Last time on The New Millennium, the Mavericks and Nets continued to rule the roost, but new challengers arose, including powerful duos in New York and San Antonio. With only four more rings left to be handed out, who will claim the ultimate prize and win the 2015 NBA Championship?
First Round
Out West, the Mavericks had no issues in the first round, only dropping one game to the Rockets. The Grizzlies were in for a much tougher test, but did just manage to take down the Trail Blazers, as Albert Ruffin and Marvin Williams combined for 45 points to win the decisive Game 5. The Jazz demolished the Warriors to advance, and in a shocker, the SuperSonics proved to be too deep for the Spurs to handle as Seattle progressed in a sweep.
In the East, the Nets swept the Magic, and would be joined in the second round by the Hawks. Atlanta had a much tougher time against the Celtics, as LeBron struggled for consistency, forcing Anton Kozlov to step up and lead the team to victory in Game 5. The Pacers were also in for a hard-fought five game battle with the defending champion Bulls. In Game 5, Indiana's stifling defense came to the rescue, holding Chicago to just 35% shooting in a 13 point win. In another shocking upset, the Knicks would go down in 4 to the Pistons, as Carmelo Anthony was held to one bad shooting night after another by defensive ace Nelson Cassell.
Second Round
Consistency issues continued to plague LeBron in the second round, and the Hawks would be left to fight without him on some nights. Still, what James could offer was enough to push New Jersey all the way to seven, before he was held to a woeful 5-18 shooting night in Game 7 that saw the Nets advance. Joining New Jersey in the Eastern Conference Finals would be the Indiana Pacers, who survived an incredible battle with the Pistons. Detroit got all the way to 7, and in Game 7, Russell Westbrook was on fire, logging 38 points, 11 assists and 5 steals, but it wasn't enough, as Tyreke Evans scored 20 crucial points off the bench and Indiana survived.
The Dallas Mavericks would also survive a tough battle with the Grizzlies, as Rajon Rondo's excellent defense held Stephen Curry in check for most of the series. But in Game 7, Curry hit 8 threes to the tune of 41 points and a decisive Mavericks victory. The Western Conference would feature another great point guard duel, as Kemba Walker and the Jazz faced Damian Lillard and his SuperSonics. Lillard struggled early in the series, scoring only 7 total points in Games 1 and 2, but rebounded quickly, never scoring less than 18 the rest of the way, as Seattle pulled off another upset in 6.
Conference Finals
It seemed evident that Stephen Curry was tiring over the course of the playoffs, as he was constantly asked to play 45+ minutes a game. But whatever fatigue he was feeling, he did not show it, as he completely embarrassed Damian Lillard in the Western Conference Finals. The young Lillard never stood a chance against the three time MVP, and Seattle was swept.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Nets would jump out to a quick 3-1 lead, as Jamaal Teague continued to pad his resume with one dominant performance after another. But in Game 5 in New Jersey, Klay Thompson saved the Pacers with 33 points to send the series back to Indianapolis. Any home court advantage the Pacers had was wiped out in the 3rd quarter, as the Nets held the Pacers to just 8 points and 76 overall in a dominant win. With that, the top two seed advanced to the NBA Finals for a rematch of the 2011 Championship.
NBA Finals
This rematch between the Mavericks and the Nets kicked off the right way in Game 1, with a shoot-out between Stephen Curry and Rudy Gay. Curry outscored Gay, 43-30, but Rudy won the war as New Jersey drew first blood. But the Mavericks stole home court advantage in Game 2, as Clifton Davenport's 29 points were enough to tie up the series.
Game 3 would also go to the Mavericks, as veteran shooting guard Kenneth Nance had himself a night with 34 points in the win. After watching his backcourt partner go off, Stephen Curry took control of Game 4, scoring 48 points and notching 15 assists. But unfortunately for him, the Nets made a late comeback to force overtime, where New Jersey dominated to once again even up the series.
Game 5 was a thriller, as the Mavericks would hold an early lead, only for the Nets to make another comeback. Down 3 late, Roland Snow's long range effort would just rattle out of the rim, and Dallas hung on to head back home, one win away from another title.
Game 6 was another fantastic contest, as Stephen Curry fought desperately to win another ring. In the end, Curry's 37 points were not enough, as Kenneth Nance missed a crucial late lay-up and the Nets would win by 5 to head back home for Game 7.
But Game 7 was another story completely, as Curry would get into early foul trouble. Completely spent physically and emotionally, Curry fouled out after just 20 minutes on the floor, and the reigning MVP was forced to watch from the bench. With their leader gone, the Mavericks fell apart, and Jason Richardson turned back the clock. As the New Jersey fans went wild for their wizened hero, Richardson poured it on, finishing with 30 points. The final minutes were filled with nothing but "Rich!" chants, as the crowd paid respect to one of the defining icons of The New Millennium. It was an emphatic 16 point win in the end, as the confetti once again fell in the Barclays Center(pretend it's in New Jersey). The New Jersey Nets are your 2015 NBA Champions!
NBA Finals MVP: Jamaal Teague(18.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg)
Somehow, this series has made Jason Richardson into a hero of New Jersey basketball and one of the greatest players in NBA history, and that is absolutely amazing. Richardson was one of my favorite players to watch, and someone who definitely deserves the legacy that he has been given in this fictional reality. Join me next time on The New Millennium for the 2015 offseason.
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