NBA Playoff Thoughts and Rants

By: Joe “Cartright” Cardoso

The NBA Playoffs are a few days in and I have to ask if I am the only one who is finding time to do anything else besides watch these games? I know that all the series are one or two games in, but what we have seen so far are a lot of trips to blow out city. The mismatches are hard to ignore and have made for pretty disappointing games.

Now I understand that the NBA wants to get max dollars, I get that they also want to allow fans to get an extra chance to see their favorite teams play, but the 7- game first series format has got to go, in my opinion. No matter how die hard you are as a Memphis Grizzles or Charlotte Hornets fan are you REALLY going to spend your hard earned money to see your guys versus a much better opponent? Now don’t get me wrong, it is not all doom and gloom. The Pistons and Mavs have impressed me in terms of effort, and have a chance to make a real series out of their match ups, but they both have to get a win.

If you listen closely you can hear the monkey leaping off the Toronto Raptors backs after a much needed playoff win. They still have yet to see a good game from DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry who are struggling to shoot the ball.

A little home cooking will do the Pacers good, and this is one of the better series in the east. Oh and if you were wondering, Paul George is BACK. The only team that, after one game, is showing it could possibly give the Cavs a run is the Heat, who looked really good against the Hornets. Dwayne Wade seems to be fresh. He has that D Wade bounce in his step. If they get Luol Dang to keep knocking down shots, watch out for the Heat.

Great to see the young players not get lost in the lights and play solid ball. I am all for a Return of King James Vs Heat match up. That would make for must see TV. Speaking of the Cavs, how fun to see Kevin Love, at least for one game, be his old self? If he can keep it up the rest of the NBA should beware. The Portland Trailblazers are the feel good story of the league since we all thought it was a forgone conclusion they would take a step back minus the big man LaMarcus Aldridge. The Clippers are fighting to show people they have learned from past mistakes and they are focused on making a serious run at the finals. Game one was a statement for them. As NBA fans we can only hope that the series that have been bad improve and maybe someone steals a game or they face a quick death and we can move on.

What excites me so far is the Heat, Clippers and Mavs’ heart. Hoop heads should look forward to what we will see from the Raptors on the road, Blazers hit back or fold and can the Thunder shake off a bad game 2. Adjustments will be made. Who will rise and who will fall? All we can hope for is more competitive basketball and great drama. If not, I say Adam Silver and the powers that be should make the change back to a 5 game series and save us from blowouts and noncompetitive hoops.