Post Reports The upside down NBA Finals
Jun 4, 2025
In this chat, Ben Golliver, a national NBA writer for The Washington Post and basketball aficionado, dives into the thrilling matchup of the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. He discusses how smaller market teams are rising and what that means for parity in the league. The talk highlights the emergence of stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton and their unique styles. Golliver also touches on the shifting dynamics of fan engagement in a world increasingly influenced by social media.
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Parity Brings New NBA Finals
- The 2024 NBA Finals features Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, two small-market teams without legacy stars.
- This showcases the NBA's success in creating parity and new opportunities across the league.
NBA's Salary Cap Spurs Parity
- NBA's harder salary cap and penalties spread talent more evenly across teams.
- Smart trades become vital as teams build around young stars rather than relying solely on star player moves.
Thunder’s Passionate Fan Base
- Oklahoma City Thunder fans are extremely passionate, showcased by packed arenas and citywide Thunder branding.
- The franchise has endured heartbreaks but is now poised for its first championship in OKC.