This has been a fascinating year of basketball. The Eastern Conference looks stacked and except for a few teams it’s been wacky. In 2021, the year of SmallBall offense the playoff push will be awesome to watch. Lets see how everything is holding up?
Atlanta Hawks: Oh my goodness the Hawks look like a dark horse contender, they started 5-0 and 8-3 they look like they are bound for a deep playoff run (BOOM!) Then reality hits and then they lose 17 of 23. Trae Young is having the best year of his career in terms of offensive production but if there is one issue that they have it is team defense. They have given up on average 15 3 pointers a game. That is not the recipe for a playoff contender. Honestly Bogdan Bogdanovic being injured is the least of their issues. Then they fired Lloyd Pierce after that massive skid, I don’t think it was his fault most of the games they lost during that stretch were against Championship Contenders. Just don’t hire a clown as your next head coach.
Boston Celtics: Despite the duo of Tatum and Brown having transcendent seasons the Celtics have struggled to keep up with the jones of the Eastern Conference. I said before the season and I will say it again, Boston lacks an elite Center. That’s why they have been underachieving this season. I can understand why Danny Ainge isn’t ready to make a blockbuster trade to shift the balance of power, he tried that with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward and it failed miserably. Well things are only getting harder for these leprechauns because most of their tough games in the 2nd Half are away from TD Garden. Even if there are limited fans at those games it’s still a rough stretch.
Brooklyn Nets: As expected the Brooklyn Nets have lived up to the expectations that people across the NBA have put up for them. In a span of 6 months they went from dark horse contender to the most hyped team in league history. That’s because they added James Harden despite trading their entire depth and future draft picks to Cleveland or Indiana. Even if KD and Kyrie have struggled to stay healthy, the Nets have had the most deadly 3 point shooting attack since the 2016 Warriors but in Harden terms this is what Houston did during his tenure there. I know everyone is going to crown them defacto Eastern Conference Champions but to me the way to beat them is at their own game. Make your 3s and get a lead early and don’t look back. Other than 2 games in Milwaukee in early May most of their big games in the 2nd Half are at Barclays but this is the NBA and anything can happen. Also can you guys tell Kyrie to stop convincing the league to make Kobe the logo instead of Jerry West, I know West would be honored for that but the current logo is one of the most iconic in all of sports! Now the time has come to bolster the depth with BLAKE GRIFFIN! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (I swear that they are just signing players because those acquisitions hate Giannis!)
Charlotte Hornets: Michael Jordan for the first time in his tenure as owner of the Hornets has been able to draft a generational talent and get high results early on. LaMelo Ball is just that, despite him being the favorite for Rookie of the Year he isn’t getting much attention like he did early in the season. As for the Hornets themselves, they are exactly where I thought they would be. Right in the thick of the playoffs with several unsung heroes coming of age as well. Terry Rozier has had a bunch of epic games along the way and Gordon Hayward has played up to his contract despite a few minor injuries. I don’t know if it’s enough for a playoff spot but looking at this team closely they are set for a bright future if MJ continues to build through the draft since most free agents don’t want to be in Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls: After a few years of being in the basement of the East the Bulls have climbed out of it to be in the hunt for the postseason as well. After seeing what Billy Donovan did in OKC last year with a team that only 1 All Star player, he is doing the same thing in the Windy City. Zach Lavine may be no Chris Paul but he has played inspiring basketball which has earned him his first All Star appearance. If they are going to get into the playoffs they need Wendell Carter and Otto Porter to continue their solid seasons but I do have a question? Why aren’t you unleashing the youth movement? Patrick Williams was a Top 5 pick yet he is near the bottom of their bench. But if I look at this from what I am seeing I think they are planning for the future.
Cleveland Cavaliers: This team has an unbeaten record against the Nets and Sixers. Let that sink in! How can a team beat 2 of the best teams in their conference yet look uninspiring against teams that they should beat? That’s because other than Colin Sexton they have mostly relied on their Centers to bail them out. In the 3 point shooting era, it’s a bold strategy but it usually doesn’t work if you average 10 3s a game. After a 10-9 start they collapsed (BOOM!) and lost 11 straight games. But like I said with big men Andre Drummond and Jarret Allen in the lineup they will continue to shoot 60% but most of their points come from inside the painted area. Do you trust this team to go on a massive win streak to get back in the hunt? I doubt it.
Detroit Pistons: The Tanks are rolling throughout the Pizza Dome with full authority! It’s not just the Red Wings, as well as the Lions, and Tigers across the street anymore the Pistons have also joined in on the fun. Even if the city doesn’t allow fans to come to Little Caesars Arena why should they respond when most of the city is in a deep rebuild. See ya in 5 years Pistons!
Indiana Pacers: Despite bringing in a new coach that appreciates their identity the Pacers are dealing with the concerns of trying to keep up with the Big Boys in the East. Even if Victor Oladipo is gone and Caris Levert hasn’t overcome his kidney injury yet. These guys have perhaps the least amount of coaching experience among the teams in the playoff hunt. That could cost them in some ways but when I look at these guys they remind me of the Tampa Bay Rays. No true superstar but they have a balanced roster that has no weaknesses. Thank goodness Domantas Sabonis is an All Star again, because he is having a better year than most of the players on the East Roster. Don’t hate the player, hate the game!
