260415 NBA Play-In Ruminations

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.

Trade Talk: KD vs. Brooks, Green, etc.

This seems like a pretty square trade, though all things considered, I wouldn't be surprised if the Suns ultimately come out looking better than Houston.  Ideally, KD would solve the scoring issues within the Rockets' roster, which the world witnessed this past postseason.  Meanwhile, the Suns put themselves in a position to move forward post-Durant without being stuck in limbo or under pressure to win immediately.  They may be garbage next season, but they're not going to trash(?).  But if you were to force me, I would say in the grand scheme of things Phoenix got the best of the deal - even if not by a wide margin - for two main reasons:

KD IN PHOENIX HAS BEEN A DISASTER SINCE DAY ONE

This is the fault of the Suns' braintrust more so than Durant.  You have to remember that they had a really good team before bringing KD in, a good team in the OKC Thunder sense - well-rounded, balanced, with size and depth, not overstacked at a particular position and complete with an MVP candidate (that being CP3).  Remember that squad, pre-KD, actually made it to the Finals.

That compatibility was in large part due to the presence of CP3, perhaps the last true PG allowed to operate in the NBA.  When Phoenix acquired KD, Paul instantly became redundant.  Why?  Because even with all-time great PGs by his side, like Kyrie for instance, Kevin still insists on running point, at least based on what I've seen.

KD is kinda like an Allen Iverson.  If you have someone like him at the center of your offense, the other four guys should more or less be supporting players.  You know, it's kinda hard to get mad at KD for hogging the ball.  That's something Phoenix should have understood before not only putting him next to Booker but going even further to acquire Beal - all three of whom are used to being primary, allstar-level scorers and furthermore wings.

KD wasn't so much of a detrimental chuck when he won those championships with the Dubs, but they had already established themselves as champs beforehand, besides having Draymond "the Equalizer" Green.  Like why was Draymond compelled to bark on him like that to begin with?

ANOTHER FAN FAVORITE BETRAYED

The Rockets, going back decades, have always had what may be considered an above-average braintrust.  But remember that up until like last season, they spent some years in the garbage zone.  They had these promising players like Green, Porter Jr., Smith Jr. and even Sengun but couldn't make it work.  Then, came Dillon Brooks.

Players like Brooks and Draymond are, imo, the most valuable in the NBA in terms of their uniqueness.  There's a number of guys out there that can put up triple-doubles.  Lebron rarely plays defense, to the detriment of his team even, but because he can score, rebound and assist, you know, put up stats, you have pundits declaring him one of the players in the NBA.  But off the top of my head, I can only think of three players in the entire league who have displayed the ability to regularly galvanize an entire team with their defensive tenacity, with none of the triple-double guys being amongst them.

I'll admit that, against the Warriors this past postseason, Brooks looked like a nonfactor.  After watching the highlights, I even had to resort to box scores to make sure he played.  I thought dude was injured or some shit.  And it also seemed that Draymond took his heart and in doing so, definitively changed the tide of the series in the Dubs' favor.  You know, I talk shit, you talk shit, but at the end of the day only the one who wins is going to be justified.  Brooks is like a Draymond without a Steph.

I probably would have been more inclined to trade Fred VanVleet for KD, maybe.  Fred carried the team offensively during Round 1, and you would think Houston would reward him by letting him shoulder more of that responsibility throughout.  It's almost like acquiring Durant is a roundabout way of saying they don't believe in VanVleet, because it's difficult to see their styles meshing.  I'm expecting that now, maybe Fred will play more off the ball, like a 2.

As for Jalen Green, yeah, he more or less had to go.  Up until recently, he was arguably the star of the team, yet dude deadass got benched during crunchtime vs. the Dubs.  There's really no need keeping him around under those circumstances, you know, if he isn't developing, and I don't quite see how he's going to fit next to Booker either (presumably, he'll be coming off the bench).

Hopefully Jalen will wind up in Milwaukee, like Kevin.  That roster, with those old dogs upfront (i.e. if they keep Brooks), is better suited to accommodate young, erratic shooters.  With Dame hurt they need that kinda energy, though in a more constructive way.

Maybe the Bucks will end up with Booker instead?  But I can imagine both Porter Jr. and Green running wild next to Giannis, who more-fundamental style would be able to mitigate some of their shortcomings.  If Milwaukee is going to retain Giannis, all things considered (i.e. an injured Dame being on the books), they need to start thinking a little outside of the box.

