The NBA Playoffs Have Arrived — Here Are Some Of My Thoughts And Predictions For Round 1

This better work out for Kawhi, or he might have a big regret on his shoulders during the off season.

• Jamie Mah @grahmamah

It’s mid August and the 2020 NBA Playoffs have finally arrived. Better late than never, I suppose. This pandemic has brought a mountain of uncertainty for everyone, let alone tall basketball players. But, as improbable as this might have seemed just five weeks ago, the NBA made it to its marquee season. The eight game, twenty two team bubble featured some incredible basketball and some downright atrocious defence. Here’s looking at you New Orleans. However, Damian Lillard came through when it mattered and showed himself and the world that when fully healthy, this Portland team is no joke. He needed a reason to suit up for these games. Well, he certainly lived up to his own proclamations. 

But he wasn’t the only player to shine during this two week bubble of games, Luka Doncic sparkled brightly as did T. J. Warren. Even the lowly Phoenix Suns showed what their young nucleus could become, a shocking surprise to say the least. 

Nevertheless, as disappointing as it is to have a Boston versus Philadelphia series without Ben Simmons, the real season has arrived and I couldn’t be more excited. Here are some of my thoughts on each first round series, some predictions moving forward and my awards ballot. 

The East

Milwaukee vs Orlando

If there ever was a series you didn’t need to watch, it’s this one. Milwaukee will crush Orlando and it won’t even be funny. As up and down as the Bucks have been in the bubble so far, they have too much firepower for this Magic team. Giannis will feast even if Orlando’s best defender Aaron Gordon is dumped on him. However, keep an eye out for Bledsoe. Will Budenholzer yank him early if his shooting falters as it did during last year’s playoffs? Keep an eye out for that.

Middleton has to come up big for them in these playoffs, he needs to earn that contract. I still think all the Brook Lopez hype this season is a tab overblown, but how he fares in transition defence and canning open looks will unlock a tonne of space for Giannis. 

Milwaukee in 4. 

Toronto vs Brooklyn

I have a feeling this series will be closer than many expect. The Raps have been on fire all season long, doing their best 1990 Edmonton Oilers impersonation as they’ve casted off all doubters with their gritty play and hard-nosed defence. This team is for real. They’re deep, well coached and savvy. How Gasol plays will be tantamount to their success. If he’s aggressive with his shot, it really helps their flow. Scoring enough points will be their only concern, especially in tight games. VanVleet is a beast, and he’s not afraid of the moment. I expect big things for him. 

Brooklyn is a scrappy team, with Caris LeVert leading the way as their go-to scorer. He was nearly unstoppable in their most recent loss to the Blazers. He can get to the hole anytime he wants so expect O.G. on him to start. The Raps give up a tonne of 3’s, so Joe Harris could have some big nights if he gets some good looks. I’m a big fan of Jarrett Allen as a rim running big. He has soft hands and brings good energy when he’s on the floor. 

The Raps will win this series rather handedly, but I expect a few close games.

Raptors in 5.

Boston vs Philadelphia

Oh, how we missed out on what could have been a killer series. Ben Simmons injury is a bummer to say the least. He’s one of the best defenders in the league and I would have loved to have seen him on Tatum late in a big game. Plus the fact we’re not getting this in a real world, with these two home crowds, is another downer. The vitriol of fandom alone is enough to coax me in. Nevertheless, Embiid is a stud when he wants to be. Brett Brown better play his cards right or he’s out of a job in two weeks. Surround the big fella with shooters and let him cook. Can Tobias Harris create enough offence to warrant that insane contract he has? Same goes for Al Horford. I wasn’t a fan of his signing. An aging big on a four year deal always scares me. I could care less of how big of a chemistry guy he is. A $100 mil for a 33 year old Center is insane! I wonder if they miss Jimmy? Idiotic to have let him leave. Guys like him make their bones in the playoffs. Who do they have to create a shot in a tight game? Glenn Robinson? Give me a break.

