Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a great NBA Finals, but could Jalen Williams win MVP?

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If you’re wondering how the Big 3 is going, Stephen Jackson tried to get in a fight after a game, then was recorded on video in the locker room screaming for people to google him because he “burns” people (yes, it probably means what you think) and then made a video in his car days later saying he’ll find the person who violated the sanctity of the locker room and called bloggers losers. Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson are beefing. Also, there are rumors Jamal Crawford might join. It’s exactly what you expect.

Surprise, Surprise?

Could there be an upset pick for finals MVP?

I still remember being in Cleveland when the Warriors won the championship in 2015. It was the culmination of a surprise season. The Warriors took the league by storm. Steph Curry was redefining basketball. And there was a lot of chaos on the court as the Warriors were celebrating on foreign turf and the media was scrambling to figure out where the most advantageous spots were for postgame coverage.

Then, I remember being completely baffled when it was announced Andre Iguodala won the NBA Finals MVP. This is meant as no shade to Iguodala, who is an incredible role player. And he had a very good series. He was tasked with the impossible duty of slowing down a then-30-year-old LeBron James. With Kevin Love’s shoulder still mostly in Kelly Olynyk’s grasp from the first round and Kyrie Irving playing only one game in the finals, LeBron was all on his own in terms of stardom on the 2015 Cavaliers.

He tried to do it all, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the series. He took over 32 shots per game in the series and averaged 11 free-throw attempts. But he was held to 39.8 percent shooting and 31 percent from deep. It was during an era when we were baffled if James was slowed down in the slightest. In a drubbing by the Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals, Kawhi Leonard was awarded his first NBA Finals MVP for doing such a great defensive job on the then-Miami Heat star.

It felt like my fellow media members just kept with that notion for 2015. And Iguodala as the primary defender did a brilliant job. However, Steph Curry still had a very good series and remained the engine that made those Warriors go. He still averaged 26 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, had 44.3/38.5/88.5 splits and even put Matthew Dellevadova in the hospital due to exhaustion after one of the games.

I still feel Curry should have won that 2015 NBA Finals MVP. Iguodala is one of the more surprising finals MVPs in history. He’s right up there with these other distinct winners:

• Tony Parker, Spurs in 2007: I think most would assume Tim Duncan won it.
• Joe Dumars, Pistons in 1989: Could’ve gone to Isaiah Thomas.
• James Worthy, Lakers in 1988: Some guy named Magic Johnson would’ve been the alternative.
• Cedric Maxwell, Celtics in 1981: Larry Bird had to be the pick, right?
• Wes Unseld, Bullets in 1978: The former MVP averaged nine points. Would most have assumed Elvin Hayes?

It makes me wonder what the odds are for a surprise NBA Finals MVP in this year’s championship series. I know the betting odds. BetMGM has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the heavy favorite (-600) – and for good reason. The regular-season MVP has been awesome for all but one game. But Jalen Williams (+625) has been charging the last three outings, and his story has been gaining momentum.

What would happen if, the rest of the way, SGA provides some average games while Williams contributes awesome performances? Would the latter edge out his MVP teammate? Or is that overthinking? After all, SGA is currently averaging 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.8 blocks while making 47.4 percent of his shots!

By the way, the odds are not even entertaining the idea of Tyrese Haliburton leading Indiana back to win the title and NBA Finals MVP. OKC is -2500 to win (Indiana +1050), and Haliburton is +4000 for finals MVP.

The Last 24

Caitlin Clark involved in another scuffle

👊 Fight fever. We had a skirmish in the Fever-Sun game. Caitlin Clark was knocked to the ground.

🏀 What if? The Pacers are on the brink of elimination. Game 4 may haunt them for a long time.

🏀 Mid-series trade! The Pacers aren’t too busy in the NBA Finals to make a trade. The Pacers swapped some draft picks.

🏀 World icon. I can’t recommend this Sabrina Ionescu profile enough. Her global reach is so impressive. 

🏀 Shots! John Hollinger wants to make sure your point guard has a running mate. Here are his best free-agent shooting guards. 

📺 New era? How does the NBA’s new media deal affect national and local markets?

👥 Bond-builder. Although Gregg Popovich is a coaching genius, he’s also adept at tough conversations.

