2023 NBA Playoffs Preview

This season has been absolutely insane throughout the NBA, the most points ever scored in a season in league history and several team and individual scoring records have been shattered as well. With the next CBA deadline on the way, (Edit: The league agreed to a 7 year CBA extension) we can only hope these playoffs aren’t the last games before another lockout. 20 teams have a shot to make the Finals, and that’s really all they need.

Oklahoma City Thunder (Dallas Salt Makers): OKC congratulations! You like San Antonio last year gave us the wonders of laughing at a media darling that was overhyped from Day 1. (That and the hack of a coach the Mavericks have) Even if it’s still very early into their rebuild, the Thunder at the very least can get their feet wet in terms of playoff experience. To say that Shai Gilgeous Alexander isn’t a marquee name in this league is insulting. This man has basically carried this squad kicking and screaming towards the play-in. And that’s with top draft pick Chet Holmgren out for the season due to an injury he suffered in the preseason. Other than SGA and Josh Giddey there are plenty of guys who aren’t ready to take that next step into key role players. But hey at least the future is coming even if you get your asses kicked by one of the other teams in front of you. (That and you guys are winning the Paul George Trade in a big way)

New Orleans Pelicans (My Kingdom For a Healthy Zion): This year has been a roller coaster ride in the Big Easy like most of their existence. The highs of an 18-8, then followed by a 5 game losing streak. Then a 5 game winning streak, shortly followed by losing 15 of 18. But then all of a sudden the Pelicans emerged back into playoff contenders thanks to a furious final charge. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have played as advertised this season, and right now are the only reasons as to why New Orleans isn’t dead on arrival. I would say Jose Alvarado but his status for the play-in is up in the air due to injury. However there is one sign of optimism for this franchise. Zion. He is coming. Just in time for a playoff push. Williamson’s health will be the key if they are going to do anything when the going gets tough. If he plays like he did early in the season, the Pelicans have a chance at a potential 1st Round upset. If not, the front office must cry foul yet again. (Edit: Zion is out until Game 1 of Round 1 if they get there)

Minnesota Timberwolves (The Wrath of Rodriguez): It’s gotten better for them since November. That’s all you can hope for. I won’t be too harsh on their season just because of injuries, and the fact that D’Angelo Russell wanted to go back to LA. The Wolves at least have some semblance of optimism going into the postseason. Karl Anthony Towns returning from a midseason injury has gotten this ship back on schedule. Anthony Edwards is slowly becoming a generational player, and Rudy Gobert has been solid even if he hasn’t reached the lofty expectations. At least you get to see Jaden McDaniels emerge as one of the more underrated defenders in the league. (Just don’t compare yourself to the 3 DPOY candidates in Milwaukee) I would have more hope that they could maybe take a top team in the West to the limit, but boy do I have bad news. CRACK! Naz Reid, their 6th Man of the Year candidate is out for most likely the rest of the year. And with Minnesota now having to overplay Towns and Gobert with the risk of injury hitting both of them, (YoYo Sound) and as soon as I say it McDaniels and Gobert get in a fight and McDaniels breaks his hand. Out for the play-in games. This poor city! (And Minnesota Hockey lost the National Title Game in OT)

Los Angeles Lakers (The Most Hyped Play-in Team Ever): How in the world are you guys still alive? Even with the Boys Club at the top being crucified by the fanbase for the Westbrook and Beverley experiments, the Lakers have somehow made it through. Well when you bring back D’Angelo Russell, watch Austin Reaves become a media darling, and have Darvin Ham install a solid defensive structure I’d say you have a good chance to turn this thing around. The biggest factor regarding the Lakers is going to be the health of LeBron and Anthony Davis. If both are healthy, they are the biggest Wild Card of the entire playoffs due to past reputation. If not it appears that Rob Pelinka is going to be smothered in a mob of angry fans outside CRIPTO.com Arena. They want results especially after all the drama that’s consumed this organization whole since the bubble title. I honestly wouldn’t blame them considering how proud of a winning tradition this franchise has had in LA. Who’s the next buddy of LeBron to jump on this bandwagon? TRISTIAN THOMPSON! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (I thought we got rid of that nincompoop bleh! Why does LBJ never learn)

