NBA PLAYOFFS '23 - PART 1
There's not too many things I like more than the NBA Playoffs. It's a nice time of the year, the weather in Sweden usually turns around, the pace in school used to ease off a little when I was younger, work is less stressful this time of the year for me. The only thing I've been missing out on for a while, is rooting for my Knicks. As I'm a die hard Carmelo Anthony fan, last years I've been rooting for the Blazers and Lakers which was equally bad. But this year man, we're back! The Knicks are actually in the second round for the first time in a DECADE, and second time since 2000. I guess Janet Jackson has been able to book shows with ease at MSG last 20 years with no rescheduling. And the way the Knicks got past the 4th seeded Cavs, makes them look like they could actually get past Miami as well.
Only in NYC can you ride the subway in full Oakley gear and people chanting "Fuck Dolan!" as you walk by. Check out our retro Knicks gear.
Speaking of Miami, damn. I know Giannis was out for games 2 and 3, and only played 11 minutes in the opener, but Jimmy Fucking Butler man. He's the last of a dying breed, he's HIM. To put up 56 in regulation and beat the number 1 seed in a 7 games series. That's crazy. This is the first time a Play-In team moves past the first round, but that means nothing really since it's only the third season now. But it's the 6th time an 8th seed beats a 1st team, and that means something. I had the Bucks going to the Finals against Phoenix, but now the East is wide open. But the Knicks-Heat series will be fun. As I grew up with that rivalry which gave us upsets ('99) and fights (regularly), and featured some of my favorite players in Spree and LJ, I'm excited as hell for this one. Knicks wins 4-2.
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The 76ers hasn't really been tested, as they swept the Nets but they look like this is the year Embiid and Harden might get the respect the deserve if they advance to the Finals. And they got a real shot now, as they are still waiting for the winner between Boston and Atlanta.
If you didn't get that Janet joke in the opening, it was because the Hawks avoided elimination the other night, and the Boston-Atlanta series moves back to ATL tonight, they had to reschedule Janet Jackson's concert for tomorrow. It's obvious that nobody expected the Hawks to still be playing, but Trae Young had other plans than to go to Cancun just yet, as he scored the last 14 points and made the game winning three. And Trae has been really good last couple of games, so I think the Hawks will win to honor Janet. But I don't see them beating Boston in a potential Game 7. Boston wins this one 4-3.
In the West, we got a Nuggets-Suns series waiting. This one is my call for who will represent the West in the Finals, and my money is on the Suns. I really do want Jokic and Denver to win, and I would love an Embiid-Jokic Finals, as the two favorites for MVP would go head-to-head, just like Olajuwon and Ewing back in '94. But it's KD man, I've learned to never count him out, as long as both teams stays healthy, Suns will win this series but it'll be a fun and hopefully long series. Suns wins 4-2.
As the Warriors won last night, they took control of the series against the Kings with a 3-2 lead. And with Game 6 being on the Warriors court, it'll be a Steph Curry show. The Warriors' run isn't over, despite what everyone's been saying this year. They know better than most how the regular season really doesn't mean anything, and they look like the Warriors should. I got them winning 4-2, but I would love to see the Kings forcing a Game 7 in Sac Town. Those fans deserve it. Ok, let's speak it into existence, Kings wins 4-3.
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The last one is the hardest one to predict. As Memphis won last night and we're going to LA for Game 6 with the Lakers up 3-2, LeBron James should be able to close it out. But these Grizzlies sure knows how to grind, and it should be their game to show why they are the 2nd seed. The Lakers looked so good in the first game, I think they overachieved too early. Those much needed performances from "the others" came too early, and I think this will go 7, and Memphis will be to young and to hungry for the Lakers. Grizzlies in 7.
But like I said, none of this matters except that my Knicks ARE BACK!