Firstly of the primary spherical of the NBA playoffs, I wrote a column about which groups I’d be rooting for within the first spherical. With the primary spherical ending Sunday night time — although not earlier than the second spherical started — let’s have a look again on the first spherical to see whether or not the groups I wished to win did so. And since I can multi-task, we may even have a look ahead as to who I shall be rooting for within the second spherical. As in March Insanity, rooting for a crew in a single recreation, or sequence, doesn’t obligate me to stay with that crew towards their subsequent opponent.
As with the prior column, I’ll observe the solar and begin within the east, after which transfer west.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 4. Indiana Pacers
Within the first spherical, I wished the Warmth and the Bucks to win. For the Cavs-Warmth sequence, I mentioned this (and accurately predicted the end result):
Alas, my residual emotions for the Warmth, even with out Playoff Jimmy, have me rooting for them — however it doubtless gained’t matter. Within the second spherical, I assume I shall be selecting between the Cavs and both the Bucks or Pacers.
For the Pacers-Bucks, the crew I wished to win as soon as once more didn’t, and it wasn’t very shut. Even worse, this was my remark about Damian Lillard’s comeback from harm:
Whereas the latter two have departed, the Bucks nonetheless have Giannis, which is sufficient for me, particularly if Damian Lillard comes again from his Wembanyama-like harm. That will even be encouraging for Victor’s personal prognosis.
I didn’t, and couldn’t, predict Dame’s precise harm — a torn Achilles. That harm which can doom the Bucks for subsequent season and has been broadly seen because the occasion that will result in a commerce of the third greatest participant within the NBA. The Bucks could wish to rapidly rent somebody with expertise in that sort of commerce: Nico Harrison.
Cavs vs. Pacers is an interesting second spherical match-up, through which the Cavs are rightfully favored. Superb truth — Donovan Mitchell has the ninth highest playoff scoring common all-time at over 27 factors per recreation. However the Pacers are each good and underrated.
Regardless that I rooted towards each in Spherical One, I’ve mildly optimistic emotions about each. A number of good pals are Cavs followers, and the Pacers have the ABA Spurs connection. From a coach’s viewpoint, the Cavs play nice D, and the Pacers transfer the ball extraordinarily effectively on offense.
I deliberate to make this a game-time choice. I turned on the sport Sunday afternoon and my coronary heart … couldn’t resolve. I believe I’ll simply root for a 7-game sequence. The Pacers’ Sport One upset win in Cleveland makes {that a} bit extra doubtless, although the Sport One Pacers win was largely based mostly on an unsustainable three-point taking pictures differential. If that continues, the Pacers could blow out the Cavs.
2. Boston Celtics vs. 3. New York Knicks
In Spherical One, I primarily punted on Celtics vs. Magic:
Regardless that I’m a reformed former Laker fan, it stays troublesome to root for the Inexperienced. Nonetheless, this sequence seems like it should go the identical means as OKC-Memphis. The Celtics will most likely win in 4 or 5 video games, so no have to waste any of my valuable rooting capital on this sequence.
On the opposite aspect of the bracket, I rooted mildly for the Knicks over the Pistons. My momentary affection for the Knicks got here down to 2 issues:
As time has passed by, I began rooting for my pals’ groups so my pals could be comfortable. Odd idea, I do know. I’ve a number of good pals who’re massive Knick followers, so I’ll root for his or her happiness over the good story that’s this yr’s Pistons.It additionally helps that the Knicks have all these Villanova guys.
Nonetheless, watching the Knicks truly play is just not very pleasing for this ex-coach and nonetheless Spurs fan. I like passing and ball motion, with a bunch of gamers touching the ball. The Knicks’ offense, particularly in fourth quarters, is Jalen Brunson dribbling the ball round till his defender will get off-balance so he can shoot. Regardless that it really works pretty effectively, and Brunson is superb at it, I don’t get pleasure from watching it. I’m certain Gregg Popovich feels the identical.
Will the Knicks offense upset Pop and me sufficient that we begin to root for the Celtics and ex-Spur Derrick White? In that case, I blame Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. 4. Denver Nuggets
I used to be 1000% appropriate with this remark in regards to the Thunder-Grizzlies match-up:
Like a automotive accident on the highway, nothing to see right here. Simply transfer alongside.
