Playing in the NBA Finals is an incredible feat, not only for excellence but also for persistence. The season begins mid-October and Game 7 will be played on June 19. For players, a minimum of 98 professional basketball games over eight-one month period to play in the NBA Finals, more than 105 likely.
The adventure to win that Larry O’Brien trophy is part of what makes the NBA knockouts so entertaining. Staying on the field for six runs on the playground in the summer is taxable enough to provide a 15-year-old boy with a charlie. Play at NBA playoff intensity every night for two months apart and change, all due respect to everyone on the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics. Even for those watching and/or watching the tournament, once the trophy is awarded it’s time to take a deep, full-body exhale.
However, without the players fighting to the death to create spectacular performances, it would not be worth watching. Knees, ankles and backs are not good, these players have struggled to get 20 points in June which is as good as the sport gets. Although basketball is a team sport, the players who have risen to the top in this series – whether their team win or lose – deserve credit. So show some love to the best players of the NBA Finals.
