I still get chills thinking about Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals - that crucial matchup where the Golden State Warriors squared off against the Boston Celtics in what became one of the most strategically fascinating games I've witnessed in recent championship history. Having analyzed countless NBA finals throughout my career, I can confidently say this particular game demonstrated why basketball at its highest level is as much about intelligent execution as raw athleticism. What stood out to me wasn't just the spectacular shooting we've come to expect from Steph Curry, but rather the subtle battle happening at the net - the blocking game that often goes underappreciated by casual viewers but completely dictates the flow of championship basketball.
I recall watching Draymond Green's defensive masterclass that night and thinking about how perfectly his performance illustrated a principle Filipino volleyball player Panangin once articulated about blocking: "Mas mapapabilis po kasi yung game kapag may block po and mas mapapadali para sa mga nagdi-dig or nagre-receive sa likod 'pag nata-touch namin nang maayos yung block." This translates beautifully to basketball - proper blocking fundamentally accelerates the game's tempo while creating significantly easier opportunities for teammates. In Game 4, we saw this theory manifest when the Warriors recorded 8 blocks compared to Boston's 3, creating numerous fast-break opportunities that ultimately contributed to their 107-97 victory. The Warriors scored 24 fast-break points that game, a statistic I believe directly resulted from their superior blocking strategy.
What fascinates me most about elite blocking is how it creates this psychological domino effect. When Green blocked Jaylen Brown's driving layup early in the third quarter, you could see the hesitation creep into Boston's offensive approach for the subsequent possessions. They started settling for more perimeter shots rather than attacking the rim, which played right into Golden State's defensive schemes. I've always believed that a single well-timed block can influence the next 5-6 offensive possessions, and the analytics from that game seem to support this - Boston's field goal percentage in the paint dropped from 58% in the first half to just 42% after Green's signature block.
The beauty of championship basketball lies in these interconnected elements. When Andrew Wiggins delivered that spectacular block against Derrick White late in the fourth quarter, it wasn't just about preventing 2 points - it immediately transitioned into a Curry three-pointer on the other end. That 5-point swing essentially sealed the game. This is exactly what Panangin meant about how proper blocking makes everything easier for teammates - it creates these clean defensive-to-offensive transitions that become absolutely devastating in high-stakes situations. The Warriors scored 18 points off turnovers that night, many originating from quality blocks.
Looking back, I'm convinced that Game 4 represented a tactical turning point in the series. The Warriors' blocking proficiency forced Boston into uncomfortable offensive positions throughout the second half, particularly limiting Jayson Tatum to just 10 points after halftime. Having studied championship games for over fifteen years, I've noticed that the team controlling the net typically controls the series momentum, and this game proved no exception. Golden State's 52-26 points in the paint advantage didn't happen by accident - it was the direct result of a blocking strategy that made Boston reconsider every drive to the basket. Sometimes I think we get too caught up in three-point statistics when the real game-changing moments often happen within arm's reach of the rim.