I feel compelled to write about how much it kicks ass watching the first round of the NBA playoffs in a tournament-like feel. Granted, you mostly aren’t seeing any huge upsets and watching an 8 seed take on the 1 always feels forgone unless you are a real Warriors fan you know but still…it’s the best basketball talent in the world on display.
Plus when you enjoy watching something and just add “marathon” to it, it’s comforting that for a few days basketball will always be there for me and maybe I’m coming on a little strong here to basketball but look it’s been awhile. Akin to starting a new acclaimed TV show (after this summer you have no excuse to have not seen the Sopranos) and having a bunch of episodes to look forward to - it’s comfort.
I found myself pretty bummed in April, knowing the playoffs should be on and not knowing the length of this pandemic or seeing much of a light at the end of the tunnel and while that hasn’t exactly changed, we’ve started to learn to live with it and at the very least figure out how to get high quality hoops back on television.
Playoffs…we fucking made it.
*Disclaimer: I started writing this yesterday morning and look picking games can be hard so just let me have the one game head start, thanks!
Lakers-Blazers
Recency bias will tell you the Blazers can’t lose and the Lakers look sort of bored and are a team ripe for an upset but I don’t think Portland has an answer for defending LeBron & AD (or much of anyone) nor do I think they’ll find one. I believe in the powers of Dame Time and I believe in CJ McCollum and their supporting cast like Melo and Nurkic so much that I think they’ll take the #1 seed Lakers to 6 games but just won’t have enough left in the tank to push them over the top. Regardless, it feels great to have an electric team like the Blazers in the 8 seed to give us something good in a first round where it ain’t always very good.
Lakers: 6
Bucks-Magic
Everything I just said about a compelling 8-v-1 matchup? Yeah this has none of that.
Bucks: 4 (Update: LOL)
Clippers-Mavericks
I love watching Luka, I love watching Kawhi. And if you like basketball, you should too.
Clippers: 5 (Update: At the hands of the refs, the Mavs chance to get one on the Clippers might have slipped away and now a sweep is in play)
Raptors-Nets
Toronto and Brooklyn feel like two teams who shouldn’t be where they are for different reasons. Brooklyn got into the playoffs with a B squad and the Raptors are a dark horse contender to come out of the East despite losing Kawhi and not really making any additions in the off season. Both teams have also benefited from some great young players and solid coaching, and it’s a forgone conclusion we’ll see Nick Nurse named Coach of the Year.
Raptors: 5
Nuggets-Jazz
Watching Nikola Jokic barrel down the court with grace is like seeing an accident in slow motion: you can’t look away as he either backs his way down to the basket or dishes it out to an impressive and deep lineup of Nuggets guards and shooters. I’d be remiss not to mention Donovan Mitchell (my 2018 Rookie of the Year forever) and Jamal Murray who both absolutely lit it up on Monday. I didn’t plan on watching much of this series initially but I’ve quickly reassessed. While I like this Utah Jazz a lot, they feel fairly outmatched but I don’t expect them to go quietly either.
Nuggets: 6
Celtics-76ers
I don’t have a lot for this one and even though it’s a 3-6 matchup, it doesn’t feel close. However with both teams battling some injuries and needing to get creative with lineups and rotations, I trust Brad Stevens way more than Brett Brown.
Celtics: 5
Thunder-Rockets
If you are like me and didn’t watch much of the Thunder this year (because who really did?) you are amazed to see that the Thunder didn’t just sniff the playoffs but got a 5 seed in the Western Conference after being predicted to win like 30 games in the regular season. An impressive feat sure but I don’t expect it to last to topple Houston.
Rockets: 6
Heat-Pacers
This one feels like it’ll be a rock fight and as much as I like this young Pacers team, I’m taking Miami.
Heat: 7
Other Things
I’ll keep this brief but some quick things you can do to make your weird summer somewhat more enjoyable. These just happen to be my picks but follow the formula and see if it works for you.
Get to know and love a new clothing brand.
Look forward to new music from a favorite artist.
Cook something fresh and new without having to do too much work.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the playoffs.