SHOUTOUT TO JABARI SMITH JR.(?)

Reportedly, the one player Houston was most keen on trading for Durant was Jabari Smith.  You often hear pundits pointing out how beneficial it is for bigs to develop jumpers.  But what I've been pointing out, for years now, is that in doing so many of them neglect their main advantage, which is their size.

There are some exceptional shooting Cs, but generally speaking Gs remain better at the job.  If you allow dudes to take the easy way out, you know, hoisting up threes instead of posting up or driving, most of them will do it, even the biggest man on the court.

So what I'm envisioning is something like KD chuckin' as usual, and Jabari, instead of waiting under the basket for a rebound, rather opting to linger somewhere behind the three-point line, hoping for a pass.  Indeed, he's the one player on the roster who truly becomes expendable with the presence of Durant, because they have similar builds and to some extent playing styles, tho KD being like 1000x more effective.

It's rare that three-pointers get blocked anyway.  So you don't need to always have your tallest dude at the three-point line.  But I have to imagine that Smith, once again given his height (and agility), must also have some perimeter D value.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? (PHOENIX SUNS)

Speaking of above-average braintrusts, as noted the Suns have made their mistakes in recent years, but they're also known for perennially fielding competitive rosters, if nothing else at least on paper.  To be totally honest, I thought Beal + Booker + Durant + Nurkic, especially once they added Jones to the mix, was going to be akin to a contender.  Things didn't work out like, I would speculate, off the top of my head, the reason being that if you have three high-scoring wings, then you'd have to have a respectable pass-first PG to complement them, you know, distribute the ball, make sure everyone gets their shots, etc.

The thing tho is that in today's NBA, there really isn't anything like "a respectably pass-first PG" since every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to run point or chuck up threes at will.  And the coaches may sit around like 'yeah, our team prefer freestyle basketball', but at the end of the day, the players probably don't give two fucks what they have to say anyway.  It's like everyone is an Iverson these days.

Speaking of which, I'm now starting to feel sorry for Thibs.  I criticized him a lot in the past, but at least he, unless most of his peers, had a palpable coaching presence.  And it's also now blatantly obvious that whoever NYK replaces Thibs with isn't going to be nearly as good as he is.  You know what I mean?  AI coach.

Going back to the Suns, their current roster isn't half bad.  They'd definitely be a playoff team in the East.  Btu what I'm foreseeing is at some point, you know what I'm saying?

Booker is like their Kobe, the star they drafted who, even after a decade, is still with the team that picked him.  That kinda shit is a lot more common these days then some people realize.  But ultimately, they should have never disbanded the aforementioned squad from a couple of seasons ago.  Sometimes, you only get one chance type shit.

Alongside the likes of Ayton, CP3 and Bridges, Booker had a clearly-defined role that like didn't overlap any of his teammates.  He was unanimously the 2-guard, the go-to scorer.  Now, you have guys like Beal and Green alongside him.  I'm not saying any of them are higher in the pecking order than Devin.  But once again looking at OKC for instance, you see the value of having players who complement each other, rather than their skillsets overlapping.

That said, like Memphis and Houston before them, I do expect Phoenix to find value in Dillon Brooks.  He's the type of player that virtually any squad can use.  When you're in a field where dudes make million of dollars whether they win or lose, some extra fire is a good thing.  I'm even hoping to one day see Dillon next to Draymond, as a mentee, eventually becoming his Warriors' replacement once Green retires.  Draymond needs to stop scaring away potential teammates.  The Suns gave up a player who's cancerous in the locker room sense and replaced him with someone who's known to like uplift entire squads though, like Draymond, Dillon could also benefit sometimes from less aggressiveness.

CONCLUSION

The Rockets needed additional scoring this past offseason, the key word in that sentence being past, because you can't take for granted say, for instance, that if they make the Playoffs next season (which they probably will), they'd once again face the Dubs.  Fukaround and they find themselves against a team like the Thunder or Nuggets, and you find yourself asking would Brooks more beneficial in that scenario than KD?

As for the Suns, I would argue they got the better of this trade because, you know, they really-really needed to break up that Big 3, even if Durant hadn't request a trade.  Houston needed more scoring power, but did they really need that much more?  They probably could have packaged Green and Smith and got he type of scorer they needed, alongside VanVleet and Sengun, instead of, you know, going after one of the best in history.  But I can understand, to some extent, why they wanted to get rid of Brooks, once again considering this past postseason.  But how instrumental was he (and Green) to them finishing in 2nd place to begin with?

