GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS VS. HOUSTON ROCKETS
The fact that the Rockets, the number 2 seed, couldn't beat the number 7 seed in the pivotal game while the latter was lacking their second-best player says it all as far as I'm concerned. Houston may make it out of the series, but they appear to me as one of those 'built for the regular season' type of achievers.
Of course, as long as Steph is on the floor, you can never take beating the Warriors for granted. But this was a concerted effort on the part of GSW, sorta like the days of old. I'm glad to see Kuminga playing, though he can probably use the type of mentor to teach him how to truly take advantage of his size.
Gary Payton Jr., he's one of my top five players (when he's healthy), but you see I didn't even mention him this season and can't really remember the last time I gave him a shoutout. Honestly, I thought those series of injuries he suffered awhile back, like his time in the NBA was done. And yes, it does seem that he lost a step or two. But he still has that sixth sense inherited from his dad.
One of the reasons he's a personal favorite is due to having this ability to sorta make the opposing team forget he's out there. Payton also looks like he grew an inch or two, which I don't know if it's like physically possible. But it doesn't really feel right calling him "the Mitten" anymore. So now I'm thinking of a new nickname, something ninja-related, like "the Black Glove", lol.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. OKC THUNDER
Speaking of sons of all-time greats, Scottie Pippen Jr. may be the best player ever (statwise) to be born to a HOF dad. That bonehead play he made near the end of Game 4, forcing himself into the lane only to get ripped, I kinda blame that on the coaches for that.
OKC, so long as they're healthy, is too balanced for most teams to beat in a seven game series. Outside of the 2 arguably, every player in their starting lineup is likely to be better or just as good as his counterpart on the opposing team.
If OKC goes on to win the championship, this is one of those situations, sorta like the 2004 Pistons I guess, where you really have to give props to the braintrust. They have done the nearly impossible, i.e. building a contender that is actually affordable and therefore sustainable, at least into the near future. And to note, they were able to do that in large part through the draft.
Now we're getting to that 'where do we go from here' moment for the Grizz. Didn't dudes fire their coach recently? In hindsight, that bold, borderline-stupid move didn't amount to a hill of beans. I would presume they want Morant around, if no one else, because he's the draw, and also Bane and I guess and Pippen Jr. You know, their backcourt is set. As for everyone else, I mean who knows if Memphis is going to be able to ever put that type of quality and depth around Ja that they had a few seasons ago. Remember Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, all those dudes. In the NBA, you either have be real savvy in the draft and/or overpay to build and keep a contender.
DETROIT PISTONS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS
Ultimately, it took late game heroics from Jalen Brunson for the Knicks to win Game 3, and I don't know if that's really a good thing from their perspective. Early in the contest, their offense did appear more inclusive of Mikal Bridges, and he proceeded to have an effective all-around game, which I do think is a good thing.
I believe what's ultimately going to do the Knicks in is either injuries (like last season) or being unable to maximize all of their pieces due to have too many good players. You sit there and say too yourself 'I'd rather have too many good players than too many bad ones', but it isn't that simple, esp, you know, if dudes lose. But let me stop jinxing them. The true test of whether they made progress will not only be (hopefully) getting past the Pistons but also facing most likely the Celtics in the 2nd Round and besting them also.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Like the Grizzlies, the Lakers are another team who I'm hoping will be knocked out sooner than later. In these entire playoffs, this is the only series where the lower seed is clearly better than their opponent, at least to me. Like Luka + Lebron would have to be really, really hot to pull this one off.
One good thing I can say about the Lakers is taking for granted Luka will stick around and Lebron will more or less be the same next season, along with Reaves they have the best 1-3 (offensively) in the NBA. So in theory, all they need now is an above-average player in the post or a couple of those crash dummy types, those kinda bigs that Dallas surrounded Luka with.
One of the saddest things about the Mavs trading Luka like that is they actually did a damn good job building a roster around him. Maybe they could've waited at least to the end of the season to really start worrying about his contract. Oh well.
MIAMI HEAT VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
It isn't hard to imagine the the Finals will feature Cleveland vs. OKC, the only two teams with legitimate twin towers. Where are all of those pundits now who, not to long ago, were trying to argue that size doesn't matter in the NBA, that big men are anachronisms? There were stretches when Zach Edey looked like the most impactful player on Memphis.
At this point, Mobley is arguably better than Adebayo, but I'm not blaming it all on Bam. I've been saying for a couple of seasons now that the Heat should use him like a PC (point-center). That means, they need the right type of pieces to surround him with. And yeah, they have pieces but are still missing something, even if a consistently-sound strategy.
Oh shit, what happened to Jaime Jacuez? I'm now reading that dude is injured. Either way, by the looks of things he didn't have to type of progressive sophomore season viewers, including myself, were expecting after that exceptional rookie campaign.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS. INDIANA PACERS
This dude Gary Trent Jr., I've always had a hard time keeping him on my radar because, well, his name is too damn common. Like in all these years of following the NBA, how many Garys and Trents and Jrs have we come across? It's sorta the same thing with Kevin Porter Jr., who after all these years I can finally distinguish from Jalen Green since they're now on different teams.
I know that Trent is above-average, from his time with the Raptors. He had a big moment in the sun in Game 3, but whether or not he proves to be the next Khris Middleton remains to be seen.
As for the Pacers, there's something about the way they play that still doesn't have me convinced. They have that smallball playing style and are very good at it. The thing is that there's teams out there who are better at smallball or that has size that Indiana can't counter. We sorta seen the latter with the way Giannis has been running amok.
Kyle Kuzma is trying but looks sorta lost out there, like he still hasn't acclimated to being on this roster and perhaps never will as far as these big games are concerned.
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