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The NBA Finals have finally arrived, and with it, the hopes, worries, and chaos that come with the playoffs. According to an article published in The Athletic, specifically in their newsletter, The Bounce, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s struggles in the series against the Indiana Pacers can be attributed to their deviation from their team-oriented basketball approach, as quoted from The Athletic’s reporting.
As noted by The Athletic, the Thunder have dominated all season long, boasting one of the best offenses in the league. However, their passing numbers have been inconsistent in the NBA Finals. In the regular season, the Thunder averaged 270.7 passes per game, which ranked sixth-fewest in the NBA, as reported by The Athletic, citing data from NBA.com Stats. Despite this, they ranked 15th in potential assists per game with 47.3, 12th in assists per game with 26.9, and 12th in points per game generated by assists with 69.4.
The Athletic’s analysis revealed that the Thunder’s passing numbers took a hit in Games 1-3 of the NBA Finals. In Game 1, they made 207 passes, with 38 potential assists, 13 assists, and 36 points created, resulting in a 6.3 percent assist-to-pass ratio, as quoted from The Athletic’s reporting. In Game 2, they showed improvement, making 232 passes, with 43 potential assists, 25 assists, and 65 points created, for a 10.8 percent assist-to-pass ratio. However, in Game 3, they struggled, making 229 passes, with 29 potential assists, 16 assists, and 44 points created, for a 7.0 percent assist-to-pass ratio.
The Athletic’s reporting suggested that the Pacers’ defense has been successful in limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which has, in turn, affected the Thunder’s overall performance. As noted by The Athletic, the Thunder’s best chance of avoiding a 3-1 deficit in the series is to return to their team-oriented basketball approach.
The Knicks’ Coaching Search
In other news, The Athletic reported that the New York Knicks have been rejected by employed coaches, leading them to focus on Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins as potential candidates, as stated in The Athletic’s newsletter. The Knicks’ coaching search has been an ongoing process, with the team seeking a suitable replacement for their current coaching vacancy.
Mock Draft SZN
With the NBA draft just around the corner, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has released his latest mock draft, featuring some intriguing projections and trade ideas, according to The Athletic’s reporting. Vecenie’s mock draft includes the Philadelphia 76ers trading down twice, the Washington Wizards trading up to select Ace Bailey, and the Toronto Raptors selecting Khaman Maluach.
The Athletic’s reporting highlighted Vecenie’s mock draft, which includes the following predictions:
- The 76ers trading down to select Kon Knueppel (Duke), Danny Wolf (Yale), and a high second-rounder.
- The Wizards trading up to select Ace Bailey or Tre Johnson (Texas).
- The Raptors selecting Khaman Maluach, a 7-2 Duke big man with high potential.
- The Atlanta Hawks selecting Joan Beringer in the lottery.
Pacers’ Championship Hopes
The Athletic’s reporting also noted that the Pacers are up 2-1 in the NBA Finals and continue to get overlooked in their playoff run, as quoted from The Athletic’s newsletter. Despite being two wins away from the championship, the Pacers are not favored to win the series, with the Thunder currently at -220 to win it all, according to The Athletic’s reporting.
The Athletic’s analysis suggested that the Pacers’ success can be attributed to their great coach, coaching staff, and talent evaluation. The team has created a strong identity and stuck to it, developing players and making opportune trades to bolster their roster.
As noted by The Athletic, it would be a shame to wait until the Pacers win the championship to widely acknowledge their achievements. They have earned their 2-1 lead in the series, and their blueprint for success serves as a great example for small-market teams.
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