Summary of "The Athletic NBA Daily – NBA Finals Game 1 Preview" (June 5, 2025)

Hosted by Dave Defour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, with special guest Ryland Stiles from Sports Illustrated and the Locked on Thunder podcast, this episode provides an in-depth preview of NBA Finals Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome (02:21 - 03:05)

Dave Defour opens the show by welcoming listeners and introducing Ryland Stiles, a seasoned Thunder reporter and host of the Locked on Thunder podcast. Ryland expresses his excitement to join and his appreciation for the show's evolution.

Ryland Stiles (02:58): "I'm super excited to be here. I really appreciate you guys having me on. Love the show."

2. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Impressive Season and Rebuilding (03:05 - 06:34)

The discussion delves into the Thunder's remarkable turnaround, achieving 68 wins despite significant challenges, including injuries to key players like Chet Holmgren.

• Team Growth: Ryland highlights the team's strategic moves, such as trading for Alex Caruso and signing Isaiah Hardenstein, positioning them as favorites in the Western Conference.

  Ryland Stiles (03:34): "Once they went and traded for Alex Caruso, once they went and signed Isaiah Hardenstein, they were looked upon as the favorites in the West."

• Overcoming Adversity: The Thunder's resilience is emphasized, particularly their ability to secure 68 wins even after Holmgren's injury.

  Ryland Stiles (03:34): "Whenever Chet breaks his hip on November 10, that they'd still be the favorites in the west at the end of it."

• Swift Rebuild: The rapid transition from a rebuilding phase to a championship contender is credited to Sam Presti's effective front office management, ensuring fan retention despite the team's temporary struggles.

  Ryland Stiles (06:34): "The Thunder have consistently done things the right way to keep their fan base where they made it very obvious within the rules because they couldn't outright say that they're tanking."

3. Community Engagement and Fan Support in Oklahoma City (04:16 - 10:37)

Esperahenny and Ryland discuss the profound connection between the Thunder and the Oklahoma City community, likening it to an elite high school team with deep local roots.

• Fan Passion: The city's enthusiasm is palpable, with Thunder flags adorning streets and strong support evident both in the arena and at events like airport welcomes.

  Esperahenny (04:29): "Thunder flags. It's incredible."

  Ryland Stiles (08:57): "They always have treated the fan base as if it's a huge deal... unique to OKC."

• Underdog Mentality: The team's understanding and embrace of their undoubted role in the community translate into relentless on-court hustle and determination.

  Ryland Stiles (08:57): "They are the ones who are out here every day. We cannot let this season end for them."

• Arena Experience: Dave shares a personal anecdote about attending a game, praising the Oklahoma City arena for its excellent fan experience.

  Dave Defour (11:24): "It's actually one of the best arenas in the NBA to watch basketball."

4. NBA Finals Preview: Thunder vs. Pacers (14:28 - 23:20)

Ryland Stiles provides a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming Finals matchup, focusing on defensive strategies, key player matchups, and potential game outcomes.

a. Defensive Strategies and Matchups (14:43 - 21:30)

• Thunder’s Defense:

  • Ryland examines how Indiana will defend Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and the Thunder's approach to defending the Pacers.

    Ryland Stiles (14:43): "How does Indiana defend SGA and then how did the Thunder defend the Pacers..."

  • He discusses the Thunder's tendency to allow wide-open corner threes and their strategies to mitigate this.

    Ryland Stiles (16:15): "They've conceded wide open corner threes... how they defend SGA will be crucial."

• Pacers’ Offensive Tactics:

  • Emphasis on Pascal Siakam's role and the Pacers' reliance on shot quality and ball movement to counter the Thunder's defense.

    Ryland Stiles (21:30): "You have to have Halliburton making a quick decision to hit Siakam on the short roll..."

b. Key Players and X-Factors (19:35 - 20:40)

• Miles Turner as the X-Factor:

  • Dave identifies Turner as the pivotal player for the Pacers, questioning how the Thunder will manage his floor-stretching abilities.

    Dave Defour (19:35): "So how do they attack Miles Turner? Like what are they going to do there?"

  • Ryland suggests utilizing Isaiah Hardenstein's length to contest Turner’s shots while balancing defensive responsibilities.

    Ryland Stiles (19:35): "...have new bigs like Hardenstein contest the threes and make up for the ground."

• Pascal Siakam’s Impact:

  • The conversation touches on Siakam’s ability to create mismatches and his importance to the Pacers' offensive strategy.

    Esperahenny (20:34): "Pascal's ability to attack mismatches is such an important part of Indiana's offense."

c. Predictions and Series Outlook (23:01 - 23:20)

Ryland forecasts the Thunder securing the championship in six games, emphasizing their season-long performance and depth.

Ryland Stiles (23:20): "I think it's Thunder and six... the Thunder have been the best team in basketball all season long, so it'll eventually go their way."

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (23:20 - 25:06)

The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter about Ryland's personal interests, including his admiration for Elvis Presley, adding a personal touch to the professional analysis.

Ryland Stiles (24:56): "The basketball stuff was very easy. But just pretend it's a very underrated number on his... country album."

Dave encourages listeners to share their favorite Elvis songs if tuned in via YouTube, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryland Stiles (03:34): "The ride of the season I think might get lost nationally of what all this team had to go through to get the 68 wins."

• Ryland Stiles (06:34): "The Thunder have consistently done things the right way to keep their fan base where they made it very obvious within the rules because they couldn't outright say that they're tanking."

• Ryland Stiles (23:20): "I think it's Thunder and six... the Thunder have been the best team in basketball all season long."

Final Prediction: Ryland Stiles confidently predicts the Oklahoma City Thunder will win the NBA Finals in six games, citing their consistent performance and depth as key factors.

This episode offers a thorough analysis of the Thunder's journey, their strategic advantages, and the anticipated dynamics of the Finals matchup against the Pacers, enriched with expert insights and engaging dialogue.