Golden State Warriors (Angry Sandmen): Even as the defending champs there are some that believe that the Warriors reign of dominance might be coming to a close sooner rather than later. (I’m not one of them since I’ve covered the Dubs for the last decade) Despite Lethal Weapon 3, a solid supporting cast around them, and Chase Center being hell for opposing teams, Golden State must begin the postseason with one of the weaker squads they’ve assembled in the last 10 years. Even if Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are still their old selves, the inconsistency of their depth, the inability to win on the road against contenders, Steve Kerr having issues controlling Draymond Green yet again, and then there’s the defense, giving up points at will thanks to having no size in the paint. (A SmallBall Offense usually doesn’t pan out long term) Each of these concerns have plagued them all season long. Considering that they are going to be the lower seed in pretty much every playoff series, it will be a steep climb up the mountain. Time might be running out for this empire. Although with Andrew Wiggins coming back from a long break to be with family, they are starting to regain old form. Knowing everyone’s luck they’re probably making another deep run. Prove me wrong Warriors, you’ve done it before now replicate that idea.

Los Angeles Clippers (Refreshed Legs): Which Clippers team are we going to see? The one that has Kawhi back in 2019 form, and the depth producing in bunches? Or Ty Lue getting exposed behind the bench against legit competition like Doc Rivers before him? Yes they are finally healthy excluding a freak injury to Paul George. (He’ll be back by the start of the playoffs) But there’s plenty at stake for this team going forward. Having to take on the mystery box of Russell Westbrook has been ok. It didn’t look good at first but now those concerns are on hold. If they are making a deep run it’s going to be more than PG13 and Klaw doing the damage. It’ll have to come from I’m guessing Norman Powell and Terance Mann. If they come up short again the injury excuse will be outdated and Steve Balmer is going to lose his mind. They haven’t spent the most money of any team in the NBA just to deal with mediocrity, and Balmer knows this very well. At least the new arena is coming next year.

Phoenix Suns (The Snake Age): The relentless struggle to end the NBA’s Ultimate Legacy of Failure has featured chaos all around every corner you see. Luckily the cheap salesman Robert Sarver is gone thank god. And boy was that a blessing for the Valley of the Sun. Mat Ishbia not even one day into his tenure as owner made quite possibly the biggest trade in franchise history. And boy was it a massive risk. Sending their entire depth and future of the franchise to the Nets for one Kevin Durant. Yes he’s in his mid 30s, has been fighting injuries all season, and has one of the worst contracts in the NBA. But when he’s healthy, they have the most deadly scoring duo in the league with him and Devin Booker. The biggest question will not be their revamped depth or Monty Williams crying about unfair REFBALL. It will be in the form of Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton. Both of them were the scapegoats as to why they failed to make it back to the Finals last year, and the Suns are hoping that doesn’t happen again. I wouldn’t say this is a boom or bust season, there’s still plenty of time to win it all with this core. But considering how much they gave up for KD and TJ Warren they better win a title soon. That 1st Round matchup that you’re getting, not looking any easier. (Booker doesn’t want to end up like Barkley, and Nash)

Sacramento Kings (Light The Beam): We all thought Marc J Spears was a fool for saying that Sacramento would emerge into a dark horse contender in the West basically on a dime. Considering that this franchise has been stuck in mediocrity for over 15 years and has had metalsome ownership to go along with that. We thought the ride of suffering would never end for this fanbase. But these are the new age Kings. A team with excellent coaching, a fast pace offensive structure, and a core starting to develop into greatness. DeAaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis have been game changers for them all season. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter have become fan favorites almost right away. And finally Mike Brown has given this team instant credibility. His experience with the Lakers with Kobe and working behind Steve Kerr with the Warriors has prepared him for this opportunity. A chance to end all the narratives placed against this organization. I see a lot of the 2021 Suns in this team. A squad with no expectations, and the entire city rallying behind them, and have been under the radar all season long. Don’t be shocked if this team can make a run to the Western Conference Finals. With how much house money they are playing with. It’s definitely possible. (Luckily their fans are making it very hard for opposing fans to get tickets this postseason. Golden1 Center should be rocking even with them facing a California rival)

