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Leo XIV, birth name Robert Francis Prevost, has been elected the new Head of the Catholic Church by the College of Cardinals. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Villanova University in 1977. He is the first American to be elected Pope.

The New York Knicks, led by former Villanova stars Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, took a 2-0 lead over the heavily favored Boston Celtics last night in their second round series. It can be considered a “miracle” due to the comeback nature of both wins, and the closeness of both games.

Is it possible that these two events are connected? Is it possible that the New York Knicks have been ordained by God Himself, through his Villanova alum representative, to win the NBA championship in the Year of our Lord 2025?

Game Threads Index (May 09, 2025):

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/36225e4ebcd67

All three injured Cleveland Cavaliers – Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter – will return tonight against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 (7:30 pm ET, ESPN), sources tell ESPN.

Minneapolis-St. Paul - The following is a statement from the Minnesota Timberwolves regarding last night's (May 8) fan ejection:

"During the fourth quarter of last night's game against the Warriors, a fan was ejected by Target Center security for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct in an incident involving Draymond Green. A second individual, who was identified by surrounding patrons as making racially charged comments towards Green, left on his own before arena security could confirm his identity. The team is continuing to investigate, and additional action may be taken.

The Timberwolves and Target Center are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all. Racist, hateful, or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community and will not be tolerated under any circumstances."

https://bsky.app/profile/christopherhine.bsky.social/post/3loqz6d2smc2h

Total shot clock violations for each team that appeared or is still currently in the playoffs:

1. Warriors - 15 (9 in 2nd round)
   
2. Rockets - 8
3. Wolves - 8 (1 in 2nd round)
4. Celtics - 7 (2 in 2nd round)
5. Pacers - 7 (2 in 2nd round)
6. Lakers - 7
7. Knicks - 7 (2 in 2nd round)
8. Nuggets - 6 (1 in 2nd round)
9. Pistons - 5
10. Cavs - 4
11. Grizzlies - 4
12. Magic - 4
13. Clippers - 3
14. Heat - 2
15. Bucks - 2
16. OKC - 1

Throughout the first game, as well as after the game the narrative for this series vs. the Celtics primarily was that they missed “wide open” or “open” threes and they just had an off shooting night. Maybe from a tracking or analytics perspective that number makes sense, but if you watch the games itself, these are not open shots MAJORITY of the time.

Sure the Celtics are also missing some wide open threes that you see on the tape when the defense collapses, but that is not the net variety of what we see. Just because a shot is open does not mean it is not rushed due to a defender closing out from a hedge which we see a lot this series as the Knicks have moved away from drop coverage into full switches with hard hedges from the wings. Tracking data fails to account for if a shot is rushed, if it is a shot in motion of the offense, if it’s a step back 3 that gives space to make it a open shot but still a guy jumping at you.

These are what a majority of the Celtics actual looks are, so the knicks deserve more credit on defense, they have held up well. This was also apparent in the second game, their defense is great on ball on Tatum and Brown even the mismatches with Brown, Brunson made great contests for difficult looks.

The Knicks also at least in the second game, went down 20 largely due to swings that came from fouls. Some stalled momentum such as the charge that Derrick White took from OG which would have cut the lead to 7 with an and 1, which was actually not a set charge his feet were moving and it swung momentum.

I think the narrative is also very tiring that oh, the celtics just aren’t playing great but the Knicks are playing their best basketball. It is such a garbage and lazy take that is being spread around the media as well as these subs. Game 2, Brunson had 16 points total and has shot 35% from the field, OG had a stinker, and they actually had their worst offensive rating of any game this season. The Knicks have a lot to improve on offensively as well, and Brunson doesn’t have two bad games in a row, it could look very difficult in MSG tomorrow with the momentum going to New York. When will people start to give this Knicks team credit for the defensive presence they are showing, it’s non stop pressure. I think Knicks win this series ultimately in 6, the Celtics will keep chucking this up to variance, and Mazzulla will not change his analytics.

Source: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article303531791.html

Full quote:

“The sense here is that while the Heat might again pursue Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Miami isn’t going to offer all of its first-round inventory for a 36-year-old with one year left on his contract.”

“But Houston’s interest in Durant has been overstated, according to reports. Minnesota could become a top contender for Durant if the Wolves don’t win a championship.”

He ranks 19th in scoring overall. I understand a lot of his value comes how well rounded of a player he is but for how much he gets stuffed down our throats as a top 5 nba player, he is neither a high-volume nor efficient scorer in the playoffs. His scoring contemporaries are more in the Brad Beal and De-Aaron Fox tier.

Link - https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-playoff-points-per-game-active-players-nba

Michael Porter Jr is easily exploitable. OKC learned from Game 1. The game is pretty easy, and OKC made the game 5v4 where MPJ becomes invisible.

1. MPJ helps off Chet Holmgren - does not put his hands up to deflect passes - just good offense by OKC to pass to MPJ's man
2. MPJ just stands around like a scare crow on offense. You don't need to worry about MPJ crashing glass. Murray shoots a tough shot.
3. MPJ just confused%20(Holmgren%201%20AST)). He should've went back to Chet as Braun recovered. He just stands like a cone. Easy bucket. Keep attacking MPJ.
4. No one ran back. Not even MPJ. Easy bucket.
5. MPJ is a cone. %20(Jal.%20Williams%201%20AST))Does not use his hands at all. They pass right to Hartenstein who is he right next to. He is completely ineffective as a help defender.
6. MPJ is a cone again.%20(Hartenstein%202%20AST)) Hands are always down. Does not try to block passing lanes. Just a cone.
7. This is just bad. MPJ should've switched onto Hartenstein%20(Gilgeous-Alexander%201%20AST)). Jokic would've covered the rim. MPJ is a cone.
8. MPJ is a cone. )He just has his hands at his side. What is the point of his defense on this? He should be contesting SGA shot and forcing a pass. He just stands there like a cone.
9. MPJ sagging off but does not help on the drive.) MPJ Cone
10. MPJ does not box out IHart )- easy tip for a score. This man does not use his hands at all.
11. MPJ does nothing on offense%20(Gilgeous-Alexander%207%20AST)) and does not run back on defense
12. MPJ rocked on a box out) by Dort

MPJ is a negative player right now. His shoulder is hurt. He gives no effort.

He either needs to wear a mouth guard and fight through the pain and give effort or just be benched.

If I was OKC, I would do the same thing. Play with high effort and physicality and just attack MPJ.

Source: Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald

We were pretty much locked in with one team [Phoenix]. It didn’t happen there. We took the deal we felt was best for us now and in the future. We have young players. We have medium age players in their prime. Our draft picks are in better order than what they were. We have a lot of flexibility. That’s where the blueprint will come this summer.”

“I’m not going to apologize for saying no on the contract extension. I don’t think I should.”

“There’s no doubt what happened with Jimmy had a tremendous impact on our team. The buck stopped with me. I’ll take that hit.”

“I only tried to tank twice, and I was successful.. in 2008. I never told anyone I was going to try to tank.”

Are major changes necessary? “No. [But] we do have to make changes. There’s no doubt.”

Riley said he has never seen a season take such a toll on Erik Spoelstra. and that he needs time to reflect.

Riley said the Heat won’t run it back but cautioned that “players aren’t just going to show up” and other teams need to want to make deals. “We are going to look for something that will really help this team. It might take years. [But] we are not going to deal with a long process, nor is ownership.”

Riley, unsolicited, had one more comment on Jimmy Butler: “What happened with Jimmy, as ugly as it was, that I didn’t appreciate [everything else]. I love the guy. Those things happened. It wasn’t fun.”