2025 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (May 8)

INDIANA PACERS (2) VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (0!)

I don't have anything against Tyrese Haliburton - Myles Turner maybe, though he's reclaiming his strength of late.  Instead, there's a more practical reason I want the Pacers to lose.  If they win, they're going to f*ck up all that shit I was talking about the small-ball era being over.  Remember that shit I said about about 'the Cavs players look like they genuinely like each other, so other teams need to watch out!'  Well I guest at doesn't really matter if the other team is playing harder or smarter.

As for the Cavs, it's kinda hard to blame it on injuries because (#1) by all means at least one, if not two of their big four is likely to be hurt during any given game by this point in the Playoffs, and (#2) they have or had the homecourt advantage.

Me wanting Indiana to lose doesn't mean it's going to happen, of course.  But damn, son.  I saw some headline at NBC that at least gave me the impression that the writer thought the ending of Game 2 was rigged.  When Nesmith banged it on Mitchell, especially the first time I saw the play, it just looked like he wanted it more.  And Haliburton deciding to shoot a three on that last shot, that was a gutsy play, especially considering that the defense on him, though one-on-one (against Jerome), was pretty sound.

Tyrese appears that he may be on the verge of superstardom, if he isn't already there.  If that happens, I would argue that the party who deserves the most credit is the Pacers' braintrust.  They deadass pulled off a Kobe, believing in a player that every other organization slept on.

You also have to give Indiana credit for believing, like Cleveland, in the power of continuity.  Remember that they retained their entire rotation from last season, and the only addition they made was James Wiseman, with that experiment lasting a good game or two.   

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (1) VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (0)

Let me just get this off my chest - if Curry is healthy, I have no reason not to believe that the Warriros would beat, if not swept, Minnesota.  There's something like inexplicable about the Wolves underachievement.

There was this one play when Gobert backed down Butler I think and dunked.  Gobert is like an entire chest bigger than anyone on the Dubs' roster.  And the announcer was like, 'you'd expect to see more of that from Minnesota'.  After all, isn't the size of Gobert how they ultimately finished the Lakers off?  But that's what I mean sometimes when I say head coaches are obsolete on many teams.

Draymond is also playing like a man inspired.  And as for Buddy Hield, previously he never lived up to the marketability of his name.  But this team has a winning culture, so you would expect dudes to overachieve, or at least their achievements to shine more.  But beating Minnesota without Curry, I mean anything is possible, you know, they do have "Playoff Jimmy".  But I can't see it.

NEW YORK KNICKS (2) VS. BOSTON CELTICS (0!)

Zero nigga, lol.

Yahoo currently has a headline up about Tatum not panicking and believing Boston will still pull through.  Yeah, maybe, I guess.  I mean, it's not like the Knicks won either of those games resoundingly.

But the scary thing is like, I mean I only have a small sample to refer to.  But at the beginning of the Playoffs, it looked sorta like the Knicks didn't really know what they were doing but winning on superior talent.  Now, it's starting to look like all the guys know and accept their roles, and everyone expect Brunson I guess understands they need to sacrifice their game in one respect or another to make shit happen.  Does that make Jalen the leader?  Yeah, I guess so.

The thing about Brunson is, remember when he was Luka's sidekick?  No one but the Knicks (and myself) picked up on the fact that Jalen is actually better than Doncic in some applications.  Like there was this one game - I believe it may have been against Mitchell's Jazz - when like Luka was hurt, and Brunson led the Mavs to victory  The next game Luka came back, and they lost.  And I'm sitting there like 'does anybody else see this shit'?  Yeah, I guess NYK did.

As for the Celtics, like now that people are starting to jump on the Miles Bridges bandwagon, remember who was biggin' him up first.  I was the one who said, like two whole years ago, that he's a better all-around player than KD (at this point in his career). So why the Suns preferred Durant anyway, I guess it was in the name of selling tickets or whatever.

My point is that Brown and Tatum are studs, but so is Bridges and, let's not forget, Anunoby.  They have the athleticism to counter.  So then you have to look at the rest of the roster and ask, which team's is better, especially considering the inconsistency of Porzingis?

I believe the Celtics braintrust may be a bit cocky, but you can't blame a champion for running it back.  But win or lose, they should now know that some type of major upgrade is in order.

DENVER NUGGETS (1) VS. OKC THUNDER (1)

The Nuggets won Game 1 on a last-second clutch pay, while the Thunder won Game 2 by absolutely demolishing Denver.  You do the math.

