By Darius
This year's NBA finals will feature a game 7 showdown between MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder and the team-oriented Pacers this coming Monday morning.
This marks only the second Finals appearance for the Pacers, with their last trip dating back to 2000 when they were led by Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose. Unfortunately, they ran into the unstoppable "OK combo" - Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominant centers in history, and the young two-way All-Star guard who would become legendary, Kobe Bryant.
The Thunder last reached the Finals in 2012 with their famed "Big Three" of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. However, they were defeated by the Miami Heat's powerhouse trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
This Game 7 represents a crucial historical moment for both franchises - whichever team emerges victorious will claim their first-ever NBA championship.
About Finals Game 7s in NBA History
In the NBA Finals, two teams battle until one wins four games to claim the title. In ideal circumstances, four games are enough to win it all. But when a series reaches Game 7, it means the teams are evenly matched and the final game's outcome becomes truly unpredictable. While the Thunder are heavily favored on paper, the Pacers' magical playoff run through the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks has some hoping this underdog can complete their Cinderella story.
What do past Finals Game 7s look like?
The most recent Finals Game 7 occurred in 2016 when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers back from a 1-3 deficit to defeat Stephen Curry's Warriors. This series was particularly dramatic as it featured two superstar duels and high-powered offenses, culminating in a thrilling 93-89 finish. The victory delivered Cleveland's first championship and fulfilled LeBron's promise to bring a title to his home state. (The Warriors would later get revenge by adding Kevin Durant and beating the Cavs twice in the Finals.)
In 2013, LeBron's Heat defeated the Spurs 95-88 in Game 7, though the most memorable moment came in Game 6 when Ray Allen's iconic three-pointer saved Miami from elimination and forced the deciding game.
The 2010 Finals saw Kobe Bryant's Lakers outlast the Celtics in an 83-79 defensive slugfest. With brutal physical play and historic rivalry, this series featured the lowest field goal percentage in recent Finals history. The hard-fought victory gave Kobe his fifth championship and secured back-to-back titles for LA.
As for 2005? That Spurs-Pistons Game 7 holds the dubious honor of lowest-rated Finals ever. The defensive-minded teams, featuring Tim Duncan battling Detroit's "Wallace Twins" (Ben and Rasheed) in the paint, produced a glacial-paced 81-74 final that put even diehard fans to sleep. As my father said, the game's tempo was so slow he dozed off watching it.
What Makes This Game 7 Different?
First, the NBA's golden era in China has passed, and neither team has the fan following that Kobe's, LeBron's, or Curry's squads enjoyed. Second, both stars carry criticisms - Gilgeous-Alexander is labeled a "free-throw merchant" for relying too heavily on drawing contact, while Tyrese Haliburton faces questions about his ability to take over games. Additionally, officiating standards have drawn widespread complaints this postseason.
These factors have dampened enthusiasm, compounded by key players struggling at inopportune times. In Game 5, Haliburton suffered a first-quarter injury and was ineffective upon returning as the Pacers got routed. Then, in Game 6, a fully healthy Thunder team sleepwalked through an embarrassing turnover-filled performance.
Regardless, we can only hope both teams show up ready to play - maybe not perfect, but at least competent basketball. Here's hoping no external factors interfere and fans get to enjoy a proper finale. After all, this first-ever championship is something everyone wants to witness and be part of history.
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