When I write something like "one of the best I can remember," I immediately feel guilty. First, it's my memory. So yeah. But second, there have been a lotta goo' baske'ball series in the history of the Association. So I felt better reading this from long-time NBA (and former "Heat") coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy:

SI: All these second-round series have had entertaining stretches, but with Bucks vs. Celtics, you've arguably called the best one.

SVG: It's the best series I've seen in years, to be honest. The level of competitiveness and intensity is incredible. In the other series, you know, you see a team that will sort of … I'm not gonna say 'take a night off', but maybe have a night where they don't compete quite as hard as the other nights. [Yeah he does. He means Philly.] But in that series … I mean, those teams don't even take a possession off. And I really appreciate, to be quite honest, both those teams, both those coaches, and every player on both of those teams and what they're putting into it and what they're bringing to the fans in this series.

I think even the fan bases on both sides really respect the other side and are just loving what these teams are doing on the floor.

I think he's right there, too. We are all basketball fans in a series like this. We can appreciate the level of play whether our team is winning or losing.

SI: When you say it's one of the most competitive series that you've seen in years, is that extending to and including the Finals, period point blank?

SVG: Yeah! I mean, look, the level of physicality, people are getting knocked down all the time. You know, Giannis [on Wednesday] night, it looked like he was ringside with Ferdie Pacheco and the cut man over there, to get him back out on the court. It's just bodies hitting all the time. Nobody gives anybody anything....