Last week's post was about the upcoming NFL draft, which seems to get pushed further and further back. Not sure why they are delaying it because it is not like the draft prospects are still in "school" trying to get an education. But anyways....this week's post is going to be about the state of the NBA right now.
Most of the posts on here will deal with two sports/four leagues most of the time; the NFL, NBA, college football and college basketball. This week's focus is the NBA, since the NFL is in a dead period and it is not quite March Madness time.
I know...some of you might be disappointed, but that is just how the cookie crumples.
A lot of story lines happened in the NBA over the past few weeks including Derrick Rose getting injured (again.....and again), Kevin Garnett (Tied for 30th greatest player in my all-time list) goes back to the T-Wolves where it all started, Westbrook get three triple-doubles in a row (facilitates every play since KD is out...), legendary NBA teams continue to be horrible (Lakers/Celtics/Knicks) and James Harden goes Mortal Kombat low-kick on LeBron's manhood.
In this post, I will give an outlook of the NBA playoffs (if it were to end today because who knows what will happen with a month left) and Pretenders/Contenders in the Playoffs.
If the playoffs started today this is how it would look:
Western Conference (The Better One)
1. Golden State Warriors (46-12, 0 GB)
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-27, 14 GB)
Golden State: Contender. Like I said above the Warriors have been the top-club for most of the year and most of that success has been linked to Stephen Curry, but I believe you have to look at the emergence of Draymond Green and the improved play of Klay Thompson as big contributors to the Warriors success.
Oklahoma City: Pretender. But if KD and Russ are healthy and work together, Contender. Many were saying that the Thunder might not even get into the playoffs early in the year when KD and Westbrook were struggling with injuries, but I think they forgot it is a 82-game season...
The Thunder have talent to make a run in the playoffs, but it will have to be off of great play by both superstars, as their bench doesn't have that IT factor.
Analysis: This might be Golden State's worst nightmare. They have been the top-team for most of the year in the NBA and now they have to face OKC, which has made it to the Finals and Western Conference Finals in recent years. Durant and Westbrook can take over games with their scoring, but I believe that balance is the key to winning a 7-game series.
Prediction: Golden State in 7.
2. Memphis Grizzlies (42-16, 4 GB)
7. San Antonio Spurs (36-23, 10.5 GB)
Memphis: Pretender. Sorry, Grizzly fans. Marc Gasol has been fantastic this year and might be the best scoring big man in the game right now, but not to sure of the rest of the team besides Randolph. I believe Memphis can beat up a team in the first round with their size, but where is the rest of the scoring going to fall when they face a tough defensive presence in the front front?
San Antonio: Contender. They have won this title by default. Every year, no one says they are the team to beat, but as far as team's go there isn't really one other team in the league that plays with as much balance as they do and that is what is dangerous. If they get hot from the field and work their savy into a series Duncan might be lifting another trophy.
Analysis: Memphis and San Antonio have met in the playoffs before and the lack of balance of the Grizzlies has been their down fall. I believe San Antonio will be ready for the playoffs like they always are, but I am drawing the line this year. San Antonio needs change. When they are good they are in the top half of the Western Conference, this year they still have to fight to get in and I think that shows regress. But they'll probably fool me once again...
Prediction: Memphis in 6.
3. Houston Rockets (41-18, 5.5 GB)
6. Dallas Mavericks (40-22, 8 GB)
FYI: I am a Rockets fan. Will try not to be biased.
Houston: Pretender. But if I can say the Thunder can be contenders when KD comes back healthy, I can say the same for the Rockets when Howard comes back; Contender. The Rockets have been able to hang unto the third seed in the West without Howard and Harden is the answer. His scoring isn't the reason. It is getting his team involved in the philosophy McHale has been teaching and that is points in the paint and three-pointers (except for Josh Smith. STOP SHOOTING 3'S!). If Howard comes back it will be even easier to space the floor and get inside buckets.
Mavericks: Pretender. When Rondo was traded to the Mavs, they became a "serious" threat. At least that is what everyone thought. Turns out he is a cancer to the organization and has gotten into several disputes with the coach. They have a whole bunch of big names in Dallas. Nowitzki, Rondo, Stourdemire, Ellis, Chandler, Parsons, etc. But nothing has really clicked for them as being a really dangerous squad.
