warriors vs. Lakers | With Steph Curry and Lebron James, why they are the most exciting playoffs in the NBA | Basketball | SPORT-TOTAL

They are the ‘NBA playoffs’, breaking audience records and triggering reactions on social networks. It is a phenomenon that can be explained in different ways and we will try to summarize it in five points below.

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all the best

It is the first time, since the 16-team playoff format was implemented for the 1983-84 season, that teams from 1 to 8 are represented in the semifinals between the Eastern and Western Conferences. How was this possible and why did it happen? During the first round we witnessed memorable moments and unforgettable performances. Jimmy Butler led the Miami team, with 37.6 points and 59.7% shooting from the field, to give the big surprise and fire the favorite (and first ranked) Milwaukee Bucks.

Jaylen Brunson and Julius Randle’s New York Knicks beat Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers 4-1. Finally, for the Western Conference, King LeBron dressed as a superhero and imparted the “Jordan Mentality” among his teammates to qualify for the Los Angeles Lakers.

they shine too

The “underdogs” tell the time. This year the idea that there is a clear favorite and that the most dominant team will be the one to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy, is banished. The reason? The unexpected appearances of role players (not stars) who helped take their teams to the next level. This is the case of Kevon Looney, of the Golden State Warriors, who with his 15.1 rebounds per game (at this stage of the ‘playoffs’) became a key player in offense and defense for the San Francisco team. Young Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura helped refresh the Lakers’ offense in key minutes of their series against the Grizzlies. On the other hand, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis, point guard De’Aaron Fox and rookie Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings became a deadly trio that nearly finished off the defending champions.

viewers

Kings vs. Warriors matchup: The only first-round series to go to seven games. This became the most attractive series, competitive and amazingly full of technical strategies; since he reunited coach Steve Kerr with his former assistant coach and current coach of the year, Mike Brown. In other words, we had before our eyes two game systems where the triple priority is prioritized, fast transitions, cunning and speed, spectacular shots and maximum attention to detail in defense. The return of the Sacramento team to a ‘playoffs’ after 16 years and qualifying as third in the Wild West, meant a resurgence for the California franchise. The records for television audience and views on digital platforms exceed the figures of the last 5 years and are counted at more than 10 million.

Steph on point

Wardell Stephen Curry, the magic man. What makes him such a special player? The NBA star point guard achieved what neither LeBron James nor a certain Michael Jordan could: score 50 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal in a seventh playoff game. 41.7% of the 120 points scored by the Warriors were courtesy of ‘El Chef’. If there was an afternoon to shine and silence his biggest critics, that was Sunday, April 30. Curry earned the respect of a Golden 1 Center that witnessed pure history. In the run-up to the match, that ’30’ leader appeared, who many said did not exist, to give, according to his teammates, the best message in his fourteen seasons in the league: “I believe and trust you, if you are not ready to leave your emotions at home and what you want is to go on vacation then, do not get on the bus or pretend to compete.

star crossing

The last dance between LeBron James and Steph Curry. Thanks to the aforementioned spectacularity, fans will have a new opportunity to see the two most iconic faces in the NBA. King James, at 38 years old and with 4 championships, will face off against the brand new best ‘point guard’ of all time and also with 4 rings, Stephen Curry. The table is more than set to see these glories continue breaking records and getting into the discussion who of these two is called to become the best player of all time.

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