Casual observers still on the fence about the state of the 2021 National Basketball Association Playoffs following the elimination of popular protagonists need only revisit the pressure-packed end to the Suns-Clippers thriller the other night. Forget that the live-ball sequences, while officially clocking in at 90 seconds all told, unfolded in a span of 33 real-time minutes due to numerous stoppages and reviews. Notably, the Last Two Minute Report featured not a single incorrect call or non-call. More importantly, patience was rewarded by the outcome, and especially by its run-up.
Beginning with All-Star Paul George’s twisting layin with 30.9 ticks left, four lead changes kept league habitues on the edge of their seats. Fellow All-Star Devin Booker responded with a full-extension 15-footer against the outstretched arms of defensive specialist Patrick Beverley on the right shoulder. And after another counter by PG-13, the final score was sealed when 2018 first-overall pick DeAndre Ayton turned a perfect baseline inbounds pass from surprisingly consistent Jae Crowder into a dunk at the buzzer.
Not even NBA commissioner Adam Silver could have conjured a better storybook finish. That said, the twists and turns of the set-to — reflecting the twists and turns of the postseason thus far — underscore the intrinsic pull of pro hoops. So what if the Lakers fizzled in the first round? Never mind that the Nets ended their supposedly certain championship campaign with a gassed showing in overtime of Game Seven of their semifinal-round affair against the Bucks. The proceedings remain fan-tastic — which is to say exactly what fans want, but in an even grander scale.
And speaking of the Suns, it’s clear that they’re no fluke. They claimed the first two matches of their best-of-seven series against the seemingly more seasoned Clippers without the quarantined Chris Paul. Even as the competition was likewise handicapped by the absence of 2019 Finals Most Valuable Player awardee Kawhi Leonard, they deserve props for hanging tough and performing to potential under extreme pressure. And, for their uncanny poise, credit belongs to head coach Monty Williams, who, not coincidentally, set up productive plays off his last two time outs, the game winner included.
Finally, the Suns are being accorded the respect they feel they have long deserved. They certainly earned it, parlaying their perfect record in last year’s bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex into the league’s second-best 2020-21 regular season slate. In between, they pulled the trigger on savvy offseason moves that led to Paul’s arrival and low-key general manager James Jones’ recognition as Executive of the Year. As they know, though, all the effort figures to pay off only when they have the Larry O-Brien Trophy in their hands. And so they’re taking their challenges one play at a time. The mind-set led to a win the other day, and, as far as they’re concerned, will keep reaping dividends for them.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
