The Official 2025 NBA Finals Thread: OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

[Nomad]

This is gonna be one of the best Finals in memory. Both teams well coached, deep benches, young, explosive, and exciting. There are a lot of fans around the world who could care less about whether the team is from NY or LA.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by Nomad

This is gonna be one of the best Finals in memory. Both teams well coached, deep benches, young, explosive, and exciting. There are a lot of fans around the world who could care less about whether the team is from NY or LA.

Those would be the die hards. Combined pop of Oklahoma and Indiana is about 11m. Gonna need a whole lot of casuals to tune in.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Dacubs2

hmmmm...I think OKC will win in 5. Indy gets a token win at home.

However, if Indy does pull off the upset, I'm going to be pretty sad that I sold my 2023 National Black Box Haliburton 1/1 2020/21 Impeccable RC Auto a week or so ago...

won't be as big of a killer as when I sold my national treasure RC triple GU Auto of Steph curry for $400 (Sold it after he was the 3 pt champion the first time...I thought all he was going to be was a 3 pt specialist)

I loaded up on Haliburton in 2020/21 and sold it all in 2022.

I'm pretty sure I still made more money in 2022 than I'd make today.

[Nomad]

Would you say that hobbyists are picking up Haliburton now with the expectation prices could rise further, if the Pacers unexpectedly secured a series victory?

[PokeyAndG]

this should be a chess match. I give Pacers a chance because of their ball movement, shooting and athletic bigs who can play on both ends.

[kipgen]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Would you say that hobbyists are picking up Haliburton now with the expectation prices could rise further, if the Pacers unexpectedly secured a series victory?

Looking through the recent sales for Hali, the excitement doesn't really seem there, price-wise

His silver prizm is currently selling for about ~$450 in a psa 10, more than half of Shai, and even less than Tatum who just split his achilles and will be out for a long time

Not really the price appreciation I'd like to see for the star player on a finals contender

Whether that's because of lack of in-season accolades to his name so far, the fact that his rookie year cards are in sac town jerseys (although shai's are in clippers jerseys so that can't be that much of a factor), some other nebulous reason...

Hard to say but my theory is that the pacers are a little too much of an everybody eats offense and the people want apex predators, whereas Rese is only apex-ish at the moment (he did just lose out to Pascal for ECF MVP after all)

[Nomad]

I think also Hali, for all his genius, doesnt have "it." I mean, ever since MJ, Kobe, LeBron (and even to an extent Curry) you have to be able to muscle the ball in to the paint if necessary to be considered a superstar. Siakam can certainly do that, but a Siakam game is boring to watch.

I would like to see Nesmith and Nembhard general a game once*. Like a more democratic Tatum and Brown, with a shapeshifting long bomber as an asset. Of course then the whole "overrated" thing would emerge again, but let's face it, that's just salary envy.

* They played in summer league when Drew first came up and helmed the team for like 2 weeks when Ty went out in early '23. And had one of the longest losing streaks I can remember. That's why the foundation of the Pacers is deep.

[ninjacookies]

I'm guessing it might have something to do with the fact he's never had a regular season averaging over 20ppg. And never been top 5 in mvp voting, much less anywhere close.

What exactly is the endgame speculating on Sam Cassell or Baron Davis? Especially if the Pacers most likely lose this year.

If you want in on an undervalued Finals champion with an established HOF resume, buy Kawhi.

[spurs50fan]

I think the versatility of the Pacers pushes this to 6. OKC is too deep but the versatility of the Pacers entire team is going to give them fits they haven't seen in the previous opponents. In particular consistent, fast play. *My bad*, Grizz were close but that thing happened. Denver tried but had some duds. And Minny found Randle checked out like Kat. It's going to be interesting but I would target Shai on defense as much as possible. I know...but

[mc1]

Originally Posted by al3xmac10

would you rather bet $775 to most probably win $100,
or most probably lose $100 for a chance for $775?

Hope OKC wins game 1 and then all-in on Pacers Series win!!

[2010GBPackers]

Since everyone thinks OKC is going to wipe the floor with the Pacers in 4/5 games, this is definitely going 7.

Proof incoming.

[bradjames12]

Looking at the postseason stats for each team it "looks" like it will be an evenly matched series...

Rebounding as always for the Pacers is an issue. That might tell the story of these Finals.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

Grizz were close but that thing happened.

what happened with Grizz this year?

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by Nomad

what happened with Grizz this year?

Ja hit the floor

No comment on how it happened

[Nomad]

Ah I see, Lou Dort happened. Thought Ja would have got past taking flying dunks that leave him vulnerable to a team's toughest defender.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I'm guessing it might have something to do with the fact he's never had a regular season averaging over 20ppg. And never been top 5 in mvp voting, much less anywhere close.

What exactly is the endgame speculating on Sam Cassell or Baron Davis? Especially if the Pacers most likely lose this year.

If you want in on an undervalued Finals champion with an established HOF resume, buy Kawhi.

The upside with Haliburton right now is a hedge against OKC. All the SGA stuff has gone up from preseason, you can hedge some of it.

Long term? Reggie Miller lite if he stays in Indiana. More personal accolades, not as many team ones.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Ah I see, Lou Dort happened. Thought Ja would have got past taking flying dunks that leave him vulnerable to a team's toughest defender.

It's one of the reasons I hesitate on his overall impact because his skill is unmatched. I love his game. But when you're airborne like that, and often, strange things will happen. That team competes well when he's out which is why I said they were close but Ja can't stay on the court whether it be injuries or other stuff.

Also just realized two of the playoff teams OKC played fired their coaches deep into the season, despite having winning records. Situations were already wild but for them to see both of them is even wilder.

[al3xmac10]

Carlisle has outwitted a brilliant coach (Spoelstra) with Lebron, Wade, Bosh before, in the most improbable Finals win in recent history...

[boxbuster7]

That indiana +9.5 for thursday is too tempting

[asujbl]

The ratings for this serious are going to be horrible

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by asujbl

The ratings for this serious are going to be horrible

I've been telling people nobody outside of okc/indiana (plus nomad), and hardcore degenerate nba fans will care

[Nomad]

I care.

[al3xmac10]

Originally Posted by mc1

Hope OKC wins game 1 and then all-in on Pacers Series win!!

i like the way you think...

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by Nomad

I care.

I included u chief

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

I've been telling people nobody outside of okc/indiana (plus nomad), and hardcore degenerate nba fans will care

So the ratings will be worse than the bubble ring and also Miami vs Denver?

Because I doubt it