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NBA Playoffs in Peril
17 Plays1 year ago
Eli examines the dynamics surrounding the upcoming 2020 NBA Playoffs.
July 11, 2020
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to NBA Playoffs in Orlando
00:00:00
Speaker
Hello, welcome to the second episode of Eli's Studio Sports. Today, we will be discussing the m NBA playoffs in Orlando. So
Overview of Participating NBA Teams
00:00:10
Speaker
that's going to be fun. Of course, we know the 22 teams that are going to Orlando. And if you don't, I'll let you know who they are right now. In the Eastern Conference, we have the Bucks, the Raptors, the Celtics, the Heat, the Pacers, the 76ers, the Nets, the Magic and the Wizards.
00:00:30
Speaker
In the Western Conference, they have way more teams. They have four more teams than in the East, which isn't really a surprise because the West has had better teams in the past couple of years.
Predictions for Lakers vs Pelicans Series
00:00:42
Speaker
But we start off with the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Trailblazers, Pelicans, the the sons, the Spurs and the Kings. Well, first let's talk about, about the Western Conference. Well, I want to talk about the first round of the playoffs in the Western Conference. Okay. So the one seed I think will be the Lakers against the eight seeded Pelicans. No, right now the Grizzlies are in eighth, but I think, I believe the Pelicans with that sign on,
00:01:27
Speaker
Ingram ball holiday lineup. I think they'll be able to take that eight seed away from a Memphis. And I think the Lakers win the series in six games. Now, a lot of you might be thinking that that's a lot of games. Now, I agree. I always I thought it might be a five game series. But when I thought about it more, that pelicans team has more depth than a lot of people think.
00:01:54
Speaker
Okay. So sometimes it feels like that team is just horrible. Okay. no Nobody on that team is great, but that's not true. They have a lot of solid players. So that is what they have. And as soon as they get one or two more draft picks, they might be the best team in the West. Um, but the Lakers win because of size.
00:02:20
Speaker
um They have Anthony Avis, Dwight Howard, Lebron James, JaVale McKee. They have too many tall players, and Pelkins won't be able to handle that. Their starting center is Derek Favors. They need more at the center position, and a lot of people thought that Jackson Hayes would be their guy, but he disappointed a lot. Now, the Pelkins do bring their young trio of Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Monzo Ball. Drew Holliday also scored a solid amount of points, but the LeBron and A.D. duo is too much for that Pelicans team. The next game is the two-seated Clippers playing the seven-seated Rockets.
Clippers vs Rockets Series Analysis
00:03:06
Speaker
I think the Rockets will move down because I think the Mavericks, when Porzingis and Luca play together, I believe that they are the best team in the West.
00:03:17
Speaker
Um, but anyways, the Clippers are going to sweep them. Again, they have a better team. In my opinion, they have the best roster in the NBA currently. Um, again, they have a lot of solid players and that's really going to help usually. So I really don't think the Rockets stand a chance when, when they started playing small ball, their record.
00:03:46
Speaker
got better, but then they started getting a huge losing streak. And the Clippers aren't exactly a tall team. They're starting center Ivica Zubac. They also have Montrese Harrell in that position. But that team is solid. Again, the Rockets need to get rid of James Harden. When I say it, people are going to get mad at me, but he's overrated. That's all I'm going to say. I mean,
00:04:15
Speaker
He can't pass, he can't shoot. Okay, here's a funny stat, okay? James Harden has shot the most three pointers in the NBA this season so far. He's made the most three pointers so far. He's also missed the most. Anyways, the next one is the three-seated Jazz and the six-seated Mavericks.
Jazz vs Mavericks: A Seven-Game Battle
00:04:37
Speaker
So we have a lot of, we do have a lot of Standing changes so far in the West so that's actually kind of fun to have but anyways The series goes to seven games, but the Jazz are able to win They win because of their nice starting lineup having calmly Mitchell go bare Ingalls Clarkson sometimes is there That's hard to compete with I don't blame the Mavericks and again, that's the reason why
00:05:12
Speaker
why the Mavericks took them to seven games. It's because of that Luca-Porzingis combo, plus the Mavericks have a lot of depth. Anyways, the next series is Nuggets versus Thunder.
Thunder vs Opponent: A Tight Series
00:05:26
Speaker
Well, the Thunder win three to four seven games. Wow. And they only win because of one component. Skills. I mean, come on.