The Nuggets are one of my favorite teams, on some days my sentimental favorite in the West.  But damn do they have a thin rotation, even in these Playoffs, when most teams are playing it tight.

The thing I'm most thankful for is at least Jamal Murray is playing and effective.  Remember that, just a week before the postseason, dudes was like he wouldn't even be suiting up.

Remember that, it was Mike Malone who made that statement, who Denver then like fired the next day or some shit.  And we have to remember also that these dudes lost their coach right before the Playoffs, though whether or not that was a good thing remains to be seen.

I believe ultimately, it everyone stays healthy or whatever, the Thunder are going to simply outrun the Nuggets.  Obviously, they can turn it up on Jokic if they want to.  And who on the bench, nay, the entire team, can alternatively take his place in terms of productivity?  Westbrook is a stud, but he isn't a C.

2025 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (April 22)

 NEW YORK KNICKS

The way the Knicks fukedup, going all the way back to last summer, is like less than a week after acquiring Bridges, they proceeded to add KAT also.  They should have at least given themselves a chance to see how the addition of Miles alone would work out in and of itself.  All things considered, acquiring him made more sense than going after Karl.  Remember that NYK deadass gave up Randle and DiVincenzo for KAT.

If the braintrust was actually thinking instead of star chasing, they could have used those KAT resources to go after someone(s) who can defend and rebound, which they really needed in the absence of Hartenstein and with the unreliability of Mitchell - not another scorer.  Oh well.  Maybe they'll still beat the Pistons.  But with this type of overtalented, unbalanced roster, I mean if you're going to do it, do it right.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

When it comes to physique, playing style and overall effectiveness, there's no player past or present who reminds me more of Jordan than Kawhi Leonard.  It's too bad that he's always unavailable, thus making it difficult, if not impossible for LAC to build a team around him.  If the Knicks played with the same type of intensity the Clippers did, they would have also won Game 2.

DENVER NUGGETS

It looks to me like the Nuggets may have intentionally thrown Game 2.  If not, than they were more or less playing like bungling idiots down the stretch.  But I'm not knocking them.  It was obvious after Game 1 that, you know what I'm saying, you can't take the Clippers for granted.  And now, that point has really been driven home.

MIAMI HEAT

The Heat are a good team, but they miss Jimmy Butler.  Butler is a lot like Leonard, a player who can instantly make any team better offensively and defensively, and their probably the only two guys in the NBA (still in their primes) who have displayed that ability.  I'm not writing Miami off just yet, but it'll be really interesting to see who or what type of player they go after this summer, and hopefully Wiggins will stick around.

BOSTON CELTICS

Speaking of guys who have fit well with diverse teams, Derrick White, on the low, may be like the best or most effective all-around PG in the modern NBA.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

The Rockets have had the most surprisingly-good season imo, but now you see why still, despite being the 2 seed, no one has called them contenders.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

I feel kinda bad for the Grizzlies.  It should be obvious by this point that the core of Morant + Bane + Jackson Jr. isn't going to win a championship unless they're buttressed by the right type of supporting cast.  They actually had such a squad a few seasons ago, but then came the departure of Brooks, blazi blah. 

Remember how the Memphis bench used to be celebrating on the sideline, so much so that they generated headlines and criticism?  You don't see that type shit anymore, or at least I haven't.

It takes a real forward-thinking, well-funded, sacrificial braintrust to be like 'okay, we may end up getting taxed out the ass, but we have to try to keep the band together, because they're supportive of each other and have good chemistry'.  You know, if you have a group of guys who actually feel each other, that's invaluable, because most teams, like the Nuggets, don't have that.

Dudes play harder when they love their teammates type shit.  But in today's NBA, it virtually impossible for most organizations to keep quality rosters together.

NBA Musings 231113 - Don't Forget About the Cavs

I'll be honest and say that I forgot to mention the Cavaliers in my last post while delineating the few teams that actually have the size to counteract the Nuggets.  It's like sometimes, I forget the Cavs even exist.  But I was reminded of their existence when they recently defeated the Warriors for the second time in as many weeks.  And one of the players who stood out was Evan Mobley who, btw, is visibly taller than anyone in the Dubs' rotation.

Although I can't find the link at the moment, Mobley was recently criticized, if I remember correctly, by a prominent member of the Cavs' braintrust, due to inability to shoot.  The argument was that, since Jarrett Allen likewise can't do so, then it doesn't pay to have two non-shooting bigs on the same squad, especially as starters.  That's how thinking is in today's NBA.  It's like shooting is even prioritized over defense which, all things considered, shouldn't be.