2024-2025 NBA Preseason Grades (Southwest Division)

DALLAS MAVERICKS: C

It was cool seeing the Mavs make it to the big dance last season because when they're up against most squads, they're were the most-entertaining team in the league.  That shit didn't work against Boston tho.  So they were certain issues that Dallas needed to mitigate to take themselves to that next level.

At the top of the list was finding a solution Doncic's endurance issues, how, during the Finals for instance, he eventually ran out of steam against a team that actually knows how to play effective perimeter defense over extended periods.  And I'm not overly confident that the addition of Klay or the re-addition of Dinwiddie is going to solve that problem.  

I may be wrong.  If Dinwiddie is doing his thing, the coaching staff could then use the opportunity to give Doncic longer rests.  Someone like Thompson, if his shot was on, would have definitely helped Dallas in the Finals, but not likely to the point where they could have beat the Celtics.

It's also painful, from a Mavs' fan perspective, to watch Jones Jr. go.  When Dallas was able to play above the rim (i.e. against their conference rivals in the playoffs) they were virtually unbeatable, and Derrick was a big part of that dynamic.  It's always hurtful when the pairing of a superstar PG who is an exceptional passer coupled with an amazing dunker is broken up.  But maybe Jones will be able to build up a similar rapport with the Beard.

During this offseason Dallas, by the looks of things, failed to upgrade in a manner that could potentially topple Boston.  The Celtics specialty is perimeter defense, and the Mavericks, in their wisdom, most notably decided to go out and add perimeter players.  With Lively gone and basically being replaced with a couple of Gs, good ones though not allstars, there's no way Dallas can be as entertaining as they were last season.

HOUSTON ROCKETS: C

The Rockets have sorta developed this losing culture, but at least a couple of seasons ago they were a good watch, regardless of who they played against.  Nowadays?  Like I don't even know.  It's sorta like, in a way, the air of excitement got sucked out of this team in a way.

From a competitive standpoint, Fred VanVleet was a fine addition.  I wouldn't be surprised if Houston missing the playoffs was some sort of higher-up decision.  But the thing is that - this is my argument.  If you have a team that's young and exciting, even if they lose, keep it like that.  F*ck is a timeline anyway?  'We're going to play it smart, devalue some of our young assets and rather prioritize the addition of quality veterans who can help us win now.'  Help you win what, Houston?

The last thing any braintrust wants is having to decide whether to play vets or developing players.  If you have young players with allstar potential, then ideally they're playing behind veterans who are maybe on the verge of winning a championship.  All things considered, such does not appear to be the case with the Rockets.

Going back to last offseason, Brooks was a good addition for what they were trying to build.  Defensive players like him, who can galvanize an entire team, are priceless.  But as for Fred, he may have to go - and not in exchange for a present player(s) unless he fits the timeline of the rest of the roster, someone to make up for the departure of KPJ.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: F

What really broke my heart with the Grizzlies wasn't so much that Ja Morant-gun shit but him getting seriously injured like immediately upon returning.  I hope said "injury" was just an excuse for the braintrust to shut him down during what they already perceived as a lost season.  But if not, smh.

Just a couple seasons ago, Memphis was poised to be the next big thing in the Western Conference, nah, the entire NBA.  Instead, OKC managed to steal their thunder.  And I'm not overly confident that the Grizzlies are going to be able to reclaim it, with their most-noteworthy transaction this offseason actually being the loss of Ziaire Williams.  This is after they already lost Xavier Tillman, who went on to immediately win a championship, earlier in the season.

Aging + lack of roster retention usually does not equal progression.  I still believe that Morant may be a second coming of Jordan.  But maybe he needs to work harder in terms of not putting the organization in a position whereas, I don't even know how to put it.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: B-

Entering into this season, if Brandon Ingram sticks around, I think it's safe to say that on paper the Pelicans have the best starting five in the league.  But of course, us mature NBA analysts know that talent doesn't always equal success.  And that's esp true on a team like NOP, where you have star players with overlapping skillsets, coupled with a style of play that is more or less positionless.