00:05:40
Speaker
Nikolei Okich, the best passing center in the league. Jamal Murray, one of the best point guards, top 10. Paul Millsap, a solid player. You can't lose with that team. There's a one thing. Their defense is solid, but they're not as fast as the other teams. And the Thunder are. They have Shayt Joseph Alexander, Dennis Schroeder, Chris Paul, Danila Gollinari, Steven Adams. Come on, that team is nasty.
00:06:07
Speaker
Alright, I don't care what anyone's gonna say, that team is nasty! um But, you know, that's really the only thing. um Now, the way the Nuggets played was very well. They have a solid style, but That's not the way the and NBA is right now. And that's the only reason why they've been able to compete because that style has been able to help. They have a slower team, but you know, see what happens. All right. Now we're going to go to the Eastern conference.
Bucks vs Magic: Expected Sweep
00:06:50
Speaker
Some people that's fun, but it's nothing compared to the West teams.
00:06:55
Speaker
Anyways, the one-seated Bucks versus the eight-seated Magic? 4-0 sweep, as expected. Nobody expected the Magic to win that series. Sad for the Magic, but not for really anybody else because right now, the Magic aren't very popular.
00:07:15
Speaker
Obviously, we all know why the Bucks won, and it's because of that Giannis, Eric Bledsoe, Chris Middleton trio, and then Burke Lopez, Dante Di Vicenzo, and more on that lineup. I mean, it's hard to compete. Again, like I said, that is a solid lineup. And the only reason why a magic would sort of have a chance, it's like a 0.1% chance. I'm not hating on the magic, but there only reliable player right now is Nikola Vucevich. I mean, they have a solid a team, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, but they've had more opportunities. They've had Dymonta Sabonis and Victorola Deepone said they traded him for Sergey Baga, who only played on one season for the Magic. So if they can draft smart and don't trade their young players quickly,
00:08:12
Speaker
they're in a good position because they're just impatient with their young players. The next series is two-seated Celtics versus seven-seated net bucks, or net, sorry.
Celtics vs Nets: Injury Impacted Series
00:08:24
Speaker
Well, a lot of you might be thinking, hey, why aren't the Raptors there? Well, one thing, the Raptors have had one of the hardest schedules coming back to Orlando, and the Celtics one of the easiest.
00:08:39
Speaker
If the Celtics went 6-2 and beat the Raptors, and the Raptors went 3-5, the Celtics would get the 2 seed, and I think that'll happen. So, but that's the only reason why I put the Celtics there at 2 seed. Anyways, the Celtics have another 4-0 sweep, they win it, and it's because of their solid starters, and have way more experience, and of course, Katie was out for the season. Again,
00:09:09
Speaker
They're again, the next lineup is amazing and technically Kyrie won't be playing because of injuries and he didn't really like the Orlando plan. Look. Okay. They have Spencer Dinwiddie, Karis Laverge, Joe Harris, Jared Allen, DeAndre Jordan, who actually won't be able to play because of COVID-19.
00:09:35
Speaker
And I think they might be able to get Davis Berton on that lineup. So that's solid. But playing against Kemba Walker, Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Daniel Tice and S. Cantor. You know, if I do say so myself, that's pretty tough to beat.
Raptors vs Pacers: Oladipo's Uncertainty
00:09:57
Speaker
Anyways, so the three seed Raptors beat the six seeded Pacers in a six game series.
00:10:05
Speaker
So the Pacers fought, okay, the Pacers fought, the Pacers fought. But again, a lot of things have happened on the Pacers community. Also, um, I don't know, maybe Victor Oladipo opted out of the season and it wasn't even because of COVID-19. Might be the only one, not because of COVID-19. And he's concerned about his injuries.
00:10:33
Speaker
Well, he doesn't really want to get injured again, and I respect that. The Pacers replied. It's a very nice reply, actually. Most teams would get mad at what he said, but I like how the Pacers think. They don't want to get in a bad relationship with Oladipo. Might have actually got him in a good relationship with their comments and look more on that. So yeah, but next season when they have Victor Oladipo, as long as they don't trade him,
00:11:02
Speaker
and he's there for the whole season with Tomanta Sabonis, Miles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and more. I'd say it's solid, yo. It's very solid. Anyways, in the last Eastern Conference first round game is, drum roll please,
00:11:24
Speaker
four-seated heat versus five-seated 76ers.
