Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return
1st Round Playoff Preview
April 19th, 2018
By Vonny Lee
The 1st round of the playoffs is here and with it, some familiar faces and some fresh squads.
1. Sonics vs. 8. Kings
Going 61-21, the Sonics have more than met expectations this season. They come into the playoffs healthy and hungry, as the team at large (and especially Russell Westbrook) is incensed at how Durant was chosen as MVP and not Westbrook; the two were separated by just one vote. Seattle has played angry through most of the season and that looks to carry over here in the playoffs.
For the Kings, this is a dream come true. It's been over 12 years since the last time the Kings made the playoffs, and an entire generation of fans has watched their team struggle, mightily, since. But the play of Brandon Ingram, Willy Cauley Stein, and veteran George Hill have finally elevated Sacramento out of the depths of the cellar.
Prediction: The Kings are fresh faced and excited to be here, but they have every reason to believe they can win the series. They're one of the top-3 best defensive squads in the NBA and battled the Sonics to a 2-2 regular season series tie ... but Seattle has done this before. Sonics in a hard fought five games.
4. Pelicans vs. 5. Rockets
NOLA was close to getting that 3rd seed, but fell just short. But don't tell the Pelicans they're missing anything -- they have their sights firmly on Seattle. Since the 2016 WCF, the Pelicans have been waiting to get the Sonics back in the playoffs and are perfectly fine with being on this side of the bracket. Rookie SF Jayson Tatum has been incredible this year, as as been JJ Reddick, and the Pelicans are confident they can take down anyone.
But Houston is confident for its own reasons. Sitting as the 8th seed for a good portion of the season, a late winning streak propelled them into the playoffs and they're here to do battle. With veterans Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol getting their first taste of postseason action in quite awhile, the Rockets want to make a statement -- and have their own axe to grind with Seattle.
Prediction: Both these teams are similar, both were beaten soundly last postseason in the 1st round. Both have axes to grind, but James Harden will be facing JJ Reddick or rookie Jayson Tatum in this series, and NOLA simply doesn't a lockdown defender at the two. Davis, on the other hand, has to go through Clint Capela and Pau Gasol (as well as Mosgov) to get his points. Rockets in five.
2. Thunder vs. 7. Clippers
OKC just barely missed out on the 1st seed but get the easier side of the bracket as a result. The Thunder are focused exclusively at getting back to the Finals for the first time since 2012 and are on a mission to prove to everyone that they can; the play of Payne, Oladipo, Ibaka, and Kanter have all benefited from the absence of Russell Westbrook, but now's the time to prove it.
Standing in their way is the Clippers, who suffered some injuries early in the season and struggled to find their rhythm, but came together and squeaked out a playoff spot in the wild West. Blake Griffin, Jeff Teague, and DeAndre Jordan have complimented one another better than many would have predicted but the Clippers are down Teague, who suffered a severely sprained ankle on April 10th against the Warriors. Teague is out, Trey Burke is in, and the Clippers are a man down at the worst time.
Prediction: Without Jeff Teague the Clippers don't have the point guard they need to slow down Cameron Payne; Trey Burke is good enough to get by with in the regular season but, in his first playoff series, that inexperience will kill LA. OKC in three.
3. Suns vs. 6. Lakers
The Suns season has been a good one and now their high-flying offense will be put to the test against a division rival in the Lakers. It's a mid-2000s throwback playoff series as the Suns have to bet their experience -- specifically that of Tobias Harris and Tyson Chandler -- is able to give them the edge.
For the Lakers, they made the playoffs and it's been a long time since the Lakers did that (five years!) and the play of Russell, Randle, Brown, and Whiteside has been electric. Russell is doing 23.5 PPG and 7.0 APG, while Randle is putting up 14.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and Brown is scoring 20.3 PPG, with 8.0 RPG. The Lakers young core is pretty to look at, but now comes the time to see if they're ready to shine.
Prediction: The Suns are down their ROY in Ivan Raab (who still won despite missing the last 32 games) but Tobias Harris has solved so many problems. I expect the Lakers to score a ton, but I think the Suns experience pulls it off -- PHX in five.
