I feel like having homecourt advantage is all about having Game 7 at home (which I know didn't work out for Denver this year). In the 2nd/3rd round of the playoffs, good teams can win road games but when it comes to the deciding game, you want it at home (sleep in your own bed, be around family, your locker room, practice facility, your fans).
Interesting potential parallel between the 6 year streak in 1974-75 to 1979-80 and the current streak. Here are the teams that won between that stretch:
'74-75: Golden State Warriors
'75-76: Boston Celtics
'76-77: Portland Trailblazers
'77-78: Washington Bullets
'78-79: Seattle Supersonics
'79-80: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Streak
'18-19: Toronto Raptors
'19-20: Los Angeles Lakers
'20-21: Milwaukee Bucks
'21-22: Golden State Warriors
'22-23: Denver Nuggets
'23'24: ?? (Dallas Mavericks or Boston Celtics)
If Boston wins, then they, the Lakers, and the Warriors will have won championships during both streaks. Every other franchise will be a 1-time only winner.
A question for Marc and other veteran hoop heads. When I was in the seventh or eighth grade ('79-80), I would entertain my closest friends by doing my Brent Musberger/NBA game intro imitation over the beginning of an Earth, Wind, and Fire song. I would have sworn that the league actually used this, but I can't find any references to it. Does this song ring a bell for anyone?
It certainly sounds like it could have been the underneath music to highlight packages from that era, but I don't specifically recall it. However, I will say that the WII sports intro seems to be a slight recall to the "In the Stone" intro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qvAxPqy2wA
In the Stone was released in 1979, and, according to one article, immediately became a popular marching band song at sporting events. So, it's quite possible that CBS might have unofficially used it under some commentary by Brent around that time.
P.S. Kevin Alexander, who writes my favorite Substack on music, grew up in the PNW and shared as a tribute to Bill Walton the theme song the Trailblazers used for local broadcasts when he was a kid.
how many road wins it will take in this series for the Boston Celtics or the Mavericks to become the NBA's new champions.? Since I picked celtics in a sweep, then the answer would be two 😊.
I go the Luka/kurie vs the 2 Js, the revenge tours., but not sure the background story of the Joe M vs. Jason Kidd comment, care to expand?
These two teams with the same fully healthy rosters played in Dallas in March. The Celtics put up 138 pts and won by 28. With all of the speculation about what could happen in this series, isn't that game the best indicator we have?
I don’t think so—the Mavs were watching now don’t resemble the team in n the 3 game losing streak that you reference. It’s a point, but I don’t think it’s a useful one. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know the Celtics, despite their great record, went 3-5 against the top 4 teams in the West. The Mavs just blew through those teams, largely with an injured Luka. I just don’t think we know what will happen here.
I feel like having homecourt advantage is all about having Game 7 at home (which I know didn't work out for Denver this year). In the 2nd/3rd round of the playoffs, good teams can win road games but when it comes to the deciding game, you want it at home (sleep in your own bed, be around family, your locker room, practice facility, your fans).
Interesting potential parallel between the 6 year streak in 1974-75 to 1979-80 and the current streak. Here are the teams that won between that stretch:
'74-75: Golden State Warriors
'75-76: Boston Celtics
'76-77: Portland Trailblazers
'77-78: Washington Bullets
'78-79: Seattle Supersonics
'79-80: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Streak
'18-19: Toronto Raptors
'19-20: Los Angeles Lakers
'20-21: Milwaukee Bucks
'21-22: Golden State Warriors
'22-23: Denver Nuggets
'23'24: ?? (Dallas Mavericks or Boston Celtics)
If Boston wins, then they, the Lakers, and the Warriors will have won championships during both streaks. Every other franchise will be a 1-time only winner.
A question for Marc and other veteran hoop heads. When I was in the seventh or eighth grade ('79-80), I would entertain my closest friends by doing my Brent Musberger/NBA game intro imitation over the beginning of an Earth, Wind, and Fire song. I would have sworn that the league actually used this, but I can't find any references to it. Does this song ring a bell for anyone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z2xClustQo
It certainly sounds like it could have been the underneath music to highlight packages from that era, but I don't specifically recall it. However, I will say that the WII sports intro seems to be a slight recall to the "In the Stone" intro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qvAxPqy2wA
In the Stone was released in 1979, and, according to one article, immediately became a popular marching band song at sporting events. So, it's quite possible that CBS might have unofficially used it under some commentary by Brent around that time.
Ah, that makes sense. Good find on the marching band angle. Thanks, Yato!
Cannot say I remember that.
P.S. Kevin Alexander, who writes my favorite Substack on music, grew up in the PNW and shared as a tribute to Bill Walton the theme song the Trailblazers used for local broadcasts when he was a kid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjfYLKOGdqU
Kevin's Substack: https://thekevinalexander.substack.com/
Mavs in 6!!!
how many road wins it will take in this series for the Boston Celtics or the Mavericks to become the NBA's new champions.? Since I picked celtics in a sweep, then the answer would be two 😊.
I go the Luka/kurie vs the 2 Js, the revenge tours., but not sure the background story of the Joe M vs. Jason Kidd comment, care to expand?
Wasn't trying to suggest there's anything between the coaches. Just that a championship would mean a ton for either one.
These two teams with the same fully healthy rosters played in Dallas in March. The Celtics put up 138 pts and won by 28. With all of the speculation about what could happen in this series, isn't that game the best indicator we have?
I don’t think so—the Mavs were watching now don’t resemble the team in n the 3 game losing streak that you reference. It’s a point, but I don’t think it’s a useful one. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know the Celtics, despite their great record, went 3-5 against the top 4 teams in the West. The Mavs just blew through those teams, largely with an injured Luka. I just don’t think we know what will happen here.
the ceviche looks incredible. glad we’ll get your in-arena observations from game 3!
IT IS INCREDIBLE AND I MISS IT!