HORNETS DEFEAT HEAT IN CHARLOTTE
This was a really close game, which makes you wonder what the outcome would have been if Adebayo were able to play throughout. Now, they're saying that injury he suffered in the second quarter was the result of a dirty play on the part LaMelo Ball. Oh well, this isn't the first time a franchise player was taken out in a playoffs series by a dirty play. But you would hope the powers-that-be can come up with a more fitting punishment than just a fine. Maybe, they should penalize Ball by having him sit out after the first 1.5 quarters of the Hornets next game.
BRANDON MILLER
I remember when Charlotte fans booed when Miller was drafted. But in the small sample I've seen, he looks like the perfect 2guard to play alongside chucking 1guards like Ball and White.
KEL'EL WARE
"Semi-Wemby" did a good job filling in for Adebayo. Ware appears to be starting material, which makes you sorta question his future with Miami since they already have Bam.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (HEAT)?
I had big hopes for Miami this season, and, as much as I hate to say it, I think the loss of Rozier is more impactful than a lot of people think. "Lil Chauncey" has never been an all-star, but he's always been a talented scorer.
My biggest issue with the Heat is that they appear to lack on-court structure. Based on the highlights, they were relying heavily on iso plays. This is why I've been suggesting for years that they might as well let Bam be the defacto (starting) point (if Jacquez is going to continue coming off the bench). That may actually work, with Ware at the 5.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (HORNETS)?
I wasn't overly impressed by the way the Hornets won. I know that the NBA is now a three-point league(?), and Charlotte has some exceptional chucks - I mean shooters - but over reliance on threes is never ideal. They also appear to be undersized in the post.
But that said, what they lack in size and structure, they make up in youthful energy, which can take you far in sports. Also, I am kinda glad they won, you know, like their uniforms are more colorful, and the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, which always seems to feature the same teams, may be different this year.
BLAZERS DEFEATS SUNS IN PHOENIX
If you look at the boxscore, the only Suns' player who had a positive plus/minus is Dillon Brooks. That's why he's one of my favorite players, even if he does sometimes pick fights he can't finish. And even though the Suns' season isn't over (yet), I'm kinda hoping already that next year he finds himself on a better squad, maybe like the Magic, who can capitalize on his skillset more, you know, if Phoenix fails to make any type of notable upgrade. It isn't ideal for this generation's Draymond(?) to be stuck on a middling team.
DEMI AVIDJA
I kinda slept on, so much so that I think this is the first time I've ever mentioned him in this blog. But now that I've finally seem him play, his style style reminds me of Manu Ginobli though stronger(?) and more skilled.
JALEN GREEN
It's easy to love/hate Jalen. He's mad talented, but when it comes to decision making, he has sorta that Westbrook energy about him.
MATISSE THYBULLE
Perhaps the last of the non-scoring defensive stoppers still in the league - so much so that I was thinking the Blazers waived him a long time ago. When he made a key play late in the game, I was like 'oh shit, Thybulle is still around?' And even tho I can't exactly explain why, it makes me happy to know he's still playing, like the league still has a place for pure (wing) defenders.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (PHOENIX SUNS)?
Time for me to beat a dead horse - the Suns are still reeling from losing CP3. What they don't understand, going back to Booker + KD + Beal and subsequently with Booker + Green + Brooks, etc. is that if you have a roster full of talented, privy-to-shoot wings, then it's best to have a respected, pass-first PG to control them. Pass-first PGs and furthermore respected ones are increasingly becoming a thing of the past, but there's still a couple of teams that can use them. Like I don't fully understand why neither Paul nor Ben Simmons aren't currently signed.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE (PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS)?
In all likelihood the Blazers are going to get their asses bust by the Spurs, but at least they're a good watch. In any event, even if they do lose in the First Round, I think their season can be considered a success. 2025-26 was supposed to be like a throwaway for them, but instead of tanking they've reestablished a winning culture. And don't forget that next year, Dame is supposed to be back.
CONCLUSION
This was a thrilling first day of the 2026 Play-Ins, with both games going down to the wire. But it's still kinda difficult to understand how all of this shit works with the brackets and everything.
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