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2023 NBA Playoffs: Experience Prevails
13 Plays1 year ago
In Episode 5, Dawson and Mario recap the first round of the 2023 NBA playoff matchups by discussing their biggest surprises from each series, which players had the best performances, and how certain teams continued to display their dominance.
Did experience prevail over youth in Round 1? Which teams are bound to make a Finals push down the stretch?
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Transcript
Return & Apology
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome back everyone to the fifth episode of Going For Two with me, Dawson Danner, and my counterpart to Mario Edwards. Sorry it's been a while to all you guys out there. Me and Mario have just been very busy lately, and Mario can agree to that. Yeah, it's good to be back, guys. Sorry it's been a while. Dawson has been taken up.
00:00:30
Speaker
just got a new job with the JV baseball team for school in Boise. And I've just been super busy with school this last two months just starting off the year. So we apologize for that, but we're hoping that we can come back with some more episodes here in the future. We're going to try and shoot for about an episode every two weeks or so. So yeah, we got a lot to look forward to and a lot to catch up on. Yeah, totally.
NBA Playoff Recap: Western Conference
00:00:54
Speaker
So with being gone two months, obviously football
00:00:59
Speaker
The NFL season is in the rear view mirror, but NBA is right in the thick of things in the playoff race or the playoff picture. So, um, today we're pretty much just going to focus on, we're going to give a little recap on each, um, each, uh, round of, uh, series between all the Western conference, uh, teams as well as the Eastern conference teams.
00:01:25
Speaker
as well as give a preview of the who's remaining and who advanced onto the semi-finals. So just to get things going right away, for the first series we're gonna talk about is the Denver Nuggets, the one seed out of the West who faced the eight seed Minnesota Timberwolves. And the Nuggets ended up winning that series four to one. And I mean, Mario,
00:01:53
Speaker
That series was, I thought it was going to be a sweep. Like Minnesota definitely grabbed one there. Like very, it was very surprising to me. I mean, what were your thoughts on that series?
00:02:04
Speaker
Yeah, that was definitely pretty much just a full on domination by the Nuggets, even though the Wolves kind of got that last game. I think it was a game they got game for. Yeah, that was a fun one to watch. Just, man, Jokic is just incredible. I mean, he is pretty unstoppable when it comes down to that center.
00:02:27
Speaker
Besides him, I think him in Embiid or two, just juggernauts in the NBA. And he's really something to reckon with. And then when Jamal Murray's back off the injury playing like he's playing, the Nuggets are scary. They are very scary. And I think they're one of those teams in the entire NBA that are kind of overlooked in a sense. Because you have the back-to-back MVP who could potentially get his third one in Nikola Jokic and then
00:02:53
Speaker
last couple years when the Nuggets have been in the playoffs, I mean, Jamal Murray has been out. And I think that guy has proven once again that obviously he had that great playoff run when it was in the bubble during COVID. And then people kind of thought it was a fluke. Like, oh, Jamal Murray is just doing this because it's out of the ordinary. Like, it's they're playing in a bubble. That's not real, real basketball. But I mean, he proved in that first series against Minnesota that
00:03:22
Speaker
He is one to be reckoned with as well as in addition to Nicole Okich. But let's switch over to the Timberwolves though. I think they made a huge trade this past off season to acquire Rudy Gobert. And I don't have the info on me on hand, but they gave up a haul for a center who is pretty average in my opinion.
00:03:51
Speaker
And I think that he's just, he was not deserving of that big contract and I think the Timberwolves gave up too much. What do you think?
00:04:01
Speaker
No, they definitely gave up too much. I mean, it was a stretch. Like you said, they kind of gave up a lot. You know, it's kind of a stretch just because, I mean, Rudy, Rudy Gobert, you know, he's been defensive player of the year. You know, obviously he's a beast with his, with his blocking, his rebounding, but the guy has no offense. And when you give up that much for someone that's supposed to, you know, make an impact, I mean, the wolves, I don't really think got any better with him, to be honest. I mean,
00:04:26
Speaker
just look at the way, I mean, if he's that good at defense, why can he guard the joker? I mean, that didn't even make a difference. And then to top it all off, he's kind of a frickin' nutcase, I mean, punching his teammate in the face right before the series. I mean, that's just like, come on now, you know? No, I totally agree. And I know you mentioned that he doesn't really have anything in his offensive game.
00:04:54
Speaker
Someone who did kind of show out and has proven the last couple years ever since he got into the league and was drafted first overall is Anthony Edwards. I mean, I think that guy is definitely one of those rising stars in the league that we're going to be talking about for years to come. And it's a tough situation for him because I think they made that Rudy go bear move to help him out. But I think that what the NBA has come to is you need scores, just kind of like you said.
00:05:25
Speaker
Um, but Carl Anthony towns didn't really help him out that series. He kind of got locked up by Nicole. Uh, but yeah, I mean, like we both said, I think we can agree that the nuggets, uh, in pure domination style, just own that series and which they should have. I mean, the Timberwolves are a pretty weak team. So yeah, that gets us into the, uh, next series, um, from the first round, uh, the
00:05:53
Speaker
four or five matchup. It was the four seed Phoenix Suns versus the five seed LA Clippers. And this one was an interesting one, Mario, because the Clippers took game one on the road and without Paul George. Kawhi had his typical, you know, 35 point game that just makes every fan in America go, damn, that guy when he's healthy is a top player in the world.
