Game on
So the NBA Finals start tomorrow.
Like most of you, the 9 p.m. tip will cause me to watch some of the first half, and if it’s compelling, I’ll fight through the sleep deprivation that a midnight finish causes us old folks. At least it’s the summer right?
The Finals are not without storylines or stars.
For instance, as Weeds shares here, this could be a historic title for Boston, which could claim an NBA-best 18th championship in these Finals.
It also is a crossroads moment for Boston star Jayson Tatum. Is he ready to go from great player to championship-level great?
Would another title – or two – move Steph Curry to a 1A spot next to LeBron as the players of this generation?
(Side note: The Hawks should look at these Warriors, their roster and their maturation through the years as the playbook on how to maximize these Trae Young years. First, the Warriors were forgettable until Curry accepted the challenge of becoming much, Much, MUCH stronger physically four or five years into his career so that he was not such a defensive liability. That’s on Young. As for the roster, Klay Thompson is easily replicated in today’s long-bombing NBA, but Draymond Green is not. The Hawks do not have anything close to Green, who so adamantly believes he’s the toughest dude on the floor that the rest of the folks on the floor believe it too.)
But back to Steph for a second, where do we rank him among the all-timers? Because of his size, some will insist he’s a point guard, and he’s not better than Magic, Oscar or Stockton. Is he a better point guard than Isiah or Jason Kidd? I personally think LeBron is the best point guard to ever play the game, all things considered, and no one thinks Curry is better than James.
If Curry is a shooting guard, where would he rank all-time among the 2s? He’s not ahead of MJ. Or Kobe. Or Jerry West, most likely. Yes, Curry is on the short list of the best shooters of all time. His slash line of 47.3/42.8/90.8 is an all-timer.
He’s a surefire, no-doubt Hall of Famer, but does Curry crack a spot on an all-time All-NBA roster (three teams, by position)? Does that change if he and the Warriors win a fourth title with this nucleus?