D720 2020 Playoffs Preview
Sept 29, 2020 12:36:10 GMT -5
billy, Brian Scalabrine, and 6 more like this
Post by Jackie Kong on Sept 29, 2020 12:36:10 GMT -5
PLAYOFFS PREVIEW Q & A
Playoffs is only 2 days away which is why this is the perfect time to heat things up a bit with a Playoffs Preview!
With me, I have GMs Shaq O'Neal and Stuff The Magic Dragon that will answer some questions and they are both eliminated so they will serve as outside observers if you wish! I welcome both and share my condolences to Stuff who barely missed the Playoffs. Can't say the same about Shaq...
So, let's move straight to the questions. Don't have that many prepared honestly so I will just go straight to the important ones!
Q: 1st question, What 3 teams would you pick to make the most noise in the upcoming Playoffs?
Stuff: Thank you for inviting me. It is sad that I missed out of the playoffs and had 10 fewer wins than last year. Do I regret not keeping JV? Maybe, but I still cling to the fact that the Cupcake can make us contenders next year.
Going to your question, it's been a straightforward season for us thus far. With Philly setting a D720 record, they pretty much will win it all so I won't count them to my 3 teams.
1. Dallas Mavericks - their record may not show it but they pretty much dominated the West. I would say the addition of Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka gave them the veteran presence they need to compete and go deep in the Playoffs.
2. Atlanta Hawks - finishing the season with a 9-1 on their last 10 games should boost the confidence of the team. They look pretty solid and is holding on to the 2nd place in the East. They look built to try and win it all this year but I don't see them getting pass the ...
3. Chicago Bulls - they may have missed their chance to make moves during the league's break but with CP3 and Dray leading the way, I can see them winning a 7-game slugfest against the Hawks and facing the Sixers in ECF.
Going to your question, it's been a straightforward season for us thus far. With Philly setting a D720 record, they pretty much will win it all so I won't count them to my 3 teams.
1. Dallas Mavericks - their record may not show it but they pretty much dominated the West. I would say the addition of Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka gave them the veteran presence they need to compete and go deep in the Playoffs.
2. Atlanta Hawks - finishing the season with a 9-1 on their last 10 games should boost the confidence of the team. They look pretty solid and is holding on to the 2nd place in the East. They look built to try and win it all this year but I don't see them getting pass the ...
3. Chicago Bulls - they may have missed their chance to make moves during the league's break but with CP3 and Dray leading the way, I can see them winning a 7-game slugfest against the Hawks and facing the Sixers in ECF.
Shaq: The first team is Philly who are the title favorites. Led by the star backcourt of Damian Lillard and MVP candidate James Harden,Philly looks almost unbeatable. Drummond, Mcgee and midseason trade acquisition Aron Baynes have done a solid job and form the big rotation of Philly.They also have a really great 6th man in form of young De'Aaron Fox. Their wing depth is shallow with the injury to Bojan Bogdanovic which is their only weak spot.En route to a 72-10 season,Philly has dominated every statistical category on both ends of the floor.The title is definitely Philly's to lose.
Next up I have the Dallas Mavericks.Luka Doncic has dominated in his second season putting up 30/10/9.Dallas have one of the most well rounded teams which has talent at every position with Doncic being their best player.Their midseason acquisitions, particularly Lowry and Ibaka, have taken them to the realm of contention which makes the favourities to win the West and have a chance at upsetting the Sixers.This is particularly welcome to the Dallas franchise after back to back 1st overall picks.
To round out the list I have the Atlanta Hawks.The Hawks have formed a big 3 of Lebron, AD and Derozan by acquiring AD and Derozan in blockbuster trades.Trading Bam for AD suggests they are in win now mode.Although their depth is not great,their star power should help them perform well which was seen in the last few games of the regular season with Atlanta going on a win streak.Expect at least a ECF appearance by them.
