Michael Finley, a former champion and current executive with the Dallas Mavericks, is likely to recall the thrill of punching a ticket to the NBA Finals in 2007. The thrill of ultimately overcoming adversity after years of working in the gym and mastering one’s profession is indescribably great. There’s a magnificent celebration that follows, usually involving booze.
When Luka Doncic and the Mavs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, that was exactly what he had in mind. Sipping a beer can, he took in the greatest moment of his career alongside his father. However, it appears that Finley disapproved.
ClutchPoints (originally Grant Afseth of MavericksGameday.com): The vice president of basketball operations casually removes the beer from Doncic’s hand and leaves without appearing to say anything. With a hint of dismay in his eyes, the bewildered celebrity analyzes the perplexing robbery and then dismisses it.
Finley looks to take charge as the franchise’s face by donning the proverbial boss cap (which should not be mistaken with the one he was really wearing for the Mavericks). Having played in this league for decades, the two-time All-Star is well aware of how easily fans can misunderstand anything and create a whole story around it.
A week before a huge NBA Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics, Doncic drank a cold one, which is sure to enrage some online critics who have previously questioned his conditioning. Finley might like to spare the Slovenian sensation the extra bother, but he has his own method of handling the naysayers.
Perhaps the man was simply in the mood for a brewski and didn’t feel like going to the refrigerator to grab one. Either way, if that’s even possible, this event has further strengthened the bond between Mavs supporters and Luka Doncic.
In the aftermath of yet another incredible postseason performance that saw him win series MVP, the 25-year-old is already considered a Dallas legend. Doncic scored 20 points in the first quarter and completely destroyed the Timberwolves. In the 124-103 shutout victory, he ended with 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Minnesota’s remarkable campaign comes to an abrupt conclusion, giving a muted Target Center no real reason to yell with excitement. From the appearance of things, Doncic’s night ended in the same manner when his booze was seized.
But as the Mavericks prepare to upset the powerful Celtics and win the NBA championship for the first time in 13 years, he is not thinking about it.
The two teams that have played the best basketball since the All-Star break square off in the 2024 NBA Finals: Boston, which has dominated the entire season, and Dallas, which has found its footing following a historic trade deadline. A historic backcourt is being nicely complemented by the acquisitions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, along with rookie Dereck Lively II and the underappreciated Derrick Jones Jr.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are tearing up defenses, especially in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks supporters have witnessed this combination and squad regularly make changes during these playoffs, but the Celtics have the size, talent, and experience to counter this assault.
Gaining a championship for Dallas would likely solidify Doncic’s 2023–24 campaign as the best in team history and add to his already impressive resume of postseason accomplishments in the modern era. Michael Finley had better give that man a cool drink of his choosing if he does all of that.
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