Honestly, I think we’re entering a new golden age in the NBA. I’m not nearly as confident as everyone else that Brooklyn(the number 2 seed btw) is the out and out favorite.
You have franchises that could easily bounce back next season as contenders by simply having a healthy squad (LA, Warriors). Clubs that are one piece away from being title contenders (Bucks, Mavs, maybe Nuggets), there’s MVPs and potential MVPs littered across individual teams. There’s the well run organizations that will always do well (Boston, Spurs, Miami). Every team has hope for a better future, even the Wolves, Charlotte, and the Pistons. I can’t think of a single franchise that is stuck in purgatory or hoplessness aside from the Kings and the Cavs.
Good points made there, but still most playoff games are blowouts these days. Somebody’s already nursing a 20-point lead by the time I’ve put the kids to bed. Not every team has a Lillard to keep things interesting.
Too early to think deeply about this, but I’m real curious what I will feel if Philly makes or wins the Finals. The Process (t) was such an overwhelming theme for so many years. I’m not sure if I want those poor fans to finally raise a glass, or if I will find I am so sick of the coverage (The Process Realized) that I will be hoping they rot for another two decades in NBA purgatory.
One small note: I like Ben Simmons. He is such a weird elite hooper. That’s fun.
Yeah the playoffs have been pretty terrible. There have been a crazy amount of blowouts. I’d rather watch a competitive sweep than a series that goes 6-7, but there is only one close game.
I don’t know how to think about Ben Simmons. He is indeed one of the most unique players we’ve seen in the last decade or so. An elite athlete and defender, solid facilitator bordering on elite…so afraid of his jump shot that he doesn’t even bother and teams don’t even defend him to shoot.
It’s really hard to come up w the comparator for Simmons. The player has to be part-time PG / part-time dunker spot on offense. And the best defender 1-4 on his team.
Bill Simmons probably has three interns full time on this problem(, and I’m sure they will be appropriately recognized in the closing credits).
The Bucks were the highest scoring team than NBA has had since the mid 1980s. They have struggled with their shot this series a bit but certainly capable of scoring in bunches.
Simmons is an elite talent but how valuable is he if he can’t shoot 3s or FTs in a crunch time for the playoff? That has been an issue in the last few playoffs. I mean, he was on the bench with 6 seconds left to play down 3.
Sixers also have Embiid’s injury to deal with. It looks like he barely can move with a torn meniscus and he’s too big for his knee to handle for the playoff. I’m not sure if he can last a month playing basketball.
Atlanta clawed their way back to 2-2 which is a great situation for them as a heavy underdog. The offense still runs through Trae Young but Trae was fantastic as a distributor. Contrary to the popular opinion, his vision and passing skills are his biggest strength as a player.
The East is a mess. The Nets went from favorites to the biggest question mark. Philly had the matchups and D to stick with NJ, but now their one consistent mismatch has a bum knee (side note - thought Embiid battled pretty well - got some shots that he usually makes and had 21 rebounds, but you can definitely see the lack of lift inside - see the last layup attempt) and may not make it to the conference finals thanks to a plucky Atlanta team.
Embiid’s shooting has gotten so good, I think he is still a much better than average center even if he can’t jump. He’s just no longer all-NBA defensive team.
Even so, all of a sudden Milwaukee looks like a favorite in the East. NBA Nightmare Final still in play: Milwaukee v Utah. Small markets and games that might end in the 70’s!
Although Clippers seem to have played well the last two games (I haven’t watched either, but their wings are going off in the box scores).
Gotta think Phoenix will have a say in the West - they’ve looked like the best and most consistent team in the playoffs.
If New Jersey isn’t healthy, then it’s really an East free for all - could see any of the 4 teams coming out (with a banged up Jersey and a young and not quite as good Atlanta being the underdogs).
agree w/ you re Phoenix. Caught two or three games over the playoffs after spending much of the year watching the Wizards. Wow. What a contrast with the Wizards model of two stars and a bunch of minimum contract guys.
Suns are rock solid. They are definitely deeper with + NBA players than LAC or Utah.