to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy… and to laugh along the way
Will the Oklahoma City Thunder be the first back-to-back champs since the 2018 Golden State Warriors? Or will there be a resurgence of the ‘Bad Boys’ swag of the Detroit Pistons? Will the generational brilliance of Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio finally overpower the league? All three teams are young, talented and threatening to stay on top of the heap for the next decade or so. These and more as our favorite league witnesses a tectonic shift in power.
I predict the Spurs will outlast the defending champions OKC Thunder in an epic Western Conference Finals. They will not only reach the Finals but go all the way, capturing the title. A 2024 Rookie of the Year, Wemby is changing not just the trajectory of shots, he is changing the game. Defensively, offensively, and even psychologically.
This year, the Oklahoma City Thunder are overwhelming favorites to win another title. The Denver Nuggets, led by the 3-time MVP NIkola Jokic, will be crowding out the Thunder, for the western pennant. In the East, the Cleveland Cavs should finally win it, if they remain healthy for the playoffs. Victor Wenbamyama will continue maturing with the San Antonio Spurs, while rookie Cooper Flagg gets us excited. Move over, Lebron. Watch out, Steph and Kevin. The next generation stars are here!
This year, the Pacers have taught us that games with 7 to 9 point-leads with a minute to go are no longer safe. A 3-possession ballgame, with a minute to go, can still be stolen. They have also showed us a great trapping defense that should be a basic staple for all aspiring coaches. Finally, the Pacers are showing us a pug-nosed determination and poise that should be a case study for all teams or organizations that are in difficult situations in their fields. The Pacers may be young, but they are showing us a refreshing stability under immense pressure.
Two former champs – the Nuggets and the Warriors – are banking on their veteran cage IQ to bring them to the next stage. The defending champs Celtics, on the other hand, are not (yet) showing any championship smarts in their series. This is a golden opportunity for the upstarts in the playoffs to learn, albeit on the fly, if they are to compete for the bigger battles ahead. Indeed, the playoff duels are a different set of games. And it will take more than just raw talent, physical strength and youthful exuberance to make it to the top.
Who moves up to the next round? Who goes deep into the postseason wars? Compare your picks with mine. You willing to bet your mother-in-law on this? 🙂
Color My World 