We are more than halfway through the first round and we haven’t seen as much chalk as many thought entering the post-season. The East remains docile, but the West has plunged into significant chaos, with Utah taking the lead as Oklahoma City and Dallas battle through significant upheaval. Young superstars are emerging. A certain badly nicknamed superstar is struggling. It didn’t take long before the fireworks started with seven weeks left in Orlando.
Let’s take a look at who is up and who is down as we approach the conference semifinals.
Eliminated
16. Brooklyn Nets
It was a very respectable performance for the Nets in Orlando, but hopefully it will be nothing compared to next summer for Brooklyn. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be back on track with a mysterious coach and unproven roster, but there’s still a lot of potential if they can both stay healthy. Barclays Center could be home to the most glamorous team in basketball in 2020.
15. Orlando Magic
If Fred VanVleet is hitting a nine-figure contract this offseason, how should we describe Evan Fournier’s contract thrust? Fournier’s production stalled (to put it charitable) in the first round against Milwaukee, with a minus-28 in Game 3 followed by a 4-14 shot effort in Game 4 on Monday. We shouldn’t discredit Fournier too much. He is a legitimately valuable player for Orlando’s misshapen roster, and has quietly morphed into an impressive statistic season. But maybe going for $ 17 million next year is the right move. It’s hard to see anyone really investing in Fournier after 2020-21.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
It’s hard to find a path for improvement in Philadelphia save a deal from Ben Embiid or Joel Simmons. It’s not a criticism of either player, or necessarily their lack of fit. Embiid and Simmons are imperfect, but there is a world where a dynamic roster can be built to support their unique talents. This doesn’t exist in Philadelphia. There aren’t enough (or none) true secondary directors. Neither Tobias Harris nor Al Horford are All-Star, or even All-Star-Adjacent players at this point. The Sixers had every imaginable path with their young stars just a few years ago. A series of questionable decisions brought them to this deplorable point. With little commercial value across the roster, there is little help coming for the dynamic Philadelphia duo. At some point, divorce is on the way.
13. Indiana Pacers
So where exactly will Indiana go from here? There is a solid core of players in place, especially if Domantas Sabonis returns to full health. There is the external possibility of an Oladipo resurgence and TJ Warren shone in the bubble. But there still seems to be a legitimate limit. The Pacers don’t have a Tatum or Siakam or even Embiid despite the uproar in Philly. The finals will remain a long shot year after year barring an unforeseen agreement. There are certainly worse fates in the NBA, but there must be some frustration in the Pacers situation. They could very well be spinning after exiting Round 1 next year.
Still fighting
12. Portland Trail Blazers
The clock is approaching midnight of the Portland season, so we should take a moment to acknowledge what a delightful trip this has been. Damian Lillard’s rainbows were the highlight of the non-Luka bubble, while Jusuf Nurkic, Gary Trent Jr., and Carmelo Anthony each provided their own piece of quality play. We can still question the ceiling of this group, especially in the Western Conference. But don’t let the finals be the sole arbiter of our appreciation. Lillard is a legitimate superstar and one of the funniest players in the league from any point of view.
11. Denver Nuggets
It’s fair to understand Mike Malone’s reticence regarding Michael Porter Jr.’s playing time.While the Missouri product is a legitimate scoring phenomenon, it has been an absolute sieve in defense against Utah. Jazz musicians have made 26 out of 41 hits when guarded by Porter Jr., in four games, and the young striker is hunted multiple times when he is on the ground. Jamal Murray is another poor defender. There is no real protection of the circle in the rotation. Donovan Mitchell’s outbursts are certainly impressive, but his opponent is doing him many favors in Round 1.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Rockets defense cracked down on opponents in the bubble, but the Oklahoma City guard trio began exploiting holes in Houston’s small-ball unit. The Thunder went to the limit at will in Race 3 and Race 4, with Dennis Schröder leading with a 30-point effort on Monday. Perhaps the return of Russell Westbrook will change the tenor of the series. For now, the Thunder are a serious threat to an upset.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Whatever praise we give to Luka Doncic after his match winner on Sunday, it seems insufficient. It’s hard to remember such a polished 21-year-old and few players in the league feel comfortable in the spotlight. Doncic is the future of the championship and perhaps soon its present. Now I’ll shut up. Enjoy the highlights.
8. Utah Jazz
It’s clear Denver has no answers for Donovan Mitchell, but don’t forget Mike Conley. The Ohio State product was canceled by much of the basketball intelligentsia by March. The Utah fans had already turned on the trading machine. But the extended hiatus appears to have rejuvenated the former Memphis point guard. Conley has scored 53 points from 26 shots in the last two games, pulling an outrageous 11-16 from three. The regression of the shot is set to kick off, although Conley was still effective. He was a key secondary player alongside Mitchell’s playmaker against Denver.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets won’t change their style to three anytime soon, but at least a little variety could go a long way. James Harden & Co. jumped 21 of the last 26 threes in Game 4 on Monday and their legs seemed to drop by the end of the race. Russell Westbrook’s return should give Houston the other element they so desperately need. If he continues to sit down, Harden should look for alternative ways to light up the board.
6. Miami Heat
Erik Spoelstra will likely always be underestimated due to the talent he inherited in Miami, and he has a legitimate case as a top basketball coach. The two-time champion may have done his best job in 2019-20. Miami sent a gritty Indiana squad with ease into Round 1, rarely sweating as Jimmy Butler & Co. hit a sweep. Miami’s youth are thriving. The Heat defense is suffocating. The Bucks remain a big favorite in Round 2, but Spoelstra’s team won’t be resolving anytime soon. This series should extend beyond a gentleman’s sweep.
5. Boston Celtics
There was a legitimate cause for concern regarding Kemba Walker’s entry into the 2020 playoffs. Knee injuries hampered his first year with Boston and the UConn product has only shot 37% from the field in his last 15 games of regular season. But the first round against Philadelphia was marked by a return to form. Walker averaged 24.3 points per game with 49% of shots, and looked like his usual elusive driver to the basket. The Celtics face a major match in Round 2 against Toronto, especially if Gordon Hayward doesn’t play. They will need Walker at best to advance to the conference finals.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George is right when he says he’s not James Harden, but Kawhi Leonard’s running mate has to show a semblance of punch for the Clippers to contend for the finals. George’s sweater abandoned him at the worst moment, and prolonged stretches with no impact play continue to be frustrating. This does not come from a critic of George. He earned a third place MVP last year, and the Fresno State product is a legitimate All-NBA talent. But the playoff fights are extending beyond the realm of circumstances. Maybe Leonard picked the wrong supporting cast last summer.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto 4 game Thrashing of the Nets encapsulated the excellence of the franchise under Masai Ujiri. The Raptors set a team record of 150 points as they completed the Brooklyn sweep, and their bench racked up an NBA record 100 points. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are not franchises yet. Serge Ibaka has seen a serious career revival. We thought the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard would force a rebuild after a season. But Toronto now represents more than a viable threat to repeat even without the two-time Finals MVP.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers appear to be approaching top form, which should frankly be terrifying for the rest of the Western Conference. Anthony Davis is pulverizing the paint against Portland, and could do the same against Houston in the second round. LeBron James may be a notch below his maximum athleticism, but he remains, well, the best player of his generation. There is enough talent in this dynamic duo to overcome almost any shortcoming on the roster. We shouldn’t let a cold night of filming distract from the immense talent of the Lakers.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Poor Orlando has absolutely no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who snatched 35 points from shooting 12-14 in a burst of Game 4 on Monday. Orient. But we must not forget the first part of the season. Antetokounmpo is a physical marvel never seen from Shaq’s peak. This list is largely designed for its strengths. Nick Nurse will have to build the game plan of a lifetime if the champions meet the MVP in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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