The central narrative of this NBA Finals matchup might best be captured by two straightforward yet impactful statements made recently.
The first comes from Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner. Known throughout the NBA for his passion for Lego – to the extent that opponents sometimes use it playfully to mock him – Turner sees the process of building, brick by brick, as an art form, and himself as a kind of artist.
Just as extensive literature exists on the philosophy of basketball, there are books and discussions dedicated to the philosophy of Lego. Turner is a proponent of both and a thoughtful individual; before leaving the University of Texas after his freshman year for the 2015 NBA draft, he had planned to study psychology.
Therefore, his statement about what could be the most defining and comprehensive aspect of this NBA season – and the upcoming Finals between his Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder – was not frivolous. It was both profound and simple, deep and lighthearted, much like his Lego creations. He explained why these two teams, one an underdog and the other a consistent top performer, have reached this stage. It boils down, he said, to their ability to foster chemistry on and off the court, to `use the power of friendship`.
Then there`s a quote from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, potentially influenced by a parallel experience to Michael Jordan`s early career. SGA, too, was initially `cut` from his junior varsity team as a ninth grader in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. More accurately, he was placed `only` on the freshman team, which he then led to a city championship.
Gilgeous-Alexander`s high school basketball journey clearly saw a significant rise, leading eventually to the University of Kentucky. This week, he spoke about a lesson learned in high school that became a defining characteristic in his life: the strength of maintaining composure.
“I used to be a kid that got mad and threw the ball around the court over a pickup game,” he recalled. “My coaches taught me the older you get, the less you get away with things like that.”
“To be the guy I want to be, I can`t behave like that because it will translate to the rest of my team. That lesson always stuck with me. I still have [that competitive fire], I still feel it. I just understand not to let it show, and it kind of weaponized it for myself. Showing [your emotion] gives your opponent a weapon as well.”
The 2025 NBA Finals: The power of friendship and the weaponization of calm.
This phrase could easily be the title of a future analysis. It perfectly encapsulates the story of these two small-market teams built patiently, intentionally, and without great fanfare, akin to assembling a large Lego set, like Turner`s prized 9,000-piece Lego Titanic replica. Only one player in this Finals series, Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, was a top-three draft pick, and he hasn`t yet been named an All-Star.
“I think it`s a new blueprint for the league,” Turner stated after the Pacers eliminated the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“I think the years of the superteams and stacking, it`s just not as effective as it once was. … The new trend now is just kind of what we`re doing. OKC does the same thing — young guys get out and run, defend and use the power of friendship.”
It`s a memorable concept, and it has validity.
Earlier this season, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen humorously described his 64-win team`s style as “ethical basketball.” He elaborated, calling it “Farm-raised, non-GMO, organic, free-range, ethical basketball,” highlighting a team known for its depth, high assist numbers, and balanced offense throughout the regular season.
The Cavaliers` team-first “ethical” style received league-wide praise, and coach Kenny Atkinson earned Coach of the Year in his first season in Cleveland. However, the Cavaliers were defeated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by a team that arguably exemplified this ethic even more strongly: the Indiana Pacers, often described as a close-knit group or “circle-of-friends” squad.
The Knicks, who advanced one round further than the Cavs, also have their team identity built significantly around player friendships. This is evident in podcasts and commercials featuring long-standing relationships among players like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, dating back to their time at Villanova. Team president Leon Rose, a former agent, hired long-term associates Tom Thibodeau and Rick Brunson as coaches and prioritized acquiring former clients Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (both All-NBA selections this season) as cornerstone players. The Knicks` recent success, their best in 25 years, further supports Turner`s idea about the value of chemistry.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault also praised the Pacers` approach: “With the Pacers, the collective is greater than the individual pieces, which I think is the sign of a good team. They play with consistency regardless of the situation, whether leading by 20 or trailing by 20. They demonstrate remarkable integrity in how they operate.”
A focus on camaraderie, controlled emotions during play, and integrity: These are not traits typically emphasized when describing teams that reach the Finals, let alone win championships.
Michael Jordan`s famous quote from “The Last Dance” offers a contrasting philosophy: “When people see this,” he said of his relentless drive, “they`re going to say, `Well, he wasn`t really a nice guy. He was a tyrant.` Well, that`s you because you never won anything. It`s who I am, it`s how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don`t want to play that way, don`t play that way.”
The Pacers are not without their edgy moments. Their star, Tyrese Haliburton, is becoming known as one of the league`s more notable `trolls`. Some players, including Haliburton, wore black to the decisive Game 6 against the Knicks. Haliburton even playfully interacted with Knicks superfan Ben Stiller on X (formerly Twitter) after securing the series win.
Despite these instances of taunting, it doesn`t define their playing style. They can be effective in high-pressure moments and play with aggression, but Turner`s characterization of the team`s core identity holds true.
The Thunder, for their part, have cultivated a culture stemming from a similar principle. A defining team tradition, often led by SGA, is conducting postgame on-court interviews together as a group.
Earlier this season, Daigneault stated that when faced with a decision point, the Thunder would choose the more positive approach, metaphorically “going with the angel.”
Largely, the team follows the lead of their MVP, who is committed to managing his emotions and supporting his teammates.
“We`ve been as close as you can be as a basketball team, guys are connected at the hip everywhere we go,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We do everything together on and off the court. Above all we prioritize winning and enjoy each other`s company. I think it`s organically happened that way.”
Add “organic” to the list of terms associated with this series. Interestingly, Gilgeous-Alexander studied agriculture during his year at Kentucky. The 2025 NBA Finals themes: Lego, farms, and friendship – certainly distinctive elements for future documentaries.
At the very least, this championship series offers a refreshing perspective in the NBA landscape. These teams operate with a distinct feel compared to recent champions of this era, who were often defined by overcoming adversity or proving critics wrong, such as past Boston Celtics or Golden State Warriors teams.
The intensity and skill level of the play are just as high, but the team personalities surrounding it are different, a fact well recognized by those involved.
“It`s something you don`t take for granted,” Gilgeous-Alexander concluded. “You never know how many times you get to play for a team like this.”
