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Nate's Nine

Thursday, April 30, 2020

1:44 PM

Well the NBA decided their season today (Hopefully). It's going to be interesting; 22 teams are invited to play in an 8 game regular season and then the seeding will be determined after the results of those match-ups. I believe that we will have to put an asterisk next to this season's 'champion' but I am excited to watch some meaningful sports these next few weeks. Discussions need to be had, and we as a nation need some time for healing and JUSTICE, but just a deflection of our thoughts and passions is something I think we can all get behind. 

Let's have a little fun. Top 9 teams with a chance to win these… 'NBA Finals'?

Honorable Mention: New York Knicks. If the Knicks can go 8-0, then beat either the Nets or Magic twice, they can make the playoffs! Then all they have to do is beat the Bucks in the best of something series, and then quite possibly the Raptors or Celtics. Easy, peasy.

Honorable Mention: Dallas Mavericks. If Luka Doncic is raring up to go, and physically ready for it, he could carry them far in this super short, playoff based season. It's a big ask, but a hot month can change a player's life. I wouldn't put it past Luka.

#9 - Boston Celtics. This sets up perfectly for a team like this. Tons of talent, weren't quite meshing on the level of the Toronto Raptors or the Milwaukee Bucks. I had forgotten that they were almost playing .700 level basketball, so they know how to win games. If conferences are kept the same, they should be able to win any first round matchup easily. It's when they meet the Raptors or the Bucks that things might get tricky.

#8 - Miami Heat. I wavered on this one. I really like a Nets team that has Kyrie and KD on the floor. I mean, I really like that team. But since we don't know, here's the Heat. They're 27-5 at home this season, although their away record is trash. But if they can win the home court games, it will get interesting. This is a really underrated, deep roster. And at its forefront, Jimmy Butler. You all know how I feel about him, but he is an all-star. If playoffs are best of 3 or 5 instead of 7, give the Heat a chance.

#7 - Houston Rockets. I don't know why they were struggling so much during the regular season. They should be able to take over games. For as good as Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are, James Harden and Russell Westbrook should be right behind. Yet, this team was 40-24 at the time of Pandemic. Something wasn't right. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, and saying that they're closer to winning this 'title', than some more socially infused teams.

#6 - Oklahoma City. Speaking of socially infused. Chris Paul did not want to go here. And now here they are with the same record as the Rockets. It's actually a really talented roster. More importanly, they won some really tough games. This team is battle tested and with Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder offering some strong minutes, they could upset the status quo and go on a nice run.

#5 - Denver Nuggets. At one point in the season, they were really flying. This might be my favorite roster in the NBA. Nothing to speak of when it comes to egos. Energetic, committed bench. Nice blend of leadership and youth. My only concern is whether my favorite non-Timberwolf Jamal Murray can take that next step at the point guard position and get past those great defending PG's from those Los Angeles squads. Can't forget that Nikola Jokic is super nice.

#4 - Toronto Raptors. Repeat champions? Probably not, but this team is firing on all cylinders and I think they're the best coached team in the league. Everyone executes everything that's asked of them, as a fan of just good, smart basketball, they show you how far that style can take you. They can run with the Bucks. They can grind with the Sixers. They can push against the Lakers, and if I'm not mistaken, gave LA an ugly loss this year. Reason they're 4th? The top 3 have some serious firepower.

#3 - Milwaukee Bucks. Best record in the league. Almost unguardable at times. So why 3 you ask? That collapse against the Raptors really bugged me last year. Up 2-0 and then to drop the series is a sign that a team isn't ready. They remind me of the early 1990's Utah Jazz. Talented roster, can win a lot of regular season games, but when it's time to get dirty, they keep washing their hands. #COVID Hand washing won't win you titles though. Huge fan of Giannis, but I can't quite keep the faith with this squad yet.

#2 - Los Angeles Lakers. I feel like its their tournament to lose. LeBron is healthy. Brow is healthy. Their supporting class is clicking and this squad just has great chemistry. KCP, Rajon Rondo, Markieff Morris, Kyle Kuzma, this reminds me of the championship teams of the last decade. It's got star power, plus the guys willing to do the hard things. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they ended up champions. I just think there is a nemesis in their way.

#1 - Los Angeles Clippers. This crappy franchise. I can't remember any time in my life that I thought the Clippers would be NBA champions. For years, they were one of the worst franchises in sports. Even when it seemed like it was going to get better, something would set this franchise back. The Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin group should've done better. And now we're here. There's no denying they don't have the depth of the Raptors or Lakers. They don't have the Freak. Their record hasn't been very good up until this point. I'm making my basis on 3 things. 1. Doc Rivers. One off the all-time best. 2. Paul George. Is there a hungrier player in the league? 3. Kawhi. Why would you bet against him? He laughed at all of us last year.