Memphis Grizzlies (Public Enemy #1): Brace yourselves for insufferable onslaught of smugness the size of Ja Morant’s ego. The Grizzlies despite becoming the most unlikable team in the NBA overnight this season thanks to divas and smack talkers on their roster are trying to pull off the deepest playoff run in franchise history. They will ignore certain narratives like how they believe they are fine in the West despite massive flaws off their bench, how their record away from the FedEx Forum is trash, and how Ja decided to be an idiot and pull out a gun inside a nightclub for the entire world to see. I will give them credit for a couple of things. Rallying while Morant was suspended, and Jaren Jackson proved that he could still be a defensive wrecker without Steven Adams. The biggest X factor on this team like their arch rivals from the Bay Area will be how they play on the road. If they can’t, the entirety of fans across the league will celebrate your demise. You don’t want to end up like a certain bandwagon that’s currently no more don’t you?

Denver Nuggets (Master Jokic and the Men): I’m probably more optimistic about the Nuggets than most people are. Even if they’ve never made the NBA Finals in their existence, Denver is going to do everything they can to get a chance at that glory. Even better they are back to being a fleshed out unit for the first time since being in the bubble. Nikola Jokic has put together perhaps the most dominant season by a Center in league history. (But he will be robbed of MVP most likely because of voter fatigue) Both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr are both 100% and returned to elite form. Aaron Gordon has put together a career season, and oh by the way their depth is even stronger than ever with KCP and Bruce Brown leading the way off the bench. This may be the best team that they’ve trotted out in the Jokic Era, and Mike Malone knows that. Despite being a likable team across the board, the media wants them to fail because they are owned by YOU GUESSED IT Stan Kroenke. The last thing the sports world needs is another one of his teams winning a championship. After how much the internet trolls had to suffer during the Rams and Avalanche titles, I don’t think there’s enough pepto bismol left in their stomachs.

Chicago Bulls (False Hope 101): I have no idea how to judge the Bulls as a team. They are such an unpredictable commodity. Remember the concerns I had for them last year? They reversed them alright. This time Chicago has somehow someway played well against contenders yet lay massive eggs against teams that are worse than them on paper. (Especially teams that are tanking) They are a mystery box of a team written all over it. Sure Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have been the driving forces yet both of them have games sometimes where they look lost out there. You better hope that Alex Caruso and Patrick Beverley are at full strength this time around unless you will be an easy out in the play-in. (It would have been nice to have Lonzo, but the Gods love punishing Reinsdorf) I know they’ve underachieved this year to some people’s perspective but have they really, considering how packed the East is? And oh by the way Giannis and Aaron Rodgers still own your city.

Toronto Raptors (Canadian Pork): It’s rare to see a fanbase and team have ambitions of not only making it past the play-in yet somehow pulling off upsets and making a deep run. Well that’s what happens when TSN and SPORTSNET in Canada have learned absolutely from how they’ve crowned the other team that resides in Scotiabank Arena in the Maple Leafs. The Raptors themselves like most play-in teams are very hard to figure out. They still have Pascal Siakum and Fred VanVleet putting up their usual numbers but there are a bunch of wild cards that have consumed this roster. That being Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby. Defensively there are no flaws to speak of. Offensively, well the less said about that the better. The only reason that anyone in Canada has had optimism for this team is due to the fact that they’ve gone 12-1 at home since the All Star Break. With Jurassic Park and the wonders of Drake on their side trying to get in other star players’ heads, the Raptors might pull out a shocker but then get exposed by a real team. Nick Nurse please choose your destiny pronto.

Atlanta Hawks (Why’d You Fire McMillan?): This is the worst case scenario. How does a team with two of the most dynamic scoring guards in the league plus talent and depth around them underachieve so badly? Well that’s because they’ve mostly crapped the bed against stronger teams, and Trae Young playing hero ball has bit them in the kneecap. The Hawks have mostly beaten up weak opponents and injured squads for most of the season. Firing Nate McMillan at the All Star Break could turn out just as bad as a certain coach firing that happened 5 years ago. (Tony Ressler is a clown that doesn’t know when to pull the plug. Change my mind) Even with a trade to bring in a solid asset in Saddiq Bey, they’ve undervalued him, and instead start an injury prone DeAndre Hunter. I know the ATL is going to defend what’s happening, but their long term future could be in danger. It’s only a matter of time before Ice Trae wants out thanks to terrible ownership as mentioned earlier. The offense may be solid, but their defense is literally going to be carried by Clint Capela who by the way is also injury prone. If they falter again. There is one thing I can truly say. Go mind your own business!