Heat vs 76ers: Impact of Embiid's Participation
00:11:28
Speaker
Well, I mean, It's not what you always want in a four seed versus five seed, but hey, it's still fun. Anyways, I think the Heat win the series in five games. When I say it's very fun, sometimes I don't mean it. That was one of those times. I mean, come on. The only reason why the Sixers don't put up a great fight is because Embiid might not play. The only reason why the Clippers are only a two seed is because Kawhi might not play.
00:12:01
Speaker
Again, so Joel Embiid, solid player, love him. Well, kind of, but he's a solid all-star. He's usually a starter. He's young, so they're trying to save him, but he wasn't really a fan of this. He doesn't want to risk his health, his family's health, and I respect that as well. Also, the Heat, their only guy with a lot of actual experience is Jimmy Butler, and he doesn't have a ton. and He has some.
00:12:32
Speaker
Then the other guys are really young like Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Hero. And the only other guy that sort of has experience is Goron Dragic. And again, don't get me wrong. Dragic is a great player. He just doesn't have that much experience. Anyways, now we're moving on to the semis.
Semifinals: Lakers vs Thunder
00:12:54
Speaker
That's fun. Okay, so we have the one-seated Lakers versus the five-seated Thunder.
00:13:00
Speaker
OK, well, it's a five game series. Again, the Lakers win because of their size and because they knew what was coming because everyone knows what's coming with the Thunder and its pure skill.
00:13:13
Speaker
um
00:13:17
Speaker
So, yeah, that's all they need to know. Everyone knows what Billy Donovan likes and the Lakers did as well. And that's the only reason why they were able to do it in Quake games. Now, everyone knows that Lakers like size. We all do. But a real question should be. Wait, one second. Pause, pause, pause. Is Anthony Davis and LeBron, are they going to be at their best? And that's the only question. That's the only reason. It's the only questions.
00:13:59
Speaker
I'm going to say this a lot of times. It's the only question for the Lakers. Are Lebron and AD going to be at their best? Cause some of these guys haven't touched a basketball in three months. So it's the only reason. Anyways, two-seated Clippers play against the three-seated Jazz.
Clippers vs Jazz: Kawhi's Return
00:14:21
Speaker
Well, I actually,
00:14:23
Speaker
I'm going to say this is actually only a five game series. Why? Because I assume that Kawhi will return. But if he doesn't, I believe we'll go to seven games. The Clippers will win if Kawhi returns. Look, Kawhi is the best and NBA player right now. And Paul George is more than capable of carrying this team. Plus they have more on it.
00:14:49
Speaker
Jazz, on the other hand, the only reason why this didn't go to six or seven games is because Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell's friendship is falling apart. It used to be super close, but when Donovan Mitchell thought that Rudy Gobert gave him COVID-19, it fell apart. So that's really the only reason, but again,
00:15:15
Speaker
The Clippers are amazing. I mean, they have the best defensive point guard in Patrick Beverly. Um, oh, oh, I forgot who's small forward. Um, Kawhi Leonard, then Paul George. Uh, no big deal. Montrez Harold. That's actually a pretty big deal. And then Evika Zubak, who's pretty underrated. So that's a solid team right there. Hmm.
00:15:45
Speaker
Anyways, next we have the one-seated bucks and the four-seated heat.
Heat vs Bucks: Regular Season Reflection
00:15:52
Speaker
Surprise, surprise, but the heat win it in six games. Why? That's a solid question. Solid question. Well, the only reason is because the heat are better. Okay. You can see it in the regular season games that happened in March, February, January during the regular season.
00:16:16
Speaker
The Bucks couldn't win, okay? Jimmy Butler and Kendrick Nunn were dominating. Bam Adebayo was smacking it. He was smacking it and forcing Giannis to pass. And that's the only reason why the Bucks didn't score 150 points like they always do. And maybe not 150, but they score over a hundred consistently. And with that Giannis,
00:16:45
Speaker
is going to have to pass the ball to non shooters because they're covering Middleton, bloodso and Lopez. And that's what the heat need to do. So again, that's what you have to do. That's what they will do. Um, now we have the two seated Celtics and the three seated Raptors.
