A Sunday newspaper is a busy newspaper and does not have the whole place in the world, so go straight to the preview ahead of two 7-game games in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Let's take a quick look back, to add a historical connection to what is about to happen - including the possibility that the two finalists from last season will finish the season tonight.
Boston-Milwaukee (10:30 p.m.).
While we're already reached the end of a tremendous series, one of the best in years that features defenses and toughness we thought were gone (and thanks to the judges who are impressive to just keep) - but it's not too late to point out that this is a historic rivalry that did not begin two weeks ago.
First of all, for the four senior Celtics players, alongside Yannis Antocompo and Chris (Middleton) from the Bucks, this is a third series head-to-head in five years, since Boston won the first round in 2018, a year before the Bucks took revenge on them in the second round.
Second, between 1983 and 1986 - in what are perhaps considered the highest quality years at the top of the East ever - they also met three times, including a humiliating sweep that the Bucks inflicted in the second round in '83 to Larry Byrd's Celtics at its peak.
In general, the Milwaukee of the eighties is worth another word - because while everyone mentions only the Celtics, the Phillies, the Pistons and the Bulls when it comes to historic battles in the East, between '80 and '89 the Bucks stopped in the second round six times, when in '83 In 1984 and 1986, they added three appearances in the Eastern Conference finals.
A legitimate company at the top of historical quality.
This was a historic defense group.
And this is also an opportunity to remind Bob Lanir - that between '80 and '84 was the opening chin there, the last career years of someone who was one of the greatest chins ever and died last week at the age of 73. Whoever in that sweep in '83 surpassed the legendary chin on the other side , Robert Parish, and certainly - if you watched a few games from the series - enjoys considerable amounts of nostalgia.
This fight, led by Yannis and Taitum, will go down in history as no less qualitative than anything else these two clubs have ever provided in their encounters.
Doncic vs. Morning.
Who will meet Golden State in the final series, Photo: AP
Phoenix-Dallas (3 p.m.).
Two more clubs whose history is quite intertwined.
Although in the Eighties they did not meet in the playoffs, only part of the fate of the relegation against the Lakers (this happened to Phoenix in '84, '85 and '89. To the Mavericks in '84, '86 and '88).
The Dallas Dallas made a huge mistake when they moved their young star, Jason Kidd, to Phoenix in December '96.
A year and a half later, in June '98, Phoenix returned the favor and made a huge mistake when it transferred Steve Nash to it.
But they both had a "fix" - Nash eventually returned to Phoenix and led it for huge years.
Kid returned to Dallas towards the end of his career, where he won the championship alongside Nowitzki.
Now Kidd is coaching Dallas and he deserves quite a few compliments for the results.
But for one key thing he is currently falling for - he is failing to free Donchich from his James-Ardennes leanings.
With a rare talent like Luca's, it's clear that when it goes, it looks amazing and usually produces victories.
But with skyrocketing usability rates of more than 40%, Doncic's tendency to hold the ball too much and let everything go through him undermines the effectiveness of those around him.
Kid with Doncic.
The coach will teach the trainee to share with the friends around him as well ?, Photo: USA TODAY Sports
This is a phenomenon we see every time a big star plays in this ultra-centralized style.
And for Doncic it is also reflected, almost as usual, in the decline in output in recent quarters - since Game 3 (inclusive) he has not scored a three in the fourth quarter and is on less than 39% of the field in those quarters.
To increase his team's chances, someday Kidd will have to instill in Luca some of his own magic - the one that makes his friends better.
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