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I'll wait until after free agency to make a prediction. I want to see what happens with Jaylen Brown & some other players first. East, despite all the stars & up & coming teams, it seems to come down to either the Celtics or Heat lately.
It'll be interesting to see how the 76ers, Bucks, & Suns do with new coaches. I could see a new coach getting any of those 3 to or back to the finals.
76ers are especially hungry with Harden still wanting a championship, & Embiid being in the shadows this post season even though he finally got his MVP he's been deserving of for awhile. I feel like Nurse will either make or break this team with his personality, so it's going to be entertaining.
I view Embiid & Jokic at the same level, so Embiid is probably watching Jokic & thinking to himself that could be me leading a team to a championship. Look at the pattern of big men. Giannis wins 2 MVPs then a finals MVP. Jokic - exact same. Embiid won an MVP, so maybe he'll have to win MVP again next season, & wait to win it all in 2025 to follow the pattern.
Ok, call me insane but I'm picking my Knicks vs. Clippers. Yes, you heard it here and I am not kidding. The Clips vs. the Knickerbockers in the finals. I think the Knicks are going to keep our big 3 (Randle, Barrett, Brunson) intact and make a deeper run. Make minor adjustments to the roster. I predict the Clippers (particularly PG-13, Kawhi, Westbrook) are going to have a sense of urgency. I would have picked the Lakers but Lebron is getting too old and AD is too injury prone. Can't wait for next season. For now. Let's go Mets!
Ok, call me insane but I'm picking my Knicks vs. Clippers. Yes, you heard it here and I am not kidding. The Clips vs. the Knickerbockers in the finals. I think the Knicks are going to keep our big 3 (Randle, Barrett, Brunson) intact and make a deeper run. Make minor adjustments to the roster. I predict the Clippers (particularly PG-13, Kawhi, Westbrook) are going to have a sense of urgency. I would have picked the Lakers but Lebron is getting too old and AD is too injury prone. Can't wait for next season. For now. Let's go Mets!
What a shock that you are picking the Knicks.
The Clippers are a wildcard. On paper they match up with anyone. But too many missed games by the big two. If they ever decided to man up and just play though minor ailments they would be dangerous.
I just dont see anyone out west threatening the Nuggets. The Lakers are just getting older with Lebron, so is Phoenix with KD, and the Clippers with Kawhi. All three guys are just going to be more injury prone as we're already seeing. Memphis should have been the threat to Denver as a young team, but they are in disarray thanks to Ja. I still think a healthy Bucks team beats Denver. Brook Lopez will at least force Jokic to have to work some on defense. Gordon no match for Giannis, and the Bucks have Jrue to throw on Jamal Murray to make him work hard for his shots. Of course, like everwinter said, all it takes is a big trade to totally change the equation for everyone. So I guess we'll see.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the Kings. They’re one more star from being a legitimate title contender.
Kings/Warriors series was by far my favorite series to watch this post season. Probably my favorite in the last 2 seasons. #1, & #2 offenses going at it in a fast paced shoot out, with the loud Kings crowd. Kings brought intensity on defense as well. I have to find those full games to rewatch them. I was pulling so hard for the Kings to win it.
I wish the Kings didn't get the Warriors the first round, to see how they would have done against a slower paced team like pretty much anybody but the Warriors. I feel like the Kings could have made a deep run if they were matched up with someone else. Also that De'Aaron Fox finger fracture was devastating.
Before any trades/FA signings I'll go Kings out West. I don't think they would have beaten Denver, but would've given them a better series than the Lakers did, and probably play the Lakers to 6 or 7 games if they beat the Warriors and they match up. PLus that team is young with the playoff experience under their wings helps them. I just have too many other questions on the West contenders:
Denver: It's just so difficult to repeat, and the teams that repeated usually had multiple starts (Kobe & Shaq Lakers; LeBron, & D Wade Heat; Klay & Steph for the Warriors) with supporting role players mixed in. Jamal Murray was good, but I don't think he's that extra start than can carry the Nuggets with Jokic.
Grizz: Way to much off the court issues with the dope Morant.
Suns: We know CP is probably leaving, who else is leaving?? That could be a rebuilding team if they decide to blow it up and start over.
Clippers: Kawhi & George are too injury prone to make a sustained run for 2 months in the spring.
Warriors: That Klay & Steph dynasty is on it's last legs if it hasn't already run it's course.
Lakers: LeBron just can't do it by himself anymore as the Nuggets series proved.
Pelies: Will Zion play more than 25 games??
T'Wolves: A complete dumpster fire the middle to end of last year.
Mavericks: Looked and played like one of the worst teams in the league once Kyrie joined.
And of all the Western lottery teams I'd say the Spurs with Wemba coming in + their culture probably are the most likely to upset the apple cart.
Over in the East I'd go Boston just because they have the most talent in the league, and I'd probably go Boston in 5 or 6 over the Kigs.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the Kings. They’re one more star from being a legitimate title contender.
It took Denver 5 years to reach the finals from when their team was one of the best in the west. Look at Boston, one of the best for 5 years and only one finals appearance. The Kings made the playoffs for the first time with this group this season. You rarely go from lottery team to making the finals in 2 seasons. Especially with a young core. And you have to factor in injuries. I believe they were one of the healthiest teams this year. That is luck. Will they be lucky again next year? They will need to be to make the finals next year.
I don't like the coach of Grizzlies. He makes terrible rotations. They will not be a champion under him.
Then there is also size issue. They get big athletic young players. That's fine...but as they grow 3 years and older, speed gets slower and that's how you see slimmer guys like Poole, Curry, Wiggins blow by them easily in their series. Less weightlifting and more marathon guys (lookin' at you Brooks, Bane, Brody, and sophomore Lofton Jr.).
Heat is partly successful because of conditioning where they keep a tab of one's bodyfat. You can see how mobile and quick the players are. If they add a 7 footer to add to their rotation to play alongside Adebayo, that could get them a championship.
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