00:06:23
Speaker
Then, you know, the Clippers, like their true selves, just slid off and Kawhi got hurt. So they were out without Kawhi and Paul George for a majority of that series, and they ended up losing four to one. So that brings me to this question for you, Mario. I mean, Kawhi and Paul George, I forget the year the Clippers made those big moves to acquire those two, but I feel like when those trades were made,
00:06:53
Speaker
It made every fan go, damn, the Clippers, they're going to be a tough team to beat, but they have no rings to show for it. So, I mean, what are your thoughts on Pg 13, those moves by the Clippers? Was that the right move? Cause they're always hurt. I mean, that's something that's hard to predict. I mean, both guys that have been amazing throughout the career has been great basketball players coming up on, you know, getting a little older, a little more injury prone.
00:07:20
Speaker
I mean, we kind of knew that both of them were NG-prone already, and now that they're kind of getting into their older years, it's tough.
00:07:28
Speaker
You know, you hate to see it for the Clippers fans, you know, when you guys, you know, you make it to the playoffs, you have a great season and then, you know, neither of your superstars play. That's, that's heartbreaking. Um, no matter what team you are, but especially for these guys, I think while there's so much just talk around the whole thing is because it seems like it's every year, especially for the Clippers with them. It's been the same thing. It's been either one of them's out Kawhi's out or PG's out or both out. And then they have nothing to show for them. They can't do anything. I mean, you got Russell Westbrook playing his heart out.
00:07:57
Speaker
and make, you know, given a good effort. But, you know, Russell Westbrook is not going to win that series. And it's just it's just disappointing to see those players out and injured. But, you know, you got to get credit to the Suns and they move on. So what do you think? Yeah, I mean, all jokes aside about how they're I mean, those guys are always injured. I think although the Clippers were without their dynamic duo, the Suns are now in a spot to
00:08:27
Speaker
pretty much, I honestly think they're the best team remaining in the West when you have the deadliest duo remaining, in my opinion, in Devin Booker and the newly acquired Kevin Durant, which, who also, you know, he has his moments where he gets injured. But I mean, if that guy stays healthy throughout this postseason, I think that is going to be the toughest duo to stop. Yeah.
00:08:55
Speaker
Going off of what we talked about, the Nuggets series, that's who they're facing right now. And they're currently down 1-0 in the series, but they have a big opportunity tonight to tie that baby up and win one in Denver. So speaking of that game, I mean, I think it's tipping off here in 30 minutes. You think that is a must win for the Phoenix Suns?
00:09:18
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I want to say it's a must win. They got to come out and they got to show some energy. I don't think it was even a very close game. I don't have the exact stats on the final score of the last of game one. But from what I remember, it wasn't super close. And I think they need to at least show some fight here, especially when they have all the experience. They got book, they got KDs, scene rings, they got CP3.
00:09:43
Speaker
Um, this team's experience, you know, so I, I really think they're going to come out strong. Um, I'm still taking Denver in this game. I think Denver is just a silent juggernaut right now. No one's really talking about them, but in my opinion, I think Denver is the most dangerous team in the West right now. And I think, uh, I think they're going to show it tonight. Nice.
00:10:02
Speaker
I do not blame you for thinking that. Denver is tough to beat right now. But you mentioned CP3, the experience on the Phoenix Suns roster.
NBA Playoff Recap: Eastern Conference
00:10:15
Speaker
Obviously, CP3 has had a long, very productive career. He's probably going to go down as a top five point guard of all time. But what a lot of other people might say is,
00:10:26
Speaker
What will hold him back from crack in the top five is he has no rings to show for it. So, and I think you and I can both agree. He's been on some teams that have been loaded with talent. And now with the sons acquiring covenant rant, I know they lost some key role players and Michael bridges and Cam Johnson to get Katie. But I think now with Katie, do you think that this year, if CP three doesn't win a ring, I mean, is.
00:10:54
Speaker
are people looking at him differently? Like how, how can you not win one with the team strength, like with the surrounding pieces that you have this year? Yeah. I mean, when you have a super, I mean, I would consider it a super team, you know, you got Katie, you got book, you got two of the some, two of the best scorers in the league. Um, and then, you know, for CP three, not having a ring for so long. It's, it's tough, man. I mean, it's hard to win in an NBA championship. You know, I, you know, I don't think it will change his legacy about being a top five point guard of all time. That's undeniable no matter what.
00:11:23
Speaker
Um, I definitely think it's icing on the cake and you know, I think that's going to be something that he will always, always really, you know, want really badly. And I think that's going to be on top of his bucket list. Obviously he's done pretty much everything he can, but, um, you know, it just seems like every time he gets in the playoffs, he's, you know, he's CP three, but he's not, you know, he's just not that deciding factor of just putting your team over the edge. I don't know. I just don't see him putting this team, bringing him, you know, to the, to the, to the finals this year. I don't, I don't think that's going to be changing.
