We still have a few days of action before the break commences but might as well start discussing the 2nd half of the season and what we see happening and maybe even some early playoff thoughts as well...
We have around 1/3 of the season left when things get going again and the playoff push is certainly on. This should be when things start to get serious. We are not at the mercy of covid protocols much at all anymore and hopefully that means we play games as scheduled up until the playoffs.
First of all, the trades....
I don't see a huge shift of power here at all in the East. Now, I do think the Nets will be better overall as a team when healthy. Obviously you guys know I like Curry a lot and think he is an absolute steal in this trade. The Nets system should suit him perfectly. The big question will be if/when the NYC rule about home players ends. We'll see... hopefully so. You would expect Durant to come back healthy, as he has before, despite his age. So many variables here, and they likely will be facing a tough road to finals due to their position in the standings. With all that being said, we have no idea what to expect from ole #10.
On the other end, Philly wasn't a Finals contender before the trade and IMO, certainly are not now. James has lost a smidge from his best years. He isn't ever in great shape and the new rules have hindered his game a bit. JoJo has been awesome the last few months, but he is an injury waiting to happen at any time. Doc doesn't inspire much as a coach either. Could they surprise me? Sure. We'll just have to see...
As far as the rest of the east...
Miami is finally playing with most their players and look pretty damn good. The playoffs come down to health for them and consistent offense. That is it. Great coach and a very good defense.
Milwaukee is the champs until someone knocks them off. They also have barely had a full roster. While I like a player such as Serge being added to this team, I hate losing Donte. It is what it is though, and if healthy they have the confidence finally to win big games in the playoffs.
I'm seeing a lot of Boston love the last few weeks around here and across social media. I am going to let you guys state your case here. I am indifferent to this team and do not consider them anything more than a tough 1st round out who is capable of getting to the 2nd round. Talk to me...
The Bulls were my surprise pre-season team and they have exceeded expectations, no doubt. The injuries have hurt, and I would expect they will slide a bit in the standings, but the future is right as they fine-tune that roster. Lavine seeing a specialist, we shall see what happens.
Cleveland is like the Knicks last year and other teams in the past that are very, very good regular season teams but maybe not as tough come the playoffs? Garland is fun to watch, and I like their pieces. The playoffs could come down to a matchup and they will definitely make their opponents work in a potential 2nd round matchup. Let's stay tuned here...
Toronto is a solid team. They'll be a matchup no one wants in that 1st round, because that series will go deep.
That is about it for the East. At this time, I see Miami and Milwaukee as the only legit candidates to represent the conference in the finals. I just don't think Brookyln has enough time to gel and get totally cohesive. I am not sleeping on them though...to be continued with them...
Let's head out West now...
This is a two-team race to the Finals as I have said for a few weeks now. Phoenix is the class of the West and the Warriors are right behind them. After the top 5, no one has a chance of making it to the 2nd round. I do hope Minnesota makes the dance, as they are fun and need to get some postseason experience. The LA teams are quite mediocre. Denver still is hanging on to that coach. That bubble Finals is the worst thing that ever happened to them as it has stunted any growth since.
Let's look at the middle teams...
Utah seems to be a mess again. The chemistry seems off like 2 years ago at this time right before corona etc. The loss of Jingles cannot be underestimated, and Donovan seemingly has one foot out the door looking for a bigger market. Now, they have gotten one a roll and proved me wrong before, but I am just not seeing it. That playoff defense last year showed a lot of warts. They can win a series if they stay in the 4/5 but it will not be easy. I think this team gets blown up pretty soon...
Dallas shipped out Porzingas right before the deadline. That was a bit of a surprise but no qualms there as he is a one side of the equation player. The Mavs have improved defensively this year under Kidd but the offense isn't always the most consistent. Luka is having the quietest 27-9-9 season ever. If only he played the Clippers every night, he'd be the goat. This is a team that will be a pesky out and could steal a few from the Suns or Warriors but 2nd round is their max. They need a true 'Robin' for Doncic.
Memphis is the team we all want to root for. Their record is incredible considering where they were at a few years ago. The offense is fun, the young guys provide exciting play...I don't have many negatives to post about them. They got some experience last year as well in the postseason. They are not ready to be a deep run team, but they will make some noise. Obviously, the style will need to adapt a bit in the playoffs but that will be part of the fun capping things...A 2nd round series with the Warriors would be great for the league. Hopefully that is how things shake out.
Lets go back to the top...
The Phoenix Suns should be the favorite to win the whole thing. This team is better, more consistent and on a mission since last year. They have quite the 4th quarter killer instinct and just a fun old style team that has a star surrounded by great roles players and an all-timer running the show. I hope they stay healthy and get back to the WCF's where I expect a healthy Warriors team to give them everything they got. This is the most exciting series in the west since the possible LA Conference Finals that got derailed by the Rona.
The Warriors have so much going for them right now...
-Klay is back
-Wiggins having a career year
-Excellent young support players
-Steph, although looking tired now, should be back to himself when the lights shine bright.
-They also haven't played deep into a season since 2019, so that helps as well.
Draymond obviously a question right now but they are taking it slow it seems. You just need him ready for May, right?
So, let us recap....
I have 5 teams that can win it all...
Suns
Warriors
Bucks
Heat
Nets
I'd be surprised if anyone else cracks that top 5(and Nets are hardly top 5 right now).
As far as 2nd half of the season capping....lets try and discuss these topics...
-Who do we see surging?
-Who do we see falling back?
-How funny will it be to see LeBron in a play-in game again?
-Who could possibly be tanking?
