KDTime: The Finals (NBA & NHL)

 Episode 75

In this episode, I talk about the history that was these sporting final events. In NBA, The Miami Heat surpassed everyone's expectations being the 8th seed of the East to make it all the way to the finals. After battling to even be in the playoffs and then stomping the competition it was certainly a Cinderella Run. Unfortunately, they fell flat in the finals losing to the Denver Nuggets who won a title for the first time in their franchise history!

When I say I was shocked at the results but, also slightly proud of the Denver Nuggets because they maintained their dominance throughout the regular season and handled business in the post season. Nikola Jovic was rightfully the MVP. I used to love watching the Nuggets play and I have a soft spot for them in my heart thanks to Carmelo Anthony. It was quite the series to watch Miami vs Nuggets. Basketball in general has always been such an entertaining sport. Of course I was watching the playoffs. I will say it was definitely a bummer to watch the Knicks lose to Miami in Game 6 and also very disappointing to see the Brooklyn Nets get swept for the second year in a row. I just don't understand what their problem is when it comes to playoffs nowadays. Anyway like I said history was made with the Nuggets being crowned Champions and I still couldn't believe the Miami went all the way to finals. I did the research and to find out the last time an 8th seed made it to the finals was the New York Knicks in 1999 and they did end up losing to the Spurs 4-1. So, definitely in a way history repeated itself just a bit right? Both the Spurs and the Nuggets won in 5 games after defeating an 8th seed team. 

I must give Jimmy Butler his props because he turned into someone else during the playoffs. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds in the finals. And over the course of the entire playoffs he averaged 26.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 22 games played. 

I would've liked to see him win the championship because of his game play but it is what it is. "Jimmy Buckets" is still a fantastic player. The thing is and it's something I've noticed and I'm sure I'm not the only one but some teams have "the guy" right? It's the one that there's all the pressure on to make the right play do the right thing etc. And Jimmy Butler was that guy for Miami. His team needed to step up and I sort of feel like he had to carry the team on his back. 

Which isn't fair to him but that's the way the story goes. The Denver Nuggets played more like a team and didn't completely rely on Nikola Jovic. And it showed obviously. Oh well. It was a great series to watch!

Florida what are they feeding them down there? They’ve got two teams in a final. Two opportunities to parade the streets with champions. Tampa Bay used to be that team ya know. It was like every year since 2020 they were in the finals. I’m still honestly shocked they were kicked out the first round by Toronto lol Let’s just say after three years of knocking out a new york team in the ECF I was a little more than happy Tampa was defeated. Anyway these Panthers who won the “cursed” President’s Trophy last year and got knocked out by Tampa in 4 games in the second round are in the Stanley Cup finals for the second time since 1996 where they got swept by the Colorado Avalanche. 

This was crazy! Two 8th seed teams were in the finals. There hasn’t been two teams from the same state that were both in the finals after literally starting from the bottom. I don’t even care if neither of them wins. That is historic. And honestly Florida as a state with the political decisions they are making aren’t really good news for themselves but to have two teams in a final seems amazing. Damn I wish that it was NEW YORK. 

In Hockey, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers had a heck of a series as well. The Golden Knights also won their series in 5 games. Jonathan Marchessault captured the Conn Smythe Trophy, finishing the postseason tired for the League Lead in goals and Jack Eichel led all players in points with 6-20-26 in his first ever trip to the postseason. Both players are from the Golden Knights. 

Neither team I was in particular rooting for but if I was going to root for either team it was Florida only because again they were on a Cinderella storyline and they were clearly the underdog. They are well oiled team and it was sad that they got knocked out the year prior after having an incredible regular season. But if you know sports as well as I and if not more you can understand and appreciate that regular season and playoff season are just two different beasts. Anyone can do great in the regular season, but playoffs thats were all the pressure comes on you. You have to be great and continue to be great so you have a chance to win the cup. 

Hockey is very different from basketball, while knowing the basic elements of sports play. 5 on 5 play against one another and there are basically two ends of the court or ice you play defense and offense. BUT they are different and have different rules and yada yada. 

When playoff season comes along it's like everything comes alive. The fans, the players, the whole atmosphere is incredible. There is nothing like it. 

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