2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[bdm860]

On OKC, trying to think of when a team with so little playoff experience made a run to the Finals?  SGA, Dort, and Isaiah Joe is about it, and none of them have been out of the first round.  Usually you have to take some lumps in the playoffs first.

Other young teams ('07 Cavs lost in 2nd round in '06; '12 Thunder lost in WCF in '11; '15 Warriors lost in 2nd round in '13 and first round in '14) all took some lumps in the playoffs first before they made their Finals runs (and also had more vets).

'95 Magic went from being swept in the 1st round to Finals is the closest thing I can think of where a young team went straight to the Finals (but they also had vets like Horace Grant and Brian Shaw). The '02 Nets I guess too, but they were led by Kidd who had been to the playoffs several times, but the rest of the starting lineup had minimal-to-no playoff experience (Kittles and Van Horn had 3 playoff games, Martin and Jefferson none, though most of the bench had some playoff experience).


But hey, maybe are old pal Gordon Hayward is the seasoned vet they need.

[bdm860]

double post

[Vermont Green]

On OKC, trying to think of when a team with so little playoff experience made a run to the Finals?  SGA, Dort, and Isaiah Joe is about it, and none of them have been out of the first round.  Usually you have to take some lumps in the playoffs first.

Other young teams ('07 Cavs lost in 2nd round in '06; '12 Thunder lost in WCF in '11; '15 Warriors lost in 2nd round in '13 and first round in '14) all took some lumps in the playoffs first before they made their Finals runs (and also had more vets).

'95 Magic went from being swept in the 1st round to Finals is the closest thing I can think of where a young team went straight to the Finals (but they also had vets like Horace Grant and Brian Shaw). The '02 Nets I guess too, but they were led by Kidd who had been to the playoffs several times, but the rest of the starting lineup had minimal-to-no playoff experience (Kittles and Van Horn had 3 playoff games, Martin and Jefferson none, though most of the bench had some playoff experience).


But hey, maybe are old pal Gordon Hayward is the seasoned vet they need.

That is definitely the impression that I have of both OKC and MIN.  They are both good teams and I believe are going to be dangerous in the playoffs, but I don't see either making it to the finals this season.  There are a lot of good, veteran, teams to get through in the West. 

Of course you could have said that about the Celtics in 2021/22.  The Celtics had more playoff experience at that time than either, but it was still a team led by pretty young players.

[bdm860]

On OKC, trying to think of when a team with so little playoff experience made a run to the Finals?  SGA, Dort, and Isaiah Joe is about it, and none of them have been out of the first round.  Usually you have to take some lumps in the playoffs first.

Other young teams ('07 Cavs lost in 2nd round in '06; '12 Thunder lost in WCF in '11; '15 Warriors lost in 2nd round in '13 and first round in '14) all took some lumps in the playoffs first before they made their Finals runs (and also had more vets).

'95 Magic went from being swept in the 1st round to Finals is the closest thing I can think of where a young team went straight to the Finals (but they also had vets like Horace Grant and Brian Shaw). The '02 Nets I guess too, but they were led by Kidd who had been to the playoffs several times, but the rest of the starting lineup had minimal-to-no playoff experience (Kittles and Van Horn had 3 playoff games, Martin and Jefferson none, though most of the bench had some playoff experience).


But hey, maybe are old pal Gordon Hayward is the seasoned vet they need.

That is definitely the impression that I have of both OKC and MIN.  They are both good teams and I believe are going to be dangerous in the playoffs, but I don't see either making it to the finals this season.  There are a lot of good, veteran, teams to get through in the West. 

Of course you could have said that about the Celtics in 2021/22.  The Celtics had more playoff experience at that time than either, but it was still a team led by pretty young players.

Minnesota I think has more of a chance at a Finals run.

They seem young, but every single player on their team has playoff experience since they made the playoffs the last 2 years, and they have a lot more vets featured in prominent roles (Conley, Gobert, Anderson).  I'd be much less surprised to see them make a run, compared to a team like OKC.

[Moranis]

If every team is healthy, Denver seems like more of a lock than Boston to make the Finals.  The Nuggets are clearly the best team in the West. They have the best player in the world, another all NBA level player, and a really nice and balanced supporting cast. They also did it last year so know exactly what they need to do.

[Who]

There are three teams in the West I view as the main title contenders. Denver, Minnesota and the LA Clippers. LA Clippers have the most talented team but they've had the most talented team before and come up short. Denver have the experience and a top starting five but their depth is poor. Minnesota have imposing size, teamwork, defense & go-to guy in Ant Edwards. They'll be in the mix.

I don't see OKC as ready. Too young. Too weak in the paint. They'll be a tough out for whoever they play but they won't make it all the way. Phoenix have been poor and banged up. New Orleans have the talent but not leadership. Neither Zion or Ingram have stepped up. The Kings, Mavs, Warriors and Lakers all lack the talent needed to compete.

So I see it as a three horse race. If New Orleans could figure there stuff out, they could make it a four horse race but I have no confidence in their ability to do that.

[Phantom255x]

There are three teams in the West I view as the main title contenders. Denver, Minnesota and the LA Clippers. LA Clippers have the most talented team but they've had the most talented team before and come up short. Denver have the experience and a top starting five but their depth is poor. Minnesota have imposing size, teamwork, defense & go-to guy in Ant Edwards. They'll be in the mix.

I don't see OKC as ready. Too young. Too weak in the paint. They'll be a tough out for whoever they play but they won't make it all the way. Phoenix have been poor and banged up. New Orleans have the talent but not leadership. Neither Zion or Ingram have stepped up. The Kings, Mavs, Warriors and Lakers all lack the talent needed to compete.

