FNBA Finals Preview (2022)
Mar 28, 2022 13:40:30 GMT -5
Bulls GM (Sean) and Grizzlies GM (Zach) like this
Post by ESPN on Mar 28, 2022 13:40:30 GMT -5
#2 Bulls GM (Sean) (15-4) vs #3 Kings GM (Griffin) (15-4)
The 2022 postseason has been quite an outlier compared to previous seasons as we've typically seen the top seeds in each conference, especially the East, dominate their way through the first three rounds. The previous six conference champions all averaged 1200+ points through their first three matchups, while we have yet to see a team even hit 1200 points in any round so far this year. While record breaking scores are entertaining, the lower scores of the 2022 playoffs have been just as exciting.
Through three rounds we have a record number of upsets (5), the first championship matchup without a #1 seed, & the highest combined seeding of conference champions in league history (5). Each matchup after round one has been relatively close and there are a handful of other teams who were deserving of a shot at the championship as well. That being said, the two teams remaining have each been the best in their conference during these playoffs and have certainly earned the right to represent their conference in this year's championship...
Chicago Bulls
Sean is one of just eight owners who has been in the league each of it's first five seasons and he has now become the third member of that group to make a championship appearance. He looks to join Billy's Timberwolves this week as just the second to win a title. It has been a long road for the Bulls, though. They made two postseason appearances in their first three seasons but ultimately were not able to make any noise during those playoff runs. They came back very strong during the 2020-21 season with an impressive run to the ECF as the 6th seed before coming up short to the champion Cavaliers.
Chicago was able to avenge their loss to Cleveland this year, though, pulling off their third upset win in the last two postseasons. This isn't to say that the Bulls should be considered an underdog; they've actually been a top team in the conference throughout the season, finishing second in points scored among Eastern Conference teams & setting a franchise record for single season wins. But in the Central Division, their strong season has been overshadowed by Cleveland's dominant record, Detroit's sudden rise to playoff contender, & Milwaukee's massive late season push.
Those three division rivals, along with the Grizzlies, are actually the only teams to have beaten the Bulls this season. They weren't able to get a rematch with the Pistons in the postseason, but the Bulls have now knocked out both the Bucks & Cavaliers and now have face off with the team who upset the Grizzlies...
Sacramento Kings
On the other hand we have Griffin, who is in his first full season as the owner of the Kings. While he did inherit a Sacramento team with both James Harden & Damian Lillard, the roster has been turned over completely and the result has been very impressive for an owner with just a little over a year of experience.
Since taking over last February, the Kings have gone 22-5 in the regular season which is good enough for the second best winning percentage among active owners. And after a 1st round exit in 2021, the Kings' current playoff run includes wins over #1 Memphis, #2 Minnesota, & #6 Phoenix -- all of which were top six in scoring during the regular season. The Kings have also won 11 straight, the second longest winning streak of the season behind Memphis' 19 game streak, which was just ended by Sacramento.
Possibly the biggest storyline of the week, is the opportunity the Kings have with becoming the first franchise with multiple championships*. As we all know, Sacramento technically won their first title during the 2020 Corona Cup but it never really felt as though that championship held as much meaning as the other three winners since 2018. With a victory over Chicago this week, the Kings can cement themselves in the conversation for most decorated franchise in league history. Their list of accolades so far includes: 56 Wins (6th), 4 Playoff Appearances (T-2nd), & 3 Division Titles (T-1st).
Year in Review
Another very successful year in FranchiseNBA! Thank you to everyone who stuck with us for another season, we had lots of fun achievements this season including:
On top of all that, it's guaranteed to be the fifth consecutive year with an owner winning their first championship -- so parity is very much alive here in FranchiseNBA. I'm sure we'll see lots of new records being broken next year so hopefully we get to see everybody back here for the 2022-23 season. Thanks again to all and good luck this week to both Bulls GM (Sean) & Kings GM (Griffin) !
