An NBA finals and no Warriors or Lakers?

You mean they’re holding the NBA finals and there’s no team called the Warriors or the Lakers? The next thing you’ll tell me is the U.S. beat Pakistan. In cricket.

Yes, I’m still paying attention to the NBA. It’s a way of life. The Celtics used to own the NBA. That was when they had a coach who smoked cigars, arrogantly it must be added, after all those victories. 

Boston has 17 NBA titles, and after Thursday night’s 107-99 rout of the incorrectly favored Dallas Mavericks in the opener of these finals most likely will make it 18.

The Lakers also have 17, which, when combined with the Celtics’ total perhaps makes the Warriors boast of seven in the heading of their promotional emails, a bit unnecessary. Then again Golden State has done more than anyone else in the last 10 years or so. 

That includes the current Celtics, of whom the “Pardon the Interruption” talk show co-host Tony Kornheiser a couple of days ago, referring to Boston’s supposed abundance of stars “If they could win, they’d be the Warriors.”

He meant the Warriors of 2015-22, the team that set a record for victories and spoiled the fans in Northern Cal. 

As we’re too aware, however, nothing stays the same. Teams keep searching for what they used to have, all the while understanding life has changed.

The Lakers, most notably are trying to reclaim their success, desperately again seeking a new coach. Wednesday ESPN said it was going to be J.J. Reddick. Thursday the would-be choice had been revised to Dan Hurley, who has led Connecticut to consecutive NCAA championships.

No question Hurley knows what he is doing, but as anyone understands there’s a difference between college, where the coach is the boss, and the pros, where the superstar calls the shots, which may be under the rim or beyond the 3-point arc.

The guy who makes the ultimate decisions for the Lakers is their icon — and arguably, the greatest. No matter what else, LeBron must be kept happy and healthy, in no particular order. Of course, LeBron is 39, and even in this new era of sports, that’s getting long in years.   

Steph Curry, around whom the Warriors are built is 36 and obviously showing the effects of his age and his length of service.  

Then maybe the Warriors or the Lakers will find a gem in the draft. But the way things usually go, the best end up being picked by the worst. Both the Warriors and Lakers are in the middle of mediocrity.

That doesn’t present the opportunity to choose players who can get you back to the NBA finals. that I comprehend. 

Just don’t ask how the US can defeat Pakistan in cricket.