“night night”

2022 NBA Finals

At long last, we have arrived! After 82 regular season games and a playoffs that was both exciting and boring, the NBA Finals are here. From my perspective, fans got the best matchup this playoffs could have offered us.

• The Slow Burn cruised through the Conference Finals round 2–0. thought the Mavs would get one more game on GSW but the Warriors took care of business. I was totally fine with Jimmy’s three to win, he was gassed, his team was gassed and the Heat wanted no parts of OT. Miami should be back next year but Pat Riley should try to upgrade the roster (Bradley Beal anyone?) in order to stay relevant.
• For the very first time, The Slow Burn is on the big screen! Check out our NBA Finals preview with special guest Jimmy (my dad) at the bottom of the article.

NBA Finals:

(2) Boston vs. (3) Golden State

• The heavyweight showdown NBA fans deserve! The two best defenses in the NBA face off for a spot at immortality. Can Steph and company capture that elusive 4th Championship or is this the beginning of a Tatum-led Boston dynasty? Either way, a worthy champion will be crowned. Boston had a tougher road to get to the Finals but none of that matters now.
• This Boston team has historically played pretty well against Steve Kerr’s Warriors. Is that because GSW never thought of Boston as a true threat? Maybe. It also could be because the Celtics larger wings cause matchup issues for the Warriors. Regardless, the Celtics enter this Finals matchup genuinely believing they are the better team. Golden State’s offense has started to hum with that familiar and terrifying rhythm of old, flashes of Klay’s brilliance are terrifying to even the best NBA defense.
• Marcus Smart will likely shoulder most of the Steph Curry minutes and Smart has actually fared well against the dynamic soul crusher that is Chef Curry. Matchups are going to be interesting and could dramatically change depending on the health of Gary Payton II and Robert Williams III. How do the Warriors plan to guard Smart, Tatum and Brown? The Celtics wing size should be an advantage for Boston and will test Kerr’s defensive adjustments.
• Beyond the headliners, which players (We already talked about GP2 and Timelord) need to step up to deliver a Larry O’Brien trophy? I’m going with Andrew Wiggins and Grant Williams. Wiggins’ size could help the Warriors handle Boston’s wings and his ability to grab key rebounds has been a massive asset for the Warriors. Wiggins has accepted his role and is absolutely starring in it. If he can keep his stellar play up, Golden State will be hanging a new banner. For Boston, Grant Williams has done a little bit of everything. Play defense, flop, knock down huge threes, flop some more… He’s strong, gritty and could be that extra guy who helps Boston stop a Warriors run and steal a game on the road.
• I hope NBA fans can appreciate what we’re seeing with Steph Curry and the Warriors. Curry’s one of the greatest Superstars the game has seen and is 4 wins away from another World Championship. Just enjoy it! Don’t look for “takes,” just appreciate that we get to watch Curry in another NBA Finals. I’m expecting a tough, exciting and long series.
• Warriors in 7. Celtics have the talent to win but GSW has experience and a team filled with weapons.

Longtime dad, first time co-host.