Out East
1. Hornets vs. 8. Knicks
Charlotte held on to the 1st seed, finishing at 56-26, their best record as a franchise in pretty much forever. Kevin Love has been revived, putting up 18.9 PPG and pulling in 11.3 RPG. The Hornets have depth, they have heady veterans, they have youth, they have the edge in everything; this team is ready to make noise.
But first they have to get through the Knicks, who snuck into the playoffs despite a losing record. New York surged in the last two weeks of the season, winning seven straight (two of those with Chris Paul sitting) and making the playoffs despite Melo missing nearly 40 games this year due to injury. If any one is going to knock the Hornets out of the playoffs, it'll be Chris Paul -- former star of the former Hornets.
Prediction: This series has intriguing matchups across the board. Walker vs. Paul. Melo vs. MKG. Love vs. Porzingis. Youth vs. Experience. The series will be decided by the bench and that's where the Hornets have the edge, as their bench is loaded with talent. This is a tougher series than Charlotte would expect, however, but they win in four games.
4. Bucks vs. 5 Bulls
It speaks to the relative weakness of the conference to see the Bucks as the 4th seed, but Milwaukee isn't complaining. After missing the postseason the last two years, the Bucks are glad to be back. They just wish they had the Greek Freak, who's out again, this time with a bad back -- he's gone for the next 4-6 weeks, which means the Bucks postseason might be short lived. In his place, Jabari Parker will slide down to the three, as Tyler Zeller takes hold of the four, and rookie Harry Giles starts at the five.
The Bucks misfortune could be the Bulls gain. Chicago has battled injuries all year but is finally healthy. Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders have a chance to knock their former team out of the playoffs, a scenario the two players couldn't have written better, and Dwight Howard should feast on the young Giles.
Prediction: It's a toss up. Both the Bulls and Bucks have dealt with adversity this season, but the Bucks have survived the absence of their star for long stretches -- but this is the worst time to be down your best player. The Bulls have Wade, Howard, and Jimmy Butler, as well as Dante Exum (playing the best ball of his career) and the experience wins out I think. Chicago takes this in five games.
2. 76ers vs. 7 Wizards
There's some bad blood here. Philly was knocked out of the playoffs by the Wizards last year and they've had their first 50 win season since Allen Iverson suited up (whoa). The 76ers want to feast on the Wizards and will do so with their lineup of Rubio, Knight, Simmons, Randolph, and Okafor. That starting five rolls out averages of 11.2, 15.5, 17.4, 12.6, and 19.5 PPG respectively.
Washington got into the postseason thanks to another late run, like the year before, and just got Bradley Beal back after a 20-game absence due to a leg fracture. The Wizards aren't fresh -- they played heavy minutes to make the playoffs -- but they have talent. Like they do every year, the Wizards tended to wait till the very end of the season to start playing with purpose and that may be the most damning thing about them.
Prediction: Revenge is a dish best served cold and it's cold in Philly this year. Downright frigid. Rubio gives the 76ers the defender at the point they've lacked since MCW and Philly stifles the Wizards, sending them home in five.
3. Cavaliers vs. 6. Pistons
Cleveland tapered off at the end of the year and fell just short of 50-wins. They still possess LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, however, but they're starting Cole Aldrich at the five (no, seriously, they've done that all year) and feature a bench with Josh Smith, Terrence Jones, and Matthew Dellavedova. Irving is banged up with a tweaked hamstring, but will start, and the Cavs aren't the all-powerful team they once were.
Sitting in wait are the Pistons. Detroit waited until the end of the year to get their butts in gear, but they finished above .500 and are looking to upset their long-time torturer in LeBron. Ty Lawson and Marcus Morris are playing great basketball, Drummond is doing his usual thing, and the Pistons are hungry.
Prediction: Irving being banged up, even slightly, does change the complexion of this series as he's facing a speedster in Ty Lawson. If Detroit and Lawson can play at a fast pace, they'll wear Irving down and force Cleveland to go to their weak bench. But the Cavs have withstood plenty during their regular season and I don't see them playing into Detroit's hands now. Cleveland in five.
