The NBA Finals are a Fil-Am hoop dream

The third fan base, however, is the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora, as we get to watch two Filipino Americans face off on the biggest stage in professional basketball. The Knicks feature shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, likely the most accomplished Fil-Am basketball player ever, a 12-year NBA veteran and long considered what the kids call a “certified bucket,” a dynamic scorer who can come in and provide quick points off the bench.

Clarkson, whose father is Black and mother is Filipino American, has long embraced his heritage as a star on the Filipino national team. “When you represent your country, my grandma’s culture, my people’s culture, it’s a different feeling you get,” he told Vogue Philippines.

Clarkson has played sparingly these playoffs and it remains to be seen if he will make much of an impact for the Knicks. He offered 10 crucial points in just 13 minutes in game three on Monday, which may be enough to earn head coach Mike Brown’s trust if he needs to turn to him later in the series. His counterpart, Dylan Harper, is a crucial component of the Spurs’ balanced perimeter attack, and is averaging nearly 15 points per game in the Finals.

The 20-year-old guard was drafted second overall this season, but plays well beyond his years, blending bruising physicality and athleticism with a veteran’s savvy. A lot of that might come from his dad, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., but it just as well may come from his mom, Maria Harper. Maria, who emigrated from the Philippines when she was 7 years old, played college basketball at the University of New Orleans and coached Dylan when he was growing up.

Along with his basketball skills, Maria also made sure to pass down the values that were rooted in her Filipino upbringing. “As I watched my family, specifically my parents, always giving and being so generous to those around them, I try to emulate that in my life and pass it down to (Dylan and his older brother Ron Jr.),” she told Amazn HQ.

Dylan Harper has been a huge factor coming off the bench for the Spurs this playoffs, and Clarkson has taken notice. “Him being so young, having so much poise throughout this whole playoffs, it’s a great sight to see a young star coming in this league and doing what he’s doing,” Clarkson said in his media availability ahead of the Finals. And Harper is excited to continue showcasing his lineage alongside his opponent. “It’s a blessing to represent the Philippines, where I’m from. I think me and Jordan Clarkson are doing a great job doing that,” he said in his postgame press conference after winning the Western Conference Finals.

This promises to be a tight series, with New York leading 2-1 and each game being decided by 10 points or less. The Knicks have hit a playoff flow state after an up-and-down regular season, and the Spurs may have found a new level of resolve after beating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a hard-fought Western Conference Final. Both teams are deep and talented, and will be looking for contributions up and down their roster. If and when Clarkson and Harper have their championship moments, the Philippines and Filipino diaspora will be watching.

Games four and five of the NBA Finals are scheduled for Wednesday in New York and Saturday in San Antonio. And if necessary, game six will be on June 16 in New York, and game seven will be June 19 in San Antonio.