33 | The NBA Finals and Numerology

In 1987, the NBA changed the name of the championship series from NBA World Championship Series to the condensed, NBA Finals.  This change came 40-years after the first Championship Series was played in the year 1947.  The new name has "33-numerology".

• NBA Finals = 5+2+1+6+9+5+1+3+1 = 33

If you read this blog, then you know I've made the accusation that the NBA is a "33-league"; from players, to coaches to owners to sponsors.  In the history of the NBA, some of the greatest NBA Finals were said to be between "Magic" and "Bird".

• Magic = 13+1+7+9+3 = 33
• Bird = 2+9+18+4 = 33

To date, the only two players to "Three-Peat" (win 3 championships in a row) are Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

• Kobe = 11+15+2+5 = 33
• Bryant = 2+18+25+1+14+20 = 80
• Kobe Bryant = 33+80 = 113
• Michael = 13+9+3+8+1+5+12 = 51
• Jordan = 10+15+18+4+1+14 = 62
• Michael Jordan = 51+62 = 113
• You can also reduce Michael with the Pythagorean Method.
• Michael = 4+9+3+8+1+5+3 = 33

It was Patrick Riley who coined the term "three-peat", and this season he has a chance to earn one as General Manager of the Miami Heat, home of the "Big-Three".

• LeBron = 12+5+2+18+15+14 = 66
• Wade = 21+1+4+5 = 33
• Bosh = 2+15+19+8 = 44
• Patrick = 7+1+2+9+9+3+2 = 33
• Riley = 9+9+3+5+7 = 33

The Heat will have to defeat the San Antonio Spurs if they are to "three-peat".  The San Antonio Spurs have some pretty special numerology "coincidences" going on as well.  Please read more about that here.  You'll never look at the "U" on their uniform the same way again.

In addition to #21 Tim Duncan, the Spurs also have star players Parker and Leonard.

• Duncan = 4+3+5+3+1+5 = 21
• Parker = 7+1+9+2+5+9 = 33
• Leonard = 3+5+6+5+1+9+4 = 33