(This was written after Game 2 between the Raptors and the Bucks)
IN MY eight years of watching the NBA, I’ve never encountered a week as compelling as the last one. It began with two gut-wrenching Game 7’s and ended with a shocking surprise at the draft lottery. Everything you’d expect from a week of basketball—drama, thrill, and suspense, you name it—were enjoyed by the fans. Here are three points of emphasis surrounding a jam-packed week of hoops:
1.) PORTLAND UPSET. Throughout the 2018-19 season, the Denver Nuggets were poised to dethrone the Golden State Warriors as Kings of the West. They finished as the second seed in the conference. What makes this team very much respected is the fact that their game plan is centered around ball movement.
So how did an underdog team like the Portland Trail Blazers manage to pull off the upset? They neutralized Denver’s ball movement. They forced them to center their offense around All-Star big man Nikola Jokic. Although Jokic scored 29 and grabbed 13 rebounds, the entire team was limited to only 15 assists. Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap also combined for only 7-of-31 shooting, and the entire team shot only 2-o -19 on three pointers the entire game. Along with CJ McCollum heroic performance, the Blazers defense showed them the way to the conference finals.
2.) PELICANS WIN LOTTERY. Last Friday, the NBA held its annual draft lottery. To the surprise of many, the New Orleans Pelicans ended up with the No. 1 overall draft pick this year. This sent shockwaves and fans are still trying to fathom having multiple All-Star Anthony Davis and young phenom Zion Williamson on the same front court. However, there are some debate as to whether one of them should be traded. Davis has been longing for a trade since January of this year.
I personally prefer to see both of them together. Along with a traditional point guard who can distribute the ball efficiently, plus veteran shooting and power forward Julius Randle would turn the team into an instant contender.
However, if Davis persists with his trade demand, then the Pels should trade him to either the Celtics or Lakers, who have the most assets amongst other suitors. This will speed up their progress instead of waiting through more years of disappointment.
3.) Conference Finals. Analysis and predictions
EAST: Raptors vs Bucks
The two most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference are battling for the right to become “Kings of the East.”But after the first two games of the series, it seems as though the Bucks are truly the better team. They scored an average of 116.5 points in the first two games, while limiting the Raptors to only 101.5.
Down the road, expect a loud response by the Raptors, enough to take care of their home court. Pascal Siakam, a candidate for Most Improved Player, should step up for this to become a reality. But in Games 5 and 6, the Bucks should be able to continue their sheer dominance on both ends of the floor, as they claim the East title. “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a chance to win his first NBA title following this series.
WEST: Blazers vs Warriors
This is a series that, honestly, I am not disappointed with. Many expected the Nuggets to directly compete with the Warriors, but I believe that the Blazers are just as competent. They have their own version of the “Splash Brothers” in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, former #2 overall draft pick Evan Turner, and big man Enes Kanter. They are a team that, I should say, is fun to watch. This series also features the duel between brothers Seth and Stephen Curry, adding spice to the already interesting overall storyline.
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