5 Things the 2026 NBA Finals Taught Me

Every June, I watch the NBA Finals for two reasons. 

First, because I love basketball. 

Second-and more importantly-because I’m always looking for something I can bring back to my players at The Yards.  I don’t watch the same way I did when I was younger. I’m studying habits, decision-making, leadership, communication and the little details that win games. 

1. Watch… But Don’t Always Listen 

This is something I tell my players all the time. 

I love the NBA. 

I love the WNBA. 

But broadcasts are designed to entertain. As coaches and players, our job is to observe. 

Sometimes I mute the TV, throw on some 90s hip-hop instrumentals, and simply watch. I like instrumental music because there are no vocals to interfere with my observations. 

Without commentary, I notice different things: spacing, communication, after-timeout plays, screen angles, defensive rotations and the decisions players make when the game gets tight. 

Yards Lesson: Don’t just watch basketball. Study it. 

2. Great Teams Protect the Paint 

Recent championship runs remind us of the same thing: you can’t have enough size, toughness and reliability in your frontcourt. 

The Knicks didn’t survive because they had one great big. They survived because they had options. Karl-Anthony Towns, Isiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson and Jeremy Sochan all brought something different foul trouble or matchups demanded adjustments 

As coaches, we talk a lot about scoring. 

Rebounding wins just as many games. 

As a Raptors fan, the lack of a healthy, dependable enter hurt all season. In the playoffs, the Cavs created too many second chances simply by owning the offensive glass. Availability in the 5 spot is also something the Rap’s need to address. No more big contracts to players who aren’t ready to go!

Yards Lesson: Rebounding isn’t a statistic. It’s a mindset. Every possession matters. 

3. Small Point Guards Aren’t Going Anywhere 

Basketball keeps getting bigger… but agile players on the point is paramount. 

Small, quick guards still bend the defenses in ways few players can. They get paint touches, force rotations and create open looks for everyone else. 

Watching Brunson reminded me that confidence isn’t about making every shot. It’s about believing the next one is yours - even as the pressure mounts. 

One thing I hope young players notice wasn’t the step-backs-it was the screen setting. Great pick-and-roll basketball starts with great screens. Feet set. Let the defender arrive. Create legal contact. Then, roll with purpose. 

4. Winning Basketball is Risk Management

Championship basketball isn’t just about making spectacular plays. 

It’s about avoiding unnecessary mistakes. 

Two late-game possessions stood out to me. Game 2 with Wemby & Game 4 with Fox. Both came down to minimizing the potential for danger. Game 4, with Fox, was wild because there was nothing saying, “shoot now or get the ball past half court.” It’s still mind-boggling thinking about it now. The OG play doesn’t happen if Fox manages things with more care here.

Sometimes the smartest basketball play looks boring. 

Dribble it out. 

Call timeout or let them foul you. 

Advance the ball. 

Get organized and think of the things that could hurt you, if you don’t communicate them right away.

Young teams often lose close games because they confuse urgency with panic. 

Yards Lesson: We don’t chase hero moments. We value possessions and what’s best for the squad. 

5. Falling Isn’t Basketball. 

All in all, the NBA had another incredible season. 

New stars. 

New Teams emerging from each conference. 

Fresh storylines. 

But one trend bothered me. 

Too much unnecessary falling. 

Flopping slows the game down, interrupts the flow and teaches young players the wrong habits. 

Every week, I see more kids throw themselves to the floor because they missed a layup or felt slight contact. 

That’s not basketball. 

Great defense deserves respect. 

Play through contact whenever you can. 

Let the game breathe. 

Yards Lesson: Tough players don’t look for calls. They look for the best option, in each moment, and that’s hard to find when you’re on the ground.

Thanks for reading and for your interest in basketball.

Sincerely,

Coach Drew, Yards Basketball