The Suns take game 1, and not even a 42-point Josh Giddey performance could stop them. That's not a great sign. Dr. Junior needs to step it up!
Easy 1-0 for the Knicks! Two Nil with a disgusting 29/23/10.
2-0! Is this going to be easy for Phoenix? Dr. Junior with a better game, but it's countered by Giddey having a way worse game.
Another easy one for New York!
The Grizzlies strike back! Dr. Junior is getting better and better, which is exactly what Memphis needs to beat the insanely stacked young Phoenix team.
Only 2 points in it, but the Celtics prevent the 0-3! It's a weird one, as the three best New York players all had as good or better games than the best Boston player. I guess that's why they call it a team game.
Two 37-point performances from the Grizzlies, and this one is back at square one! Michael Jordan with the 38 points for the Suns, but the rest couldn't match him.
A big swing in Boston's favour compared to the first 3 games, and this one is also back to the starting point!
From 0-2 to 3-2 for the Memphis Grizzlies! Dr. Junior with the nightmare 6/2/2 and 6 fouls performance... though he had a +11 +/- at that point, so maybe there were some intangibles in there somewhere? Either way it doesn't matter, as Josh Giddey drops a casual 45 points to compensate.
The Celtics have also taken it from 0-2 to 3-2! What a thriller this is turning out to be - only one point in it as well! Two Nil's 29/15/14 was barely not enough. reelworld II had the worse game, clearly, but he also had a +1 +/-, somehow. It's also notable how the Grizzlies won the 40 minutes SGA played by 15 points, in 48-minute game they lost by 1 point.
Well, game 7 here we come!
I don't fecking believe it. This Boston team is not that good, yet they've pulled out a 4-2 win over the much stronger Knicks. And it's not like New York played particularly bad either, including in this game. The Celtics are clearly greater than the sum of their parts.
And there goes our last Cafite! Dr. Junior is out, but he really grew into the series, and can't really be blamed for how it went down. And it's not like the Grizzlies were supposed to be much of a challenge for the Suns, so a thrilling 7-game series is more than anyone would have expected.
Yeah, so this is going to be the first NBA Final without a Cafite since 2015. I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.
Phoenix Suns 95-101 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 103-96 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 109-114 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 106-78 Boston Celtics Phoenix Suns 119-117 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 95-101 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 103-96 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 109-114 Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns 106-78 Boston Celtics Phoenix Suns 119-117 Boston Celtics
Because I made many of them younger. Some old-timey players were well into their mid 20s by the time they joined the league, which really doesn't work well with the game since age is such a massive factor to decide potential. I picked 19 because that seemed like a common age for rookies (or rather, they turn 20 between the draft and their first season). There's also luck involved, of course. Magic Johnson is "just" 61/70, Jerry West is 61/68, Ray Felix is 58/69, Yao Ming 61/73, Tony Parker 58/69, etc.
It's just that Phoenix in particular really lucked out on both draft picks and rookie improvement. Cooper Flagg was the 17th pick, and has gone 42 > 52 > 65 > 76 in overall rating since getting drafted in 2025.
@Solius I didn't notice that you re-signed right back with the Pacers before right at the end of free agency. Do you want to stay there? Not a lot of teams have any money left, but I could let you trade places with someone who also signed for a fair amount of money. It won't be a great team, but no great team had any money anyway.
Your options (if leaving) are: Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards or Cleveland Cavaliers. Other than that, the Portland Trailblazers and New Orleans Pelicans can just straight up afford you without a swap - Edit: let's say the San Antonio Spurs as well, for old times sake.
Okay guys, get ready! You're nearing the ends of your careers, some of you more rapidly than others, so prepare for a lot of red in the next few season previews. Now it's all about grabbing as much glory as you can on your way out. Particularly since I seeded the league with a stupid amount of up-and-coming legends.
Draft
Wilt and Shaq, future Boston legends.
Free Agency
Sonius signed with the San Antonio Spurs for $33.03M/yr through 2033. SebJr is yet to find a new team
Lil' V.O. (Kings) - cheeky Tim Duncan acquisition.
sontodevil (Heat) - a 34-year old Center might not be the most exciting get, but he essentially cost a single 2nd round pick and an unplayable 28-year old.
Skizzo & Sonius (Spurs), weeweetee (Pistons)
Dan II (76ers), Skizzo & Sonius (Spurs) - Spurs embracing the old.
weeweetee (Pistons) - Pistons embracing the young.
sontodevil (Heat), Skizzo & Sonius (Spurs) - Spurs embracing the young after all?
Nobbers & BenitwoSTARRLET - I have no words
Two Nil & reelworld II (Knicks), Pepper Bailly (Bucks)