Miami Heat: When they got after that slow start everyone was considering the Miami Heat as a one hit wonder that thrived in the Disney World Bubble. Early in the season they were without Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler and there were questions surrounding the team. Ever since those 2 have come back the Heat have been one of the hottest teams in the league. Bam Adebayo struggled early on, but now has rediscovered his ability to shut down top flite Centers. (Fun Fact most of the big men they face are taller than him) My concern with Miami is the same one in Brooklyn. Can a SmallBall team win a championship in this age? Considering that they have most of the pieces from last year’s team back and they know how to win. It looks promising but I just don’t know anymore.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks are the tale of 2 teams. First they are the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that had its 2 best reporters both being snatched by the Nets menace, (We had to watch our old coach Jason Kidd win it all last year and now potentially Malika Andrews and Katie George this year as the head reporters in Brooklyn) Jrue Holiday tested positive for COVID, the defense having no answers for SmallBall offenses repeatedly, and everyone outside of the city calling for Budenholtzer and Giannis’ heads. After that they become the MILWAUKEE BUCKS! A team that has perhaps the most potent scoring offense in the league, the Greek Freak is out for blood thanks to all of the hype being in New York City and South Philly (Give him the respect he deserves), Khris Middleton is perhaps the biggest All Star snub this season despite having the best season of his career, and they got 2 of biggest steals of free agency in Bobby Portis and DJ Augustin making immediate impacts. The 5 game win streak they had before the All Star break is exactly what no one else in the East wanted to see. And here is the best part, most of their games against Eastern Conference heavyweights are at Fiserv Forum in the 2nd Half. (I want to go to that Nets game on May 2 so bad!) This is a perfect opportunity for them to reclaim home court once again despite no one outside of Cream City giving them a chance at that elusive championship. They never give these guys the credit they deserve even if Giannis got the All Star Game MVP award! (The Greatest Shooting Performance in ASG History! Don’t give me excuses about how Steph and Dame should have been MVP!)
New York Knicks: We are living in an alternate universe when the New York Knicks are a dark horse playoff contender! This team has been dialed in right from the start but you could also say that they had a very easy schedule. From the way I’m seeing it Tom Thibedeau has clearly been the right coach for this team. (That’s a great coaching mind for a team that lacked one!) As for their players Julius Randle has been playing well beyond expectations and is going to the All Star Game for the 1st time. Not to mention they brought in Derrick Rose to reunite with Coach T. The reason for optimism for the future is their potential generational player in Obi Toppin. He has their 6th man so far but in the next year or so he can be an absolute stud. Not to mention 2nd year center Mitchell Robinson is a glass cleaning force. I wonder what they will do at the trade deadline? Knowing James Dolan he probably wants to grab the NYC spotlight right back from the Nets! I’m guessing they will get D’Angelo Russell or Victor Oladipo.
Orlando Magic: What happened to these guys!? I thought they would take the next step to becoming a serious contender even with drafting Cole Anthony. The issue that the Magic are currently facing is that the East is a bloodbath and not many squads can survive for long periods of time. (excluding Brooklyn Philadelphia and Milwaukee) At least they have plenty of time to turn things around with a defensive minded coach like Steve Clifford. At least Vucevic is back in Bubble Form I guess. The good news is that they are within striking distance of a playoff spot thanks to how competitive the East is right now. Give them some time with the localists who are calling this year a disaster.
Philadelphia 76ers: Another team that used solid coaching to realize their true potential. This year the 76ers went from a team that had plenty of question marks to being the team they were in the Spring of 2019. Joel Embiid has not only stayed healthy, he is leading the race for League MVP. Not to mention Tobias Harris has rediscovered his game, and Ben Simmons is his old self too. The main reason why Philly is where they are right now? The depth and coaching. Doc Rivers always likes to have guys who can contribute from the starters to the bench. Case and point, Seth Curry, Dwight Howard, and Danny Green. Not to mention Mike Scott and that MatisseThybulle guy that too. What I find fascinating is that everyone keeps saying that the Bucks have problems in the playoffs when they don’t realize that the Sixers haven’t been to Conference Finals since 2001. (They won that series thanks to the Iverson Handicap!) Prove me wrong boys!
Toronto Raptors: Like the Heat, this is a team that struggled immensely early in the season. The issue for Le Canadians was that they too lacked an elite Center. So Nick Nurse decided, “You know what, why don’t we try playing SmallBall by putting Siakum at Center.” So far that has worked as the Raptors have overcome a shaky start and not having the support of Jurassic Park and have returned to being the contender that they are. The only issue that I see is what will do with Kyle Lowry? He is a free agent at the end of the year and is starting to decline. I’d say keep him around and don’t let other East powers knock you off.
Washington Wizards: I was about to rip this team to shreds at one point but since then they have returned the favor by getting back in the hunt. They have looked much better as of late but it’s mostly on the backs of 2 players, Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. Ever since the beginning of February those 2 have been dialed in and have decreased the trade rumors but also increased their playoff hopes. I know they don’t have much depth off the bench but Scott Brooks is a solid coach and usually knows how to do more with less. The good news is that they have a subpar schedule in the 2nd Half but their only tough opponent is Milwaukee during that stretch. Good luck!
This postseason race in my opinion is going to be top heavy especially for the final 5 spots since the Top 3 is pretty much locked up regardless of seeding. So here’s what I think the Top 8 will be?
#1 Nets
#2 Bucks
#3 76ers
#4 Heat
#5 Raptors
#6 Knicks
#7 Pacers
#8 Celtics
Go for it until it is done!
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