Well, if we listened to the experts and the NBA prognosticating, we would shortly be crowning the Oklahoma City Thunder with their 2nd Larry Obrien trophy in as many years.
By now we all know that coming from a 3-2 deficit, the upstart San Antonio Spurs did what few thought was possible and not only won 2 games in a row to win the western divisions championship but put the exclamation mark on their final victory by winning on the opposing teams home court. A herculean task accomplished, and once again the experts let us know that you can watch the finals if you wish, but the outcome is all but decided.
Victor Wembanyama had already put on his superman’s cape and punished what most pundits believed was an organization that had put together one of the best consummate teams that anyone had seen in years. Yes, and that’s not to say that the Oklahoma City Thunder are not every bit of that, but tremendous credit needs to go to the San Antonio Spurs for putting on an epic performance and one of the best playoff series seen in years.
All that said, the well-rested New York Knickerbockers have been waiting in the wings and would like to be heard from.
Heard from they were, doing the unthinkable by defeating the Thunder on Oklahoma City’s home court two straight games, and setting the experts back on their heels in amazement.
NBA fans got an up front and personal look at how team basketball is supposed to be played, and without an MVP or a 7’4” center, the knicks have posted a commanding 2-game lead as the two teams convene at Madison Square Garden Monday night for game 3.
Surprising? I would have to say yes, but encouraging is a more apt description.
Although the Knick’s had a solid regular season record of 53-29, it paled in comparison to the Thunder’s 64-18 or that of San Antonio who posted 62-20.
The city of New York is going crazy as their beloved Knick’s haven’t secured an NBA championship in 53 years.
Not since Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave Debuscherre, Walt Frazier, and Earl the pearl Monroe graced the hardwood of Madison Square Garden have the New York fans tasted the ultimate success.
New York is a long way from Sacramento to be sure, but don’t think that Kings fans aren’t paying close attention to what has become a true surprise.
The very fact that the Knick’s have won 13 consecutive playoff games is nearly record setting, and two more wins would not only secure the championship, but tie them for the most consecutive playoff wins in NBA history.
Those games have yet to be played, and San Antonio may have something to say about the outcome to be sure, but the fact that without a true superstar the Knick’s are boat racing through the playoff’s, should give Sacramento fans something to ponder.
Some would argue that Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson are superstars and they may have a legitimate argument but credit the Knicks with building a team in the real sense of the word.
As the finals will finish shortly and one of these two teams will be crowned the champion, and heads turn to June 23rdwhen the NBA draft takes place.
General Manager Scott Perry has remained somewhat of an enigma, but that is about to change.
The ability to truly judge talent will be on full display, and a trade just before the draft remains a possibility.
Will the Kings shore up the backcourt and give Domantas Sabonis some help, or once again try to find the point guard of the future after they inexplicably let DeAaron Fox slip between their fingers.
Will Ja Morant enter the picture by way of a trade is still a possibility, but can the organization look past his transgressions that have put him in the doghouse of the Memphis Grizzlies.
One of the more interesting NBA drafts is about to begin and never let it be said the Sacramento Kings didn’t have a chance to enhance their team, because this draft is deep in talent, and one of these hopefuls is about to don a Kings jersey.
Enjoy the finals Kings fans and dream the dream, because that’s what New Yorker’s are doing right now!
All the best, V.G. Harris
Vince Harris is an area resident and the author of Kings Corner in which he contributes to Folsom Times that gives readers a look of the happenings on the court and behind the scenes of the Sacramento Kings.
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