No. 1 isn’t tough as long as Shai is healthy, available, and JDub returns. From that point downward though I could see multiple things happening depending on who’s key players are able to go.
So I would go maybe something like this:
1 OKC Thunder
2 San Antonio Spurs
3 New York Knicks
4 Detroit Pistons
5 Cleveland Cavaliers
6 Philadelphia 76’ers depending on Embiid playing
7 Minnesota TWolves depending on Anthony Edwards’ return
8 LA Lakers depending on if LeBron stays healthy and is able to play at a certain LeBron standard. Steph, Durant, and Jimmy Butler can no longer play at their standards. So we’ll see how Lebron holds up against Sam Presti’s young and deep Dobermans.
I’m loving what I’m seeing from both Shai and Cade so far with one round behind us. I’m not sleeping on the NY Knicks at all given they beat the Spurs in the finals of the Emirates Cup. The Knicks are a team which probably aren’t getting enough respect. But again…let’s see if Joel Embiid can actually be a factor in Round 2 with those knees.
Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a bonafide star and his rookie sidekick appears to be special, but to get past the Knicks I would think it would take more than Andre Drummond at center. Nice to see Paul George being a positive factor, but again…the Sixers with Embiid are a different animal.
If Tobias Harris plays as he has these past three games I could see the Detroit Pistons emerging in the East. But again….it can’t be Cade just by himself scoring the ball.
First team to win twelve games is our next NBA champion. And clearly right now…that favorite is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I look forwaard to both games tonight. It will interesting to see what Minnesota has left in the tank from an emotional standpoint.
This is when we love our NBA.
Mike J