LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Let me just get this off my chest. Every time the Lakers win a big game against an arguably better team, I think shit is rigged. I also believe that them having the 3 seed is pretty suspicious in and of itself.
Lebron, even at his age, is just as impactful as any other player in the league. But also at his age, it looks like now he can only perform at top level like that every other game.
The player who surprised me more than anyone in Game 2 was Austin Reaves, who btw played more minutes than anyone else in the contest. He didn't necessarily put up killer stats, but it's like Austin has now developed that cool Whiteboy swag, sorta like Alex Caruso. And if there's one thing these Lakers could use, it's some swag.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves are one of those teams I imagine would be 1000x better if they actually played with a consistent (offensive) strategy, because they have all the pieces. The only other team who on paper have a more balanced roster than Minnesota is OKC. But these days, you know what I'm saying? Coaches of many if not most squads are more or less tokens anyway. Furthermore, you have to believe that the powers-that-be favor the Lakers over the Wolves. Of the top-three selling jerseys, two of those players are on LAL. So do I believe Minnesota has the better team? Yes. But that might not be enough to get them out of this series.
P.S. - I have to mention the way Edwards threw it down on Jaxon Hayes. He literally dunked on him, and that was the illest dunk I can remember since the Andrew Wiggins days.
TYRESE HALIBURTON
Haliburton was just voted 'the most overrated player in the NBA' by his peers. I'm sure I touched upon that idea in this past, how he came over to the East and like instantly but suspiciously became an all-star starter.
But overrated or not, Tyrese is an above-average PG, esp. on offense, and, unlike last year's Playoffs (understandably), he seems to have now meshed well with Siakim. I'm not counting the Bucks out, but so far they appear to be outmatched.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
I'll be honest and say that I kinda approved of the Kuzma-Middleton trade when it transpired. Kyle at least made his presence felt, for all it was worth, in Game 2.
But the ironic thing is that last postseason, the Bucks then-big 3 (Giannis, Dame and Middleton), if I remember correctly didn't even play a single game together due to injuries. Now this postseason, they're all healthy or in the very least playable, like I do believe Khris finished the season actually playing. So yes, imma say it - imagine if he were still around right now.
And speaking of last season's Playoffs, there was this one game against the Pacers where he did like some miracle shit. I won't go as far as to say that, all things considered, Middleton is a better player than Kuzma. But unlike Kyle, Khris does semi-regularly display that unstoppable all-star magic and is someone you have to always be mindful of on offense.
It's forgivable if, a couple of months ago when the trade transpired, that I believed Kuzma may fit well with the Bucks. After all, it's not like I'm being paid big money to make those decisions. So if Milwaukee goes on to lose this series, it's time to start speculating whether or not they have the worst braintrust (outside of Washington) in the NBA.
BOSTON CELTICS
I sorta believe that Tatum may not even be (that) hurt, but the Celtics may use an 'injury' as an excuse to rest him. They did that same sorta shit last postseason (with Porzingis). That's the kind of luxury that truly-dominant, supremely-confident teams have, missing a key starter in the Playoffs yet still being able to win. You can't just sleep on the Magic like that (I guess), but at the same time, if you're going to get some postseason rest, there's no better time than in the First Round against a mediocre squad.
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