I don't necessary see why the Pelicans - or even the Hawks before them - would, given their rosters, bother to acquire the services of Dejounte Murray, unless they intend to actually use him as a (starting) PG.  It's the same like when ATL acquired him a couple of offseasons ago - okay, now how is the roster going to be structured?  Where does Murray fit in alongside the other team's scorers - two, if not all three of whom are iso-oriented?

And then, who are they planning to take back for Ingram anyway?  I'm not in favor of breaking up this roster, but it's going to take a helluva coach to make it work.

If this were a team during the 1990s, when players knew how to stay in their lane so to speak, it would be like yeah, they're contenders.  But in today's NBA, when most coaches are more or tokens, I mean I don't even know off the top of my head who's coaching NOP.  But I don't remember it being a name like, you know what I'm saying?

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: A

I was really impressed with the Spurs' offseason because first of all, they were able to make their moves quickly.  Secondly, they're staying in their lane.  Wemby is already one of the best players in NBA, but it's not like 'hey, let's go overboard and try to win now'.  But at the same time, it isn't like 'let's surround our star with a team that doesn't know how to win'.  You know what I mean?  Like moderation type shit, going out and getting a couple of older players that makes the team more, not less, must watch.

If I could give out a "Offseason Player of the Year" award, that'd go to CP3.  I've been saying for years that how some older star players need to learn how to team up with their younger counterparts, playing for up-and-coming teams instead of chasing instant championships - a strategy that doesn't work most of the time anyway.

I also approve of the addition of Harrison Barnes, the type of player who not only contributes but also seems to bring a sense of stability and order to any system.  This should be more exciting than last season, so long as the Spurs don't suffer any major injuries.  And who knows?  With another star or two and a well-rounded bench, there you go, contender time.  Maybe "the Neck" will walk away with a ring after all.

CONCLUSION

If not for the Spurs and Pelicans, the Southwest would have a had a painfully boring offseason.  This current Spurs' roster, under Popovich, could prove viably competitive, playoff-worthy even.  As for New Orleans, even though they have a helluva roster, the excitement isn't quite there because it'll take a basketball mastermind, the type of which isn't like readily available, to make all those high-grade pieces work in tandem.

Please Trade Jonathan Kuminga

IMO, Jonathan Kuminga was one of the best rookies of 2021.  I believe he was a better rookie than Cade Cunningham.  In fact, I couldn't quite understand why the Warriors were playing him behind the likes of Otto "Richie" Porter.  They did win a championship, but it wasn't like Porter was a big part of the equation.  Or let me just frankly say that I always argued that GSW wasn't giving him enough playing time.

Now actually looking at the stats, he did earn 4 extra minutes this season as compared to 2021-22, but his stats remained roughly the same (besides for a notable increase in assists).  My personal belief is that Kuminga's growth as a player has been stunted dating back to the rookie season.  I can't remember all that was happening back then, but it seems that one of my gripes - that he didn't make the Rising Stars Team - may have been inaccurate.  But I just know that in general, he wasn't getting the shine that he deserved.  Like he wasn't even put in a position whereas for instance his name could have been in part of the ROY conversation, even though he was the 7th overall pick and representing on the court.

I believe that legacy has persisted into the present which is why, despite averaging slightly more minutes, his numbers haven't gone up.  I also would imagine that it must be quite difficult playing alongside Steph, not to mention Draymond (and maybe even Klay).  People tend to always focus on the more vociferous bad guy, but the quiet ones too can be a MFer.

I think one thing that all of us pundits, including myself, have overlooked in all of these years of dickridin the Dubs is that, outside of the big 3 and Jordan Poole, they don't have much of a player development record.  Or as yourself this question.  Besides for Steph, Klay and Draymond, who else have they ever developed into an all-star?  (Wiggins doesn't count, because most of his stats were actually better before he came to Cali.)  Then, ask yourself this question also.  What journeyman has ever come to the dynasty Warriors and left a better player?

CONCLUSION

So I've been saying for awhile that my personal fantasy is to see Kuminga go to the Grizzlies.  If they could make a deal like that while retaining their current frontline, that shit'll be crazy.  Yes, the vision is different without Dillon Brooks around.  And also, you know what I'm saying, there's no guarantee Morant will return to this team.  But if he does, getting Kuminga could help offset some of the personnel losses they've been taking recently.

And as far as who the Warriors get back in return, the funny thing is that I can actually see Brooks flourishing in their system, because playing alongside Steph + Klay (not to mention Poole), like the less shooting and more screensetting/intangibles you do, the better (i.e. Payton Jr).

