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An instant classic

I borrowed the headline from ESPN, they use it often when an outstanding game occurs that will be replayed into infinity. Before I begin allow me to explain this is not firsthand, circumstances beyond my control worked to force me to miss the game. This is a collection of YouTube video plus perusing the box score, before beginning this allow this explanation. I experienced a trifecta of events, the first inclement weather forced the local NBC affiliate to place the game in a “tiny box” next to the weather map.

There was no audio so I was unable to gain an understanding what was occurring, I went to Peacock but had buffering issues. Finally the storm in the KC metro caused an area wide outage so no picture period. The final score was Spurs 122 Thunder 115 in 2 OTs, after sweeping the Grizzlies and my Lakers the Thunder faced a team on or at least near their championship level. The Alien had a game that would become an instant classic (the game and his game) too. 41 points 24 boards 3 blocks in 48 minutes on the floor. It wasn’t Wemby alone there was help in the name of Stephon Castle, rookie Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell and others. Veteran DeAaron Fox was sidelined by an ankle injury. The young Spurs certainly made youthful mistakes but were able to overcome them by playing sparkling defense, as evidence Harper had 6 steals. SGA scored 24 points but was only 7 of 23 from the floor. Alex Caruso emerged from the bench for the Thunder scoring 31 points 8-14 from three, and Jalen Williams managed to produce 26 points for the Thunder.

The Thunder outshot the Spurs from three, which aided the cause after falling behind by as much as 10 points. The teams return to the floor tonight for Game two in OKC, it’s not a “backs against the wall” for the Thunder but they must win this game. In closing, as for Wemby the line he uttered last week continues to reverberate for me. Prior to this series a member of the media pointed out the young Spurs lack of veteran experience, Wemby said; “We don’t care.” That might sound arrogant to you but it didn’t strike me in that manner. If you don’t play at this level how do you gain experience?

Oh, really

The last time the Knicks won an NBA championship was way back in 1973 exactly 53 years ago. Generations of residents and fans of the team have no memory of a Knicks team winning it all. In the 1990s they reached the Finals in 1994 losing to the Rockets and again in 1999 this time to the Spurs. More recently they have advanced in the playoffs but always managed to come up short until now. This is going to upset Knick fans but the question was once stated; “You need a successful team in New York City for the NBA to be prosperous.” My comment to that is provided by the headline, I believe the NBA at least to this point has survived without a Knicks team “saving the NBA.”

I am not going to assume anything at this point, the Cavs could muck it up as they did in their previous series against the Pistons and win the series. Let’s take a quick look on how the teams managed the 2025-26 season. October and December the games were won by the Knicks while the last game played in February was won by the Cavs. I don’t wish for anyone to read what is not there, all that is necessary for me to do is point out the last series. You remember the Pistons were the top seed in the East and were matched against the fourth seeded Cavs, how’d that turn out? With the match up information its now time to begin play. The teams’ played last night at Madison Square Garden,  this is written Monday morning for a Wednesday publication, I have no idea who won the game, despite that fact an after action report will come forth soon.

Someone had to win the series

I’m not shocked or even surprised at the outcome, someone had to win the series. In this instance the visiting Cavs performed a beat down on the Pistons 125-94. On second thought I guess it is surprising the Pistons suffered such a substantial loss on their home court. Do to my scheduling issues I was unable to view all the games however what I did see in Game 7 was a repeat in a sense, with the exception of Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have 0 offense aptitude. The Cavs scored 30 plus points in every quarter except the fourth quarter then it was 26.

As for the shooting, the Cavs as a team shot 51% from the floor with 32% of it from three. Sam Merrill came off the bench for the Cavs scoring 25 points on 70% shooting, the trio of Allen, Mobley and Mitchell also aided the team win. As for the Pistons they shot a pathetic 35% and were outrebounded 50-41. The Pistons are certainly not the first number one seed to lose a playoff series so yes maybe I was surprised. Next up the Cavs will face the Knicks Thursday May 21 at Madison Square Garden. I’ve not read anything but must believe the Knicks will be favored for a number of reasons chief among them consistency. Finally if you are a fan of the Cavs or Pistons my apologies, this was beyond a doubt the worst series I’ve seen so far.    

Another Tiger on board

Over the weekend Cord Stansberry who played at Western Carolina announced on social media he was signing with Missouri. A closer look uncovers vital bits of information on Stansberry, at the top of the list he’s a guard. He becomes roster member 15 and the last added for 2026-27. He’s a 6-foot 4 guard who averaged 14 points a game last season, unclear at this point if Gates intends for him to assume the role of shooting guard or the point. Naturally with all the new faces plus the holdovers most of the Mizzou faithful including the coaches have no idea how this team manages to come together.

In addition the Southern Conference of which Stansberry played bears little comparison to the rough and tumble play of the SEC, certainly a concern. The front court for Missouri appears to be complete the question is asked how is the backcourt? Holdovers Aaron Rowe along with Annor Boateng return, new guy Jason Crowe Jr. joins, also added to the roster are newcomers Kennard Davis Jr. and Jordan Crawford. I’m not going to coach this team just conclude one or more of the newly arrived prospects along with returner Boateng could find themselves in the front court at small forward. This is only my projection of the Missouri backcourt in the middle of May, once fall rolls around these adjustments and others will be fine-tuned.