00:11:54
Speaker
I see that I can see where you're coming from there. So our pick though, for this series, uh, for me, I know that we talked about tonight's game, who we think is going to win and all that. But for me, it's as simple as if the sons win game two in Denver. I think they win the series, but if Denver, uh, wins tonight, I think it's going to be, it could be as quick as five games in my opinion. That's how important tonight's game is.
00:12:23
Speaker
And I think that it's pretty much a must win for the Phoenix Suns. What do you think? Yeah, I agree. Yeah, I mean, I agree. I'm gonna have to go. I think it's gonna be, you know, I think the Suns are gonna come back. They're gonna make a run. I don't know if it's gonna be very close. You know, I got
00:12:43
Speaker
I got the nuggets and six here for two. I think, uh, you know, jokers just get the jokers. There's going to be too much. And I don't think the sons are going to be able to handle that, but, uh, kind of moving on here. Um, we got the next matchup we're going to talk about. We got the LA Lakers versus the Memphis Grizzlies. Um, surprisingly the Lakers pull the series out for two. Um, we got no John Moran for games two and three. Dawson, what do you thoughts? Yeah. I mean, God, I, I think that the,
00:13:12
Speaker
Lakers that was a perfect matchup for them to get in the first round a great draw for them in terms of you know that like we talked about with the experience that is very Like prominent in the playoffs this year I think that the Lakers having the experience with obviously I mean LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the newly newly acquired surrounding pieces that they acquired for
00:13:42
Speaker
this past trade deadline, I think really helped them elevate their game and were able to squeak out a series win against the very young, still on the rise Grizzlies who I think have a lot to learn still. I think John Moran, I mean, don't get me wrong, man, that guy is one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA, but I think he's got a lot to improve on.
00:14:11
Speaker
For one, his outside shooting is pretty subpar for a guy who wants to be considered a top player. Other than that, I can name a couple, just off the top of my head, players that he's got supporting him. Desmond Bain, Dylan Brooks, but are those guys really the pieces that
00:14:36
Speaker
you need to win a championship, right? I mean, what do you think about that? Yeah, I don't think those are necessarily the pieces they're going to win you a championship. I mean, like you said, they're still a young team, but you know, you kind of got to scratch your head and think, what was Dylan Brooks thinking? I mean, I understand you're going to come out and make some statements, but if you're going to come out and make some statements and then just absolutely lay an egg, I just don't see the point in that. I mean, you're obviously already on your heels.
00:15:00
Speaker
and they're going to come out and, you know, start talking about, you know, arguably the greatest of all time. That's just not a smart move on his part. That's what I mean. That's what I thought about that. But, you know, I definitely think the series would have gone a whole different way, you know, considering Ja was out games two and three. And I mean, the Grizzlies are still missing some key pieces. They're using, you know, I think they're missing Steven Adams. And then I believe Jordan Clark.
00:15:23
Speaker
Um, you know, out with the Achilles injury, I believe I'm not a hundred percent sure on the exact status of the injury, but I'm pretty sure he was, you know, those are two huge pieces. I think it's, it makes it a way different series. Um, and then, you know, credit to the Lakers, man. I mean, they're hot. They're, I think they were, they were one of the better teams the second half of the season. Um, they've obviously got experience and, uh, they're on a roll right now, but, uh, that kind of leads me into my next thing here is what do you think of Anthony Davis, man, with that last series? What are your thoughts on him?
00:15:51
Speaker
Yeah, you know, Anthony Davis is one of those players that is super head-scrouching to me, where in terms of, I think that when that guy is healthy and 100%, I mean, nothing holding him back, not even like a nagging injury that he's able to play through, but when he is 100% healthy, that guy is one of the top players in the league. I'd say he can crack the top 10, in my opinion, just in terms of his, you know, his defensive,
00:16:21
Speaker
presence just around the rim rebounding. I mean, I think that guy was pretty much how to double double every single game of that series. I mean, and as well as we know when it's just another option for the Lakers when LeBron is not feeling it, you know, yeah, let Anthony Davis go to work down on the post. And that's what they did. In my opinion against the Grizzlies, they they utilized their their size and their experience to the to the fullest in
00:16:51
Speaker
and pretty much just dominating that series. Even though the final scores were close, I think that after game one, I just knew in my heart that the Lakers were going to pull it out.
00:17:07
Speaker
So that brings us into the next series though, which for everyone out there that doesn't know, I am a pretty, pretty diehard Golden State Warriors fan, even though Mario thinks I'm a bandwagon. They faced off against Mario's Sacramento Kings and the Warriors were the six seed and the Kings were the three seed. And Jesus Christ, man, that was a hell of a series.
00:17:35
Speaker
I think that was the best series in round one this year. And I think that was one of the best series that we've had in a long time. So obviously, the Warriors pulled it out yesterday with a win on the road in game seven and took the series four to three. But Mario, I'd like to hear your thoughts on that entire series. Obviously, Steph Curry, he did his thing.
