Jockeying for the playoffs in the NBA remains very entertaining.
It is so captivating that it reminds me of conference tournaments in college basketball.
These games are the best – the teams that put everything they have in every game for fear that it may be their last. Or even worse, relegation to CBI.
Then reality puts in …
Duke 85, Alabama 65.
Auburn 78, Michigan 65.
Florida 87, Maryland 71.
Houston 69, Tennessee 50.
And here I thought these losers were good.
It turns out that they were not good basketball exhibitions that led into the NCAA tournament. Only competitive.
What does it have to do with the NBA? Everything, actually.
Pacers and rockets roll. The magic and warriors suddenly look strong. Knicks, Bucks, Lakers, Nuggets …
Nope. I’m not falling for this again.
The NBA has itself a Duke, an Auburn and a Florida this season. The only thing missing is a Houston – and it’s ok, because they are a bit boring.
There is no way – repeat, no way – Cavaliers and Celtics do not meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cavaliers is Auburn. The dominant team during the regular season, but people never really believed them. But believe it, people. Auburn did the semi -finals. Cavaliers will also come.
Celtics is Duke. The team people like to root against because they are filled and easily the most talented. They already have enough banners. And don’t look now, but they should be the overwhelming favorite to hang another.
Thunder is Florida. The out-of-Nowhere team that cannot possibly have enough seasonal experience to go all the way. But sometimes you can’t know to hurt you.
And the rest of the NBA? They are Mount St. Mary’s. Man, they were fun to watch in the conference tournament. But then the light lamps and the makeup were lit.
Can one of the other 13 teams that get the NBA finals to pull off the colossal upset? It will certainly not happen in the east, where the six other quarter finalists can merge game plans and still lose 4-2 to Cavaliers and 4-1 to Celtics in eastern Semis.
There is only one scenario that can track the big three …
If the thunderstorm is to be denied its place in the NBA final, then it will have to happen:
Round 1: They get bullied.
Thunder -Manager Sam Presti has brilliantly shaped his list. Adding a bodyguard (Isaiah Hartenstein) for fragile co -star Chet Holmgren was a genius.
If Holmgren can stay healthy, the thunder will make the final. A first round against a soft team like Warriors, Grizzlies or Kings would be ideal.
But a wrestling match with Timberwolves would be a disaster.
You remember t’wolves. They killed the giant – the nuggets – last season and have the depth of big guys to beat the thunderstorm in front. It is bad news for Holmgren, which can survive to see round 2, but not without limp and several ice bags.
Round 2: They become lebronned.
Thunder doesn’t have a good matchup for Luka Doncic. Over seven games they will try different things and can stumble into something.
But they could play 70 games and never find anyone to handle LeBron at the playoffs.
Lakers are unlikely to go far in the playoffs because they do not have a big man. But towards the thunder it can work in their advantage.
Holmgren will have to protect anyone, and there is no way that will be Lebron.
Hartenstein will need to protect someone. Take it back. No way the big one sees the light of day in this series.
Softened up by Minnesota’s big men, Holmgren will be pummered by LeBron. Maybe snapped in two. Thunder can survive the series, but not undamaged.
Round 3: They draw a joker.
When all the pieces are in place, Nuggets is a better team than Thunder.
Nikola Jokic will surpass Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the big stage.
Jamal Murray is a much better support weapon than anything that Oklahoma City has.
And Nuggets have several defensive whizzes to throw on SGA.
The thunderstorm will be exhausted when they reach the thin air in Denver for game 6. The good news: The Flight Home will have air masks. And with this list there is always next year. Heck, next decade.
How can this happen?
Timberwolves must fall into play-ins and end eighth.
Lakers must sink to the fourth or fifth.
And nuggets must end up on the second or third.
Everything still possible.
And about 8-4-3 Trifecta hits …
Come. Do you really think Florida will lose?
