This NBA season was very interesting. (Can you spot the sarcasm in that sentence?)
As a fan or an executive, this season was very draining mentally and physically. And, for the first time ever, the NBA’s “Big Three”(Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics) didn’t even make the playoffs.
For some teams and a lot of fans, this season was just depressing.
But let’s talk playoffs.
At the beginning of the season, I had the Chicago Bulls winning the whole thing. Two words, one name: Derrick Rose. This was supposed to be the year of Derrick Rose! Derrick Rose missed all of the 2012-2013 season when he injured his left knee. The world of basketball just about crumbled this past November as Derrick Rose injured himself again – this time, his right knee. But look on the bright side Chicago fans: the Bulls still managed to make the playoffs without DRose. Do I think that the Bulls will make it to the Finals? No. However, they will beat the Wizards in the playoffs.
Will Lebron James and the Miami Heat 3-peat? No. My reason? Dwayne Wade. Wade is coming off an injury, and the Heat haven’t been consistent all year. Lebron needed Wade as his sidekick going in to the playoffs – plain and simple.
All this talk about Chicago and Miami, but no one is really talking about the San Antonio Spurs or the Brooklyn Nets. Here’s my take on these two teams…
Given last year’s playoffs, I think the San Antonio Spurs can win despite their aging. It’s not like the Spurs are new to the Finals or playoffs; they hold the league record for 17 consecutive appearances to the playoffs. The Spurs, however, do need to start adding a couple of young players (in the off-season) so that they’re prepared once Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili leave the league. I feel like the Spurs will have an early exit – maybe not the first round, since they’re playing the Dallas Mavericks – but definitely in the second round.
“Hello Brooklyn, how ya doing?” The Nets came into this season (Jason Kidd’s first season of coaching) at an embarrassing 10-21. Were the Nets wrong to hire a former player as their coach? No, I had faith in Jason Kidd this entire season that he could turn the season around. The Nets also have Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Deron Williams. Going up against the Toronto Raptors in the first round (who have the homecourt advantage), the Raptors are the #3 seed in the East right now. But, I’m still going Brooklyn over the Raptors.
My pick for the whole shebang? The OKC Thunder.
OKC has been consistent all year, and Kevin Durant is at his prime right now. Durantula is the only player to join Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlin in leading the NBA in total points for five straight seasons. Plus, Durant is only going to get better these next couple of years. Let’s not forget he had to do it all without Westbrook this season. Basketball isn’t a one person ballgame, but Durant showed up for his team when it mattered most. Let’s go ahead and call him for the MVP Award, too.
Okay, I get LeBron dropped 60 points this season against the Bobcats, but I COULD DROP 60 POINTS AGAINST THE BOBCATS.
This year it’s Thunder over everyone.
