Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: A Unique NBA Finals
The matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder isn’t exactly the NBA Finals many imagined or hoped for. Sure, teams like the Knicks, Celtics, and Lakers typically dominate the headline discussions. But that doesn’t mean this final lacks significance.
These teams may represent smaller markets, yet they have a chance to achieve something significant. We could witness Indiana finally clinching their first NBA championship, or perhaps the Thunder will secure their first title since the Seattle SuperSonics’ victory in 1979.
Can you remember the last time each of these teams reached the NBA Finals? For Indiana, it’s been 25 years, while the Thunder last appeared there 13 years ago. This moment is a call to reflect on their journeys.
1999-00 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers entered the 1999-00 season with some buzz, but perhaps not as much as one might think. In preseason odds, Indiana was predicted to win the NBA Championship at +1,000, placing third in the Eastern Conference behind the New York Knicks and Miami Heat, both at +800.
This season was firmly rooted in a Western era of the NBA. The Lakers, with Shaq and Kobe, were surging, while Tim Duncan and David Robinson led the Spurs. The Portland Trail Blazers garnered significant attention as championship contenders, boasting a lineup featuring Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Steve Smith, complemented by the defensive prowess of Scottie Pippen and Arvydas Sabonis. Their bench, with names like Detlef Schrempf and Jermaine O’Neal, added further depth.
However, despite the hype surrounding the Blazers, the Pacers stunned everyone with their performance that season. This period marked Larry Bird’s brief but impactful coaching tenure in Indiana. Bird had made a promise to Donnie Walsh in 1997 to take the coaching reins, and he fulfilled that promise for three commendable years.
It was a bold choice for someone without coaching experience, yet Bird proved himself to be an exceptional leader. He guided Indiana to a 58-24 record, following up a strong 56-26 finish in the shortened previous season. This was their last appearance in three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, supported by an attractive playing style.
The starting lineup that season included:
- PG: Mark Jackson
- SG: Reggie Miller
- SF: Jalen Rose
- PF: Dale Davis
- C: Rik Smits
This was a well-constructed team. Jackson was known for his assist-making, while Jalen Rose had a breakout season, and Reggie Miller remained a sharpshooter. The team wasn’t solely reliant on Reggie; both he and Jackson shot over 40% from beyond the arc, with Rose not far behind at 39.3%. They collectively embraced a modern style of three-point shooting and defense regardless of lineups, with players like Austin Croshere and Travis Best providing support off the bench.
These Pacers were ahead of their time, leading the league with a team shooting percentage from three at 39.2%.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, they faced off against the Knicks for the second consecutive year. This time, Larry and his squad contended with players like Latrell Sprewell, Allen Houston, Larry Johnson, and Patrick Ewing. Interestingly, the last time the Pacers reached the Finals, Rick Brunson played a key role in knocking out the Knicks. In a fun twist, his son, Jalen Brunson, is now a star player for the Knicks.
It was a Cinderella story for the Pacers, yet they faced a daunting challenge. The Lakers? Well, they were peaking at the right time. Shaquille O’Neal dominated the playoffs, averaging impressive stats, and Kobe Bryant stepped up in a significant leadership role, despite the depth chart’s decline.
This marked the beginning of the Lakers’ three-peat, but it shouldn’t overshadow the remarkable run of the 1999-00 Pacers in Bird’s final year as head coach.
2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder
By the time of the 2011-12 season, the Thunder had relocated from Seattle four years earlier. The extended phase of mediocrity allowed for strategic drafts that led to an extraordinary roster.
With a record of 55-27 for the season, the Thunder’s lineup boasted multiple future Hall of Famers:
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Thabo Sefolosha
- SF: Kevin Durant
- PF: Serge Ibaka
- C: Kendrick Perkins
- Sixth Man: James Harden
It may seem odd to find Harden on the bench during his third season, but the team was heavily focused on offense. Both Westbrook and Durant averaged over 20 points per game, while the others excelled defensively, designed to maximize stops.
Harden provided a significant scoring boost off the bench, averaging 16.8 points, benefitting from rotations that allowed for fresh legs. This was a testament to the brilliance of general manager Sam Presti, who crafted a superstar core from the draft without missteps.
The only notable challenge for this team was their youth, coupled with the unfortunate timing of facing one of the greatest teams in recent history: the Miami Heat led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Heat needed to assert their dominance after their previous Finals loss.
While Durant and Westbrook shone bright, Harden struggled to find his footing. The scoring depth of Miami, featuring players like Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers, created issues for the Thunder, leading to a disappointing 1-4 series loss.
Common Threads
As we look towards 2024-25, both the Thunder and Pacers reflect teams built organically, unlike many contemporary squads. Neither franchise was formed through free agency but rather through astute drafting and shrewd trades, including significant moves like that involving Paul George.
Both teams faced formidable opponents in their respective finals: the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe for the Pacers, and the Heat’s Big Three for the Thunder. This time might be different, though. We’re observing two impressive teams, each well-coached, ready to make their mark.
