The Podcast Ep. 30 Thunderstruck & Rookie Ready: Unpacking The Best Finals Since '16 & Fresh Faces

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Welcome to Episode 30 of the podcast, where we're deep-diving into the thrilling conclusion of the NBA Finals and looking ahead to the league's next generation!

First, in "Let's Talk About It," we're shifting our focus from the predictable #1 pick, Cooper Flagg, to some of the other exciting rookies we can't wait to see hit the court. We'll break down why Khaman Maluach has us so excited with his Clint Capela-esque upside, even if he's a raw talent. Plus, we'll discuss Thomas Sorber, the big man Georgetown product drafted by the now-championship Thunder – could he be the missing piece in their big-man depth? And keep an eye on Tre Johnson for the Wizards, a potential top-tier scorer who could be a dark horse for Rookie of the Year.

Then, we're doing a full NBA Finals recap, declaring it the "Best NBA Finals since 2016"! We break down all the pivotal storylines, from the Thunder's swarming defense forcing a staggering 21 turnovers in Game 7 to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crowning himself king with a record-breaking postseason scoring performance and dual MVP honors. We also finally admit we were wrong about Jalen Williams and his clutch playoff run. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, though, as we discuss the unfortunate Tyrese Haliburton injury in Game 7 and its impact on the Pacers' offense, solidifying TJ McConnell's place in the "JJ Barea Postseason Hall of Fame." We'll dig into the turnover battle that largely dictated the series' outcome and ponder Chet Holmgren's inconsistent Finals performance. Finally, we'll cast our gaze to the future, debating whether these teams can make it back to the Finals soon and giving our way-too-early 2026 NBA Finals prediction!