Days In The East… #NBAPlayoffs
2,460 Games.
Five and a half months of action.
Thirty teams playing hard every week.
Millions of fans praying for great success and health.
Sixteen playoff spots.
People will do crazy things to make the NBA Playoffs; and fortunately that time is here. As we approach Saturday, like every year we will preview the NBA’s annual tournament and ask ourselves question’s. “Will the champion’s repeat?” “If not, then who can knock them off?” “Is there a sleeper team?” “Who will take their game to the next level?”. Question’s like that can relate to both conference’s, but I feel they relate more to the East. I am very aware that the Miami Heat has won the Eastern Conference three years in a row and in the process, win the NBA Championship twice, but that hasn’t stopped other’s from questioning this team.
Didn’t they win 54 Games? Yes but that’s twelve less from last year’s total of 66. Didn’t LeBron have another good season? Yes, but it wasn’t as dominant as his previous year when he won the MVP. Isn’t Dwyane Wade ready to go? Yeah, but keep in mind he missed twenty eight games this year (the most since 2007-2008) and had his worst statistical season since his rookie year (2003-2004). When you think about that along with the Heat’s other issues (lack of consistency, health and motivation), anybody that questions the Heat, isn’t wrong at all.
When I look at the Heat and then the rest of the conference, I truly believe this could be the year, Miami doesn’t make it out. There are two-three teams that can take Miami to the limit and beat them. Those teams are Brooklyn, Indiana and Chicago (In that exact order). All three have common traits of a opponent that beats Miami regularly: Great size, a lot of toughness, good coaching and a ability to score when it matters most. Out of the three, I think Brooklyn has all of those traits. While Indiana and Chicago does have good size, coaching and the necessary toughness, they would fall short because of their lack of scoring. For as much as I point out the question’s surrounding the champs, they still have enough offensive firepower to get the job done. Personally, I think it’s more about their health than production. If Wade can stay healthy and provides LeBron with 22+ PPG, then MIA is close to guaranteed of making the Finals. If not, it’s a different story.
Indiana has a decent chance of doing so, but it depends on their best players. Can Paul George be the guy that took over the league in November? Can Roy Hibbert consistently be a 18/10 player? Will the Indiana bench make a difference? I’m not so sure. I know, they can lock up defensively but I need to see them go off offensively. While the focus will be on Miami (and rightfully so), there are other interesting things to look at in the Eastern Conference playoffs. For starter’s, we have some young teams entering the big stage for the first time. The Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards have finally made the playoffs after a long drought, respectively. Thanks to good, young talent like Kyle Lowery, John Wall, DeMar DeRozan and Bradley Beal, these often struggling franchise’s were able to turn the corner and make the big dance.
But they weren’t the only surprise teams in the East. The Charlotte Bobcats were able to make it too! Thanks to Coach Clifford and All Star caliber players Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, we will finally see playoff basketball in Charlotte after a few year drought. Even though I’m excited for all three, I can’t say I’m optimistic about their chances of advancing. They all have a first round match-up that features a tough, experienced team. The Bobcats face Miami, Toronto faces Brooklyn and Washington faces Chicago. Between the three, I give Washington the best chance of winning. Even though Chicago is a tough minded team and battle tested, they don’t have the scoring ability, Washington possess. This could be another coming out party for John Wall and Bradley Beal.
In all, I’m looking forward to the Eastern Conference Playoffs. We have a good mix of experience and youth, so it will be interesting to see how these games play out. My prediction is that the Miami Heat, despite their flaws, will find a way to win and represent the East in June. Let’s see if the rest of the conference has something to say about that. These are the “Day’s In The East”…
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