GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
I don't know if it's just me, but even though he's putting up big stats, this does not appear to "Playoff Jimmy Butler". My theory is that he's still reeling from that Amen Thompson clip but is forcing himself to play anyway, you know, he can't afford to sit down given Steve Kerr's preferred rotation. But even when Jimmy was the hero in Game 2 or 3 or whatever, it looked more like Houston's D fell asleep rather than him dominating per se. So with that in mind, it's hard to definitively say which of these two teams is better, though, if I were forced, I would say the Rockets, because in actuality, the Warriors have like one of the thinnest rosters in the league. Those guys like Podziemski and Moody and yes, even The Gauntlet, they may be phenoms in their own rights, but they're not likely to lead you to a playoff victory over a team like the Rockets. Better organizations, such as the Warriors and Heat, tend to bring out the best in even unknown players.
Speaking of the Warriors bench, well, that's something I'll kinda get into in the next section. But it appears that Looney has been more or less de-rotated, as has Kuminga. And those are like the two tallest guys on their team.
Speaking of which, if you would have asked two or three seasons ago, I never would have imagined that Moody would have ended up higher on the pecking order than Kuminga. I'm hoping that the latter's days with the Warriors are finally coming to an end. Steph Curry, "Teammate of the Year"?
WHO NEEDS BIG MEN NOW?
For awhile there, when the Dubs were at their peak and looked unbeatable, there were a number of pundits, reporters, commentators, etc. who were arguing that traditional bigmen were obsolete in the NBA. It became sort of a fad, to the point that I was even speculating that the whole movement was fueled by racism. You know, 'we don't big Blacks in the NBA no more, because jump-shooting Whiteboys can win championships also'. Well guess what? Steph Curry ain't White.
There are still a few quality smallball teams - Indiana, Boston and yes, even New York - remaining in the Playoffs, besides Golden State. Speaking of Golden State, yes, Fred "Mini-KAT" VanVleet is killing them, but even worse, imo, is their lack of an interior presence. This is an issue in the Dubs' roster that I've spoken about for years and years and years, even going back to their last championship.
The Dubs reupped Looney in 2022 for a modest $23mil/3years, a move they seemed to initiate more out of respect for his contribution to that championship team than his future value. By the way, Kevin is about to become an unrestricted free agent, and it's going to be interesting to see how that plays out, especially if the Warriors fail to get past the First Round.
Meanwhile, Playoff teams that has thus visibly suffered for lack of an interior presence include the Lakers, Knicks, Warriors and arguably the Grizzlies and Magic also.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS VS. DENVER NUGGETS
Warriors vs. Rockets is more like one team or the other tends to dominate respective games. But Clippers vs. Nuggets is more even Steven, like these two teams, all things considered, counter each other well.
Out of all the players suiting up, I'd say ultimately the x-factor is James Harden. Yes, the Beard. In Game 5, he sorta slid into the shadows, to the point that was even contemplating recommending his retirement. Then boom - Game 6, and he reminded everyone that he was once the scoring leader.
I plan to write an article soon about how to manage these older players and how more of them, logically speaking, need be to on younger teams rather than surrounded by teammates as aged as they are. But let's just sya that if LAC intends to win Game 7, Harden is going to need to be on some shit like two games in a row.
As for Norman Powell, not only does he have a very average name, but he also looks very, very normal. Powell looks like he nightcaps as a business executive or some shit, like his looks, at least on television, don't stand out at all. He's like too normal to be in the NBA type shit. And that's the kind of, let's say relativey-mundane third star you need when you have two future HOFers on the roster - not that third superstar, overkill type shit. And it's pretty amazing how the Clippers are able to make it all work, since talent-wise their roster is lopsided (towards the frontcourt).
DETROIT PISTONS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS
It was too difficult for NYK to defeat DET imo - to the point that afterwards, dudes were celebrating like they just on the championship instead of the First Round. But I can imagine there was a lot of hostility during that series, including or especially from the crowd.
You have to give it to the Pistons for at least now establishing an identity. There was a time when I thought Cunningham was a bust. But now, if I were building a team, he's exactly the type of PG I'd want.
Detroit has arguably the best mix of younger players + vets in the league, but none of their veterans are A list. Also, remember that at least two of their rotation players - Isaiah Stewart and Jaden Ivey - are hurt. If Ivey were playable, I imagine he would've gotten a lot of those minutes that instead went to Shroder. And Stewart especially, if they had that additional depth down low, like who knows what would've happened.
The Knicks need to get their shit together. They're one of those types of teams that look like they aren't really coached or some shit. Putting your best players on the floor, telling them to play hard on defense and letting them do whatever they want on offense, that isn't exactly coaching I don't think. If this roster fails to beat the Celtics, then time for Thibs to go.
THE THOMPSON BROS.
I wanted to use this opportunity to give a shoutout to the Thompson bros., who I really enjoyed watching this postseason. I can't say I've seen either Amen or Ausar display what I would call extraordinary basketball skills. But they're energetic, athletic and not afraid to bang, sorta like Rodman, for lack of a better analogy. They're the type of players who would be beneficial to virtually any roster. Forget all these dumbasses saying that everyone on the team needs to be a good three-point shooter. If anyone on the team is prone to chuck up a three, then how are you going to strategize?
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