NBA WEST CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND

WARRIORS vs TRAIL BLAZERS – Warriors in 5

The Warriors are obviously looking ahead to bigger and tougher matchups, so it will be difficult to keep focus on the games at hand. That’s why I’m giving Portland a game, well… that and Damian Lillard who is one of the best young talents in the game. However, we all know the Warriors are headed to the Finals for a trilogy rematch with the Cavs so let’s just skip right ahead.

 

SPURS vs GRIZZLIES – Spurs in 4

The Spurs should make quick work of the Grizzlies who just barely made it over .500 this season. Kawhi Leonard has been overshadowed for MVP this season, with the Westbrook and Harden battle all year long. Leonard is guaranteed to make a huge impact. And if there’s one constant in all of sports, it’s that the Spurs will go deep into the playoffs.

 

ROCKETS vs THUNDER – Rockets in 7

This is a sexy matchup for obvious reasons – Westbrook vs Harden. Yes the MVP award is decided in the regular season but I wish this year they would extend it into the playoffs for this very reason. This should be the best series and an exciting one at that, although probably predictable. The Rockets are focused on winning, and Russell is focused on his stats, despite whatever he says otherwise. It should go back and forth with the better team pulling out, especially at home.

 

CLIPPERS vs JAZZ – CLIPPERS in 7

So long as everyone on the Clippers stay healthy, then LA should come out the victors here. Bu that is a huge asterisks on the phrase, “so long.” Lob City always seem to suffer injuries to their integral players at this time of the year for whatever reason. If Griffin and Paul and battle through, then look for the Clippers to advance to the next round….where they will probably lose to whoever they’re facing at that point.

NBA EAST CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND

 

RAPTORS vs BUCKS – Raps in 6

Hometown bias aside, the Raptors are genuinely the better team in this matchup, despite the Bucks having the best player between the 2 teams. Giannis Antetokoumpo is a beast that can do everything on both Offence and Defence, but he can’t do it alone. Brogdon and Middleton should help, but if those 2 are your 2nd and 3rd best player than the Raptors should be able to handle them with ease. The only reason I don’t give the Raps less games to get through is because they always seem to struggle out of the gate. Game 1’s are not friendly to the Raptors, but they usually seem to pull it together at some point.

 

CAVALIERS vs PACERS – Cavs in 5

Lebron James hasn’t lost a 1st round playoff game since 2012, and I find it hard to believe that trend can continue…I mean, he has to lose 1, right? This matchup should go quickly as the Cavaliers are a substantially better team, despite struggling down the stretch like they have.

 

CELTICS vs BULLS – Celtics in 6

This would be a much more one-sided affair, if the tragic news of Isaiah Thomas’ sister suddenly passing wouldn’t play such an obvious factor. I’m not sure what the emotional and mental state of the Celtic’s best player is in, and how it will affect the series going forward, but if we’re playing this game on paper: the Celtics win easily.

 

WIZARDS vs HAWKS – Wizards in 6

The Wizards backcourt can’t be denied with Beal and Wall doing what they do every year. It should be a back and forth series with the home team winning most games until the Wizards eventually pull ahead. Washington was just a victory shy of a 50-win season, something that is terribly overshadowed in the East.

NBA Top 20 Players Ranked

With all the drama surrounding Sports Illustrated ranking Demar Derozan 46th overall in the NBA, I figured I would give my own current power rankings. Take in mind this is pretty subjective and my opinion of some of these players change weekly, but this is what I currently have:

  1. Lebron James (CLE)
  2. Steph Curry (GSW)
  3. Kawhi Leonard (SA)
  4. Russell Westbrook (OKC)
  5. Kevin Durant (GSW)
  6. James Harden (HOU)
  7. Anthony Davis (NO)
  8. DeMarcus Cousins (SAC)
  9. Damian Lillard (POR)
  10. Demar Derozan (TOR)
  11. Klay Thompson (GSW)
  12. Kyrie Irving (CLE)
  13. Isaiah Thomas (BOS)
  14. Jimmy Butler (CHI)
  15. Paul George (IND)
  16. Blake Griffin (LAC)
  17. John Wall (WSH)
  18. Andrew Wiggins (MIN)
  19. Cj McCollum (POR)
  20. Kristaps Porzingis (NYK)

The Wrap on the Raps

Things are looking good for the Toronto Raptors, who are currently 7-3 and sitting in 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Demar Derozan is leading the league in points per game, Kyle Lowry has quietly had a solid season so far as well, and the Raps have played well considering they have faced some very tough opponents. But no one seems to care, including myself. 

I find myself thinking back to last year…how close we were. The Raps made it to the conference finals, losing in 6 games to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. And despite how well Toronto plays in the regular season…it’s just that; the regular season. We all know the Raptors are a good team… a playoff team. We know they’re destined to finish in 2nd – 4th in the conference, primed for a playoff series against probably the Bucks, Bulls, Pistons, etc. They should win, and likely will. But then they will face a bigger, badder, better task – as they did last year. 

I know most of you are probably saying, woah Kat – let’s not get ahead of yourself. But I can’t help it – I find myself in perpetual state of Raptors apathy. This is a very good team that will likely never advance further than a couple playoff rounds because the best player in the world is standing in our way. So long as Lebron James is healthy and an opponent of Toronto, we are in trouble.

Lebron averages almost 28 points per game in his career against the Raptors – a stat that only increases when the postseason comes around. In order to compete with Cleveland the Raps need that 3rd piece. Jonas Valanciunas and the oft-injured Demarre Carroll are not the answer to what prevents us from getting over the hump. We need a huge addition from Ujiri, that the Raps historically don’t make – but I remain hopeful.

I’ll continue to watch, cheer and hope for this team. But mainly I hope that Masai feels the same way that I do and is reading this!!

2017 NBA Predictions

After around the 10 game mark it’s probably a good time to make my 2017 NBA prognostications, before things get too obvious. There’s tons of storylines this year, and that’s why the NBA is unlike any other league – it truly is where amazing happens. Here’s how I think this season will breakdown:

Champion: Golden State Warriors

The Warriors and Cavaliers will meet again in the NBA Finals for a rubber match and the Warriors will win. Why, you ask? Because Golden State isn’t chasing that ridiculous 73-win mark anymore and can pace themselves. They clearly should have rested more down the stretch last year and suffered for it. The NBA season is long and grueling and star players need to rest – Gregg Popovich takes that approach and that is why the Spurs have been so successful the last 2 decades…one of the reasons at least.

MVP: Russell Westbrook

It’s clearly Russ vs Everybody this year. After Durant left him for better days, Russ has been playing like a bat out of hell and making every opponent pay. Hell hath no fury like an NBA all-star scorned. The problem is, that it’s only Westbrook and no one else on OKC. Seriously… can you name 1 other Thunder player? Exactly. 

Don’t Sleep on: The LA Clippers

The Clippers are 10-1 so far and look for real. Last year they ran into injury problems down the stretch to both Griffin and Paul and that ultimately hindered their performance. But a healthy Clippers team has already proven to be a force in the dangerous Western Conference. I think they’ll finish 2nd behind Golden State. 

Most Improved Player: James Harden

If this guy can prove that he can pass, then watch out. Not forcing the ball to Dwight Howard all the time can definitely help his overall game as well. He’s averaging almost 13 assists per game, which is insane compared to his apg historically. Watch out for the Rockets to do some damage in the playoffs. 

Dark Side Picks 2017