Seems to be a lot of forum members that watch the NBA, so this seemed an appropriate thread to make.
Wide open NBA Playoffs to me, with about 6-7 teams that I think can realistically win the whole thing (Nets, Sixers Bucks, Jazz, Clippers, Lakers, Suns if we're being nice).
I'm not as sold on the Nets as others despite the talent on their roster because of chemistry, bench depth, and health issues, as well as their inability to guard quality big men. Plus, they'll have to go through the Bucks and Sixers consecutively, which is a tough ask, especially with how Embiid and Giannis have been playing this season. My other favorite in the East is obviously the Sixers, who have a cake walk to the Eastern Finals and will be more well-rested than either the Nets or Bucks when they get there. Embiid is a man on a mission, and the team is just stellar defensively, but there are still questions about who gets the ball to create shots late in the 4th quarter of close games (it shouldn't be Simmons).
In the West, the two favorites have to be the Lakers and the Clippers. Clippers have seemed incredibly dangerous this year and are shooting and defending quite well, with Paul George having a career year even as Kawhi Leonard is a known quantity. The presence of experienced playoff veterans allows me to favor them over the Jazz or Suns. The Lakers, on the other hand, have to be trusted simply because they've done it before. They're also a special defensive team, though the offensive weight must be carried by a recovering Lebron or they aren't going to fare well in some early round matchups. The Jazz and Suns, though, have enough firepower to keep things competitive and even the Mavericks could make life tough for the Clippers in the first round.
Finals Prediction: Lakers over Sixers in 6 games.
Wide open NBA Playoffs to me, with about 6-7 teams that I think can realistically win the whole thing (Nets, Sixers Bucks, Jazz, Clippers, Lakers, Suns if we're being nice).
I'm not as sold on the Nets as others despite the talent on their roster because of chemistry, bench depth, and health issues, as well as their inability to guard quality big men. Plus, they'll have to go through the Bucks and Sixers consecutively, which is a tough ask, especially with how Embiid and Giannis have been playing this season. My other favorite in the East is obviously the Sixers, who have a cake walk to the Eastern Finals and will be more well-rested than either the Nets or Bucks when they get there. Embiid is a man on a mission, and the team is just stellar defensively, but there are still questions about who gets the ball to create shots late in the 4th quarter of close games (it shouldn't be Simmons).
In the West, the two favorites have to be the Lakers and the Clippers. Clippers have seemed incredibly dangerous this year and are shooting and defending quite well, with Paul George having a career year even as Kawhi Leonard is a known quantity. The presence of experienced playoff veterans allows me to favor them over the Jazz or Suns. The Lakers, on the other hand, have to be trusted simply because they've done it before. They're also a special defensive team, though the offensive weight must be carried by a recovering Lebron or they aren't going to fare well in some early round matchups. The Jazz and Suns, though, have enough firepower to keep things competitive and even the Mavericks could make life tough for the Clippers in the first round.
Finals Prediction: Lakers over Sixers in 6 games.