00:18:04
Speaker
dropped a 50 bomb in game seven just showing the world once again that he is one of the greatest shooter on the planet and has got to be considered a top player in NBA history. But what else do you think played a role in the Kings like collapse in that game seven because
00:18:25
Speaker
I mean, it was close all the way and then the Warriors ended up winning by 20. So what are your thoughts? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, Steph's going to Steph no matter what. I mean, that, that man's unbelievable. Got to give him credit. Um, but you know, for me as a Kings fan, um, what I, what I saw and I think everyone could have saw all series was Kavon loony man just dominated us. I mean,
00:18:47
Speaker
It seemed, I mean, that last game seven, you know, we, that first half was close, the rebounding was close, and then they come out in the second half. And it seems like that guy's getting every single board multiple times in a possession. You know, he's coming out with four, three, four rebounds, a possession given stuff, you know, second chance shots, clay, second chance shots. And, you know, when you give those guys more than one opportunity to shoot, they're just going to,
00:19:11
Speaker
They're going to knock him down. So that I think was a huge part in the series for us was, you know, he pretty much took some bonus, you know, our, one of our key pieces out of the series. Um, and then like I said, he just dominated us on the boards all season. And I mean, it was hard to see, but, uh, like you said, it was a great, great battle, great series, um, fun one to watch and, uh, you know, hopefully it'll be good for the Kings to get that experience and, uh, learn from it and move on. Yeah. No, I.
00:19:39
Speaker
I was definitely stressing once we went down 2-0, just because the pattern of the regular season this year was the Warriors were the worst road team in the NBA. And the fan in me believed that once the playoffs came, I think they would turn the switch and be able to win a couple of very tough games on the road, which they did. I mean, they won game five. And when they lost game six at home,
00:20:09
Speaker
when they were able to clinch it, I thought we were about four, in all honesty. But like you said, dude, I mean, Kavon Looney, there's a guy that I think gets very overlooked just because the, you know, the core that the Warriors have had who have won four titles with Draymond, Clay, and stuff, that's who teams focus on. And I think a guy like Kavon Looney is a great surrounding piece just to get rebounds, play defense,
00:20:39
Speaker
screen for Steph and Clay to get open and hit down those threes. And I think that's exactly what he did. But although I'm happy, the Warriors definitely have moved on. The fan in me also, I just told myself that if we were to lose to a team, I would have been cool with losing to D.R. and Fox, man.
00:21:06
Speaker
Talk about a guy who has just elevated his game, just so crazy. And I mean, you, man, I mean, just being a Kings fan for your whole life, is it just like so refreshing to now know that like we have a franchise player who maybe, I mean, who knows, man, someday, like in a couple of years, maybe this off season, maybe a superstar goes and joins him in Sacramento. You never know.
00:21:34
Speaker
So what are your thoughts on Darren Fox and how he's just become a, probably the top rising star in the NBA?
00:21:41
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I, you know, as a Kings fan, I've been able to watch his development over the last couple of years. And, you know, I knew he was special. I think all it took was just a little bit of extra, you know, pieces around him, you know, getting some bonus this year. And then you talk about Keegan Murray, you got a shooter around him. And then he got some veterans, you know, I think that was really the big factor is he didn't have to be the only guy on the team to be able to make these moves. And I think
00:22:06
Speaker
Um, you know, he's special, man. He's quick. He really improved his shooting this year. And you can kind of see throughout the playoffs that he was, uh, paddling with Steph, man. I mean, he was, you know, that guy was putting up 30 bombs and just making an impact on the floor with a fractured finger. So I thought that was, um, you know, it was pretty crazy to see and watch. And, you know, as King's fan, I'm, I'm, I'm bummed, um, the way it went down, but, uh, I'm really happy to see this guy rising to the top and, um, really excited to see what he can do in the future.
00:22:35
Speaker
Yeah, totally, man. And so, I mean, with the Warriors coming out in that series and the Lakers top in the Grizzlies, that sets us up for another pretty interesting and intriguing matchup for the Lakers versus Warriors. And it's once again, you know, LeBron versus Steph and that this time in
00:23:03
Speaker
not in the finals, which is interesting, but, um, what are your thoughts in terms of, uh, do you think the warriors, you know, that, I mean, obviously they have four rings, um, with that nucleus, that core, a big three that they have. Do you think the warriors, uh, have enough left in the tank to possibly, you know, make a push for their fifth title?
00:23:25
Speaker
You know, I think that's going to be hard to say. I think the Warriors definitely just kind of run through the Lakers to say, I think the Lakers are flukes. I don't think they're there. I don't think they're going to put up much of a fight for stuff in this in this Golden State Warrior team. But, you know, moving on to saying that to think, do they have a chance at a run for another ring? Absolutely. I think they have a chance. I think it's going to be tough for them to get past
00:23:52
Speaker
Um, you know, the nuggets I said is that's, that's my pick to go to the finals here on the west side. So I think that that's going to be a huge barrier for the Warriors. However, I do see them getting out of the series. Um, you know, obviously, but what do you, as a Warriors fan, you know, you've seen this before. You guys have been here before. Uh, what do you think and what do you predict here? Yeah, man. I think, uh, I am very, uh, confident that, um, once I found out we were playing the Lakers, you know,
00:24:21
Speaker
with us being a higher seed. I love it how we are at home for the first two games. I think that's going to play very well for us. And I think we got to get it done in those first two games. If we win those first two at home, I think it's going to be a smooth sailing. But you never know, man. I mean, as much as I can't stand LeBron James at times, that guy, you can't
00:24:49
Speaker
You cannot put him out of any series. And as long as he's on the other side, the Warriors got to play smart. They got to not turn the ball over and they got a, and Steve Kerr cannot fricking bench Curry in key moments, man. Cause he was doing that a lot in the King series and I'm just scratching my head like, dude, what are you doing? So, but I like you. I liked the Warriors here. I think I like him in six games, winning four, two. So.
