Your All-Vibes Guide to the NBA Finals: Part Two
Speaking of having more fun with this newsletter…
This is Part 2 of my exchange with my friend Sarah Wheeler about the NBA Finals. Sarah is my #1 lady basketball friend, as well as the author of my favorite piece on Emily Oster ever. Read Part 1 over at Momspreading (best Substack newsletter name of all time? I think so.)
Sarah: So, who are you rooting for (you can be honest)?
Angela: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie, Jaylen, Derek Lively (rest in power mom), Tim Hardaway’s beard. I’m honestly not invested I just want a good series. As a PA native & Philly sports fan I cannot physically root for Boston.
Sarah: If you said WONT I would've been offended, but in fan parlance, I understand CANT. When my son came home from school with a coloring page of Kobe Bryant, I had a physical reaction. I love your list. As we say in our house if we're not rooting for the Celtics or against the Lakers, we're rooting for "basketball". Tight games, no injuries, good calls, fun commercials, and some surprises. Wait, did Derek Lively's mom die?? And can we talk about how hot Tim Hardaway is???
Angela: Yes — just before the end of the regular season. from cancer. she was only 53! He has a classic throwback kind of handsome face, no? cute & hot at the same time? I was robbed of being able to watch him for a long time, happy he is healthy & back.
Sarah: Yes, he really does, like he could've played opposite Nia Long. Oh my God this story is so sad. His dad died two years ago?? I know someone carefully crafts these things but I find the Mavs statement about it very moving. "So much of Kathy, her strength, tenacity and joy is reflected in her son."
Angela : non Mavs content from the Athletic 😭
this article also proves what a dumbass Dwight Powell is: “he is far more mature than his age, and he’s far more mature than his height.”
Sarah: That's like a borsch belt joke?
Angela:
Sarah: This is the basketbal content I need more of
Angela: skylar diggans smith has always been a queen
Sarah: This is amazing. Okay I'll wrap this up, but I'm wondering, if you had a friend who wasn't that into basketball but wanted to engage with the finals, how would you rope them in? (or would you tell them just to forget it and enjoy their free time)
Angela: hmm i’d prob have them watch games 3 of 4 with me & serve very good snacks
but i think this particular finals is skip-able for non fans — minimal hotness + the most interesting story lines are not going to be featured by media
Sarah: All the more important that we are covering the essential topics
Angela: did you see about kyrie signing his dad as his first show athlete? 😭
Sarah: please xplain
Angela: his dad will get a signature shoe!
Sarah: I don't even know how to process this. But I do know I will buy a pair.
If Thursday night’s Game 1 is setting the tone, this series could be a blowout. But what I love about basketball is that every game has the potential for surprise! I feel like, if these games are boring, I would direct people to Matisse Thybulles pandemic vlog for can't miss NBA content?? What about you?
Angela: ok Boston settle down.
I’m not a Mavs fan but I don’t think anyone predicted Porzingis going off like that or Kyrie & everyone but Luka missing every open three. I hate blowouts & there have been so many in these playoffs & they don’t actually seem to indicate that much — such a waste. NBA TV has all the finals series since 2000 available & I just watched game 1 of 2015 Warrior/Cavs. If these finals suck I’ll still watch every game but also another finals series in its stead for a fix.
Sarah: Good call. Also, there are 6 WNBA games on this weekend!
Angela: yes!! Aja Wilson just put up the most dominant bonkers stat line. 36 pts / 12 rebounds / 6 steals 🤯
Taking Noli to a Storm game in a few weeks with some women from a Portland rec league <3.
Sarah: Love it. I'm trying to go down to LA to see the Sparks and the old lady dancers I am now buds with.
Goddess bless basketball.
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