NBA Playoffs, So Far

2020-09-06

With round 2 of the NBA Playoffs in the bubble well underway, I decided it would be a good time to talk about what has happened so far.

With round 2 of the NBA Playoffs in the bubble well underway, I decided it would be a good time to talk about what has happened so far. I feel that round 1 went exactly as expected. Clippers and Rockets looked vulnerable, which they are. The series out of Denver and Utah was “exciting,” but neither team has any chance of a title, so it isn’t really relevant (although Jamal Murray is niiiiice). Despite pundits predicting the Lakers downfall, the Blazers were a sub-500 team and were easily handled by the Lake Show. Out east, Milwaukee, Miami, Boston, and Toronto all moved on, as expected.

Jimmy Butler and the Heat have shut down the MVP.

But what the hell is going in round 2? Giannis is not playing at an MVP level, apparently channeling his inner Westbrook. The Bucks are down 3–0 and it seems impossible for hem to come back. Jimmy Buckets is playing well, and the Heat are rolling. Word on the street is Giannis needs to play more minutes. Maybe the Lakers can use their family assets to get Giannis in the future, similar to a brotherly Gasol swap.

The Lakers dropped game one, and the Rockets’ championship odds went from 0% all the way to up 0%. AD will play center, Kuzma will wake up, Lebron won’t no-show (a la Harden) in the 4th again, and Rondo will either be better or play less. No sweat. None.

Favorite player all over least-favorite player. Would have preferred a W.

The Clippers are tied 1–1 after dominating in game 1. The Nuggets were worn from their 7-game series in the previous round, and were able to bounce back in game 2. The Clippers will win the series, but they look mighty vulnerable. PG and Kawhi have yet to really show up on the same night. Oh, and by the way… They’re the Clippers. What did anyone expect?

Boston took a quick 2–0 lead over the defending champs, but a “miracle” game 3 and hard-fought game 4 evened the series at 2–2. Now it is anyone’s series, and while I still think the Celtics are the better team (LAL — BOS finals, anyone?), it is hard to see this team beating the Heat.

OG Anunoby’s shot with .5 seconds left to save the Raptor’s season.

Go Lakers, and I hope Giannis can get it together and pull off an epic comeback.