Just arrived in Oklahoma for the very first time, I found myself in the middle of my very first tornado warning.
Yes, I’m okay. And yes, I got told – apparently that’s totally normal around this time of the year.
I’ll definitely always have a very special memory whenever I hear “OKC Thunder” from now on: how I had to seek shelter in the locker room at the YMCA gym during my workout – together with everyone else – until the alarm sirens finally fell silent.
Monday, June 2
My trip to Oklahoma City via Chicago. A long journey was ahead of me, giving me plenty of time to wonder what exactly was waiting for me.
A Finals matchup that – I think – no one really saw coming. Many had OKC in the Finals, but the Pacers?
Why did no one have Indiana on their radar, even though they were already one of the surprise teams in last year’s playoffs?
Maybe it’s because we tend to prefer seeing Finals teams packed with star players – so much so that we become blind to the ones who actually have the strongest all-around package to go the distance.
With so much talent in today’s NBA, it’s simply not enough to have a few superstars on your roster.
Let’s look at OKC: first of all, they’re incredibly deep – which is super important given the physicality.
On top of that, they can easily go big or small. They have the best defense in the league, they’re nearly impossible to wear down because they’re the youngest team – and they play 100% team basketball. No hero ball.
Who can go up against a team like that, when they seem to have everything it takes – and then the cherry on top: that incredible team chemistry!
Clearly not the Lakers, Warriors, or Boston Celtics – like most people probably expected.
Now let’s take a look at the Pacers. Interestingly, the exact same strengths stand out for them: team basketball, a deep roster, and a strong defensive identity.
Sure, they don’t have the reigning MVP on their roster – but they do have Pascal Siakam, a key player who was a major part of the Toronto Raptors’ championship win.
Is that enough to counter someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Probably not.
But I personally love what we’re witnessing grow right now.
A move away from Big Three superteams toward true team basketball. The guy with the best open shot takes it – even if his name is Thomas Bryant.
Don’t underestimate the Pacers.
Yes, I also believe that the only way past OKC is if luck happens to be a little more on your side – like every second three starts to fall, and shots go in that usually don’t.
But I think Indiana will make it tough for OKC – tougher than most expect.
My prediction: OKC in 6. But honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a Game 7 in Oklahoma.
Until then, I hope I’ll get to see a bit more of the city.
So far, I haven’t seen too much – and I have to admit I’m a little disappointed by how the city is representing itself and supporting the team.
When I think back to the 2022/23 Finals and how Denver celebrated – on every street corner – just for making it to the Finals for the first time, I feel like OKC, after their last appearance in 2012, could have made a bit more of an effort.
But who knows – maybe in my next column I’ll be able to report that downtown finally feels like the NBA Finals are in town.
In total contrast to the city still feeling a little quiet and empty, things really picked up today at the first Media Day.
Many people had said that interest in these Finals wasn’t that big – but I can absolutely not confirm that, at least not judging by the media presence.
And this was only the first day! And not even all the media had arrived yet.
The Paycom Center was packed. For comparison: I’ve covered Denver vs. Heat and Boston vs. Dallas – and honestly, I don’t see a difference here.
What made me especially happy was the crowd around Isaiah Hartenstein.
When it was his turn to speak on the podium, it was really hard to get a good spot to ask my questions – but I managed, luckily.
I asked him if he knew that Dennis Schröder – when he bought his first shares in the Basketball Löwen back in 2018 (in 2020 he increased his stake and became sole owner, now holding 100%) – was also playing in OKC at the time.
Just like Isaiah is now – who, in December 2024, together with his father Florian Hartenstein and former Ulm player Adam Hess, took over 10% of ratiopharm Ulm.
I also asked – since ratiopharm Ulm were playing in the semifinals against Würzburg at the exact moment I asked my question – whether he was able to follow any of it at all, or if his focus was completely on the Finals.
“I do follow it a bit,” Hartenstein says, “I try to watch as much as I can. It’s a bit harder to catch the games live over here, but I usually watch them the next day. I definitely keep up. We recently won the first game against Würzburg, which was really cool. And just seeing how well the young players are performing – some of them might even enter the Draft this year – they’re really doing a great job.
Yeah, I already knew that. It’s really cool. I mean, he’s also doing a great job with the Löwen. He can be really proud of what he’s building there. I think they had a really strong season – he can definitely be proud of himself.”
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
Transcribing this out right now, I once again find myself unable to put into words what it means to me – having the chance to do this job.
To be able to tell these stories, ask these questions – not a single day do I take this for granted.
I’m so excited for all the things I still get to share with you.
Until then – your Flight Girl.
P.S.: Send me your predictions on Instagram! I’d love to know if my column gave you just a little more belief in the Pacers. 😉
