Post by cop5414 on Jun 23, 2024 21:32:01 GMT
2027 NBN Western Conference Playoff Round 1:
#1 Memphis Grizzlies (61-21) vs #8 Golden State Warriors (39-43)
I don’t really have much to say about this “series”, should end in an easy sweep unless FBB really feels like overcorrecting for last year’s boring postseason. The Warriors are still in the middle of a rebuild and are probably just happy to be here. They’ve got a handful of interesting young players in Maluach, Boozer, and Henderson. I should be fun for cheddar to get to see how they perform this early into their career. Maybe do some damage or injure a Grizzly player, give the West a fairer chance? For the Grizzlies, objective is to get out of the series healthy. I’m not sure their roster can take any hit from their top 6.
Grizzlies in 4
#2 Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) vs #7 Los Angeles Clippers (39-43)
If both teams were legitimate, could probably go with a cheeky title of Battle of Los Angeles or some crap. Too bad this is another wash. The Lakers record likely looks worse than it should given the +25 games that both Reaves and Porzingis served on the IR. Unlike the Warriors, the Clippers are probably not as happy to still be here. Considering they still got their pick this season it should hurt having a losing record yet not have a lotto pick (not that those late picks move). However, there is the performances of Alexander Sarr and Ron Holland to look forward to for the next four games. This should be another easy sweep.
Lakers in 4
#3 Sacramento Kings (53-29) vs #6 Oklahoma City Thunder (44-38)
I swore the Kings were only like 5 games above .500 at some point midway through the season. Then our commish ties the knot and goes like (31-10) to end the season. I’d like to call it a string of good luck/times, but the real difference has been the addition of Nic Claxton who contributes to this exact record post-acquisition. This was indeed the correct move for the Kings which at the time was in big need of rim protection which Claxton provides. Crazy for a player so important to be passed around the way he did. I believe he made like three other stops before finding a home in Sacramento. Now for the counterpart in this series OKC, they are in somewhat a similar position to the other underdogs, as they are team filled with young talent still in development. Plus side though, is that they have nice veteran players in Jalen Brunson and Lauri Markkanen to complement their young upcoming core of Bronny James, Aiden Sherell, Kyle Philopwski, and Tahj Ariza. However, unfortunately they may have other issues with their location as Immanuel Quickley is suffering from Severe Depression from having to live in OKC. Kings have been on a tear, but I can see the Thunder getting one at home.
Kings in 5
#4 Phoenix Suns (44-38) vs #5 Portland Trailblazers (44-38)
Probably the only seemingly even series in this conference, and quite an unimportant one. No matter who wins this series is likely to get crushed by the Grizzlies in the next round. The Suns are an old and dying squad, with the majority of their core above or near the age of 30. This team is the definition of mid, the point guard position practically offers no production, the only thing carrying them is a lack of turnovers and Devin Booker. The team does have Airous “Ace” Bailey and Aaron Rowe Jr. as young talents who could develop nicely. To be honest this team probably should’ve moved Booker late season for something. The Blazers are somewhat of an opposite build as their team runs on youngbloods. Their frontcourt doesn’t offer much or really anything, but they have a sick trio of scores at the wings and point position in Dame Sarr, Kobe Bufkin, and Calbe Foster. Despite the Suns frontcourt advantage, I think I’ll select this as my one and only upset (if you could call it that) in the 1st round.
Trailblazers in 6
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