Analysis: Texas Showdown. A really good one to watch if this stays the same. Again, sort of biased, but I would be interested to see Parsons go against Ariza. The Mavs are struggling with some injuries right now, but so are the Rockets. Overall I think this will be a tough series, but the MVB (Most Valuable Beard) will take away the show.
Prediction: Houston in 6.
4. Portland Trail Blazers (39-19, 7 GB)
5. Los Angeles Clippers (40-21, 7.5 GB)
Trail Blazers: Contender. Portland has become one of the most consistent teams in the NBA thanks to Aldridge at the 4 and Lillard running the point. They rank in the top-10 in the league in several key categories including Point Per Game, Rebound Per Game, Assists Pet Game and Points Allowed per game. It would be a surprise to many people if they could do it, but I think their team could potentially get it done.
Clippers: Pretender. When Doc Rivers took over as the head coach, I expected title runs for the Clippers and that is not the case. They have always had a tough team. Chris Paul is still one of the best PG's in the league and DeAndre Jordan is a rebounding/defensive machine, but besides Jamal Crawford coming off the bench as a 6th man, I don't see any real threat. Even when Griffin comes back, they won't be any better (cough, cough, because he is overrated).
Analysis: The Clippers might be in every game in this series, but their lack of scoring fire power and balance across the floor won't get the job done. If Aldridge can space out the floor with his mid-range, the Trail Blazer should have no problem.
Prediction: Portland in 6.
1. Golden State Warriors
4. Portland Trail Blazers
Analysis: The two teams played each other at the beginning of the year and the Warriors came out on top, but they play each other twice before the end of the season and I think this will tell a lot. Right now, the Warriors have the edge because Curry and Lillard balance each other out and Draymond Green will be able to stick to Aldridge outside and make is difficult for that mid-range to fall down. But again, the final two games between them will tell a lot.
Prediction: Golden State in 6.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
3. Houston Rockets
Analysis: I don't believe the Grizzlies are contenders and when Howard comes back for the Rockets I believe they will be. The Rockets have a gritty, toughness about them this year, despite what that old guy in LA thinks about Dwight Howard. And when the Rockets stifle one of the Grizzlies big men, where does the other contributions come from?
Prediction: Houston in 5.
1. Golden State Warriors
3. Houston Rockets
Analysis: The Warriors took every game (3-0) against the Rockets this season. And two of the those game Howard was one the floor. I don't think it will be any different, as far as how comes out with the eventual series win. The only thing that concerns me with the Warriors is the scoring in the paint (with big guys).
Prediction: Golden State in 6.
Eastern Conference (The Cavaliers)
1. Atlanta Hawks (47-12, 0 GB)
8. Brooklyn Nets (25-33, 21 1/2 GB)
Atlanta: Contender. The best collective team always has a chance to win the NBA title, but doesn't always say they will win it. The league's best players will show why they are the best in the playoffs, despite not having better togetherness as a team. What the Hawks are doing right now is great, but I would advise them not to rest the final games of the year even though you are 9.5 games ahead of second place, because you cannot allow this momentum to stop. I'm afraid if they lose the momentum, they lose their chance.
Brooklyn: Really?!? I'm not sure if they will even be in the playoffs whenever the season is over. They tried the spend money technique and that didn't work. Pierce gone, Garnett gone. The really don't have much of a chance do they?
Analysis: Hot or not, the Hawks should be able to close this series fairly easily.
Prediction: Atlanta in 5.
2. Toronto Raptors (38-22, 9.5 GB)
7. Miami Heat (26-33, 21 GB)
Toronto: Pretender. At the beginning of the season the Raptors looked like the best team in the Eastern Conference, but now they don't look all together. Lowry and DeRozan have played really well, but as a team there isn't much contribution. Come playoff time, that arena will be rocking, as all of Canada will be in support of their only team.