Boston looked sharp in the bubble. Tatum and Brown are maturing. They’re still young, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they made the Finals with this group. They’re deep, and if Hayward can summon more of what they hoped they were getting when they signed him — look out! I’m not the biggest Kemba fan, but he’s scrappy and can get buckets, so he must take advantage of Philly’s lack of depth in this series as it will only get harder moving forward. 

I expect one big game from Philly, but outside of a complete meltdown from Boston, this should be easy for them. 

Boston in 5.

Miamis vs Indiana

This will be fun! Jimmy vs TJ. Old school hatred at its finest. What makes it even more enjoyable is how TJ has played in the bubble so far. He averaged 31 a game in the six games he played with a whopping 52.4% stroke from the 3 point line!! What the fuck?! Even if he can muster half of that, Indiana should compete. Indiana has the goods to make this a fun series, with Brogdon, Oladipo and Sabonis hanging with solid minutes. Oladipo is still finding his footing after such a long layoff, so I’m not expecting him to carry the load, especially with how spastic Miami’s defence can be. 

When they say a team often takes on the personality of their leader, no team in the league exemplifies such a statement more than this Butler led Heat team. They compete for every loose ball, and they have shooters who can hit big shots when needed. I’m a fan of Tyler Haro, Kendrick Nunn and holy shit, Duncan Robinson!! Where did that shot come from? 

Bam might be the best rim running big in the league. They’re well coached and tough. This series will feature some gritty games and it’ll go back and forth for the first few, but ultimately I expect Miami to pull this out. 

Miami in 6. 

The West

Los Angeles vs Portland

Holy shit am I ever stoked for this one. Dame vs LeBron. This could be a classic if Portland continues their run. They scrapped like hell just to make it into the playoffs. We’ll see if Lillard and co. can continue to find ways against the two-headed monster of Davis and LBJ. Davis has to show in these playoffs or I’m out on him as a superstar. He’s either going to bring it and present himself as one of the five best players in the league, or he’s the next Harden. Nurcic will have to show if he’s guarding Davis, but I expect a significant amount of Zach Collins on him as well. Ugh… and then there’s Carmelo. The Harden before Harden. If I see him jab stepping and holding the ball for 20 seconds as he attempts a dumb 17 footer, I’d pull him. He’s such a liability on defence. 

This is a make or break it year for LeBron. He’s got to win a 4th ring if he really wants to cement his legacy as a top five all timer. You can’t make the club with only three rings — and six losses!!! He’s looked sluggish so far. However, I’m not worried. He’s probably just coasting, which is fine. If the NBA is serious about moving the Finals up a week to get this over with, he has a lot of basketball ahead of him over the next two months. Those miles man, they begin to add up. Davis has to take the lead in these first two rounds, in my opinion. Give him the ball and let him cook. Dame will light things up and man does he have range. Shitty McCollum is playing at 60%, his penetration unlocks so much of their offence. This could get chippy and fast. I love Dame’s passion. 

But ultimately the Lakers have a two-headed monster only few teams can handle. Portland isn’t one of them. 

Lakers in 6.

Los Angeles vs Dallas

Luka! Luka! Luka!

Time to see what playoff Luka looks like. This kid is a stud. He’s going to be the best player in the world in like two years. He’s got ice in his veins and he loves the spotlight. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HIM. He may be young, but when you have that much skill and understanding of the game — at his age — watch out! Young Larry Bird, in my opinion. 

Then there’s Porzingis. He’s played well of late and looks comfortable for once. I’m still not sold on him as a number two for Luka long term. But he does present a lot of problems with his height and his stoke. If he’s draining 3’s at a high percentage, so much opens up for this team. Don’t sleep on Curry here either, he’s growing into his own as a player. The problem for Dallas, however, is they’re playing this team. Kawhi and PG are beasts on both ends. Dialed in, they can wreak havoc the likes this league hasn’t seen since prime MJ and Pip. Sadly, however, we’ve yet to see much of this so far as they’ve rested and been injured plenty. It doesn’t matter though, a healthy Kawhi is all this team needs to advance. He’s still the best player in the league when he’s locked in. I’m still hesitant to pick them over my Lakers, but they have the goods to go all the way. Getting Montrezl back will help as they advance. They’ll need him against Davis badly. I’m not a fan of Morris as a starter, but they need his size and versatility. 