Miami Heat (The Sleeper of Sleepers): The Southeast Division has been a trainwreck all season long. The Magic and Hornets assembled massive tanks only for them to potentially mess them up over the last month of season. The Hawks have been underachieving all season long despite the talent on the roster. And the Wizards were well the Wizards. And then there’s Miami who hasn’t been much better than Atlanta but if there’s anything you can’t do come playoff time it’s sleep on a team with tons of experience. Especially since Jimmy Butler has been on a warpath over the last two months. The bad news for Heat fans is that there have been many unfortunate circumstances that they’ve had to face. The Duncan Robinson contract is becoming one of the worst in basketball, Kyle Lowry repeat the same thing I said about Robinson, and their bench has been the epitome of inconsistency. Even if Spoelstra and Butler have been down this road many times it’s going to be much harder for them in years past because they most likely have to face their old rivals from Beantown in Round 1. That is if they get past the play-in. You better hope Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo prove that their cold stretch during the ECF last postseason wasn’t a fluke. If they struggle yet again. It could be a long offseason in the 305.

Brooklyn Nets (Abandoned Bandwagon): A lot of people thought this team was going to be dead back in February. (I was one of them) The departures of KD and Kyrie shocked the basketball world in a big way. Many thought that the Nets would roll over and become a pushover. However they’ve been alright. It also helps that they’ve found a new franchise face right away. Mikal Bridges has been just that. He had potential in Phoenix, now it’s being fully realized. The same goes for Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton. Claxton in fact is the only starter left from the beginning of the season in fact. The fact that Brooklyn made the playoffs despite losing the two faces of the franchise, having the two worst contracts in the entire NBA, Steve Nash getting fired early in the season and Olivier Sedra now being rumored to take the PA job with the LA Clippers next season is astonishing. (I knew that was coming at some point, he doesn’t want to be around a bad team) The Bandwagon World moniker has been stripped from them but honestly, it’s for the best. (For the guys they got for Durant and Irving, this is the learning experience year)

New York Knicks (The March of First Take): Behold Ladies and Gentlemen the endless wave of New Yorkers and Stephen A Smith pumping up the Knicks as a deadly playoff team with nothing to lose. They aren’t totally wrong from the way I see it. It appears that last year’s disappointing season featuring that massive collapse in February was indeed a fluke after all. (I had a feeling Thibodeau wasn’t going to allow this to happen twice, plus the youth movement that they have) This time around MSG gets to witness a hungry squad with gobs of young talent starting to emerge. Jalen Brunson has been the big free agent signing this franchise desperately needed since Carmelo. The Josh Hart Trade has only made their elite defense even stronger. RJ Barrett and Julius Randle snapping out of their previous season slumps in a big way. Plus two emerging guards in Emmanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. Just like 2021, New York is playing with house money but this time they have a more intriguing roster. Especially with the way Brunson and Quickley have played against legit competition. Even if Randle isn’t 100% due to a sprained ankle to start the playoffs, the Knicks definitely can’t be taken lightly in a series and their 1st Round knows this all too well.

Cleveland Cavaliers (Back From the Dead): We are living in a very strange world when the Cleveland Cavaliers are not a punchline thanks to the dead money they’ve had to pay for the LeBron years and are instead the biggest dark horse in the Eastern Conference. How did they get here? Well there’s the prizes of the James Harden Trade that sent him to Brooklyn which so happen to be Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen who are both two of the most underrated players at their positions. (Caris LeVert too) Not to mention the big fish in Donovan Mitchell had played up to the massive expectations placed on him coming into this season. The same can be said about Evan Mobley who has elite talent but is very inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball. And the Cavs need him to play to his potential if they have any chance at shocking us all. This is most likely the learning experience year for this young core but my god is the future brighter than ever for the faithful by the Lake. Even if you get smacked by the Bucks in the 2nd Round do us all one favor. Beat the Knicks and make Stephen A lose his mind. (He wanted Spida on the Knicks, and Mitchell has the chance to end New York’s season right here)