Next up I have the Dallas Mavericks.Luka Doncic has dominated in his second season putting up 30/10/9.Dallas have one of the most well rounded teams which has talent at every position with Doncic being their best player.Their midseason acquisitions, particularly Lowry and Ibaka, have taken them to the realm of contention which makes the favourities to win the West and have a chance at upsetting the Sixers.This is particularly welcome to the Dallas franchise after back to back 1st overall picks.
To round out the list I have the Atlanta Hawks.The Hawks have formed a big 3 of Lebron, AD and Derozan by acquiring AD and Derozan in blockbuster trades.Trading Bam for AD suggests they are in win now mode.Although their depth is not great,their star power should help them perform well which was seen in the last few games of the regular season with Atlanta going on a win streak.Expect at least a ECF appearance by them.
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Q: So, you seem to have similar thoughts regarding Title favorites but what about 1st Round matchups, Which series would you pick for having the most upset potential or the most dramatic effect as in leading to a 7th game?
Stuff: In the 1st round of the playoffs, I honestly don't see a team making a big upset of a higher seed except for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They may not look that good on paper but D720 Giannis can carry this team deep in the Playoffs.
They also won the ECF last year but they traded Klay (who is out this year) to get younger players to surround their franchise cornerstone. Facing the defensive Wizards may be a heavy task but being the better offensive team, I can see the Cavs winning a 7-game series against Washington.
They also won the ECF last year but they traded Klay (who is out this year) to get younger players to surround their franchise cornerstone. Facing the defensive Wizards may be a heavy task but being the better offensive team, I can see the Cavs winning a 7-game series against Washington.
Shaq: I think the closest 1st round series will be Houston vs Golden State which is likely to go to 7 games.The Warriors have Steph Curry and Paul George but their depth hurts them. Brogdon and Curry are the only guards on the roster which forces them to play big minutes.The Rockets have less star power but a more balanced roster in the form of Kemba, Sabonis, LeVert and Gallinari. I wouldn't be surprised to see the defending champions lose in the first round.
Chicago vs Brooklyn should be another close series.Chicago had a hot start which prompted them to trade for vets like Chris Paul and Draymond Green but the results have not been according to the expectations. Embiid, DLo, Wiggins and Dinwiddie have all stepped up for the Nets and while their roster does not seem really threatening on paper compared to Chicago's CP3,Booker,Towns,Dray and John Collins but I see the Nets overachieve and pull off an upset against the Bulls.
Chicago vs Brooklyn should be another close series.Chicago had a hot start which prompted them to trade for vets like Chris Paul and Draymond Green but the results have not been according to the expectations. Embiid, DLo, Wiggins and Dinwiddie have all stepped up for the Nets and while their roster does not seem really threatening on paper compared to Chicago's CP3,Booker,Towns,Dray and John Collins but I see the Nets overachieve and pull off an upset against the Bulls.
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Q: What about potential next Rounds? Is there any in particular you are hoping to see? Or maybe a certain matchup between star players?
Stuff: The series I am looking forward to, just like in my prediction, is Chicago and Atlanta in the 2nd round of the Eastern Conference. This may be the best series that can happen in this year's playoffs with the star power, present (LBJ, AD, CP3 DeMar, Dray) and future (KAT, D-Book).
Shaq: A later matchup I want to see is Philly vs Dallas to witness how big ball vs small ball goes.It would also include the matchup of Luka v Harden who are the 2 of the top MVP candidates.
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Q: Alright, we covered most topics already so I will make one last question to wrap this up. Generally speaking and if you were a guru (...), what wild prediction would you make for the upcoming Playoffs?
Stuff: Portland beating Dallas in the first round will be the most surprising outcome for me.
Shaq: Pelicans will force a Game 7 against Wolves.
Kong: Raptors will win at least 2 games against Hawks!
And with that we conclude this Preview questionnaire. Again, thanks to Stuff and Shaq and good luck to every Playoffs GM!
Dallas Mavericks
Toronto Raptors
Atlanta Hawks
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