So I see it as a three horse race. If New Orleans could figure there stuff out, they could make it a four horse race but I have no confidence in their ability to do that.

TP. I agree with the assessment. I love SGA a lot but OKC definitely is a bit inexperienced and not as strong in the interior.

For the West a lot really will come down to seedings and matchups as well. The Top-3 are only separated by 1.5 games and 5-8 is still pretty crowded with only 1.5 games separating the 5 and 8 seeds as well.

It's hard for me to fully trust the Clippers, even though in theory I would say they have the best overall roster when healthy. But also, can they even be trusted to stay healthy by April-May? To me it feels like it'll be Minnesota and Denver in the WCF. That'd be an awesome series.

[Birdman]

Clippers, OKC & Denver are top 3 in West but don’t count out Golden State..

[Phantom255x]

There are three teams in the West I view as the main title contenders. Denver, Minnesota and the LA Clippers. LA Clippers have the most talented team but they've had the most talented team before and come up short. Denver have the experience and a top starting five but their depth is poor. Minnesota have imposing size, teamwork, defense & go-to guy in Ant Edwards. They'll be in the mix.

I don't see OKC as ready. Too young. Too weak in the paint. They'll be a tough out for whoever they play but they won't make it all the way. Phoenix have been poor and banged up. New Orleans have the talent but not leadership. Neither Zion or Ingram have stepped up. The Kings, Mavs, Warriors and Lakers all lack the talent needed to compete.

So I see it as a three horse race. If New Orleans could figure there stuff out, they could make it a four horse race but I have no confidence in their ability to do that.

TP. I agree with the assessment. I love SGA a lot but OKC definitely is a bit inexperienced and not as strong in the interior.

For the West a lot really will come down to seedings and matchups as well. The Top-3 are only separated by 1.5 games and 5-8 is still pretty crowded with only 1.5 games separating the 5 and 8 seeds as well.

It's hard for me to fully trust the Clippers, even though in theory I would say they have the best overall roster when healthy. But also, can they even be trusted to stay healthy by April-May? To me it feels like it'll be Minnesota and Denver in the WCF. That'd be an awesome series.

Welp and just like that, Westbrook fractured his left hand

Could still come back before or by playoffs but at full strength? Still TBD

[Birdman]

Barnes also broke his hand

[BitterJim]

Barnes also broke his hand

Scottie Barnes, not Harrison Barnes, for anyone wondering

[Moranis]

Not that it matters all that much, but Lebron is just 9 regular season points away from 40,000.  He passed 11, 000 rebounds earlier this year and will likely hit 11,000 assists towards end of year.

[scaryjerry]

There are three teams in the West I view as the main title contenders. Denver, Minnesota and the LA Clippers. LA Clippers have the most talented team but they've had the most talented team before and come up short. Denver have the experience and a top starting five but their depth is poor. Minnesota have imposing size, teamwork, defense & go-to guy in Ant Edwards. They'll be in the mix.

I don't see OKC as ready. Too young. Too weak in the paint. They'll be a tough out for whoever they play but they won't make it all the way. Phoenix have been poor and banged up. New Orleans have the talent but not leadership. Neither Zion or Ingram have stepped up. The Kings, Mavs, Warriors and Lakers all lack the talent needed to compete.

So I see it as a three horse race. If New Orleans could figure there stuff out, they could make it a four horse race but I have no confidence in their ability to do that.

I just don’t see in what world the clippers are more talented then The nuggets, Jokic is the best player in the world by an extreme margin and Jamal Murray is probably the most underrated player in the league and then you have one of the best pure shooting guards in Michael porter jr and a good all around weapon in Aaron Gordon. Just don’t see how kawhi and the land of always injured misfit toys is better than that.

[celticinorlando]

Teams I do not trust in the playoffs out West:

Clippers
Dallas

[Who]

There are three teams in the West I view as the main title contenders. Denver, Minnesota and the LA Clippers. LA Clippers have the most talented team but they've had the most talented team before and come up short. Denver have the experience and a top starting five but their depth is poor. Minnesota have imposing size, teamwork, defense & go-to guy in Ant Edwards. They'll be in the mix.

I don't see OKC as ready. Too young. Too weak in the paint. They'll be a tough out for whoever they play but they won't make it all the way. Phoenix have been poor and banged up. New Orleans have the talent but not leadership. Neither Zion or Ingram have stepped up. The Kings, Mavs, Warriors and Lakers all lack the talent needed to compete.

So I see it as a three horse race. If New Orleans could figure there stuff out, they could make it a four horse race but I have no confidence in their ability to do that.

I just don’t see in what world the clippers are more talented then The nuggets, Jokic is the best player in the world by an extreme margin and Jamal Murray is probably the most underrated player in the league and then you have one of the best pure shooting guards in Michael porter jr and a good all around weapon in Aaron Gordon. Just don’t see how kawhi and the land of always injured misfit toys is better than that.

I would put it down to Denver's lack of depth. I like their starting five but I do not like their bench. The Clippers have excellent depth and balance.

The Clippers have been playing great basketball. Not like the Phoenix Suns whose Big Three take turns playing iso basketball and do not play as a team. The Clippers have come together very well. Harden at the controls with PG13 and Kawhi on the wings. Their role players fit well. They share the ball. They work as unit.

Injuries are of course the major wild card for them. I share others distrust of them for that reason. But when healthy, this is a frighteningly good basketball team.