NBA PlayOffs: Contenders vs. Pretenders
The seeding is in the Playoffs and Play in is here, let’s see who actually has a chance this Spring. I’ll be looking at the eight best (odds wise) teams in the NBA. Odds from: https://www.oddsshark.com/nba/championship-odds
Image via: https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/nba-finals-most-championships-won-by-nba-franchise-boston-celtics-los-angeles-lakers/15t9wz5dcll3h1nr17bf7bd96w.
Phoenix Suns (+275)
Contenders. Plain and simple; this team has been the best regular season squad in the league and have passed the test of winning without CP3. Their system is so intricate mixing ball movement with timely shots and great team defense, not to mention this team is on a revenge tour they are looking to make it back to the finals more than anyone else in the NBA. Booker can score with anyone and with Paul back running the show Phoenix will be heavy favorites to return to the mountain top this Spring.
Milwaukee Bucks (+550)
Contenders. And this one is is simple, they have the best and most dominant player in the league without question and now he’s a proven champ. The way Giannis has elevated his game this year has been remarkable combine that with Middleton and Holiday (the most underrated “3rd” guy in the league) hitting their stride and they look ready to repeat and bring another trophy back to Milwaukee.
Brooklyn Nets (+650)
Contenders. Yes, I know this team isn’t technically in the playoffs yet, but KD is the best scoring forward the league might ever see and with Kyrie back full time things have changed. This team has the offensive fire power to really cause any team havoc on defense. However, the same question always lingers for this team, as it did last year: Can they stay healthy enough to make it to the finals?
Miami Heat (+900)
Here we have it, pretenders. I think it’s time we realize the bubble finals appearance as a fluke. Apologies to all Heat fans, but this team has 2015 Hawks vibes, best regular season record, great coach, amazing defense, but when it comes down to playoff games who is the go to guy? Bam is not yet there offensively, Jimmy just can never seem to get anything going on the perimeter, and Herro needs shots like no one else in the league. This team is built for regular season success but they are still a star away from being threats deep in the postseason.
Boston CELTICS (+900)
Pretenders. This one is tough I think the Tatum and Brown combo is incredible to watch and I loved the addition of Derrick White at the deadline. But let’s cut to the facts: Rob Williams aka Timelord and the anchor to the league’s best defensive unit, is out for the entirety of the playoffs combine that with no great point guard facilitator and a potential first round matchup with Brooklyn and deep run in May seems very unlikely. Fortunately for Celtics fans, Ime looks like a perennial COTY candidate for years to come.
Philadelphia 76ers (+1100)
This is another incredibly tough choice but I’m going to have to say pretenders. Embiid is a potential MVP winner and Harden is the perfect compliment to him. But health and coaching remain a question. Both their stars are injury prone and I’ve never loved Doc coaching in the playoffs. I think Embiid can be figured out in the playoffs when the game slows and comes to him. Maybe Harden will take some of that pressure off but when the whistles slow down and the game gets more physical, a deep postseason run seems unlikely.
Golden State Warriors (+1100)
Now this is actually the hardest choice, if they’re all fully healthy and together contenders easily, but that is not the world we live in, so pretenders it is. If this team could turn back the clock so that Curry, Draymond, and Klay were all three years younger that would be perfect. However, they are just too old and unstable to make a deep run. The time is running out for another championship run and it seemed like this season had the makings, but age and injuries have plagued a squad we all wanted to see return.
Memphis Grizzlies (+1400)
Now this hurts, pretenders. I love Ja and I love this team but they are just a few years away from being finals candidates. The talent is there and the City loves them, but they just don’t have the experience for a championship run yet, I like this team in two years though when Ja and Desmond Bane reach their peak.