🎧 Tuning in. Today’s “NBA Daily” discusses the best Kevin Durant trade destination

The Basketball 100

The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.

The story of the greatest players in NBA history.

Buy

Ruh-Roh

Tyrese Haliburton gets MRI for calf strain

You may have remembered Haliburton looking incredibly hobbled during the Pacers’ Game 5 loss to the Thunder. At times, the Pacers wondered if they were even going to play him in the second half of the game. That’s how bad things were when he went down during the first quarter of Game 5. But Haliburton tried to give it a go, and did have a few impactful moments while moving the ball around.

He also didn’t make a single shot in the game and finished with four points, six assists, seven rebounds and three turnovers in 34 minutes. It turns out Haliburton has a calf injury and had an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury:

“Haliburton is dealing with a calf strain and was to undergo further imaging Tuesday, but he wants to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals with his team’s season on the brink.

“A source briefed on Haliburton’s injury confirmed the calf strain and further testing, including an MRI, but also said Haliburton would push to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

It would be shocking if Haliburton didn’t try to play with the Pacers’ season and championship hopes on the line at home. But there also has to be concern for the franchise guard risking much more serious injury to the calf. Regardless, the Pacers must win tomorrow’s game at home in order to force a Game 7 in Oklahoma City.

It It Over?

Will you, Bouncers, bury Pacers in Game 6?

We have an extra day between Games 5 and 6 of the NBA Finals, as the Thunder are awaiting a chance at closing out the Pacers. That’s good news for Haliburton’s calf, and I’ll be honest that I don’t care which franchise ends up winning its first NBA title. However, I really want the Pacers to take Game 6 so we can have a Game 7.

This has been a very fun and interesting NBA Finals to me. The ratings have been rough for the league and its broadcasting partner, but that just means people are missing out on a great series so far. I’d love to see the Pacers force a must-win for both teams and give us the ultimate basketball drama on Sunday. Well … I guess the ultimate basketball drama would involve the forward formally known as Ron Artest going into the stands, but I digress.

I’m curious what you, the Bouncers, are hoping for in Thursday’s Game 6. Are you looking for a coronation of the best team in the NBA all season? Are you hoping for the Pacers forcing that do-or-die Game 7? Do you want Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be crowned or embarrassed? Are you rooting for a Haliburton return to form? Or do you want the choke sign meme to slap him in the face like a wrestling heel turn?

We’ve got a poll for you to participate in regarding Game 6 of the NBA Finals. We’ll publish the results of the poll in Thursday’s edition of The Bounce, leading up to the game action.

All-Time Anniversary

Twelve years ago, Ray Allen hit The Shot

On this date, back in 2013, one of the greatest shots in basketball history ripped through the net. So many of us still remember this moment like it happened five seconds ago. The Spurs opted for switching and versatility instead of Duncan being on the floor. LeBron missed a game-tying 3-pointer as the Heat were about to lose their second NBA Finals in three years with the big three of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Then, Bosh came soaring in for the rebound. He snatched it out of the air, found Allen retreating toward the corner and shoveled the ball to him, and the latter made sure to set his feet behind the arc in the corner before he let that thing fly against a closing Tony Parker. As soon as it left Allen’s hands, everybody in the basketball world knew one of the greatest shooters ever was coming through in the clutch.

Allen tied the game up, and the refs had to go make sure both feet were behind the line. Overtime ensued as the Heat won en route to a Game 7 victory and back-to-back championships. But my favorite part of this moment wasn’t the rebound or the shot. It was Allen trash-talking NBA personnel.

Because San Antonio was up five with 28 seconds to go, and the finals are technically a television show, the league was preparing for a Spurs ceremony. They had the trophy courtside, ready for Popovich and company to hoist it for the fifth time in franchise history. There were yellow ropes being brought up so the league could section off the court for only the most necessary people to cover the ceremony.

Allen didn’t like that. He hit the shot and yelled to get “those motherf— ropes out of here.” He and the Heat weren’t done yet.

Moments like this showed why the Heat wanted Allen on the team. It’s one of the greatest clutch moments ever. If he doesn’t make that shot, maybe the Heat’s core would’ve broken up that summer instead of the following one. Even more scrutiny would have befallen that big three.

Get those motherf— ropes off the court, please. Ray Allen still has business to tend to.

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(Photo: Alonzo Adams / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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