00:25:18
Speaker
That means, uh, like you said, I think they're going to see Denver in the Western conference finals, which, um, that wraps up our, uh, predictions for on the West side as well as the recaps. Well, great. So we had, we saw some great basketball once again. Uh, but now this moves us into the Eastern conference and the first series that I want to talk about is the.
00:25:48
Speaker
Milwaukee Bucks versus the Miami Heat. The Milwaukee Bucks, the one seed, pretty much the juggernaut of the East all regular season long. They pretty much have been the last three or four years since Giannis has been on his rise. But what an upset man, the Heat winning that series four to one. And kind of like we talked about with injuries in the Clippers series with Kawhi and the Grizzly series with
00:26:17
Speaker
John Morant, the Bucks, Giannis suffered that scary injury in the very first game. And the Heat took advantage of it, man. They went on a roll and ended up winning the series 4-1. But how important do you think that played a role in the Bucks collapse, not having Giannis? I mean, even though they got guys like Chris Middleton and Drew Holliday against an 8 seed, the Miami Heat, I mean, do you think that was
00:26:47
Speaker
the biggest factor in that series? No, you're honest. Yeah, I mean, I definitely think that was a huge factor. I mean, you take away, you know, the centerpiece of what holds that whole team together out of the equation for a couple of games, you know, it's that's hard to come back from, especially in the playoffs. But at the same time, you also got to get credit to the heat. I mean, Jimmy, but where man just played his ass off that guy.
00:27:09
Speaker
was shooting the lights out. It seemed like every shot he was shooting, he was putting up was going in. Obviously, the heater pretty experienced team as well, but I did not see this coming. I'm going to be completely honest. I did not see a 4-1 domination coming in. Obviously, it happened, but I think it's disappointing for the Bucks fans and the Bucks team, but I know they'll be back.
00:27:33
Speaker
What are your thoughts on this team being the first time an eight seed upsets of one seed since the Warrior upset the maps back in 2007? What are your thoughts on that? Yeah, man. I mean, kind of like you said, I was very shocked. I even believe that once the Bucks went down 3-1, I saw a potential comeback for the Bucks to win that series. But the Heat just like,
00:28:03
Speaker
stepped on their throats and pretty much just took this series away. And like you said, dude, Jimmy Butler is, I believe, the most underrated star in the NBA. I mean, that guy is just, when I think of him personally, I never think of, yeah, that guy's one of the top players in the league. He's a damn good player, but I mean, he's nothing spectacular, but I think he proved me wrong. And I also think though, man,
00:28:32
Speaker
you know, not having Giannis for, uh, two or three games there in that series. I think that proves, um, proves again, how he just every single year deserves to be in the MVP race because, I mean, that just showed when they didn't have them, the bucks are completely different team. And, uh, I think that, you know, it's going to be very interesting. Uh, there's always every year when the bucks get bounced.
00:29:01
Speaker
there's always circulation of, you know, what's going to happen to Giannis? Is he going to request a trade? Is this not the right fit for him? So, I mean, what do you think, man? Do you think this was kind of like the last straw? I know that the Bucks won a championship a couple of years ago, but for a guy like Giannis, he knows his worth. And do you think he thinks that maybe it's time to go to a different team to see how that works out for him?
00:29:28
Speaker
No, I don't think, I don't think this is it for Jonas in the books. I mean, um, they got a good solid base where they got Middleton, they got Drew Holliday being one of the best point guards in the league. Um, they got Jonas and like, like we kind of said, if he stays in that series, I think it's a whole different story. If he's playing all the games, um, you know, I think that they will be back. I think he honest will be back. Um, but again, the heat out did him this time and, uh, now they're playing.
00:29:55
Speaker
surprisingly, the New York Knicks. So kind of going into the next thing, Knicks Cavs. What do you think about that series? Yeah, that was a I mean, I think other than the Denver Nuggets series as well as the Sixers Nets series that we'll get into later, I think this was a another just dominant series win for the Knicks. And it honestly kind of surprised me, you know, because
00:30:24
Speaker
the Cavs, you know, Donovan Mitchell with the I mean, scoring clinic that he put on game after game this regular season. I thought I thought that game I thought that series could potentially go seven games. But the Knicks, you know, won the series in five games four to one. And I think that the Knicks are a very surprising team, you know, they got a lot of different guys who can
00:30:51
Speaker
score the ball as well as different guys that can guard different positions. So what do you think, man? Do you think the Knicks are on the rise in the future?
00:31:04
Speaker
Yeah, I think if you got to look towards the future, I think it was definitely an impressive win for taking the series as easily as they did. I mean, it was a defensive clinic. They took Donovan Mitchell out of, they shut him down. So that was very impressive.
00:31:21
Speaker
I still think they're pretty young. They're missing a few key pieces. I don't think when you talk about Julius Randall being the center of your team, I don't think that is going to do you any good in taking you to bringing your playoff hopes alive. But not to say not to give this team credit as they are an upcoming team. I just think they're missing a couple key pieces. And I think they're going to probably make a splash here in the next few years in trying to get something to help them make that next step.