Dallas is young and fearless. Luka can do wonders. Don’t be surprised if this goes on longer than you might have expected. However, I’ve watched enough basketball to understand that veteran teams tend to win in the playoffs. This will be an excellent test for LA. 

Los Angeles in 6. 

Denver vs Utah

Skinny Jokic!!!

Not a marquee matchup to say the least. NBA Tv anyone?

Regardless of what these two teams may lack in star wattage, they’ll most certainly make up for in great basketball. Jokic is a whizz at the top of the key. With his passing, this team unlocks so much of their scoring and cutting. Michael Porter Jr. has shown flashes of what he will become. They’ll need him to create off the dribble, especially with Rudy showing and clogging the paint. Jamal Murray needs to shoot well for Denver to pull this off. Utah lacks scoring with the loss of Bojan. Ugh… they rely too heavily on Clarkson. I’ve seen enough of his shit game when he played for the Lakers to know how that will fare for them moving forward. But sadly, they have few options. Mitchell will need to carry a heavier burden if they want a puncher’s chance at making this competitive. He’s no Dwyane Wade. He’s not even close. But he can collapse a defence with the best of them. 

Skinny or not, Jokic will feast. He’s the best center in the league, and it’s not even close. I don’t consider Davis a center, by the way. With that big butt, he’ll hook his way to a 30, 12 and 8 line every night. 

Denver in 5. 

Houston vs Oklahoma City

Chris Paul must be licking his chops at the opportunity here. Karma’s a bitch ain’t it. This series will be closer than you might expect, with or without Westbrook. His injury status sucks as he’s the only reason worth watching Houston. My goodness, do I hate this team. Harden is just so boring a player. He’s got to carry the load, similar to Dame in Portland for them to win. OKC has a lot to play with, and if Gallinari can punish Houston’s small lineups, things will bode well for them moving on. However, Paul doesn’t have a big to feast on in this series as he’s done in the past. It might prove tricky for him to unleash his deadly midrange game if he’s being guarded by guys closer to his own size and speed. Shai is a stud and I expect him to deliver especially when they run. Covington will most likely be slotted on him. He must hit his open shots to merit his playing time. I feel bad for Tucker, man is he going to be worn out by the end of this. Adams is a monster. Oh, and if Eric Gordon can return from the dead, this could get interesting. 

This is my least favourite series. I can’t stand either team. I do love Westbrook, and if he plays, they should win. If not, I’m picking OKC. But fuck, I have to make a selection here, don’t I? 

Houston in 7.

Awards Ballot

These are my awards. I don’t care if you don’t agree. 

MVP — Giannis, and it’s not even close. 

MIP — Luka Doncic. He’s a top five player now. He just turned 21. It wasn’t supposed to happen this quickly.

Coach — Nick Nurse. Toronto was supposed to fall off, but they didn’t. They have the league’s second best defence. A top three record and they play hard. Their young guys’ are developing and he has them poised for a long run. Best coach in the league by far. Well done. 

Defensive — Giannis. Top ranked defence, and he’s why. He can close out and get back and still contest shots. He led the league in rebounds, and he’s a menace in every which way. 

Rookie — Morant. I think when all is said and done, he’ll have a better career than Zion. He’s fearless and fast as fuck. Really impressed with how he carried this Memphis squad. 

Executive — Who cares? Next. 

All NBA

First Team:

LeBron, Davis, Kawhi, Harden, Giannis

Second Team:

Luka, Dame, CP3, Jokic, Butler

Third Team:

Siakam, Simmons, Gobert, Westbrook, Lowry