Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast to your list! This week, the NBA End of Season, Steve shares his thoughts on the first round of the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs.
NBA Playoffs First Round – Eastern Conference
- The Boston Celtics should win this series with the Orlando Magic. Two things are apparent though. The
Magic are mucking up each game with physical play causing whistles to be blown constantly. This doesn’t allow teams to get into any rhythm making the game choppy. This is a benefit to the weaker team, in this case the Magic. The second factor is way more important than the first the Magic have committed numerous flagrant fouls and in a series where Jaylen Brown came in already injured and Jayson Tatum has been hurt by one of those flagrant fouls the Celtics become vulnerable. In the long haul it will be difficult for the Celtics to repeat They are vulnerable and can be upset. - Watching the Cleveland Cavalier-Miami Heat series has been interesting Tyler Herro has been great offensively but not so great defensively The Heat are pushing the Cavs; making it difficult for the Cavs The Heat aren’t far away from being a top team in the conference. If the Heat were to go out and get a star, by that I mean a scorer as well as a defender, they should be a top six team in the Eastern Conference next year.
- With teams targeting opposing teams worst defender now more than ever. This raises the question are scorers who don’t defend well becoming desired less by top teams?
- The Milwaukee Bucks are a team with decisions to make. They now have a less than 50% chance of getting out of the first round. The Bucks are a small market team that is well into the tax and losing money. Does that mean that if they don’t surprise us and get to at least the Conference Finals they begin to deal players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and start over?
- What in the world are the Atlanta Hawks doing? They fired Landry Field, their General Manager, It is said that the owner Tony Ressler’s son is a key part of the decision making team. This is another case where owners should own and people sending years in the game should make decisions. When will these people owning a team understand stability and staying out of the way are what makes a franchise successful.
NBA Playoffs First Round – Western Conference
- Jimmy Butler might not he the easiest superstar to deal with however he is one tough basketball player. I expect him to try and play tonight. It would be a shame if he misses any time and costs the Warriors the series. Like the Warriors or not, they have been an interesting story since he was traded to San Francisco. and you want to see if that team can compete for a title.
- The Memphis Grizzlies should just put the balls away and call it a season. The biggest news they will make will come in the off season.