00:31:50
Speaker
Um, so that's kind of what I'm, what I'm thinking here. And that's why I'm taking the heat in this series. Um, talking about the heat versus the New York Knicks in this, this, uh, Western conference, um, some eyes, I'm taking them up.
00:32:02
Speaker
I'm going to go four to heat, heat and six. That's my prediction for this series. I just really feel like this team has been there. They're experienced. Do you like the Knicks don't have that? You know, I think they'll, they'll win a game or two, but I don't think it's going to, they're going to be able to put up quite the battle that everyone thinks they are. So that kind of, what do you think about this series to us? What do you think the final prediction is for you in game count? Yeah, man. Oh, first of all, a little fun fact for our audience. This was the first.
00:32:33
Speaker
playoff series that the Knicks have won since 2013, when Carmelo Anthony was balling it up in New York and they beat Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and those Celtics. But anyways, going back to the series between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks, with the Heat taking that first game, now leading 1-0, with them winning on the road, man, I really like
00:33:02
Speaker
I think I'm going to tell your pick here in terms of picking the Heat. I think the Heat have now proven, man, that, I mean, I thought they would get swept in the Buck series. I thought that was a fluke just because Giannis is injury. But then they come out in game one and put on another clinic with Jimmy Butler leading the way, obviously. I like this series to go seven games, though. I think it's going to be a very hard fought just down to the wire every single game. But I think I'm going to tell you here,
00:33:33
Speaker
and go with the Heat in a four to three series win. So go in seven games. It's gonna be a good one, I think. Okay. Yeah, go ahead. Yeah, this next one is, we wanna get into is the two seed Boston Celtics versus the seven seed Atlanta Hawks. And the Celtics, to no surprise, came out on top this series, winning in six games.
00:34:02
Speaker
I thought that it was a little closer than I imagined it would be. But the Celtics coming on top, winning four to two in that series. I think Trey Young on the Atlanta Hawks, he just pretty much willed himself in those two wins for the Hawks to victory with his shooting and his just outstanding vision on the court.
00:34:31
Speaker
his awareness with the basketball and finding his teammates. But speaking of Trey Young, what are your thoughts on him, man? I mean, ever since he came into the NBA, you know, a lot of people were thinking, is this like the next Steph Curry in terms of shooting the ball? And I know that a lot of people think that, you know, he's on the smaller side. He's overrated. But what do you think he proved this series to like the fans watching?
00:34:58
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, you take him against an experienced team with the Boston Celtics. And like you said, he kind of willed those games and just kind of took matters into his own hands. I don't think he's overrated in anything. I think he's a great player. He is a great shooter. I don't think it's pretty hard to make that assumption that he's the next Steph Curry. I mean, that's a lot of some big shoes to fill there. But that doesn't take away from the fact that he's a fantastic shooter.
00:35:27
Speaker
I just think it's another one of these teams where
00:35:30
Speaker
You know, this is a great guy, but it has nothing to really surround him. I mean, he's got a few, um, a few, you know, pieces around him, but you know, nothing to make a run and take out one of these, uh, bigger teams, um, and the East, you know, if, whether he was playing, if he played the bucks or the Celtics, you know, or even the Sixers in that sense, I just don't think he has enough around him, um, to kind of make that impact. And especially when you're a point guard, it's hard, um, when you're kind of the sole reason why you guys are winning games and scoring points. I think that.
00:36:00
Speaker
you know, without him, the Hawks are nothing. But you know, you got to give credit to the Celtics because they are a dominant team and they kind of showed it. But man, Jason Tatum for the Celtics has just been unbelievable. What are your thoughts on him and him finding his groove again? Yeah, man, I think that Jason Tatum is another one of those players who is overlooked because, you know, a lot nowadays, you know, you got
00:36:26
Speaker
You still got Steph Curry and LeBron James, who are the aging veterans on their way out, that still can hoop and prove every year why they're a top player. But I think a guy like Jason Tatum flies under the radar in terms of his dominance in all aspects of the game. I mean, he can drop 30 every night as well as grab 10 boards and have 10 assists. So I think he's one of those players that is just super
00:36:55
Speaker
well-rounded and he's another just star in this league that we're going to see play for a long time. But that leads me to this question for you, man. I mean, obviously we talked about Milwaukee getting bounced in that upset against the Heat. So and obviously Boston last year fell at the hands of Steph and the Warriors. So do you think with Milwaukee bounced and not really
00:37:23
Speaker
having any competition in their eyes because I think that's one of those teams for the Celtics that they just can't ever get over the hump, like consistently. So do you think with Milwaukee Bucks bounced, is this the Celtics chance to like run the table and win a ring?
00:37:41
Speaker
I mean, I think they are excited because they think that they got this. However, I have taken a little interesting take here. I do not think that the Celtics are going to get out of the series. I think that, you know, going into playing a very good 76ers team, I think if they get out of the series, however, if the Celtics are able to beat the Sixers in the series, I think it's going to be a cakewalk to the finals.
