NBA Finals Media Day Recap
We’re just one day away from the start of the 2022 NBA Finals, and with the series beginning soon, that means NBA Finals Media Day is back. Reporters got their chances to ask questions to both the Celtics and the Warriors ahead of Game 1, with much of the chatter being about the buzz of going to their first finals (for most of the guys) and how it felt to return (for the Warriors vets in particular).
It also, per usual, didn’t key anyone into the strategy behind how these teams are gameplanning other than the usual “just play our game” and “that guy’s a great player, we have to key in on him”. We did, however, get to hear some news on the rosters for both camps, and some practice footage as well.
In terms of injuries, it was reported that Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III would be listed as Questionable for Game 1, with Williams likely to see that status for every game. Smart, however, doesn’t appear to be in the same boat, and he was actually taken off the injury report earlier today.
The original reporting, a couple hours prior to this tweet from the Celtics themselves, had Smart as a part of the list for those questionable to play in Game 1. It looks like Boston will have the Defensive Player of the Year back for the start of the series.
On the Warriors side, a welcome surprise for many was to see Gary Payton II as a possibility of playing in Game 1. While veteran Otto Porter Jr. has also been injured, his status has him expected to play, similar to Payton. Both of these guys are integral parts of the glue which make up the Warriors’ depth, somewhere they’re going to need to get every ounce of effort from if they want to win this series.
While there was no commentary specifically on tactics from Warriors coach Steve Kerr, he did make an interesting comparison between the two Defensive Players of the Year who will be matching up in the Finals. Kerr, during availability, called Smart a “guard version” of Draymond Green:
Kerr coached Smart, as well as Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as the head coach of Team USA, leading the squad to another gold medal as has become the standard. It will be interesting to see how Kerr gameplans around each of these players, having had to gameplan for them even if only for a short time.
NBA Finals Media Day wouldn’t be NBA Finals Media Day, of course, without some antics from certain media members who’ve become beloved for their comedic segments. Jimmy Kimmel, host of his self-titled talk show, has had a history of sending his security guard and comedy partner-in-crime, Guillermo Rodriguez, to interview the biggest stars of the NBA Finals over the past few years, and this year was no different. Guillermo was able to interview Gary Payton II (which had some fun results), as well as Klay Thompson, who he’s interviewed before:
If there’s one thing Guillermo’s certainly good at, it’s these interviews and finding great material year after year.
The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday, June 2nd at 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. The first of hopefully many Finals games at Chase Center is expected to be rocking with energy, as the crowd’s investment in the Warriors has slowly but surely improved over the course of the playoffs. The Warriors’ championship pedigree should be on full display against a young Celtics squad that’s out to prove themselves.
(Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood / Getty Images)