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Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif
This Thursday sees the start of the 2025 Finals between the Thunder and Pacers, and so far the hype doesn’t seem to be immense among enthusiasts. Perhaps the spectacle on offer will generate real excitement, because according to LeBron James, this duel could be historic.
The 2025 Finals may not look the most glamorous on paper, but they could be one of the best spectacles in a long time. On one side, there will be Oklahoma City and its historically strong defense, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a coach who knows how to get the best out of his fine squad. On the other will be Indiana and its unpredictable attack led by Tyrese Haliburton.
The stylistic opposition will be radical, promising tight, intense encounters. It’s often said that offense wins games, but defense wins titles. The two teams will therefore have the opportunity to confirm, or not, this proverb so popular in American sports. It remains to be seen whether audiences will live up to expectations.
LeBron James’ opinion on the NBA Finals
There’s one man who probably won’t miss a minute of what promises to be a showcase of fine basketball: LeBron James. The King is a lover of his sport, of its evolutions, and this series could be a learning experience for him. In fact, he has dedicated an episode of his “Mind The Game” podcast to the Finals, which kick off this Thursday.
Defensively, all the Thunder players are connected. If one moves, the other moves. It starts with the outsides. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t considered an elite defender, but he’s among the best interceptors. Then you add athletic interior players. They have the right system, and they have the players to implement it. Then they have Alex Caruso, one of my favorite career teammates.
I want to see how the Pacers’ offensive chaos fares against this defense. For me, it’s the perfect duel. Will the defense dictate the pace, or the offense? I’m intrigued. Indiana has always been in the top 5 of teams with the fastest game in the league. I agree that the Pacers don’t want to play on half-court against Oklahoma City.
Contrary to some internet users, who want to make it seem as if these 2025 Finals won’t be interesting, LeBron James is looking forward to this duel between the Thunder and the Pacers. He believes it’s the perfect match-up between a perfectly controlled defense and an offense capable of anything on every play. This uncertainty is a good reason to get in front of your screen.
