NEWSLETTER
Round 1 has wrapped up in the Eastern Conference.
- So … the Boston Celtics are going to the NBA Finals, right? With the Milwaukee Bucks now in disarray after an embarrassing first-round loss to the Miami Heat, the path seems to be freshly paved for the Celtics to repeat as the Eastern Conference champions. While the next round will not be a gimme against MVP-favorite Joel Embiid, I think we can still all agree Boston is the more well-rounded squad. Then, if they do manage to get past Philly, they’d face either the Knicks or Heat. With all due respect to what both teams have accomplished thus far, Boston would be a heavy favorite against either.
- Now, if I went with my heart instead of my gut, I guess I’d prefer to see Jimmy G. Buckets put together a historic playoff run. My heart’s next choice would likely be for this 76ers team to finally get over the hump. I just rarely ever want good things for the Celtics, and I’m already furious that the freakin’ New York Knicks have returned to relevancy before the Bulls. Regardless, though, I’m starting to think whichever team comes out of the West ultimately takes the Larry O’Brien Trophy home.
- I’m curious to see how Atlanta’s six-game playoff exit might impact their offseason plans. Before the start of the postseason, it really felt like a significant roster shake-up could be in the cards. More specifically, rumors started to emerge about whether Trae Young’s days in Atlanta were numbered. Winning just two playoff games probably shouldn’t change much for a franchise, but you never know. It could be all this front office needs to convince themselves they can run it back, especially with head coach Quin Snyder joining the club just mid-way through the season.
- What the Hawks decide to do is undoubtedly something the Chicago Bulls will want to keep an eye on. While I know they finished ahead of the Bulls this year, the two franchises have been duking it out in the middle of the East over the past two seasons. Will they gain an even greater cushion on Chicago this summer or will they decide to take a little step back? Overall, I’m hoping Arturas Karnisovas learned this year that he has to pay far more attention to his competition. Dropping from 6th to 10th, he was reminded of how fast things can change in the NBA. This is a league where you simply can’t sit on your hands. I’m praying to the basketball gods the Bulls now know that.
- Speaking of which, the Central Division isn’t getting any easier. As meaningless as divisions may feel, they do at least represent 16 of the team’s 82 regular season games. The Bucks and Cavs were bounced in Round 1, but we can all agree Giannis Antetokounmpo remains terrifying and the Cavs still have a young roster with tremendous promise. Unfortunately for the Bulls, that’s also exactly how we can describe both the Pistons and Pacers. Detroit could have one of the best young backcourts in the game with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, while the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton could very well turn into the game’s best point guard in three to five years. Compared to each of those teams, the Bulls’ future is arguably the most murky.
- Dwyane Wade recently retold the story of the time he first met Michael Jordan on Showtime. According to the Bulls legend (I’m kidding, don’t hurt me!), Jordan surprisingly showed up at this draft party in Chicago to give him a big congrats.
- Jordan was also a topic of conversation on a recent episode of The Steam Room with Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley. While discussing Ben Affleck’s recent film “Air” about the story of the GOAT signing with Nike, Barkley explained how Jordan told him to turn his deal with Nike into shares of stock rather than cold hard cash. Smart move!
- The Toronto Raptors are searching far and wide for their next head coach. And, according to ESPN, this includes interviewing current Las Vegas Aces head coach and former Spurs assistant Becky Hammon for the gig. Is it finally her time?
- Look, it may not be the sexiest pick, but I’m happy with it. Bears need to protect Fields. Darnell Wright can do that from Day 1.
- Fingers crossed!
