The present state of the NBA is exciting, to say the least. While talented but lower-tier teams trade blows in the race to make the playoffs, three teams make up the supposed “elite” of the Association. Out West, the defending champion Golden State Warriors
are redefining the game behind the incredible three-point shooting of Stephen Curry and the dominant versatility of Draymond Green. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are striving for a sixth ring under Coach Gregg Popovich by embracing veterans like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan,
as well as by exploiting the devastating defense and superb offense of swingman Kawhi Leonard. In the East, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and brilliant role player JR Smith of the Cavaliers have their sights set on bringing home a banner to the title-starved fans in Cleveland.
At this point, a Warriors-Cavaliers rematch appears predestined, with a Spurs-Cavs series acting as the only alternative. However, outside of the established elite, two dynamic teams make their case as possible Finals contenders: the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Toronto Raptors.
Both teams have the balance of talent and results to win a championship. The Thunder run their team through two of the brightest young stars in the NBA, in guard Russell Westbrook and forward Kevin Durant. Last year in Durant’s absence, Westbrook rose to the occasion, earning the League’s scoring title, averaging 28.1 points per game, as well as adding 31 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles. This year, the UCLA product earned his second consecutive All-Star Game MVP award and continued to torch opponents for 24.4 points per game, at a clip of 46.1%. Durant, meanwhile, continued his own brand of hero ball by posting 28 PPG on 50.1% shooting, including 39.5% from beyond the arc and 89.5% from the charity stripe. The 2013 league MVP has truly returned to form following a season cut short by injury, which is a positive seeing how he has a chance to strike a large new contract in the offseason. Outside of their two superstars, the play of the Thunder bench unit is mostly average, especially from backup SG Dion Waiters; however, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter have both shown the ability to be offensive sparkplugs in the frontcourt. The Thunder also have a new head coach in Billy Donovan, who led the University of Florida to back to back NCAA titles.
Donovan takes over for the beleaguered Scotty Brooks, who drew heavy fire for his inability to get the most out of the phenomenal roster, such as in the 2012 NBA Finals, where his poor coaching was the catalyst for a loss to the Big Three of the Miami Heat.
Far beyond Oklahoma in the Great White North, the electric backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan have the Toronto Raptors looking the part of a LeBron killer in the East.
After an offseason of weight loss, the new “skinny” Lowry is having the best season of his career. The former Villanova standout is scoring 21.4 PPG at a rate of 43.6%, including 39% from deep. USC product and contract year player DeRozan is also posting hot stats with 23.2 points per game this season on a 44% field goal percentage, and combines with Lowry to form one of the most potent pairings in the NBA. The Raptors also feature a strong supporting cast led by big men Bismack Biyombo and Jonas Valanciunas, while former San Antonio Spurs’ guard Cory Joseph has carved a solid niche as well. Last year’s big free agent pickup, defensive stopper DeMarre Carroll, also has yet to see the court due to injury. The Raptors are coached by Dwane Casey
, a former assistant coach on the Mavs’ 2011 championship team, who now has consistently lead good Raptor teams that always fail to live up to expectations, such as in last year’s tragic playoff series loss with the Wizards.
Despite recent history of both teams’ inability to achieve greatness, this season feels special for both. Behind their two superstars, the Thunder have pushed their way to third in the Western Conference, behind the elite Golden State and San Antonio, and continue to make their case as part of the NBA’s elite. Meanwhile, the Raptors are shredding the Eastern Conference and are chasing down Cleveland for the number one ranking, defeating them in ‘the Six’ on 2/26 on a Lowry game-winning midrange shot. Both of these teams have their own powerful narratives behind them; all four superstars are seeking their first championship ring.
But, are both good enough to slog their way to the Finals? Toronto’s recent tear and victory over the Cavs show that they do have the ability to challenge King James for the East’s throne, so a seven-game series against Cleveland should easily be within reach for them. OKC, however, faces much tougher odds to make it all the way. While they appear virtually locked in for the three seed, they could potentially face San Antonio or Golden State in the second round, and neither plays to their advantage. The Spurs have one of the game’s best minds ever as their head coach in Gregg Popovich, and boast two-way stud Kawhi Leonard, All-Star Lamarcus Aldridge, and the Big Fundamental, Tim Duncan, in their frontcourt, as well as one of the deepest bench units in the league. The Spurs lead the association in defense, and are on pace to set a new record for margin of victory. Golden State, of course, has all-universe point guard Stephen Curry and five-tool player Draymond Green as their fixtures, who enable the Warriors to roll out their lethal “small-ball” lineup that spaces the floor with a bevy of three-point shooters, coached by an experienced Steve Kerr. With Donovan’s NBA inexperience and the state of the OKC second unit, their chances are slim on paper. However, OKC has already beaten the Spurs before this season, and have proven that they can tough it out against the Dubs. Assuming they make it out of a series with one, they will likely face the other, and will need similarly brilliant basketball to burst their way out.
A matchup between the Thunder and Raptors in the Finals would be nothing short of fascinating. The team culture matchup alone is intriguing, as OKC favors running the offense heavily through their superstars, while Toronto has implemented a Spurs-like system based on distribution and off-ball movement, similar to their Eastern Conference rivals, the Atlanta Hawks. Is it a matchup that is especially likely? No, not at all. But can it be intriguing? Absolutely, and it could very well be one of the most wild series’ ever seen.