So perhaps Cleveland should be more focused on maximizing what they have as opposed to conforming to the makeup of other rosters.  Ideally, you fight fire with water, not fire with fire.  And with that in mind, in theory the Cavs are just as much in position to win the East as anyone else.  The Celtics may be better on the perimeter but not in the interior.  And as for the Sixers, having two quality defensive bigs to throw at Joel Embiid is definitely better than having just one.

KNICKS STARTING TO WIN AGAIN(?)

Last season I criticized the Knicks, reasserting that Randle was their alpha, and immediately after he went on a tear, and the team started winning.  I did the same thing a few days ago, and since then NYK has won three straight, even though all three of the teams they beat - the Spurs, Clippers and Hornets - are, as it currently stands, suspect.

Now, it is becoming more obvious that NYK's x-factor is RJ Barrett.  I'll be honest and say that for awhile there, I was starting to believe that dude was a bust or, in the very least, overrated.  But he keeps getting better.  And now, it's not unreasonable to speculate that Barrett may even be an allstar soon.

I also kinda slept on Immanuel Quickley, believing that he had already hit his ceiling.  Even from the time he was a rookie, Quickley, imo, has always been above-average in his position as backup PG.  But now it's like he's developed into a legitimate threat, someone that opposing teams have to be mindful of.

That said, it remains to be seen how the Knicks fare against teams that actually have their shit together.

SHOUTOUT TO TYRESE MAXEY

I was able to perceive Tyrese Maxey's superstar potential from the time he was an unknown rookie, back when Ben Simmons was still around.  Then, when Simmons refused to play and with Maxey starting at the point, the Sixers were still winning, as if nothing had changed.  So I was thinking to myself that when they did trade Ben, they would use the opportunity to acquire someone like an allstar level 3.  Instead they acquired Harden, in the process potentially stunting the progress of Tyrese, i.e. relegating him to third or fourth on the pecking order, even though he obviously deserved more.  But Maxey took it in stride instead of griping or demanding a trade (something that made me admire him even more), and in the long run, things are working out for the best.  Just don't forget who it was that first recognized he was a great player.

SHOUTOUT TO SCOOT HENDERSON

Scoot Henderson is injured again, as to have been expected, and he's also been stinking the joint up, as at least I expected.  It isn't his fault because, even if does prove to be a generational talent or whatever, it should have been obvious to the Blazers' braintrust that he isn't the type of rookie you start, especially not at point.  It'll be interesting to see what they do with Scoot when he returns.  But hopefully, it won't be throwing his ass right back into the fire.

THE RETURN OF MILES BRIDGES

LaMelo Ball may be the most-popular player on the Hornets, but imo Miles Bridges is the best, or at least he was a couple of seasons ago, even if he didn't make allstar.  Melo has a sound all-around game, but chuckin' PGs are common these days, and Charlotte's roster isn't good enough to capitalize on his passing abilities.  So in the grand scheme of things Miles was the more-valuable player, the type that you can win games with.

That said, even with Bridges and Ball, this squad isn't likely to make the playoffs.  Hornets' fans booed when they choose Brandon Miller over Scoot, but I believe now they realize that was a wise decision, which isn't something you hear often in relation to Charlotte.  Oh well.  At least with Bridges back, they'll be more entertaining to watch and currently have a better outlook than the Grizzlies, which definitely wasn't something I saw coming.

NBA Postseason Power Stinkings (Southwest Division)

I figured that I need to get these postseason "Power Stinkings" over and done with, since the NBA preseason is about to start.  Many analysts like to argue that the preseason is inconsequential, but I beg to differ, because it's during the preseason where teams with new pieces get to first see which lineups are compatible, and vice versa.  For example, I'm sure I mentioned around this same time last year that the Lakers going winless during the 2021-22 preseason was quite telling.  So what that means is that I can't do my true, final predictions for the upcoming season until post-preseason, hopefully, if like I have the time to write an article that long.

But until then, I can still blab about how franchises look as we currently speak.  And these are the Power Stinkings, meaning that we're not going to start this list off with the Grizzlies but rather the...

