and playoffs combined). He finished Game 5 with 16 points and eight assists, missing all nine 3-pointers he attempted. While his production waned from previous games in this series, Andrew Wiggins stepped up with a monster game.

2022 NBA Finals (Game 4): The Celts Got Steph’d

Well, the Celtics will not be winning this series in 5…

Game 4 of this year’s NBA Finals may one day be considered Steph Curry’s greatest performance. Given the stage and what was at stake for his team, the long-time face of the Golden State Warriors filled the stat sheet with an efficiency and flair that transcended his final numbers–and his numbers were excellent. While one of the shorter players on the court, and with multiple Boston Celtics players solely focused on stopping him, Curry shot nearly 60% (7-12) on 2-point shots and 50% (7-14) on 3-point shots. Many of the Curry’s points were made against heavy contestation and at critical moments in the game. If the game was being produced for a coming-of-age sport movie, the shots couldn’t have been any more timely–or impressive. Multiple 3-pointers were more than 30-feet from the basket. He finished the game with 43 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

2022 NBA Finals (Game 3): Referee Recalibration and Possible Regression to the Mean

Following Game 2, the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green claimed that he had earned differential (i.e., “deferential”) treatment from the referees, alluding to his status as an elite player and championship pedigree. Based on how the referees officiated Game 3, maybe Green should have been less outspoken about it. For as evident as such deference was in Game 2, the opposite could be said during Game 3. And based on his energy–or lack thereof–maybe he realized that he had talked away his prior competitive advantage.

2022 NBA Finals (Game 2): The “Dirty Draymond” Game and Turnover Troubles

Well, you have to give credit where it’s due. The Golden State Warriors’ defensive leader, Draymond Green, falsely claimed that the Boston Celtics were “dominated” for more than three quarters of action in Game 1. Remember, this was a Celtics’ team that was ahead at halftime, and ultimately won with a 40-16 fourth quarter to transform a 12-point deficit at the start of the final frame into a 12-point victory. He was dismissive of the Celtics’ role players, in particular their shot making, and said that he and his teammates needed to play with more energy.

The Golden State Warriors played with much more energy in Game 2. This improved energy was most evident in their defensive performance. Green clearly provided his team with a jolt, while also charging up the Celtics in a different way…

2022 NBA Finals (Game 1): A Fourth Quarter of Perfect Basketball

Game 1 of the NBA Finals appeared to be in the books for the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were up 12 points going into the fourth quarter, after a typically strong third quarter. If anything, given their track record, it would not have been surprising for the Warriors to expand upon that lead. Many teams–even good defensive teams–wilt under the relentless ball movement and marksman shooting of the Warriors’ offense. The Celtics, however, didn’t wilt. Instead, they may have played the best quarter that any team has played over the course of the season (and postseason). At the end of the game, after a 40-16 fourth quarter run, they won Game 1 by 12 points.

Perplexed by the Pundits

As a New England Patriots fan, it is not unusual to watch drafts where the pundits question the team’s draft decisions. This may sound terrible to admit, but when they do, it usually leaves me feeling better about the draft in the long-term.

Nathan Eovaldi is now a “Boston guy”

Multiple news sources have announced that Nathan Eovaldi has signed a four-year deal with the Red Sox for $67.5 million; ignoring advances from his former team, the New York Yankees. While choosing their Sox over their team’s hated rival would often be enough to endear a player to Red Sox Nation, Eovaldi has already been receiving deep and meaningful affection from the fan base. It’s an affection that’s well-deserved.