NFL
By: Edwin Duodu
Everyone needs change sometime in their life. For years, fans have grown accustomed to seeing certain teams and players dominating the league. However, this year’s NBA playoffs mark the first time in a decade that neither LeBron James nor Steph Curry will participate in a conference finals. For these star’s fanbases, it’s a dull moment to take in. However, for others, it breeds new opportunities to finally be a part of something great, which is being in earnest conversation with winning an NBA Finals. In addition to that, basketball fans are seeing the stars emerge, and the depth players for a team take on more responsibility.
Starting with the Western Conference, the first two games that involved back and forth action were because of the competitiveness of both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams were without essential players, as Kawhi Leonard dealt with a right knee injury, and Chris Paul remained in COVID protocol. One could argue that their absences weren’t missed, as Devin Booker recorded his first triple-double of the postseason, and Paul George shouldered the offense load. Both the Suns and Clippers were aided by role and bench players, as Reggie Jackson for Los Angeles scored 24 points, and every starter for the Suns was in double figures.
It was a great effort collectively from both teams, which is why the first two games were so close. Phoenix ended up winning Game 2 off of a go-ahead alley-oop dunk by Deandre Ayton. However, it was a much different story in Game 3, as the Clippers woke up in the series to cut the deficit by one. The Suns still lost despite Paul returning to the series. This is all proof to show how much team depth matters.
Team depth is the same case with the Atlanta Hawks. Under head coach Nate McMillan, their defense has improved along with a regular contribution from their deadly three-point shooters. The Hawks have won six games on the road this postseason, all while by the lower-seeded team in each matchup. In addition to their road success, Trae Young has proven to rise to the pressure in his first postseason appearance. He only scored 48 points and had 11 assists in Atlanta’s Game 1 win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Game 2 between these two teams should only be more enjoyable to watch. This will be a tough series, as the Bucks are still among the most balanced teams remaining. However, the addition of Jrue Holiday, P.J. Tucker, and Bobby Portis has made them tough-minded and tall as a team. Those key additions were the reason why they were able to defeat a seemingly unstoppable Brooklyn Nets side. They had the better All-Stars, but the Bucks had a better squad.
This year is a chance for an unfamiliar face to make his name. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, Paul George, and Devin Booker all have the capabilities to get the job done. All will need to put their best efforts on display. For the Eastern Conference, both teams have waited a while to hoist up the NBA trophy, with the Bucks last winning in 1971 and the Hawks in 1958. But, things get a little more interesting for the Western Conference. Neither team has won an NBA Final, and the Clippers have never made a Finals appearance. Whichever team wins will make a monumental mark in their history as an organization.
NBA fans should feel more invested. No one gave either one of these teams a chance to be where they are at the moment. It’s a different kind of feel, and we should all enjoy it while it lasts.
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The casual fan outside any of these markets aren’t going to watch.
For the hard-core fans, this is great to see a Finals minus Steph Curry and Lebron James.