1.  CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Fullcourt basketball is largely a test of endurance, and that's especially true when you're playing over an 82 game season.  So at the beginning of last season the Hornets - young, dumb and full of cum - looked like a team on the rise.  Then as those long months progressed, they were exposed.  And now Miles Bridges, who I personally feel is their best player, well, it doesn't look like he'll be suiting up anytime soon.  In fact I personally believe that one of the reasons the Hornets fell off last season is because after the All-Star break, Bridges seemed more disinterested, probably because he got snubbed or whatever.

The Hornets also didn't re-sign Montrezl Harris, which would have really made sense esp now that Bridges ain't around.  So, I guess it's back to putting our faith in Gordon Hayward.

2.  HOUSTON ROCKETS

I don't particularly believe in youth movements, though they may be necessary at times.  Or let me say that youth movements only tend to be successful when you're dealing with teams that have really wise braintrusts, which are so few that you can like count them on one hand, and then most of those already have established rosters.  So the Rockets may be exciting to watch, but I have yet to come across anyone predicting that they'll even make the upcoming playoffs.

But another thing about these young, energetic squads is that if somehow they are able to get their shit together and overachieve, then watch out, because those wise, established rosters are usually filled with vets who may lack the energy to be chasing young dudes around for 48 minutes every night.

3.  SAN ANTONIO SPURS

It pains me that I was even tempted to put the Spurs, as in the team with the highest winning percentage in NBA history, at the top of this list.  Coming into this season, they have perhaps the most mediocre roster in the Association.  But this is the Spurs, and Gregg Popovich is still around, so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt, that they may end up with a better records than the Hornets or Rockets.  And you know, the Spurs are such a proven organization that for whatever reason they're never mentioned in tanking conversations, even though it's kinda obvious that's what they're doing.  And if Popovich is able to stick around until they get a new crop high draft picks, then it's like look out.

2.  DALLAS MAVERICKS

I'm almost tempted to say that the Mavericks took one step forward but two steps backwards in acquiring Christian Wood yet losing Jalen Brunson, but JaVale McGee ain't no slouch either.  My biggest issue with the Mavs is that Luka, as great of a player as he may be, seems sorta like a despondent superstar, i.e. one who doesn't bring out the best in his teammates and may even have the opposite effect.  But he's like the most naturally-talented basketball player in the world, so once again it is up to Cuban and them to construct a roster around him that works.  And if Doncic stays healthy, it is possible that this team will be better than last season, though it's really hard to imagine them once again making it to the WCF.

1.  MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The problem with the Grizzlies is that besides losing key role players in Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton, it doesn't look like they got anything in return, unless Danny Green proves healthy enough to remain on the court.  So it's like Memphis didn't upgrade and may have even degraded.  The good news though is that they have the best young core in the West.  So what I'm presuming is that the braintrust is like okay, all of these guys, including Ja Morant, will be better this season than they were last, and that's what they're banking on.  Like, there's only so much talent floating around the NBA anyway.  But there's still a few quality vets in free agency, as I can really see DeMarcus Cousins as part of this roster.

CONCLUSION

The Southwest Division was one of the more intriguing last season, but it may not be that way this time around.  While other teams were out upgrading, the likes of the Hornets, Spurs, Grizzlies and Mavs were either standing pat or losing key players.  It speaks volumes to conclude that the Rockets may have had the best offseason in Southwest Division, but we have to see how things play out in Dallas especially, as now Doncic truly has the type of supporting cast that not only compliments his style but also shouldn't step on his toes too much.

NBA Offseason Power Stinkings (Northeast Division)

The Miami Heat are the only team in the Northeast Division who are considered to be contenders, which may be true, but I'd watch out for those Hawks.  They staged one of biggest coups of the offseason in grabbing Dejounte Murray out of nowhere, like no one saw that coming.  And there is perhaps no single transaction that occurred this summer that will prove as significant.

But since this is the Power Stinkings, I'm not going to start off with the likes of the Heat or Hawks.  Instead, let's not forget that there's also teams out there such as:

1.  CHARLOTTE HORNETS

The NBA season, at a grueling 82 games, is largely a test of endurance where, along the line, teams that are weak one way or another eventually get exposed.  So at the beginning of last season, the Hornets were one of the feel-good stories of the NBA.  Like you look at LaMelo Ball and just want him to win.  But by the time all was said and done, it's like they just vanished from competititveness.

Now Miles Bridges, who is arguably their best player, like who knows when or if he'll suit up again.  Then for whatever reason, the Hornets aren't making any effort to re-sign Montrezl Harris nor chase any quality free agents.  So now, it looks like they're going to run it back with Ball + Oubre + Rozier Hayward (!) + Plumlee, which may not be the worst starting lineup in the NBA but has to be pretty darn close.

