NBA Playoffs Preview

 

By: Nakeem Grant

 

 

On 94 feet of hardwood in front of thousands of fans, the spotlight shines brighter than ever. After 82 games, the stage is set for the stars to become legends. Pride and passion takes over logic and meaning. The impossible becomes possible. As much as people analyze and follow the game, no one can truly write this script. It all comes down to who wants it more? It’s survival of the fittest. All bets are off in a battle to see which team is the best. It’s the NBA Playoffs.

With the buzz of the NCAA’s March Madness over, all basketball attention has shifted back to the NBA. 16 teams, eight from both the Eastern and Western Conference will slug it out for a chance to reach the NBA Finals and play for a championship. Some of the notable teams that are favorites to win the title or at least reach the Finals are the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The defending champs, the Heat, have played outstanding basketball this year as they have the best record in the NBA. All of their key players including their LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are healthy and many believe that they will come out on top for a second straight season in the Eastern Conference.

“Knicks are gonna make it far in the playoffs but the Heat are gonna take the East. I see the Heat winning it all,” said Tyreek Burwell.

The resurged New York Knicks have gained prominence in the NBA once again, winning more than 50 games for the first time in over a decade. They locked up the 2^nd best record in the Eastern Conference with the league’s top scorer, Carmelo Anthony. Injuries to players like Kenyon Martin, Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire might affect them in the playoffs, but Knicks fans are hopeful that they will return and help the team win.

Knicks fan Jonathan Carter stated, “Only threat to the Knicks are the Heat & Celtics. Knicks only problem is our point guards are too slow to guard other guards. If we get our bigs [Power forwards/Centers] healthy I’m feeling finals.”

Another fan I ran into seemed to be quite optimistic about the Knicks’ chances this year. “Knicks vs. Clippers for the NBA Finals! I think these two teams will go because of their bench depth & emphasis on defense,” said Nadiym Evans.

Demetrius Randle, a passionate Heat fan had this to say, “Man all those other guys you talked to are Knicks fans. Brooklyn is going to the 2^nd round & Miami is in the Finals!”

After winning the Western Conference in the playoffs, the Thunder have put together another solid season with two of the league’s top players, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. This young, exciting team has electrified the league and will surely have great success in the postseason. Several basketball fans believe that the Heat & the Knicks are going to square off in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In reference to the Western Conference teams, Burwell stated, “I think the West is between the Thunder and the Spurs. Spurs have a good chance but it could go either way.”

Other teams that look to make some noise this postseason are the Brooklyn Nets, the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets. These three teams in particular have seen changes in their player personnel over the last year and to this point, it has paid off. After leaving the Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson for the Nets has won several games this season with his clutch performances late in games. James Harden emerged as a superstar in the NBA for the Rockets after he decided not to re-sign with the Thunder. Following the trade from the Sixers, Andre Igouldala has been a solid all-around contributor for the Nuggets.

When asked about the Western Conference, Randle stated, “I can see the Nuggets going somewhere. Every night someone else can step up. But it’s all about the L.A. Clippers & Memphis Grizzles match up.”

When it comes down to it, every prediction will be put to rest on April 20^th as the NBA Playoffs begins. Who will steal the show? Who will rule the storylines? Who will rise to the occasion?