-Which teams could possibly start to quit once out of contention for a playoff spot?
Discuss away!
We have around 1/3 of the season left when things get going again and the playoff push is certainly on. This should be when things start to get serious. We are not at the mercy of covid protocols much at all anymore and hopefully that means we play games as scheduled up until the playoffs.
First of all, the trades....
I don't see a huge shift of power here at all in the East. Now, I do think the Nets will be better overall as a team when healthy. Obviously you guys know I like Curry a lot and think he is an absolute steal in this trade. The Nets system should suit him perfectly. The big question will be if/when the NYC rule about home players ends. We'll see... hopefully so. You would expect Durant to come back healthy, as he has before, despite his age. So many variables here, and they likely will be facing a tough road to finals due to their position in the standings. With all that being said, we have no idea what to expect from ole #10.
On the other end, Philly wasn't a Finals contender before the trade and IMO, certainly are not now. James has lost a smidge from his best years. He isn't ever in great shape and the new rules have hindered his game a bit. JoJo has been awesome the last few months, but he is an injury waiting to happen at any time. Doc doesn't inspire much as a coach either. Could they surprise me? Sure. We'll just have to see...
As far as the rest of the east...
Miami is finally playing with most their players and look pretty damn good. The playoffs come down to health for them and consistent offense. That is it. Great coach and a very good defense.
Milwaukee is the champs until someone knocks them off. They also have barely had a full roster. While I like a player such as Serge being added to this team, I hate losing Donte. It is what it is though, and if healthy they have the confidence finally to win big games in the playoffs.
I'm seeing a lot of Boston love the last few weeks around here and across social media. I am going to let you guys state your case here. I am indifferent to this team and do not consider them anything more than a tough 1st round out who is capable of getting to the 2nd round. Talk to me...
The Bulls were my surprise pre-season team and they have exceeded expectations, no doubt. The injuries have hurt, and I would expect they will slide a bit in the standings, but the future is right as they fine-tune that roster. Lavine seeing a specialist, we shall see what happens.
Cleveland is like the Knicks last year and other teams in the past that are very, very good regular season teams but maybe not as tough come the playoffs? Garland is fun to watch, and I like their pieces. The playoffs could come down to a matchup and they will definitely make their opponents work in a potential 2nd round matchup. Let's stay tuned here...
Toronto is a solid team. They'll be a matchup no one wants in that 1st round, because that series will go deep.
That is about it for the East. At this time, I see Miami and Milwaukee as the only legit candidates to represent the conference in the finals. I just don't think Brookyln has enough time to gel and get totally cohesive. I am not sleeping on them though...to be continued with them...
Let's head out West now...
This is a two-team race to the Finals as I have said for a few weeks now. Phoenix is the class of the West and the Warriors are right behind them. After the top 5, no one has a chance of making it to the 2nd round. I do hope Minnesota makes the dance, as they are fun and need to get some postseason experience. The LA teams are quite mediocre. Denver still is hanging on to that coach. That bubble Finals is the worst thing that ever happened to them as it has stunted any growth since.
Let's look at the middle teams...
Utah seems to be a mess again. The chemistry seems off like 2 years ago at this time right before corona etc. The loss of Jingles cannot be underestimated, and Donovan seemingly has one foot out the door looking for a bigger market. Now, they have gotten one a roll and proved me wrong before, but I am just not seeing it. That playoff defense last year showed a lot of warts. They can win a series if they stay in the 4/5 but it will not be easy. I think this team gets blown up pretty soon...
Dallas shipped out Porzingas right before the deadline. That was a bit of a surprise but no qualms there as he is a one side of the equation player. The Mavs have improved defensively this year under Kidd but the offense isn't always the most consistent. Luka is having the quietest 27-9-9 season ever. If only he played the Clippers every night, he'd be the goat. This is a team that will be a pesky out and could steal a few from the Suns or Warriors but 2nd round is their max. They need a true 'Robin' for Doncic.
Memphis is the team we all want to root for. Their record is incredible considering where they were at a few years ago. The offense is fun, the young guys provide exciting play...I don't have many negatives to post about them. They got some experience last year as well in the postseason. They are not ready to be a deep run team, but they will make some noise. Obviously, the style will need to adapt a bit in the playoffs but that will be part of the fun capping things...A 2nd round series with the Warriors would be great for the league. Hopefully that is how things shake out.
Lets go back to the top...
The Phoenix Suns should be the favorite to win the whole thing. This team is better, more consistent and on a mission since last year. They have quite the 4th quarter killer instinct and just a fun old style team that has a star surrounded by great roles players and an all-timer running the show. I hope they stay healthy and get back to the WCF's where I expect a healthy Warriors team to give them everything they got. This is the most exciting series in the west since the possible LA Conference Finals that got derailed by the Rona.
The Warriors have so much going for them right now...
-Klay is back
-Wiggins having a career year
-Excellent young support players
-Steph, although looking tired now, should be back to himself when the lights shine bright.
-They also haven't played deep into a season since 2019, so that helps as well.
Draymond obviously a question right now but they are taking it slow it seems. You just need him ready for May, right?
So, let us recap....
I have 5 teams that can win it all...
Suns
Warriors
Bucks
Heat
Nets
I'd be surprised if anyone else cracks that top 5(and Nets are hardly top 5 right now).
As far as 2nd half of the season capping....lets try and discuss these topics...
-Who do we see surging?
-Who do we see falling back?
-How funny will it be to see LeBron in a play-in game again?
-Who could possibly be tanking?
-Which teams could possibly start to quit once out of contention for a playoff spot?
Discuss away!
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