1st Round Playoff Preview
April 19th, 2018
By Vonny Lee
The 1st round of the playoffs is here and with it, some familiar faces and some fresh squads.
1. Sonics vs. 8. Kings
Going 61-21, the Sonics have more than met expectations this season. They come into the playoffs healthy and hungry, as the team at large (and especially Russell Westbrook) is incensed at how Durant was chosen as MVP and not Westbrook; the two were separated by just one vote. Seattle has played angry through most of the season and that looks to carry over here in the playoffs.
For the Kings, this is a dream come true. It's been over 12 years since the last time the Kings made the playoffs, and an entire generation of fans has watched their team struggle, mightily, since. But the play of Brandon Ingram, Willy Cauley Stein, and veteran George Hill have finally elevated Sacramento out of the depths of the cellar.
Prediction: The Kings are fresh faced and excited to be here, but they have every reason to believe they can win the series. They're one of the top-3 best defensive squads in the NBA and battled the Sonics to a 2-2 regular season series tie ... but Seattle has done this before. Sonics in a hard fought five games.
4. Pelicans vs. 5. Rockets
NOLA was close to getting that 3rd seed, but fell just short. But don't tell the Pelicans they're missing anything -- they have their sights firmly on Seattle. Since the 2016 WCF, the Pelicans have been waiting to get the Sonics back in the playoffs and are perfectly fine with being on this side of the bracket. Rookie SF Jayson Tatum has been incredible this year, as as been JJ Reddick, and the Pelicans are confident they can take down anyone.
But Houston is confident for its own reasons. Sitting as the 8th seed for a good portion of the season, a late winning streak propelled them into the playoffs and they're here to do battle. With veterans Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol getting their first taste of postseason action in quite awhile, the Rockets want to make a statement -- and have their own axe to grind with Seattle.
Prediction: Both these teams are similar, both were beaten soundly last postseason in the 1st round. Both have axes to grind, but James Harden will be facing JJ Reddick or rookie Jayson Tatum in this series, and NOLA simply doesn't a lockdown defender at the two. Davis, on the other hand, has to go through Clint Capela and Pau Gasol (as well as Mosgov) to get his points. Rockets in five.
2. Thunder vs. 7. Clippers
OKC just barely missed out on the 1st seed but get the easier side of the bracket as a result. The Thunder are focused exclusively at getting back to the Finals for the first time since 2012 and are on a mission to prove to everyone that they can; the play of Payne, Oladipo, Ibaka, and Kanter have all benefited from the absence of Russell Westbrook, but now's the time to prove it.
Standing in their way is the Clippers, who suffered some injuries early in the season and struggled to find their rhythm, but came together and squeaked out a playoff spot in the wild West. Blake Griffin, Jeff Teague, and DeAndre Jordan have complimented one another better than many would have predicted but the Clippers are down Teague, who suffered a severely sprained ankle on April 10th against the Warriors. Teague is out, Trey Burke is in, and the Clippers are a man down at the worst time.
Prediction: Without Jeff Teague the Clippers don't have the point guard they need to slow down Cameron Payne; Trey Burke is good enough to get by with in the regular season but, in his first playoff series, that inexperience will kill LA. OKC in three.
3. Suns vs. 6. Lakers
The Suns season has been a good one and now their high-flying offense will be put to the test against a division rival in the Lakers. It's a mid-2000s throwback playoff series as the Suns have to bet their experience -- specifically that of Tobias Harris and Tyson Chandler -- is able to give them the edge.
For the Lakers, they made the playoffs and it's been a long time since the Lakers did that (five years!) and the play of Russell, Randle, Brown, and Whiteside has been electric. Russell is doing 23.5 PPG and 7.0 APG, while Randle is putting up 14.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and Brown is scoring 20.3 PPG, with 8.0 RPG. The Lakers young core is pretty to look at, but now comes the time to see if they're ready to shine.
Prediction: The Suns are down their ROY in Ivan Raab (who still won despite missing the last 32 games) but Tobias Harris has solved so many problems. I expect the Lakers to score a ton, but I think the Suns experience pulls it off -- PHX in five.
