With the Conference Finals currently underway, each of the four remaining teams in the playoffs is battling it out for an NBA Finals berth.
The young and rising San Antonio Spurs are ahead of schedule, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals as the second seed. This is despite the Spurs finishing well outside the Play-In Tournament in the previous season, ranking 13th in the Western Conference.
San Antonio is currently facing off against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. After winning 68 games the previous season, their record was limited to 64 wins this season, with their four additional losses coming against the Spurs.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks have won 10 straight playoff games so far. Looking and playing like the most dominant team in the East, they are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, are a different story. Facing back-to-back seven-game series against the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers are now down 3-0, facing almost certain elimination. This series is also notable, as it is the first time that Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has made it to the Conference Finals.
So what does a championship mean for each of these teams? And who needs it the most?
What An NBA Title Means For These Four Conference Finals Teams
The Big Apple
Starting in the East, this is the Knicks’ second straight ECF appearance. And while both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are in their prime, their window is the second shortest out of all of these teams.
The reason why this is New York’s best chance at winning the NBA Finals is two-fold. Firstly, the Eastern Conference has not been this open in years. Teams such as the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, and the Cavaliers have made the East competitive.
This season, however, Philadelphia upset Boston in seven games, while the Heat and Pacers missed the playoffs entirely. This led to the Knicks facing (in hindsight) relatively weaker opponents in the first two rounds. And with the Cavaliers down 3-0, the Knicks are just one win away from making it to the Finals.
Secondly, New York has elite two-way talent. Players such as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are capable of making an impact on both ends of the floor. The team’s offense runs through Brunson and Towns, with the latter taking on more of a “play-making big” role as of late. Josh Hart‘s high basketball IQ and decision-making are also important aspects of the Knicks’ team identity.
If the Knicks manage to win the Larry O’Brien this season, this would cement Brunson as a Knicks legend. He will have managed to do what many other greats, such as Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony, failed to do.
The Land
Currently down 3-0 to the Knicks, the Cavaliers’ finals hopes are all but extinguished as of now. However, in the unlikely event that Cleveland mightily upsets the Knicks and goes on to win the championship, their victory will likely have the most impact.
This Cavaliers team has the smallest window out of all the teams currently in the Conference Finals. James Harden is 36 years old and will likely not be able to be a core contributor to a contending team post this season. With their (more than likely) loss in the conference finals, the Cavaliers might look to make some big moves this offseason.
Should the Cavaliers win the finals, however, this will have the greatest impact on legacies as a whole. The criticism that Harden and Mitchell face will finally be put to rest with this ring. Additionally, this championship will go down in NBA history as one of the biggest playoff upsets, right there with LeBron James leading the Cavaliers from being down 3-1.
The Big Friendly
Compared to both teams in the Eastern Conference, neither of the Western Conference teams has as much to lose. While the Spurs’ advancing against the Thunder would make waves, this OKC team already has a ring to its name. Additionally, titles for either of these teams could skyrocket certain players into all-time great territory.
If the Thunder goes on to win the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, they will be the first back-to-back NBA champions since 2018. It will also cap off a historic run by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently won his second MVP with 83 first-place votes. The Thunder winning the Finals could also signal a new NBA dynasty, although how it will survive under new salary cap rules is a whole other topic. While this is still the most likely outcome for many people, the Spurs and Knicks are here to prove otherwise.
Alamo City
A loss at this stage wouldn’t be a huge blow for the Spurs, as they are still an incredibly young team. Additionally, with their dominant Game 4 win, the Spurs have momentum on their side.
The Spurs winning the championship could also signal the beginning of a new dynasty. The Spurs are on such a roll that it is difficult to place a ceiling on them as a team. It is reasonable to believe that Victor Wembanyama has not yet realized his full potential as a player. Additionally, San Antonio’s young core includes versatile players such as Stephon Castle, Carter Bryant, Devin Vassell, and Dylan Harper. These are the players who could potentially compete in San Antonio to bring a championship to the city.
Moreover, the Spurs have a history of developing promising young players into all-time greats. Spurs legend Tim Duncan, as well as now-Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, were both roughly 22 years old when they won their first Finals MVPs.
Last Word On NBA Conference Finals Teams
The Eastern Conference Finals are all but decided, with the chances of a comeback being infinitesimal. The Western Conference Finals, however, are still going strong, with the Spurs blowing out the Thunder in Game 4.
Ultimately, legacies will be solidified, changed, or written, depending on which team wins the Larry O’Brien, capturing themselves a spot in NBA history.
Featured Image: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