The opposite match-up was additionally a straightforward name. My third favourite crew, the Nuggets, vs. the El Segundos a.okay.a. the Clippers. I mentioned:
In my April Fools’ submit a number of years again, Adam Silver re-named them the El Segundos as a result of they’ll all the time be LA’s second crew. Including James Harden moved the needle even additional away.
By way of six video games, the Nuggets — Clippers sequence was one of the best of the primary spherical. The Clippers have been considered the higher crew, although by the smallest of margins. (Is anybody else amused by how in another way “although”, “thought” and “by way of” are pronounced by altering a single letter? Which is why the English language is so “powerful”. See what I did there?)
After which Sport Seven occurred. James Harden had a basic Harden close-out recreation, with solely 7 factors on 2-8 taking pictures, although he did have a bunch of assists. After the Clippers led by 5 after the primary quarter, the Nuggets outscored the Clippers by 16 within the second quarter. And to show it was not a fluke, the Nuggets outscored the Clippers by 16 within the third quarter too. A couple of minutes later, the Nuggets went up by the visually pleasing rating of 99-66. Throughout the blow-out, Spurs followers and I have been blessed with this shot of one in every of our favourite gamers sitting subsequent to one in every of our least.
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Whereas that was on the display screen, I used to be texting a good friend that the Nuggets wanted to sub out all their starters to get only a bit extra relaxation earlier than touring to OKC.
Sport 1 is Monday night time. I shall be rooting onerous for the Nuggets, however I worry that OKC could also be too deep and gifted for this Denver crew. The Nuggets primarily play solely 7 guys, one in every of whom is Russell Westbrook, who will both make nice or horrible performs, with nothing in between.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 7. Golden State Warriors
I acquired some harsh phrases from a few of my LA pals after I introduced that I’d be rooting for the T’Wolves over my ex-favorite crew, the Lakers. My buddy Mike introduced he was revoking our friendship and implored me to only “root for the rattling laundry”. Mike was harkening again to my outdated weblog submit from October 28, 2013 renouncing my Laker fandom, despite the fact that the sport I attended was a Laker victory over the Clippers:
So, whereas I used to be on the recreation, and comfortable the Clippers misplaced (no band-wagon fan am I), it was quite surreal. My favourite Laker Pau performed solely 24 minutes. Former Laker Jordan Farmer returned and performed effectively – however did so enjoying with the aforementioned No. 7, Shawnee, some man named Johnson, who cares about him Kaman, and ex-Trojan unhealthy shot taker Nick Younger. It was onerous for me to root for the fellows carrying this shade laundry simply because in years previous Laker gamers I actually knew and cared about wore that very same laundry.”
In that very same submit, I introduced that I had changed the Lakers with the Warriors as my “second to the Spurs favourite crew”. Observe that this was earlier than the Warriors had grow to be superb, as they’d not but disposed of Mark Jackson as coach — they employed Steve Kerr on the finish of the 2103-2014 season:
Steph Curry went to Davidson, the place he frolicked with the son of Haverford Faculty roommate and soccer legend Phil Zipin – Phil’s son says Steph is an effective man. He’s additionally an excellent shooter, like I dream of being. In order that’s one. Laker announcer and former Laker participant Michael Thompson’s son is the opposite guard, additionally looks like a great man. Additionally an excellent shooter. That’s two. Andrew Bogut is from Australia, and we now have 2 nice pals from Australia. And he is a superb passer. That’s three. Iguadola is a superb defender, crew participant, looks like an actual good man. That’s 4. Harrison Barnes, now again as sixth man, went to North Carolina, who I usually don’t like, however Tar Heel legend Bob Bennett is among the greatest individuals on the earth. In order that helps. I actually favored Warrior nice Rick Barry rising up. And former Claremont participant and All-American Chris Greene is a Warrior fan from means again. That’s sufficient for me. Warriors all the way in which, child!
After the Warriors’ spectacular win at Houston, we now have a 6 vs. 7 showdown, and you recognize who I wish to win. Warriors all the way in which, child!