And speaking of Poole, I personally feel that Draymond episode has been blown out of proportion, the way people are still talking about it today.  I also believe that he got his superpowers from playing with Steph.  But that's another dude who, you know what I'm saying?  If the Dubs don't know how to treat him right by now, then they never will.

Shoutout to Gary Payton Jr.

All jokes aside, my original intent today was to write an article entitled "Gary Payton Jr. - My Favorite Player in the NBA".  But since he got injured last night I can't put it like that anymore, because he's no longer active, and, when he does return, like who knows if he'll come back the same.

Earlier, during the 2022 edition of the NBA Inception Awards, I actually advocated "the Gauntlet", as I like to call him, for DPOY.  Most people would rather advocate Rudy Gobert, Marcus Smart obviously or perhaps Payton's teammate, Draymond "the Golden Spaz" Green.  But the thing I really admire is how effective the Gauntlet is in the post, both offensively and especially defensively, considering his size.  

But something else I had to acknowledge while continually biggin' Payton's defense up is the fact that sometimes he relies on... questionable tactics.  When you do those sort of things, of course you're going to occasionally run into other players and teams that decide to retaliate.

I also knew that in this series, he would logically to be the player the Warriors would have to rely on most to effectively defend Ja Morant.  And I'll give it to Steve Kerr - he did go as far as actually starting the Gauntlet in Games 1 and 2.  And no one can lock Morant down, who I've already hinted somewhere in this blog may be the next Jordan.  But that strategy did work in Game 1, in that at least the Dubs won.

And Dillon Brooks is one big dude.  Brooks is so top-heavy, or at least he looks that way on TV, that the first couple of times of I saw him play I actually thought he was a stocky G, until I looked dude up and found he's really like 6'7" .  But like the Gauntlet is also pretty big up top, definitely being the dieselest player on the Warriors.

So now, it's like I finally got around to seeing that play.  Dillon basically slapped Gary in the head (with his forearm) just as Payton sorta did to some player a while back, though I can't remember who exactly.  And it does look like Brooks meant to hit him like that, but he obviously didn't expect to cause any type of injury.  Pain and discomfort?  Yes.  But injury?  I'm not so sure.

Either way, what ended up happening was sort of a fluke injury, kinda like what Alex Caruso suffered a while back.  But I guess that's one of the reasons why you aren't supposed to make malicious plays, especially when the target is up in the air.

The reason Payton has grown on me is because at the beginning of the season, he deadass struggled to to make the Warriors' roster.  And even when he did, it looked like he'd be one of those players who'd be lucky to see playing time, despite being the son of an alltime great.

But instead, he ended up being an indispensable part of Golden State's 2021-22 rotation.  And it's kinda ironic that the Warriors , in reality, are kinda thin as far as guard depth goes.  And I'd like to use this opportunity to say that instead of going back to the Cavs, I hope Rubio signs with the Dubs next season.  He'd be like the perfect fit with all of their wings and cutting guards.

Another thing is that Payton Jr. always has an impact on the court.  Always.  Sometimes it's good to be a player who can't really score, because you can learn to shoot and shit like that as time progresses.  What's more difficult to master is defense and intangibles.  But a lot of that comes to the Gauntlet naturally or like from his upbringing, since he's the son of the Glove.

But what I adore best about Payton Jr. is how he plays downlow.  Offensively, he creeps around the rim to grab rebounds or perform easy layups.  And defensively dude, as short as he is, can like effectively play against centers.  Payton's stats aren't going to knock you out.  But anyone who understands the game of basketball would, I think, recognize that he has the type of defensive presence that, as far as the Warriors go, is only really comparable to Draymond Green.

And there's really nothing more athletic in the NBA than a small guy making powerful dunks.  That something that Payton rather gets from his mom, Monique James.  The Gauntlet was doing that a lot earlier in the season, kinda how he caught Desmond Bane out there in Game 1.  And he can do it a thousand times, but like dude is so short you still wouldn't see it coming.  "Luckily", Payton's elbow got injured and not any part of his leg.

CONCLUSION

Damian Lee got some quality though brief minutes in Game 2, which I guess is Steve Kerr's partial answer to filling the hole left by Payton's injury.  And that's a pretty good decision, as Lee is just as feisty as the Grizzlies, perhaps being overzealous even.

And now with the injury, I can't say that the Gauntlet is my favorite player in the NBA.  But what I can say, at least for me, is that now the Playoffs are less exciting without him.

