The NBA Finals tip off tonight, and while the on-court action promises fireworks, the conversation around the matchup has taken an odd turn. Instead of celebrating two elite teams reaching the pinnacle of basketball, the narrative has shifted to… market size?
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers have both earned their way to the Finals with grit, talent, and top-tier execution. But somehow, the spotlight is being stolen by debates over whether their cities are “big enough” for the moment.
Let’s be clear — if a city can sustain a professional franchise and fill arenas night after night, it’s a legitimate sports market. Period. When the NBA moved the Super Sonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City, it was because they saw long-term value in that community. And if the NFL has a team in Indianapolis, how can anyone argue it’s not a major player in the sports world?
Dismissing these franchises because of geography undermines the heart of what makes sports great: the stories, the underdogs, the breakout stars, and the legacy-defining moments.
And this Finals matchup has all of that.
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Oklahoma City enters with one of the league’s best defenses, having smothered Jokic and the Nuggets in a Game 7 thriller, then steamrolled the Timberwolves in five.
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Indiana brings a high-powered offense led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, lighting it up from beyond the arc and knocking off both the Knicks and top-seeded Cavaliers.
These so-called “small market” teams are showcasing some of the most exciting, balanced basketball we’ve seen in years. Both are chasing their first-ever NBA title, and every game promises a battle of contrasting styles — relentless defense vs. offensive firepower.
So, are the NBA playoffs really that bad?
Absolutely not.
You just have to be willing to look past the zip codes and into the soul of the game.