Editor’s Note: Hassan Adams was back in his college hometown this weekend to play ball in the Tucson Summer Pro League. After he dropped 31 points, the small forward who went from the NBA to the European League talked one-on-one with The Sports Culture and gave his thoughts about NBA Finals one hour before Game 5. 

TSC: OK, Hassan, You’ve got Game 5 of the Finals between Boston and LA set to tip off in about an hour. Boston’s up 3-1. Your thoughts?

Adams: It’s a great NBA Finals, to tell you the truth. I like it. You got two good teams that definitely worked for it. The two best teams are in the playoffs right now.

TSC: A lot of people in the beginning of the season were looking at the Celtics at going all the way. Is it a surprise to see the Lakers in there, too?

Adams: I don’t think so.  They turned it up the last two months of the season. They really turned it up and at one time, they were the first in the West. So you gotta tip your hat off to them. They definitely worked for it.

TSC: Who’s going to win it all?

Adams: Ahhh, I don’t know man. I’m an LA guy so I’m hoping LA can take it. But the Boston boys are definitely playing basketball right now. Not saying the Lakers aren’t. But I feel like the confidence is toward Boston. I mean, they won a big one in LA. We’ll see if my boys down in LA can take care of their home court.

TSC: If Boston wins, who’s MVP?

Adams: Oh, I’m gonna go with my hometown guy. If Boston gets it, I’m gonna go with Paul (Pierce). Paul, being a Celtics guy from the start, he’s been playing hard, he’s been carrying them. I want to see him get it because it’s everything that he’s worked for.

TSC: If LA comes back and wins it all?

Adams: Twenty-four. I think that’s pretty easy. The things that he accomplished this year was phenomenal. I gotta tip my hat off to him. He’s a tremendous player. You’ve got to go with No. 24. You’ve got to go with Kobe.

Adams photo Courtesy NBA