2nd Round Predictions - Warriors vs. Grizzlies

This is a hard series to call, because all season it's been like the Grizzlies have been beating up on these older, established teams, especially out West.  But in Golden State's defense, I don't think they ever played against Memphis at full strength, as the Warriors are now.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

They still remain my sentimental favorites, but this may be where the buck stops.

STARTING 5 MAKEUP

PG-SG-2G-SF-PF (point guard, shooting guard, 2guard, small forward, power forward)

That's based on the starting lineup the Warriors rolled out in Game 5 against the Nuggets, which consisted of all three Splash Brothers + Draymond and Andrew Wiggins.  That's supposed to be their new "Death Lineup" or whatever, but it leaves much to be desired in terms of starting that combination.

BIGGEST STRENGTH

Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike are my favorite pair of announcers, after only Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.  Mark and Jeff, being established in the NBA pantheon, don't give AF.  But it's amusing listening to Bob and Kelenna, because you can tell they're real Warriors fan.  Like if Golden State is down by even a point, they get nervous - like true fans, who want their team to lead throughout the entire game.  In Game 5 the Warriors were down by like 10 in the third quarter, and dudes were panicking.

But like I said before, big leads, unless maybe you're up by 30, doesn't mean shit against the Splash Brothers.  When Steph gets going, the threes and layups he makes are so unorthodox that there's nothing a defense can do.  When Klay is hot, on top of making his own crazy threes he also attacks from the midrange, and there's nothing defenses can do.  And Poole has like this slashing game in addition to a sometimes-hot threepointer, even though I fear at times he may break his own ankles.

BIGGEST WEAKNESS

I hope Steve Kerr doesn't start all three Splash Bros. like he did in Game 5.  Steph was averaging nearly 30ppg coming off the bench(!) earlier in the series.  And as outstanding as that was, of course when there's egos etc. involved, he wasn't going to remain on the bench for long.  But if you have to start Steph out of respect, then that means Jordan has to go to the bench.

X-FACTOR

I'd like to say Jonathan Kuminga in this case, and maybe the Gauntlet.  If there's one advantage the Grizzlies have over Golden State, it's youthful energy.  And in matching that, there's may be no better player on the Warriors roster than Kuminga.  Also, Gary Payton Jr. has the best chance of all defenders in locking Ja Morant down, even though he seems to play dirty sometimes.

KARMA ASSESSMENT

The Warriors appear to have really good karma in terms of supporting each other.  Even some quality players who haven't been getting any burn during the Playoffs seem real supportive of the ones that are.  But the thing is that if there's one team that perhaps has even better karma amongst its roster, imo that'd be the Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The Grizzlies had a tough time against Minnesota, but that's understandable, because the Timberwolves are a really talented team to be a 7 seed.

STARTING 5 MAKEUP

The Grizzlies benched Steven Adams, perhaps after being incepted.  But I think I finally figured it out.  When Ja Morant is unable to play, Memphis is better with Adams.  But when he's running around all wascally and shit, they're better off playing someone younger and faster at the 5.

So I would presume they'll continue to start Xavier Tillman at C, whose like a cross between a slower, traditional C and a younger, faster one.  But of course Brandon Clarke, who falls more into the latter category, will end up getting more minutes.

BIGGEST WEAKNESS

I'm not inclined at this point to say the Grizzlies have a weakness besides the potential for injury.  But if they had a hard time defending Edwards/Russell, than the Splash Brothers are prolly going to drive their perimeter defense crazy.

X-FACTOR

Dillon Brooks, who I never even heard of until like a month ago, has really grown on me.  And he's like pretty big to be a SF.

KARMA ASSESSMENT

The Grizzlies be deadass partying before and after games.  Sometimes I think it's foolish, or cocky to say the least, to do so beforehand.  And of course, we don't really know what goes on behind the scenes.  But these dudes look like they have each other backs.  Also, it is possible that they have the backing of the NBA itself.

CONCLUSION

It makes me nervous to have the audacity to predict against the Splash Bros. and rather go with a team that has a questionable perimeter defense, but I think Memphis, if healthy, will take the series.

Ja Morant is a giant killer, the one player most responsible for humbling Lebron and the Lakers this season.  He put up Magic-like numbers against the Timberwolves, and his pops still dissed him.  And that may just be the additional fire he needs to pick the Warriors apart.