2.  ORLANDO MAGIC

Paolo Banchero may look "NBA ready" or however they call it, but I live by a pretty unwavering philosophy of never putting too much hope in a rookie during his first year, because it's very rare that a rookie has any type of major impact to begin with.  And even then, they need to drafted onto a roster that's already moderately good.

And maybe you can say the Magic are in that position.  For instance Jonathan Isaac, who awhile back was being touted as their franchise player or whatever, I guess is supposed to be playing soon.  And I'm still a Markelle Fultz fan, I suppose.  I also kinda like Mo Bamba, and this dude Franz Wagner is supposed to be hot or whatever.  Cole Anthony is also supposed to be some type of revelation, but honestly I can't remember the last time I saw the Magic play like a full game.  This is a team that could really benefit from the presence of a bonafide superstar, which maybe Banchero will be after a season or two.

3.  WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Bradley Beal is my type of NBA player.  When you're getting paid gazillions of dollars to play basketball, as taxing as the NBA may be, you don't sit around crying about rings and legacy and all that bullshit.  That is your legacy - that you're actually getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play fukin basketball.  Just ask Antoine Walker.  You know what I mean?  Like get your priorities straight already.

That said, you have to admire this guy's level of commitment, though perhaps what he's actually committed to is money, i.e. the Wizards being able to pay him more than any other team, because it's like these guys never really improve.  Well actually at this time last year, I thought that the Wiz, along with the Bulls, had the best offseason of 2021.  But what seems to have happened to Washington, even though they finally put together a good roster post-Wall, was that they lacked unity or something and got exposed as the season wore on.

And their current roster is also, in reality, moderately impressive.  Barton and Morris, I would imagine, should fit nicely next to Beal.  Also a frontline of Kuzma and Porzingis (esp if he's healthy) is nothing to sneeze at.  But speaking of legacy, let's not forget that this is the Washington Wizards, so no one should expect them to overachieve.

2.  ATLANTA HAWKS

I'm really feeling the Hawks right now for a couple of reasons.  One is that they didn't rush out and trade John Collins when he got into it with Trae Young.  This is professional athletics, so you aren't supposed to overreact everytime coworkers aren't getting along with each other, even if one of them is a franchise player.

Secondly, they went out and got Dejounte Murray, which was like some guru shit.  Their roster actually wasn't that bad last season, and his presence may end up solving most of their shortcomings.  Like no one is really talking the Hawks, but they have, when you also take age into consideration, perhaps the most well-rounded starting 5 in the NBA.  And they also now have two Holiday brothers coming off the bench.  Their one weakness though may be frontline depth, esp since both Capela and Collins are known to have injury issues.

1.  MIAMI HEAT

I'm tired of dickridin the Heat already.  These teams, like the Suns who do exceptionally well during the season but falter in the playoffs, it always hurts when I predict them to win big, but then they fall short.  Also, PJ Tucker leaving is supposed to have some type of adverse affect on them or whatever.  I personally think Tucker tends to be overrated.  But it ain't like they actually got anybody for him in return.

The Heat are one of the best-coached teams in the NBA for like ages now, but maybe they need to try something new, like maybe starting Tyler Herro alongside Duncan Robinson.  I mean, why not?  They have one of the deeper rosters in the league but obviously need to devise a new strategy to take things to the next level.  And I'm not really sure how much Kyle Lowry has left in the tank, which makes me wonder why perhaps they didn't go after an additional starting level PG this offseason.

CONCLUSION

The Heat lost a couple of role players this offseason, didn't get anybody back to match their talent level, but are still the team to beat in the Northeast.  That says alot about how wise this organization actually is.  But speaking of injury issues, that begs the question of how much they can truly rely not only on Lowry but also Butler and Adebayo this coming season.

Meanwhile, the Hawks may not be models of health themselves, but they are going to be a fun watch, even more than they've already been the past couple of years.  And the acquisition of Murray is such that the sky's really the limit for them at the moment, and they may have the best backcourt in the NBA (taking nothing away from the Splash Bros).

I feel sorry for the Hornets in more ways than one.  Who knows if they would have made the effort to retain Bridges anyway, but damn, is he catching a bad one.

And as for the Magic and Wizards, I mean the East ain't as formidable as it may seem at times.  And maybe, just maybe they'll make the playoffs.