The 2022 postseason has been quite an outlier compared to previous seasons as we've typically seen the top seeds in each conference, especially the East, dominate their way through the first three rounds. The previous six conference champions all averaged 1200+ points through their first three matchups, while we have yet to see a team even hit 1200 points in any round so far this year. While record breaking scores are entertaining, the lower scores of the 2022 playoffs have been just as exciting.
Through three rounds we have a record number of upsets (5), the first championship matchup without a #1 seed, & the highest combined seeding of conference champions in league history (5). Each matchup after round one has been relatively close and there are a handful of other teams who were deserving of a shot at the championship as well. That being said, the two teams remaining have each been the best in their conference during these playoffs and have certainly earned the right to represent their conference in this year's championship...
Chicago Bulls
Sean is one of just eight owners who has been in the league each of it's first five seasons and he has now become the third member of that group to make a championship appearance. He looks to join Billy's Timberwolves this week as just the second to win a title. It has been a long road for the Bulls, though. They made two postseason appearances in their first three seasons but ultimately were not able to make any noise during those playoff runs. They came back very strong during the 2020-21 season with an impressive run to the ECF as the 6th seed before coming up short to the champion Cavaliers.
Chicago was able to avenge their loss to Cleveland this year, though, pulling off their third upset win in the last two postseasons. This isn't to say that the Bulls should be considered an underdog; they've actually been a top team in the conference throughout the season, finishing second in points scored among Eastern Conference teams & setting a franchise record for single season wins. But in the Central Division, their strong season has been overshadowed by Cleveland's dominant record, Detroit's sudden rise to playoff contender, & Milwaukee's massive late season push.
Those three division rivals, along with the Grizzlies, are actually the only teams to have beaten the Bulls this season. They weren't able to get a rematch with the Pistons in the postseason, but the Bulls have now knocked out both the Bucks & Cavaliers and now have face off with the team who upset the Grizzlies...
Sacramento Kings
On the other hand we have Griffin, who is in his first full season as the owner of the Kings. While he did inherit a Sacramento team with both James Harden & Damian Lillard, the roster has been turned over completely and the result has been very impressive for an owner with just a little over a year of experience.
Since taking over last February, the Kings have gone 22-5 in the regular season which is good enough for the second best winning percentage among active owners. And after a 1st round exit in 2021, the Kings' current playoff run includes wins over #1 Memphis, #2 Minnesota, & #6 Phoenix -- all of which were top six in scoring during the regular season. The Kings have also won 11 straight, the second longest winning streak of the season behind Memphis' 19 game streak, which was just ended by Sacramento.
Possibly the biggest storyline of the week, is the opportunity the Kings have with becoming the first franchise with multiple championships*. As we all know, Sacramento technically won their first title during the 2020 Corona Cup but it never really felt as though that championship held as much meaning as the other three winners since 2018. With a victory over Chicago this week, the Kings can cement themselves in the conversation for most decorated franchise in league history. Their list of accolades so far includes: 56 Wins (6th), 4 Playoff Appearances (T-2nd), & 3 Division Titles (T-1st).
Year in Review
Another very successful year in FranchiseNBA! Thank you to everyone who stuck with us for another season, we had lots of fun achievements this season including:
- Grizzlies tie single season record with 18 wins (MIN 2019, SAC 2020)
- Grizzlies tie single season record with 17 consecutive wins (ATL 2019)
- Jazz & Pistons make playoffs for the first time, all 30 franchises have now made it at least once
- OKC, CHI, LAC, DET, TOR, PHX, UTA all set franchise records for single season wins
- TOR, MEM, MIA are 1st time division winners
On top of all that, it's guaranteed to be the fifth consecutive year with an owner winning their first championship -- so parity is very much alive here in FranchiseNBA. I'm sure we'll see lots of new records being broken next year so hopefully we get to see everybody back here for the 2022-23 season. Thanks again to all and good luck this week to both Bulls GM (Sean) & Kings GM (Griffin) !