The NBA Finals begin Thursday night with a brand-new matchup for the sixth year in a row. That’s a testament to the parity the NBA seeks and may signal the end of the “Super Team” era. Just a short while ago, from 2013 to 2018, just two different matchups made up every single Finals (Heat vs Spurs 2x, Cavs vs Warriors 4x). 

The biggest story of these playoffs has been the possible passing of the torch to the next generation of NBA stars. This year’s playoffs saw Steph Curry not even make them, while LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, all didn’t survive the first round.  

Meanwhile, the emergence of a potential future megastar in Anthony Edwards and strong showings by youngs like Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have made their respective teams real contenders already. It will take another year, for me at least, before I can truly say the torch has been passed, but the results of these playoffs seem to bode very well for the NBA’s future. When more teams have a chance to win it all, more fans tune in and engage. 

It’s going to be a really fun showdown this year with the Dallas Mavericks facing off against the Boston Celtics. Dallas was one of the best teams in the league in the second half of the season, greatly improving on defense after making pivotal midseason trades. The Celtics have been by far the best team in the NBA all year and boast their own top defense. Here are some of the storylines I find intriguing as we enter the final stage of the NBA season.

Kyrie vs. Boston 

Sports fans love their villains and the fallout from Kyrie spurning the Celtics is perfect fodder for that narrative. Kyrie, who seemed to have just become a beloved son of Cleveland only to throw that away, arrived in Boston in 2017 with high expectations of leading a championship contender. 

This is what I said about it back then: “Kyrie, Kyrie, Kyrie.  You got what you wanted.  Better be careful about boat parties though, this isn't Lake Erie anymore.  And snarking at Cleveland after leaving just seemed extra villainy.  Like, are these guys being handed scripts from the WWE?”

Kindly note that I was talking about scripts for the NBA long before it became a trend. Here’s a more informative breakdown of all that transpired between Irving and Boston fandom, but the basics are this: after his first season, he famously declared he would re-sign with the team and by midseason had backed off this claim while publicly criticizing his young teammates, who at the time included budding stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 

When he left via free agency to create a super team with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, Celtics fans never really recovered. The booing and the hissing will be palpable in what is still theoretically Boston Garden whenever Kyrie’s name is called.  It’s always a special time when Boston boos like they mean it. Not sure even burning sage can protect you from that.

For his part, Kyrie has been widely commended for the turnaround he has made in his maturation and attitude. He’s blamed his issues in the past in both Cleveland and Boston on immaturity. His stunning gameplay and on-court artistry, along with his leadership presence in Dallas, however, has really seemed to redeem the 32-year-old misunderstood superstar who battled multiple controversies even during his four Brooklyn years. Beating Boston would be the perfect statement for a man many will forever see as a villain. 

Another semi-interesting subplot is former Maverick, Kristaps Porzingis, expected to return from injury and boost Boston’s chances. He had 2.5 forgettable seasons in Dallas, playing just a total of 134 games for them due to injury. While he produced when he played, the fit with Doncic was not good, which Porzingis recently attributed to his own lack of maturity during that time. He’s been a huge boon to Boston this year but has missed the last ten games with a calf strain. He very well could be the factor that puts Boston over the top.

Luka vs. Jayson

This year’s NBA Finals MVP will likely come down to two players. At 6’8’, 210 pounds, and 26 years of age, the third overall pick of the 2017 draft, All-NBA First Team forward Jayson Tatum. And of course, the third overall pick of the 2018 draft, at 6’7”, 230 pounds, and 25 years old, All-NBA First Team guard, Luka Doncic. Beyond winning a championship for the first time, whichever player wins will firmly establish himself as one of the best in the world and a future face of the NBA. 

Doncic is the LeBron disciple and already considered one of the best offensive players of all time. Tatum modeled his game after Kobe Bryant, among others, and is much more the two-way threat. They’re in the biggest series of their lives, a total legacy maker. Watch for them both to rise to the occasion, giving us one hell of a mano a mano duel between the best players on each team.

Defense Wins Championships

I think the key to this series is which team will be able to implement their defensive strategy with more success. The offenses are formidable for both squads. The Celtics actually led the NBA in offensive rating for the regular season, but the Mavs were no slouches themselves, coming in at eighth. It’s whoever’s defense can carry the day that should determine who triumphs.

While Luka and Kyrie more than make up for any defensive liability with their offensive prowess, they can defend well from a team concept. That will be very important against a Boston lineup that is likely to start five guys that can all nail them from distance. On the flip side, good offense always beats good defense in basketball, but the Celtics’ tenacity on that side could really frustrate the Mavericks offense. The main thing is that these are two premier defensive teams that are highly motivated, and that usually makes for the best playoff basketball. 

Prediction

For as good and formidable as Boston has been this year, I see the Mavericks playing with more fire and more consistency as of late, looking like a team of destiny eerily similar to their 2011 title winners. But more importantly, I believe they have the two best players in the series.  Or rather, the two players with the highest ceiling. When Kyrie has it going on, there might not be anyone more impressive on planet Earth, flat or not. I just think the Mavericks have the two players most capable of dominating, and I think they will do enough to keep the Celtics from winning their coveted 18th title. Mavs in 7

And Finally….

What a long, strange trip it must have been. And we are all better for it. R.I.P. Bill Walton