NBA Finals: Full of drama on and off the court!

Kevin Durant out – Warriors down 3-2. Can Curry save Warriors?

We have seen so much careless and bad behavior unfold during these first-ever International NBA Finals. First, there was Golden State minority owner, Mark Stevens, who physically and verbally abused an NBA star with the world watching. Stevens was ejected from the arena during Game 3 after Toronto’s Kyle Lowry fell out of bounds and Stevens shoved him. The Warriors ownership issued a statement in the aftermath: “Mr. Stevens’ behavior did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization.”

Also, during Game 3, Beyoncé’s fans took to social media to sound off about Nicole Curran, the wife of Golden State Warriors owner Joseph Lacob, who they thought disrespected the singer’s space, talking over Bey to carry on a conversation with her husband Jay-Z.

We’ve also witnessed an over-the-top super-fan, hip hop artist Drake, go overboard injecting his influence and celebrity on the game as he sat courtside rooting for his hometown Raptors.

 

Court action

Meanwhile, the Warriors are fighting to win a third straight NBA Championship and Monday’s incredible 106-105 win in Game 5 kept their dream alive.

Toronto leads the NBA’s first International Finals 3-2.

After missing nine NBA playoff games with a right calf injury, superstar Kevin Durant, the MVP of the last two NBA Finals, was given the green light to play.

He returned and played 12 minutes, scoring 11 points before suffering what is believed to be a right Achilles injury. An MRI could reveal more; however, right now it appears he may need surgery and may be out the entire 2019-20 season.

The Warriors made 20 of 42 three-point shots and survived with a one-point win. Stephen Curry led the way with 31 points and eight rebounds and seven assists. Klay Thompson had 27 points.

The Warriors are the first NBA team to reach the NBA Finals five years in a row since the Bill Russell led Boston Celtics and are attempting to join Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago as the only teams to three-peat.

Game 6 is now on Thursday in Oakland. The Warriors, however, are still in a deep hole and superstar Kevin Durant’s return is now out of the question. Teams leading 3-1 in the NBA Finals — as the Raptors were until Monday — are 33-1 to go on and win the NBA title.

If the Raptors win it, they would be the first team outside the United States to win an NBA Championship.

 

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.