Out East
1. Hornets vs. 8. Knicks
Charlotte held on to the 1st seed, finishing at 56-26, their best record as a franchise in pretty much forever. Kevin Love has been revived, putting up 18.9 PPG and pulling in 11.3 RPG. The Hornets have depth, they have heady veterans, they have youth, they have the edge in everything; this team is ready to make noise.
But first they have to get through the Knicks, who snuck into the playoffs despite a losing record. New York surged in the last two weeks of the season, winning seven straight (two of those with Chris Paul sitting) and making the playoffs despite Melo missing nearly 40 games this year due to injury. If any one is going to knock the Hornets out of the playoffs, it'll be Chris Paul -- former star of the former Hornets.
Prediction: This series has intriguing matchups across the board. Walker vs. Paul. Melo vs. MKG. Love vs. Porzingis. Youth vs. Experience. The series will be decided by the bench and that's where the Hornets have the edge, as their bench is loaded with talent. This is a tougher series than Charlotte would expect, however, but they win in four games.
4. Bucks vs. 5 Bulls
It speaks to the relative weakness of the conference to see the Bucks as the 4th seed, but Milwaukee isn't complaining. After missing the postseason the last two years, the Bucks are glad to be back. They just wish they had the Greek Freak, who's out again, this time with a bad back -- he's gone for the next 4-6 weeks, which means the Bucks postseason might be short lived. In his place, Jabari Parker will slide down to the three, as Tyler Zeller takes hold of the four, and rookie Harry Giles starts at the five.
The Bucks misfortune could be the Bulls gain. Chicago has battled injuries all year but is finally healthy. Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders have a chance to knock their former team out of the playoffs, a scenario the two players couldn't have written better, and Dwight Howard should feast on the young Giles.
Prediction: It's a toss up. Both the Bulls and Bucks have dealt with adversity this season, but the Bucks have survived the absence of their star for long stretches -- but this is the worst time to be down your best player. The Bulls have Wade, Howard, and Jimmy Butler, as well as Dante Exum (playing the best ball of his career) and the experience wins out I think. Chicago takes this in five games.
2. 76ers vs. 7 Wizards
There's some bad blood here. Philly was knocked out of the playoffs by the Wizards last year and they've had their first 50 win season since Allen Iverson suited up (whoa). The 76ers want to feast on the Wizards and will do so with their lineup of Rubio, Knight, Simmons, Randolph, and Okafor. That starting five rolls out averages of 11.2, 15.5, 17.4, 12.6, and 19.5 PPG respectively.
Washington got into the postseason thanks to another late run, like the year before, and just got Bradley Beal back after a 20-game absence due to a leg fracture. The Wizards aren't fresh -- they played heavy minutes to make the playoffs -- but they have talent. Like they do every year, the Wizards tended to wait till the very end of the season to start playing with purpose and that may be the most damning thing about them.
Prediction: Revenge is a dish best served cold and it's cold in Philly this year. Downright frigid. Rubio gives the 76ers the defender at the point they've lacked since MCW and Philly stifles the Wizards, sending them home in five.
3. Cavaliers vs. 6. Pistons
Cleveland tapered off at the end of the year and fell just short of 50-wins. They still possess LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, however, but they're starting Cole Aldrich at the five (no, seriously, they've done that all year) and feature a bench with Josh Smith, Terrence Jones, and Matthew Dellavedova. Irving is banged up with a tweaked hamstring, but will start, and the Cavs aren't the all-powerful team they once were.
Sitting in wait are the Pistons. Detroit waited until the end of the year to get their butts in gear, but they finished above .500 and are looking to upset their long-time torturer in LeBron. Ty Lawson and Marcus Morris are playing great basketball, Drummond is doing his usual thing, and the Pistons are hungry.
Prediction: Irving being banged up, even slightly, does change the complexion of this series as he's facing a speedster in Ty Lawson. If Detroit and Lawson can play at a fast pace, they'll wear Irving down and force Cleveland to go to their weak bench. But the Cavs have withstood plenty during their regular season and I don't see them playing into Detroit's hands now. Cleveland in five.
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