The NBA playoffs are here and what’s a Mavericks’ fan to do?
The Mavs, you may have heard, are not involved in the postseason. So we don’t have a dog in this playoff fight.
To be honest, we don’t even have a team we can root against, simply because for the first time since the Mavericks came into existence in 1980 the state of Texas does not have a team in the playoffs.
What’s the world come to? We can’t even cheer for whoever is playing the Rockets or Spurs.
Here’s an idea that may or may not be met with mass approval: be a New York Knicks’ fan. Or at least a Knicks’ tolerator.
Last summer, Jalen Brunson made a decision that Mavericks’ fans didn’t like. But it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t the right one for him. He had a career year in his first season with the Knicks after signing that lottery-like free-agent deal.
And the Knicks are in the playoffs with a winnable series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
So with that said, enjoy the playoffs. Know that the Mavericks’ brass is working hard on a game plan to build next season’s roster. And have a look at this playoff breakdown, delivered with unbridled objectivity.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Minnesota/Oklahoma City (8)
Watching the Thunder take care of the Pelicans in New Orleans on Wednesday was fun, but also sort of a kick in the head. That could have been the Mavericks moving on to face Minnesota. Regardless, we don’t like the “Thunderwolves” chances of beating Denver. The Nuggets aren’t a perfect team. But they will be too strong for whoever emerges from the final play-in game Friday night. But by the way, Oklahoma City’s time as a powerhouse is a lot closer than anybody else in the Western Conference wants it to be. Nuggets in five.
Memphis Grizzlies (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Everybody thinks this is one of two upset specials in the West. Everybody thinks the Lakers got the matchup they wanted and are putting everything together at just the right time to take down the favored Grizzlies. Everybody is wrong. The Grizzlies had a seven-game winning streak late in the season. They are a strong defensive team, even without Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams. They lost two of three to the Lakers, but the losses were in LA and one was by one point and the other was without Ja Morant. The Grizzlies no longer are just happy to be at the party. They will take great joy in knocking out LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Grizzlies in six.
Sacramento Kings (3) vs. Golden State Warriors (6)
If this were a car race, it would be 2023 Tesla against ’69 Mustang. New and high-tech vs. experienced and road-tested. The Kings are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. That’s 16 desolate years without playing past Game 82. George W. Bush was president the last time they got here. The Kings have had 12 coaches in those 16 years, including those who served on an interim basis. The Warriors? They’ve won four of the past eight NBA championships. They have proven champions all over their roster. Can the shiny new toy keep up with the one that’s been around, might be a little frayed at the edges, but has the skins on the wall? Nope. Warriors in six.
Phoenix Suns (4) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)
This will be a far more riveting series if Paul George is able to play – and play well. If not, then the Suns are going to roll. Even if George does play, the Suns still are going to advance. They stole everybody’s thunder around the trade deadline by acquiring Kevin Durant. They haven’t lost when Durant has played (8-0) and they won those eight games by an average of 11 points. We all thought last year was the Suns’ championship chance. The Mavericks made sure that didn’t happen. But this season is when the Suns should be in the NBA finals, at the very least. Suns in five.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Milwaukee (1) vs. Miami/Chicago (8)
Miami became the first No. 7-seeded team to lose in the play-in tournament. Whether or not they recover from that and dispatch the Bulls, the Bucks are on another level. Giannis Antetokounmpo might not be the MVP this season, but he’s still one of – if not – the most versatile and best players in the NBA. And the Bucks are built for championships. Their first step will be quick and easy. As long as they remain healthy, they are going to be difficult to beat four times in a playoff series. Bucks in four.
Boston (2) vs. Atlanta (7)
The defending East champion Celtics are a hot pick to win the whole thing this season. However, don’t forget that two seasons back, the Hawks were in the Eastern Conference finals against the eventual champion Bucks. And they didn’t have the home court advantage in either of the first two rounds. The Hawks are dangerous for one reason: they have talent. Trae Young is a load. Clint Capela is a rebounding machine, they have a next-level shooter in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dejounte Murray has been playing well late in the season. All of that gives the Hawks a puncher’s chance against the Celtics. That probably won’t be enough, but stranger things have happened. Celtics in six.
Philadelphia (3) vs. Brooklyn (6)
Nobody has more pressure on him in the playoffs than James Harden. He’s on a team that should be a strong title contender. Teammate Joel Embiid is probably going to be the MVP and Harden has the coach and the depth on this roster to go deep in the playoffs. This may be as good a chance as Harden has had since he was in Houston in 2018 to win the whole thing. And the first-round matchup should be a good one, although it’s not a gimme. The Nets dealt away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and piled up future assets. But they aren’t bankrupt of talent on this team. Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges won’t go down easily. Sixers in 6.
Cleveland (4) vs. New York (5)
As mentioned above, Brunson has had a fabulous season in New York after leaving Dallas last summer. So here’s wishing the Knicks good luck, given that Brunson was a fan (and media) favorite when he was in Dallas. However, it must be noted that the Knicks’ other star, Julius Randle, is dealing with an ankle problem and has not practiced this week. The Plano Prestonwood product’s availability could sway the entire series. If he’s not healthy, beating the young and hungry Cavaliers is going to be problematic. Donovan Mitchell has the playoff experience to make up for all the other Cavaliers who don’t have many battle scars. Cavaliers in 7.
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment