WWhen the most important phase of the season begins, the NBA’s biggest star will be absent. LeBron James, still dominating the best basketball league in the world at the age of 37, missed the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers after a disastrous season.
So James only has the unloved role as a spectator when tonight’s duel between the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz (7 p.m., CEST) heralds the fight for the championship. But even without the glamorous team from Los Angeles and their superstar, the upcoming play-offs promise more excitement than they have in years.
Stephen Curry can smile again: The superstar of the Golden State Warriors returns to the floor just in time for the start of the playoffs
Quelle: USA TODAY Sports/Kelley L Cox
“The goal was always game one and that remains the goal. I’m very optimistic that it will be game 1. I want to be there,” Stephen Curry said on The Draymond Green Show. The Golden State Warriors point guard missed the closing stages of the season with a ligament injury in his left foot. “I’m very excited because I know how much I like this atmosphere. I don’t want to miss anything,” said Curry, 34.
The Warriors missed the playoffs for two years, but now the team that made it to the finals five times in a row from 2015 and 2019 and won the title three times during this period is back. After the long-awaited return of Klay Thompson, who had to take a break for two years due to a cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon rupture, the core of success from previous years is complete again.
Despite their good placement, the Warriors face a difficult opponent in the first round: the Denver Nuggets. Last season’s most valuable player, Nikola Jokic, had another strong season and led the Nuggets to the playoffs. Steve Kerr, Golden States coach, was reticent before the first meeting. “I think four years ago…I expected to win a championship. But we’re a different team now. I have no expectations,” said the 56-year-old.
Dallas trembles for Doncic
The Dallas Mavericks are the secret contenders for the title this year. At least if Luka Doncic is healthy. Due to a calf injury, it is unclear whether the Slovenian can play against Utah on Saturday. The earlier he gets there, the better the Mavericks’ chances of making it through the first round. The Texans last did this in 2011 when current coach Jason Kidd won the championship alongside Dirk Nowitzki. The most important player in the club’s history then resigned three years ago.
Concerns about Magic Luka: Doncic had to go into the dressing room prematurely in the game against San Antonio with a calf injury
Source: AFP/Tim Heitman
The biggest chances are given to the Phoenix Suns this year. The Arizona team won the most preliminary round games with 64 of 82 games and has an incredibly balanced roster. Phoenix is led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
Above all, hopes are pinned on Paul, who is undisputedly one of the best point guards in league history. His qualities and experience as a playmaker are outstanding, but he was never the man for the spectacular scenes because of his height of only 1.82 meters. After the final defeat a year ago, the 36-year-old is making another attempt at his first championship – it could be his last chance. In the first round, the Suns meet the New Orleans Pelicans.
Chris Paul (centre) and the Phoenix Suns played the best main round in the club’s history
Those: AP / Rick Scuteri
The duel between the young and wild teams from Minnesota and Memphis could also be spectacular. Anthony Edwards, first pick of 2020, played a strong season for the Timberwolves. The Grizzlies may have the league’s future superstar in Ja Morant.
Lots of title candidates in the East
In the east, the experts trust some teams to make it to the final. The Brooklyn Nets have come a long way. Until Tuesday evening it was not even clear whether the team around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would be in the playoffs.
Two of the best players in the NBA: Kyrie Irving (left) and Kevin Durant (right) meet record champions Boston with the Brooklyn Nets in the first round
Source: AFP/Sarah Stier
The superstar trio of Durant, Irving and James Harden, who were classified as almost unbeatable at the beginning of the season, hardly played together during the season because Durant was injured, Irving was not vaccinated against the corona virus and Harden went to Philadelphia at the end of the transfer period. Because of the individual class of Durant and Irving, the Nets are among the title contenders despite seventh place. The first round is against the Boston Celtics.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks go into the playoffs as reigning champions. The Greek proved with his first title last year that he’s unstoppable on a good day and hard to stop on a bad one. In the first round, the Chicago Bulls try to stop the 27-year-old.
The Miami Heat, after all the team with the best record in the east, meet the Atlanta Hawks/Cleveland Cavaliers. Much will depend on whether Jimmy Butler can surpass himself again like he did in the 2020 playoffs when he led Miami to the finals against the Lakers.
And then there’s the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid averaged 30.6 points per game, more points than any other player in the regular season. Many experts see the center as the most valuable player of the season. For a few weeks, Embiid has also had a new partner at its side in Harden. Anticipation is high in the city of brotherly love ahead of the first-round game against the Toronto Raptors.
James Harden (left) finally wants to win the first title of his career with Philadelphia
Source: AP/Frank Gunn
“Pressure, no. I’m feeling good,” Harden said with a smile after Thursday’s practice at the team’s compound. “I’m ready to play. There’s nothing to complain about.” His congenial partner Embiid formulated his expectations of the 32-year-old quite openly: “He should be himself. He was great as a playmaker, but against Toronto he has to be aggressive and act as a scorer.”
