Back in 2018, fresh off their very first title together, Brandon Colon & Rob Burns looked to further build on their dominance in the league by capitalizing on the pre-combine era and bringing in the two Connors (McCool & O’Rourke). With arguably the most stacked super team in BGBL history, the 2018 Warriors looked to repeat as champions in dominant fashion. In their rookie seasons, the flashy Connor McCool & the high-flying Connor O’Rourke, known as “Convict”, would go on to win 2018 League MVP & 2018 Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. The Warriors would breeze through the competition on their way to an undefeated regular season.

However, in a hard fought playoff series against the 76ers, O’Rourke would come down with a broken foot, and be ruled out for the Finals matchup against Denver. John Mollica’s Nuggets would subsequently shock the world in a sweep of the Warriors, marking the beginning of the dynasty in Denver we have all come to know over the past few years. The following season, McCool would go down with a horrific non-contact injury, and many considered his BGBL career over. A year later, Burns & Brandon would finally get over the hump to defeat the two-time champion Nuggets in the 2020 Finals, with the help of free agent signing Brandon Stevens, known as “Milk”.

Now, in 2021, the Warriors are looking to tie the 76ers’ all-time record and bring the franchise home its highly coveted third championship. Meanwhile, Connor McCool & Connor O’Rourke, against all odds, have made comebacks from their respective injuries, still hungry for their first title. The Connors are now on the opposite side of their former teammates, though, attempting to spoil the franchise’s run for that third ring. With McCool establishing the Grizzlies franchise this offseason, Memphis has taken the league by storm, handing the Warriors their lone loss earlier this season and locking in the number one overall seed. Unfortunately, McCool would go down with another brutal non-contact injury near the end of the regular season against the Spurs, but the team would respond admirably in his absence. McCool continued to coach his squad up from the sideline, leading the Grizzlies past an impressive Blazers team in a physical 3-game playoff series, leading to a Finals matchup against the defending champion Warriors.

This Finals should provide one of the most intriguing matchups of all time, not only due to the storylines involving the former teammates, but also due to the star power at play. We’d be remiss if we did not mention Tayler Welte, the third member of the Grizzlies’ Big Three, who had a career-defining performance in Game 3 of the playoff series against the Blazers to get the Grizzlies to the Finals (25 points & 4 assists). The Grizzlies have also become one of the most complete teams in the league in their short time together. Each player has a vital role on the team, including the three-point specialist Justin Ehrler who has recorded 72 points this season without needing to attempt a single shot inside of the three-point arc, and defensive specialist Eric Mattison, who’s long reach has given opposing offenders issues all season.

The Warriors, have been as dominant as usual, despite some injury scares themselves. After returning from an ankle injury, Milk has started to show signs as of late of returning to his 2020 OPOY self, knocking in 6 three-pointers in his most recent playoff game versus the Nets. Burns, who also went down with a scary injury earlier in the season, remains the vocal leader of the team. Brandon Colon is putting up respectable numbers as he always does, averaging 15 points & 15 rebounds per game on the season.

X-Factors:

Justin Ehrler (Grizzlies)
In the regular season victory over the Warriors, Justin Ehrler had his best game of the season, hitting 5 three-pointers. Ehrler may need some similar performances in the Finals if the Grizzlies want to take down the defending champs.

Quentin Middleton (Warriors)
Q has really stepped up this season in games which Burns and/or Milk were absent. There’s rumors that Rob Burns may be out Game 1, which would mean that Q might be relied upon more heavily not only for his play on the court, but for his veteran leadership as well.

Key Matchup: Connor O’Rourke vs the Warriors’ Bigs
The Warriors have won the rebounding battle by double digits in every game they have played this season. This is not much of a surprise, given that Brandon Colon, James Cruise, and Quentin Middleton all play for this team. Connor O’Rourke of the Grizzlies, who typically handles the majority of the rebounding responsibility for Memphis, is averaging 13 rebounds per game over his last 6 games, but only recorded 6 rebounds in the contest with the Warriors earlier this season. The Grizzlies’ chances could come down to a battle of the boards, and quite literally which team gives themselves the most second chances.

Injury Report:
Rob Burns of the Warriors is likely out Game 1 with an unexpected neck injury, but planning on returning for Game 2. For the Grizzlies on the other hand, Connor McCool has not stepped onto a BGBL court since his devastating injury a month ago, but the Grizzlies have not officially ruled him out for any of the Finals games yet.

The Warriors look to continue their domination and make history with their third championship in five years, while the Grizzlies look to make a name for themselves in the team’s first season together. This should be a good one.