Celtics vs Raptors: Defensive Battle
00:17:10
Speaker
Well, the Celtics win it in four.
00:17:14
Speaker
I'm just joking. They don't want it in and four. They win it in six. Well, it's because the Celtics are offensive and defensive and they're very efficient on both ends and are not letting Kyle Lowry score a lot. We saw it on Christmas day. We saw it the other times they played and the only reason how I can see the Raptors beating the Celtics is Pascal Siakam dominating, which is actually like a 50% chance of that happening. So I actually could see a 50-50 chance, but I still think the Celtics are the second best team in the East and have the biggest chance at winning the East because of, again, their offensive and defensive efficiency. The only thing they haven't done well in the past couple of years
00:18:10
Speaker
is draft, and that's sometimes, sometimes they're amazing, like drafting Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum, that's amazing. Anyways, now we go to the conference finals.
Clippers vs Lakers: Strategic Matchup
00:18:23
Speaker
Dun dun dun!
00:18:27
Speaker
Anyways, in the one seed versus two seed, Lakers versus Clippers, Battle of LA,
00:18:37
Speaker
The Clippers win it in six games. Why? Well, because, again, we all know what the Lakers are going to bring and, again, it is size. The Clippers can force out of it. They are going to have to force the Lakers to put in different players like J.R. Smith, who got signed by with the Lakers, by the way, and that's going to be easier to get by, especially if Kawhi or Paul George has the ball. And if they don't, they still have solid guys. Don't forget they signed Reggie Jackson. Although the only move that they wasn't smart that they made was release Isaiah Thomas. He would have got, he is really fast and he was going to be able to get by the taller guys. And the only reason why that wasn't a bad mood,
00:19:34
Speaker
is because, because he's going to get blocked easily. And again, that's a solid reason, but in the NBA, I'm going to say this almost every episode there's, we're going to talk about the NBA size doesn't matter. Okay. Size does not matter. Anyways, we're going to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Conference Finals: Celtics vs Heat
00:20:01
Speaker
It's the two-seated Boston Celtics versus the four-seated Heat. This one goes into seven, but the Celtics do win. Again, it's because of their offensive and defensive efficiency. Bam Adebayo is able to track Kemba Walker in this series, but I believe that Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba together is too much, plus Kemba knows how to pass the ball. Now, he might be down in the assist board,
00:20:30
Speaker
But that's because he passes it and then they can't make the shot. So if Tatum can get by so most of the players most of the time, it's going to work. Now, if you can't do that, it's a whole different story. OK, that's a whole different story. The only reason why I see the heat winning is because they're have more talent. As much as it hurts me to say it, they have much more talent than Boston.
00:21:00
Speaker
The only reason why they lose here is because they don't have much much experience. And again, in Orlando, there's not going to be any fans. When you make a shot, usually pump the crowd up, pump the crowd up, hey, hey. This time it's going to be like, wait, what happened? I just made a crazy three. Nobody said anything. So again, it's going to be different in Orlando. I want to see what but I'm just clapping up like I want to play and I'm like wait what happened to the fans?
NBA Finals: Clippers vs Celtics
00:21:33
Speaker
But anyways in the NBA Finals we got the Clippers and the Celtics I mean this might actually happen in real life. This is a high ability to two seeds That would be fun. The Clippers would win it in six Why because they have more talent they're the town cities team in the and NBA now I
00:21:56
Speaker
The only reason again, another only reason why the Celtics would win is because they're going to have more momentum. They're going to be going off of a win against a team that beat the one seed, although the Clippers just beat the one seed. So they technically have more momentum now that you think about it. So again, the only reason they would win because of the power forward matchup, Jason Tatum versus I don't know single power forward on the Clippers that could compete at being better against Jason Tatum. The point guard battle, Kemba's better than Patrick Beverly. It's just that Patrick Beverly is better at defense than Kemba. Shooting guard, I guess you could say Marcus Smart or Gordon. i Actually, I guess Gordon and Hayward can play shooting guard. That's one that the Celtics win. Small forward, Kawhi Leonard.
00:22:54
Speaker
Of course, actually, Paul George could play shooting guard, so Clippers win that battle. Power forward, the Celtics win, and at center, the Clippers win. Well, that's gonna be it for this episode. Thank you so much for listening to Eli's Studio Sports.