00:38:05
Speaker
But then again, kind of like I said, I just really don't think they're getting out of the series, man. And it all kind of depends on if Joel Embiid's back for these future games, I think. I mean, they obviously are a great team, but if
00:38:22
Speaker
If they can't get out of the series, you know, I'm going to have to go the Sixers in this and on the east side here. So but yeah, I don't know. What do you think about Boston? And do you think they're going to get out of the series here with their with their counterparts, the Philadelphia 76ers? Yeah, man. So so obviously they're the first round matchup for the Sixers that we didn't get into is they played the Nets. But
00:38:46
Speaker
they ended up sweeping that. It was pretty much a cakewalk, even without Joel Embiid in the final game of the series. But this just in actually, man, I just got a notification that the Sixers have one game one on the road in Boston, 119 to 115. So they now leave that series one zero. And James Harden
00:39:08
Speaker
with Noah Joel Embiid, had a pretty vintage James Harden performance dropping 45 on him. Let me guess, like 45, 15 for 40. 17 for 30. I can't believe that. Yeah, 17 of 30 from the field, 7 of 14 from deep, as opposed to Jason Tatum. He had a hell of a game.
00:39:39
Speaker
Based on the box score, it looks like it was a pretty much a two-man game, a 1v1, and Tatum finished with 39. So, but I mean, no draw and bead, man. That was a surprising, like surprising finish to that first game. I thought the Celtics had that in the bag. I mean, but to go off, going off of what you said about the series in general between the Sixers and the Celtics, I think that changed the series drastically.
00:40:08
Speaker
In all honesty, I thought the Celtics would win these first two games at home with no, no drill and beat on the other side. But with the Sixers stealing one on the road there, I think that, uh, this game is going to, or this series is going to go down to the wire. I think now it's going to, with that, with them winning game one, I think it's going to go seven games now. Uh, I still like the Celtics. I just like, um, I liked the combination or the duo of, uh, Tatum.
00:40:36
Speaker
and Jalen Brown, as well as the surrounding pieces like Marcus Smart, Al Horford even. I think that the Celtics might work into their favor losing that game because they now know that they have a dogfight at their hands. So they might come out even scarier next game. And even if they do have Joel Embiid on the other side. But I like the Celtics still here winning in seven games, four to three.
00:41:05
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. I think that's a good prediction either way. I mean, it's going to be a battle. I don't think anyone, like you said, thought it was going to be a battle, especially with them being out potentially a few games. But yeah, very surprising to see the Celtics go down here at home. You know, they've been such a great team all season. And even with Jason Tatum playing the way he did dropping 39 points and still get a loss, you know, that's very surprising to see.
00:41:30
Speaker
Yeah, I'm on the other side of things here. I'm taking 76ers. I'm taking them in game seven. So I think it's going to be just the same game count, but I think it's going to be flipped. Nice. So just to recap here on the Western Conference side in we, you like Denver against the Phoenix Suns, right? Yep. Denver. And then you like, I also like that. I'm going Denver. And in the,
00:42:00
Speaker
Warriors Lakers series, you like the Warriors in, I think you said that's gonna be just an easy series for them, right? Yeah, I think I'm taking them in five there. Four, one. Damn, okay, okay. See, my Warriors fan in me wants to tell you on that, but I just think that the Warriors are gonna have their typical, you know, collapse in one or two games that they should have won, and they're gonna just hand the wing to the Lakers. So, I like the Warriors still though in six, so.
00:42:29
Speaker
Both of us like Denver versus Golden State in their Western Conference Finals. And then on the East side, the Boston Philly series, you like Philly in how many games? Seven. In seven, and I like Boston in seven. And then the Heat Knicks, we both like the Heat. I like them in seven games, and you like them in six, right? Yep, yep.
00:42:55
Speaker
Damn, dude, that's crazy. So it'll be an eight seed, Miami Heat versus a two seed Boston for me. But it's crazy though. This year, I feel like there's a lot of lower seeds that are making a run and can win it all.
00:43:17
Speaker
Yeah, you don't I mean, it's it's a couple teams to your kind of scratching your head saying how did you get this far almost to which is crazy. I don't think I mean, I don't think anyone thought the Lakers were going to be in the Western Conference semi finals and you know, the Warriors got lucky so they're they're lucky to be here. But yeah, man, it's gonna be a fun rest of the playoffs and I can't wait to see what else goes down. Yeah, man. So just to
00:43:44
Speaker
So now that we've kind of recop and made our predictions for the playoff games that have happened and are currently going on, just overall picture, man, who do you think was the most surprising player to you in the first round of the NBA playoffs? That is a tough question.
00:44:09
Speaker
Honestly, I'm probably going to have to go. I mean, it's out. Part of me wants to say Jimmy because he just put up such big numbers and took out that team. But other part of me wants to, even though the Kings went down, I got to go, my boy Deere and Fox. I don't think anyone thought he was going to show out and do what he did.
00:44:31
Speaker
respect to that guy for giving the Kings a great run at it. And without him, I don't think, I think the Kings would still be in that playoff drought that they've had for so long. Yeah. Who do you think, who do you think it takes the most surprising player in the first round? I've been fighting between two players, but I think I, after watching that game seven between the Kings and Warriors, man, I think I got to go Kevon Looney just because his,
00:44:59
Speaker
just dominance on the boards and pretty much, I mean, that's a guy I don't know if you noticed while watching that series, but they'll pan to him in the middle of the game, man. And that guy is just like exhausted on his last breath. But I mean, that guy showed out and showed up for the Warriors that when they really needed him. And I think that he takes home my most valuable player for that very first round of the series.