Miami: Pretender. Miami needed to stop pretending that LeBron wasn't going to leave after his team didn't help him out in the Finals last year and I believe if they would have won, LeBron would still be playing in South Beach. Life without LeBron in Miami is tough and it became worse with Bosh's scare of a blood clot at the hospital. Gragic and Wade will give them points down the stretch, but they just don't have enough.
Analysis: I actually believe that the Heat would have a chance to beat the Raptors with their addition of Gragic and the emergence of Whiteside down low, but in the end home court advantage will be tough to overcome for the Heat. And I am guessing that Miami won't be as loud as it has been in the past.
Prediction: Raptors in 7.
3. Chicago Bulls (37-23, 10.5 GB)
6. Milwaukee Bucks (32-27, 15 GB)
Chicago: Pretender. The Windy City has turned into a rehab city, as the Bulls top scorers (Rose & Butler) are out with injuries right now. Butler will be ready for the playoffs (probably), but Rose will never be ready. They have really good talent on the team and I believe that Tom Thibodeau is one of the best coaches in the NBA. What other coach can be without their star player for three years, but still remain one the of the top four teams in their conference (granted it is the East, but still). And for that, they are still a pretty good team.
Milwaukee: Who? I never would have thought that Jason Kidd would coach a better coach with the Bucks this year, than the Nets last year. I would attribute it to the fact that at Brooklyn he was coaching players that he played against for many season in the NBA and in Milwaukee, the team is fairly young and you are more encouraged to help them out and they will listen you. That is my theory. But anyways, it is still the Bucks no matter what seed you put beside their name.
Analysis: The Bulls should have no problem with or without Rose to take care of this series. But this is Milwaukee's chance to establish some momentum going into next season with a very young and talented roster.
Prediction: Chicago in 5.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (37-24, 11 GB)
5. Washington Wizards (34-26, 13.5 GB)
Cleveland: Contender. With LeBron James on your team you always have a chance to make a run and they have a serious chance with Irving and Love on the same team. Once you get a 100% out of those three players along with Mosgov, J.R Smith and Shumpert this team automatically become the favorite to win it all. I believe they will be the number two seed in the East when the season and their first couple of series' will be even easier, especially if Toronto is the three seed.
Washington: Pretender. Wall has been one of the best PGs in the league this year, but you really haven't heard about the team as much as last year. Nene and Gortat haven't been as dominant and Beal still hasn't shown that he is much of a all-around player. And Pierce is old. And Kevin Durant is not going to the Wizards, so someone please shut the door on that story.
Analysis: The Cavs are great. The Wizards are good. The Cavs have three elite players. The Wizards have one.
Prediction: Cleveland in 5.
1. Atlanta Hawks
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Analysis: The season series has been pretty close, as they are evened up at 1-1 with LeBron playing. The Hawks did win another one with LeBron sitting, but so did Al Horford. But I believe we will see a much energized Cavs team in the playoffs and talent will trump togetherness.
Prediction: Cleveland in 6.
2. Toronto Raptors
3. Chicago Bulls
Analysis: The Raptors are winless against the Bulls this season and I think the toughness inside for the Bulls will prevail once again in the Eastern Conference Semis.
Prediction: Chicago in 6.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Chicago Bulls
Analysis: This is what everyone wanted at the beginning of the year, but everyone imagined Rose being completely healthy in a long time. It was a nice thought though. The Bulls and Cavs don't like each other and this series will be played pretty tough, but without Rose 100% or even playing, I don't give Chicago much of a chance to win it.
Prediction: Cleveland in 6.
NBA Championship
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Analysis: I believe their latest match-up where the Cavs won by 11 in Ohio tells a lot about how this match-up will turn out. Both teams were at full strength of what they will have in the playoffs. No one could match-up well with LeBron and the Cavs out-rebounded the much smaller line-up up the Warriors. I believe the Cavs will win the series off of their big three guys playing well, as well as key contributors for the Cavs (Smith, Shumpert and Mosgov) outshining the Warriors (Green, Barnes, Bogut, Iguodala).
Prediction: Cleveland in 6.
That is all. Goodbye.
If there is any spelling/grammatical errors in the post, I am sorry, but I type what comes to my head and I never look back.
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