Philadelphia 76ers (Don’t Mess This Up): No team over the last 5 years in the NBA has done less with more than the Philadelphia 76ers. The goal this year is to end every single narrative that has held this team back from the prize of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. James Harden and Doc Rivers each having legendary choking legacies after April 1, Joel Embiid being an injured liability in big spots, the Curse of Billy Penn, and of course the whole “Can’t make it past the 2nd Round” nonsense that’s been there since the days of Iverson. This time Philly has new pieces to work with in Jalen McDaniels, DeAnthony Melton and PJ Tucker he of $11.5M a year for 3 years at age 37. Even if Harden and Embiid have been the focus, if there’s anyone under pressure to match those two it’s Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris. Both of them have been solid during the season but have proven to be inconsistent in the postseason, and they’re gonna need it big time since the path to ending the narratives placed against them is more than likely going through a team that has been their nemesis for the last 6 decades…

Boston Celtics (Pittsburgh Steelers of Basketball): With such a dominant showing in big games, the amount of talent at their disposal, and quite possibly the most complete team that they’ve had in 15 years maybe longer, the Celtics should be all but locks to make the NBA Finals. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown putting up Larry Bird and Paul Pierce type numbers, their outstanding depth, plus the ghosts of Bill Russell smiling down on them. (The NBA is going to rig the playoffs in their favor for that reason alone aren’t they) Should be a done deal. However there is a major question mark going into the playoffs. No it’s not the inexperience of Joe Mazzulla, Al Horford and Robert Williams having injury concerns, (Somehow someway Malcolm Brogdon hasn’t been injured all season) their tendency to live and die by the 3 point shot, or the inconsistency of Tatum and Marcus Smart since the All Star Break. The biggest issue Boston has is playing down to their competition. When you set the record for most losses in a season when favored by double digits there are serious alarm bells ringing. (Especially since they’ll be double digit favorites in every game in the 1st Round) We’ve seen what they can do when they are in sync as a unit. The problem is that we don’t know when that’s coming. I know they have the ability to bring an 18th title to Beantown that’s never been the issue. It’s just that they are a very streaky team. And if they do end up winning it all. We all know who is going to be filing deep state conspiracies as to how they did it…

Milwaukee Bucks (They’ve Never Been Satisfied): That would be these guys. Despite being considered as villains in the eyes of every big market fan all season long the Bucks are trying to make it back to the Finals. Although from my standpoint as a diehard of this team, I’m not as optimistic as I’ve been in years past. On paper this is possibly the deepest team they’ve ever had. Especially with the all in moves to improve their depth at the trade deadline. But there’s two things that concern me. It’s not the recent struggles against stronger opponents, Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton not being 100%, or having the oldest roster in the league with no long term future. What worries me about Milwaukee is the inconsistency of their offensive attack, and their tendency to give up way too many 3s. (Coach Bud loves strategies to defend the paint doesn’t he?)That’s what cost them last year against Boston and they’re hoping that doesn’t happen again. That’s even with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez at the top of the Defensive Player of the Year voting, Khris Middleton slowly but surely rounding back to old form, and being the first ever Podoloff Trophy Winner. If they are going to win it all again, it’s going to be on the shoulders of the Greek Freak, and the defense. And their style of play definitely translates to the playoffs as history has shown. But if they come up short only one phrase will be on the minds of their rivals; “We are not here to further blame injuries.” (For the sake of Marc Lasry’s Last Ride and Bucks Media Past, please win it all. I can’t deal with Jimmy Haslam going forward) PAUSE.

Now who’s ready for a prediction? Because I know I am, I’m just hoping you are as well.

Prediction: Unlike previous Finals matchup predictions I’m not going to choose a matchup based on my personal opinion, but rather jinxing two franchises. (I wanted to try something new this time) This year has been full of chaos and insanity throughout the NBA. There’s a lot of teams that you can make a case for when it comes to making it all the way to June basketball. Considering how bizarre it’s been this season, screw it. The Finals will be a matchup that both of these fanbases as well as First Take and Undisputed will want to see and one that the league is dying to rig it for. Lakers vs Celtics. The Fight for Title #18 for both franchises, a classic rivalry being renewed, with all the talking heads never shutting up about LeBron and Tatum. Total insufferability will be written all over it. Dear God! (For the sake of myself as well as NBA Today, and First Things First, the Finals better be Bucks vs Warriors)