Every Team's X-Factor (Central Division)

After giving the totally unknown Ariel Hukporti a shoutout in the inaugural edition of this series, not only did he start the Sixers' first preseason game but ended up suffering a season-ending injury and having that misfortune splashed all over national headlines.  Wow.  That wasn't the type of inception I was envisioning.

CHICAGO BULLS: TRE JONES

For the first time in years, the Bulls' roster appears to be progressive, but it definitely isn't deep.   Giddey is going to start at the 1, and behind him, behind all of the starters basically, the only other PG of note is Tre Jones.  Wait a minute  I accidentally mistook dude for Tre Mann.  But looking at his stats, even though Jones is an unknown, he's actually better than Mann and apparently one of the longer-tenured current members of the Bulls.

Meanwhile, Josh is known to semi-regularly end up on the injured list.  This team appears to have more depth in the backcourt than in the front.  There's other guys, like maybe Buddy Hield, who can play backup PG as a last resort, if you will.  And oh shit, is Jaden Ivey's career really over?

But in this case, I'm going with Jones.  Out of all the unpredictables or unknowns on this roster, he's slated to be the one whose impact and progression will matter most.  Chicago doesn't have the type of bigs per se that can really take over games.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: THOMAS BRYANT

Wow.  The Cavs have a stellar starting lineup, but as for the bench, man oh man.  There's really only two names I recognize, Thomas Bryant and Mario Hezonja, and oh yeah, that dude Sam Merrill.

I'm tempted to dub Sam the x-factor, as he's a tenured member of the Cavs who had a career year last season.   But the backup big rotation doesn't look promising at all, and there appears to be a more pressing need upfront.  So as much as it hurts, I'm gonna have to go with Bryant for now.

I have nothing against dude and even remember him being underrated in the not too distant past (i.e. with the Lakers).  But he's been in similar types of situations recently, getting a golden opportunity to represent on the Pacers for instance but failing to do so.  Maybe he's suffering from being bounced around too much.

DETROIT PISTONS:  UGONNA ONYENSO

Imagine if Jalen Duren did leave, and the Pistons didn't get a starter-worthy big in return?  That wouldn't have been pretty at all.

This is yet another team, as is common in today's NBA, where the backcourt is a lot deeper than the front.  Yes, Paul Reed made a name for himself this past postseason playing the 5, but he isn't an actual C.  And of course, Collins can also serve as C, but none of those dudes are wembyproof, like playing them against some bigger lineups may not be ideal.

The only other pure C currently on the roster is a two-wayer named Ugonna Onyenso(?).  And notice, by the way, how many centers these days, especially the obscure ones, seem to be from Africa.

As the NBA now appears to be prioritizing height again, as made necessary by the presence of Wembanyama, yes, Detroit obviously needs someone like Onyenso.  He's taller than everyone else on the team, including Duren.  But all things considered, don't expect him to get much run.  The Pistons, like many of their competitors, are more likely to continue going small, not so much out of choice as it is necessity.

INDIANA PACERS: TYRESE HALIBURTON

The Pacers, man.  At least they've more or less kept their deep G corps intact.  And as for C, outside of Zubac, who may or may not be overrated, there are a couple of backups who aren't exceptional but are at least respectable.  So the bigger depth issue appears to be in the 3 area.

By the looks of things, with Haliburton back, Indiana is going to continue along the lines of running three-guard lineups.  That isn't ideal, because most of their Gs are undersized more or less.  Or let's just say, more simply, that their F rotation leaves something to be desired.

So I'm just going to go with Tyrese in this case because, like it or not, he may end up having to serve as a de facto 3.  And if he ends up getting injured again, despite their other talents, the Pacers may wind up becoming more obscure than even the Nets.

I'm sorely disappointed in this braintrust, after their fairytale showing in 2025.  That's the kind of luck that most teams never experience.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS: KYLE KUZMA

I recently came across this headline arguing something like the Bucks being in an enviable position, due to having two coveted Cs on their roster.  Reading in between the lines, what's being implied is that Ware and Turner shouldn't even make an effort type shit, like everyone is just expecting this squad to be garbage and accordingly for them to be eventually traded.

But okay, let's say that for now, Milwaukee is set at C, and their wing corps is even deeper.  So then, the 4 becomes a problem.

What's to logically be expected is that Ware will start at the 5 and Turner at the 4.  They can more or less interchange positions.  But then, who's the backup at either spot?

Holy sh*t, Kyle Kuzma(!), who can at least play respectable 4 in the modern NBA.  If Milwaukee ever needed you, buddy, it's now.  If only he was as aggressive on the court as he is on social media.

2025 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (27 April)

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.

2025 NBA Playoff Ruminations (23 April)

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.

Lakers' Team Chemistry Officially Destroyed

This is something I wanted to bring up even before the Lakers' got their asses handed to them last night by the Oladipo-less Pacers, which they are calling LBJ's worst loss ever. When you put players on the trade block, especially who are tenured (as in being drafted and only identifiable with one squad), it's going to destroy team chemistry - especially when the trade doesn't go through and particularly in this case, where the Lakers tried to part ways with over half of their roster.

Sometimes you hear NBA pundits talking about "Lebron-ball", which is a theory that states having Lebron on the court is detrimental to a team. But I think we all know that's more or less BS. The true threat Lebron poses is that for whatever reason(s) when he's on a team (that isn't Miami) he's given executive-like influence. So if Lebron wants Anthony Davis then Lebron gets Anthony Davis, even if we have to sh*t on three-fourths of our squad to do so. For some reason, even though this dude is in his mid-30's and has more or less been a professional athlete his entire life, Lebron has yet to grasp the concept of team morale.

Then there's Magic Johnson. In the entire history of the NBA, from a fan perspective Magic is the most-lovable player ever. But when it comes to actually using his brain, well, let's just say he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. And he also seems ready to, at any given moment, sh*t on virtually any player on the Lakers' roster whose name isn't Lebron.

It's hard to imagine the Lakers' true core (Ball, Kuzma, Hart, Ingram) giving their all to help LBJ reach the next level with this team considering the way they are generally treated. I'm sure the 42-point loss last night was their way of telling Lebron - and I guess by extension even Magic - 'fuk you'.

I understand that basketball-wise AD is probably more valuable than all four of those guys put together. And I believe that he, being undoubtedly the best center of this generation, should be on the Lakers even moreso than Lebron. But as mature adults, the executives who are running these organizations need to be more sensitive to players' feelings if they realistically expect them to bring their all to the court.

SUGGESTION

Maybe the Lakers should instead trade Lebron for AD?