(04-30-2024, 06:29 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Thunder looked great. Really disappointed in the Pelicans..even beign shorthanded. Outside of the first game, they did not look like a serious playoff team. I expect we are going to see some changes with their roster and possibly coaching staff.
On the other hand, I feel good about the Lakers. They just ran into an all time closing team. They were in every game and lost on two brutal buzzer beaters. I am not sure the Mavs beat this current Laker team if they matched up in the playoffs. They also have big decisions to make. I think they need another guard. Dinwiddie just ddn't cut it. But do they make a bigger move using draft picks? It is always dicey counting on a 40 year old to be great throughout the regular season like he was this year. AD was also healthy. Are their younger players ready to get some minutes? Is their coach back?
KP injury looked odd. Even if it is not serious, it all liklihood he is going to need time to get back to full strength. I don't see anyone in the East who is going to beat Boston without KP though. They just need to get him healthy for the finals.
NO: They have a huge amount of young 3-D wings. in my opinion their stars are a problem. They just don't fit together. Zion and Ingram are not great shooters. Add a non shooting centre and I really don't understand how they finished top 8 in the West. Personally I didn't believe in them at all. Neither Ingram or Zion are likely to be able to lead the team to true competitor status. Zion is a non shooter, weak defender and always injured. He is cetainly a freak of nature as far as his physicality goes, but I think he has enough weaknesses in his game you can always scheme against. Ingram is imho far from an alpha. Number two or three on a serious team - as a weak shooter he is a questionable fit next to Zion. JV can be good, but he will always be a playoff liability imho. NO imho has to decide which of Zion or Ingram they keep and use the other with assets (they have plenty) to bring in a better fitting player, probably an alpha level. Of course that is easier said than done.
Lakers: all indications are they will go hard after a second tier star. They have Reaves and three picks to offer. Trae Young probably tanked his value enough to be not worth more than that. Mitchell could also force his way out of Cleveland and has a lot of power to say where he wants to be. Both would be probably great fits for this team.
Thunder do look great indeed. Tough defense, athletic, fast pace, good shooting (even Giddey is shooting it well lately). Mavs (if they make it), will face a very different opponent. Their weakness is their lack of size.