Split Decision » What do you predict from the NBA playoffs?
NBA playoffs are here, I have some thoughts James’ Lakers will Trump NBA opposition
Well, it looks like the NBA pulled off the bubble concept, with no one testing positive for coronavirus and games happening all day, every day, kind of like the NCAA tournament but for a few months.
I’m not complaining, though my gambling bankroll may be. Haven’t figured out this new and not-improved NBA season.
But that’s not going to stop me from making some NBA predictions right now.
For starters: The Raptors and Bucks are clearly leaps and bounds ahead of their Eastern Conference competition. There is little doubt they’ll be meeting up to crown the champion of the East, and I have to give the nod to the Bucks. Basically, Giannis over everyone else on the court, and if the Raptors commit to trying to stop the Greek Freak, Khris Middleton has proven he can take over a game. The Raptors, while talented and ridiculously wellcoached, just don’t have the horses to compete. So yes. The Bucks, 4-2, heading to the finals to take on the …
I honestly think all eight teams in the West can compete here, but I have to limit things. First off, I’m going to take the Rockets out. No Westbrook is a killer. Let’s also remove the Blazers, despite Dame’s heroics, as well as the Mavericks, who have
Luka and Porzingus and not a whole heck of a lot else. The Lakers can’t be counted out with LeBron and AD, but they just look terrible thus far. The Jazz and Nuggets are good not great. The Thunder? Sneaky team, very talented, wouldn’t surprise me if they made a run.
But the cream of the West is the Clippers. Leonard and George, a strong supporting cast, and that’s enough for me.
And when the dust settles? Clippers in seven over the Bucks. Book it. Don’t bet it, but book it.
Jeff Edelstein is a columnist for The Trentonian. He can be reached at jedelstein@trentonian. com, facebook.com/ jeffreyedelstein and @ jeffedelstein on Twitter.
President Donald Trump will play a role in which team wins the National Basketball Association championship.
First, let’s backtrack.
In midOctober colleague Jeff Edelstein joined an attempt here to decipher National Basketball Association codes.
Had no idea a world pandemic would alter just about every aspect of life, including a stoppage of all sports competitions and postponements of timehonored events such as the Olympics and The Masters.
With NBA playoffs underway (Go Celtics!) a key prediction has changed here regarding the next world basketball champion.
Let’s look back on what published here in October.
Everybody and their grand mama has the Los Angeles Clippers as lead dogs in the National Basketball Association race to the brass ring.
Nothing like the addition of Kawhi Leonard, a three-time NBA All Star who led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history and won his second Finals MVP award before heading west, to conjure championship dreams for the Clippers.
The two-time Finals MVP will move Los Angeles toward the top of the heap ...... King LeBron James appears ready for fashioning a turnaround for the Los Angeles Lakers with the addition of Anthony Davis. LA will buzz again .....
Predicted the Clippers and Lakers would dust the West while Sir Giannis Antetokounmpo could substantiate a five-year, $250 million contract extension with an MVP award and NBA championship with the Bucks.
Still expect the Bucks to stand as Eastern Conference champions but the pick has changed regarding a championship ring.
It’s Los Angeles Lakers. Why? James has motivation after exchanging words with President Trump regarding players taking a knee during playing of the National Anthem.
“When I see people kneeling during the playing and disrespecting our flag and national anthem, what I do personally is turn off the game,” Trump said in a phone interview with “Fox & Friends.” “I think it’s disgraceful.”
That early-August
Trump harrumph drew this James response about electing a new president.
‘We want better, we want change,’ we have an opportunity to do that. But the game will go on without his eyes on it. I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball: We could [not] care less.”
Great players perform better with a chip on their shoulder. It’s an emotional edge that gives older athletes an extra injection of advantage.
James would like nothing more than to win an NBA title then cancel any plans to visit the White House should Trump win re-election or make an appearance should Democrat Joe Biden claim victory.
Lakers win as Trump takes credit for giving LA inspiration.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @ LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian. com.