00:45:29
Speaker
NBA playoffs so, but that leads me into my next question, man. Now going into the conference semifinals, which player on the remaining teams, both in the East and West, do you think really needs to step up their game if they want their team to advance to the conference finals?
Surprising Performances & Predictions
00:45:49
Speaker
I'm going to the West here. You know, like I said, I think the Denver Nuggets are taken the West here, but I think it's really going to come down to. Can Jamal Murray compliment the Joker throughout the whole playoffs? Can you give him that little bit edge that they've been missing? I think if he is able to do that, Nuggets are going all the way on the East. That's a little harder for me, but. You know, I think.
00:46:20
Speaker
I'm going to kind of be, um, cliche here, but I think if Joel Embiid is able to stay healthier and get back in the series early. Um, and I think he's able to play the way he's been playing all season. Um, I think the 76ers make it all the way in this side of things. So, um, I like him there. Um, but it leads me right back to you. What do you think on this? I mean, I like those picks, honestly. Uh, I'm going to obviously, uh, take a couple different or two different guys than you.
00:46:49
Speaker
Even though I like your picks, in the Western Conference, talk about being cliche. I'm gonna be cliche here, and I'm gonna go with another player on my Warriors, man. I think that Clay Thompson, he's got to step up his game. I mean, he's been pretty poor shooting the ball. I know he had a couple big buckets down the stretch in a lot of those games against the Kings.
00:47:15
Speaker
I think that especially in the series against the Lakers, LeBron knows he's been there before. He's played against these guys. He's gonna be rallying his Lakers squad to one thing and one thing only, and it's to shut down stuff. So that's gonna leave a lot of open shots for play to knock down. And he's got to step up in the big moment, in my opinion. He never really has, he's always kind of lived in the shadow.
00:47:43
Speaker
of Steph and KD in a lot of those Warriors finals runs that they had. So I think that Clay has really got to step up his game and prove to the world why he is known as the pretty much the back end of the 1-2 punch with Steph and Clay. But then on the east side, I was going to go your gel and bead pick, man, because I think that is very like
00:48:10
Speaker
That's a very good point that he, I feel like every year he just never, he just never like can get over the hump, but I'm going to go with another, his, uh, his actually, um, actually one of his teammates, James Harden, I think that he's got, obviously tonight he dropped 45 with no Joellen bead, but that's another scenario, man, where the Celtics, once Joellen beads back, they're going to be keying in on him and making other players beat them. Cause.
00:48:39
Speaker
So will James Harden be able to have that type of performance like you did tonight when, once Joel Embiid is back? Because I think that's one thing that he's been lacking since he's joined the Sixers is not complimenting Embiid enough to Joel Embiid standards that he's holding them to, you know what I mean? That he, I mean, they got him for a reason. That's a great one, two punch there in Philly. And I'm going to go with James Harden. So. Yeah.
00:49:09
Speaker
Damn, man, that was a lot of fun, a different scope in terms of our sports knowledge, you know, focusing in on NBA, just right in the heart of the playoff race between all these teams. Yeah, it was fun, man. Yeah, man, do you got any final words in terms of what you want to say to our audience about and who you think is, who your finalist winner prediction is right now?
00:49:38
Speaker
Going to it right now, I'm taking the Denver Nuggets. I think they're getting their first NBA championship this year.
00:49:47
Speaker
I'm taking the Denver Nuggets versus the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2023 NBA Finals. I think the Sixers are going to survive the East and I think the Nuggets are going to prove why they're the number one seed in the West. I think that's going to be the winner for the 2023 NBA season.
00:50:09
Speaker
Um, so yeah, that's my prediction. And, uh, this was fun. I love talking basketball and, uh, I can't wait to talk some more about it here in the coming weeks and, uh, see what, uh, what happens here. So what about you to ask? What are you final prediction, um, between the West, the East, and then your, your winner? Yeah, man. I'm going to go, uh, a finals rematch warriors versus Celtics. Um, if the warriors can get out of the series against the Lakers quickly,
00:50:39
Speaker
say in four or five games and that nugget son series goes seven games and tires out guys like KD or Jokic. I think I got the Golden State Warriors winning their fifth championship, dude, against the Boston Celtics. I'm going with my squad again. I think that every year I've always said that once the playoffs come, they're
00:51:04
Speaker
You never want to run into them. And if they stay healthy, if their role players, you know, step up, I think they're going to get it done again. But so Mario with the Nuggets, me with the Warriors, like Mario said, I really enjoyed, you know, talking a different sport with with one of my buddies here. It was it was a lot of fun. And like Mario said as well,
00:51:31
Speaker
We apologize for the inconvenience on getting this episode out to you guys a couple months later or whatever it was, but we're going to try our very best to come out with a new episode once a week, if not every two weeks. So from us here at Gone For Two, we thank you for listening to episode five and we hope you guys enjoy it. Thanks, guys.