NBA Playoffs

Playoff Quick Thoughts

by

So far, the Conference Finals have had some rousing moments but, ultimately, we have two 3-0 series.  Let’s quickly run through a few issues that have come up that interest me: The Doncic Shot Over Gobert:  LukaDoncic’s step back three to win Game 2 was an incredible shot.  The isolation play was set up by a pick play that forced big Rudy Gobert to have to guard Luka 40 feet from the hoop in open space.  A review of the tape shows that Gobert did a relatively good job of … [Read more...] about Playoff Quick Thoughts

LeBron, the Lakers and Playoff Sweeps Examined

by

The Lakers are on the verge of being swept by the Nuggets for the second year in a row.  Last year, there was talk that, despite the sweep, that the Lakers were competitive and in every game.  For what it’s worth, this year, the Lakers have blown several big leads and are arguably just as competitive.  That got me wondering whether the 2022-23 Lakers were truly the “closest” sweep ever.  There are a lot of ways to quantify the competitiveness of a swept team but I thought we … [Read more...] about LeBron, the Lakers and Playoff Sweeps Examined

NBA Playoffs Preview 2022-23

by

Predictions were much easier to make when the Spurs, LeBron Miami, and then the peak Warriors ruled the roost.  On the other hand, I love the wide-open Western Conference where four teams have very plausible cases to win the and a fifth (the Lakers) sort of as well.  In the East, the 76ers and Celtics will have a war for the honor of playing Milwaukee.  Before we get to that, here are the First Round predictions: Eastern Conference 1. Bucks v. Heat:  There is a … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs Preview 2022-23

Should We Tweak the Play-In?

by

Is the play-in game bad for the NBA?  Not too many people have directly said that it is.  In fact, Draymond Green called the concept “lit.”  The result of the Western Conference play-in, however, reveals a potential issue.  The 36-46 Pelicans made the playoffs over the 42-40 Clippers, when New Orleans was helped a bit by the Clipps losing Paul George to a particularly poorly timed case of COVID.  Injuries/COVID are facts that all teams have to deal with at all … [Read more...] about Should We Tweak the Play-In?

Game 7 Preview: Nets/Bucks

by

Is it possible that the most anticipated game of this playoff season will be played in the Second Round?  It’s not a foregone conclusion but there is a good chance that tonight’s Bucks/Nets Game 7 will be the NBA champ.  This Game 7 will be, perhaps, the most consequential game of the playoffs.  At the moment, the Nets are pegged as very slight favorites by the odds makers.   Let’s run through this game FAQ style to see if we agree… Has this actually been a good … [Read more...] about Game 7 Preview: Nets/Bucks

Playoff Quick Thoughts (East Edition)

by

We missed a formal playoff preview this year so, instead, let’s jump into some quick thoughts for each playoff series and do our usual feature about the last time each team met in the playoffs.  Today, we will do the East today and the West shortly after…. -76ers v. Wizards:  As anticipated, the 76ers handled the Wiz relatively easily at home (Game 1 was competitive but Game 2 was decidedly not).  The 76ers stars have been dominant and Tobias Harris’ great start bodes well for … [Read more...] about Playoff Quick Thoughts (East Edition)

©2025 Hoops Analyst // Website by Webstuff