“Disappointing to hear people call it boring” – T.J. McConnell addresses criticism of 2025 NBA Finals originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The 2025 NBA Finals got its share of criticism, with some branding it as one of the boring finals ever. T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers believes these views are unfair and thinks they and the Oklahoma City Thunder played one heck of a series.
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“It is disappointing when you see people say that it was a boring finals. It was the first game 7 of an NBA Finals since 2016,” McConnell said on The Christian Kuntz podcast.
McConnell understood that the interest waned because the 2025 Finals saw two small-market teams slug it out for the crown. However, he countered by saying that only true basketball fans would appreciate the battle the Thunder and the Pacers went through.
“It’s two small market teams that have never been there. So it’s not like it’s the same teams every year. I just thought it was the purest form of basketball being played. Playing in it, I felt it. And I feel like, real basketball fans enjoyed the finals this year,” the former Arizona Wildcat added.
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It’s a whole new ball game
McConnell’s disappointment is understandable, with most NBA fans still used to seeing top teams in the finale. Some were expecting the Boston Celtics to go for back-to-back championships, but fate had other plans.
One realization that most fail to consider is that the game is evolving. No longer is it about spending heftily on a few established superstars to win championships. The Thunder and the Pacers proved that getting the right mix of players who fit into a system is the new formula for reaching the top of the NBA.
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When the 2025 NBA Finals got underway, low viewership was expected. From Games 1 to 6, the average number of viewers was between 8.5 and 9.5 million viewers.
However, the series took a huge turn by Game 7, with the number ballooning to 16.4 million viewers. Hence, that winner-take-all game made it the most-watched NBA Finals game in six years, according to NBA.com.
Title for OKC, respect for Pacers
The Thunder won it all in the end, outlasting the Pacers 103-91. It was a disappointing end to Indiana’s season, with players like McConnell visibly disappointed.
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Despite falling short, the Pacers didn’t walk away empty-handed. Indiana got the respect and recognition it never got credit for, proving teams can go far even without big-name stars.
“I just think we’re a really good team and we’re really well coached. I think the fans don’t see the whole team aspect; they want to see superstars,” McConnell reasoned.
With the success that the Thunder and the Pacers had last season, it won’t be surprising if other teams try to follow their blueprint.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets are two teams who appear to be adapting a similar approach and more teams could soon follow.
Regardless, the Thunder and the Pacers are now a step ahead after their 2025 NBA Finals breakthrough. Both will be looking for a repeat performance and should expect tougher competition from the rest of the field once the 2025-26 season gets going.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.