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Post by Miege22 on Feb 13, 2022 21:58:36 GMT -5
EAST: New York vs. ChicagoHow They Got HereNew York enters as the #1 seed for the second time in franchise history. They were 11-5 and first in the North Division.Chicago enters as the 4th seed. They defeated the 5th-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the play-in round to make it here.Postseason HistoryThis is New York’s 5th playoff appearance, and their first as the Knicks. In their previous four appearances, they were the Boston Celtics. It’ll be their first time facing someone other than Tampa Bay in the postseason.All-Time Playoff Record: 0-4 Finals Record: 0-0 Titles: N/AThis is Chicago’s fourth straight playoff appearance, and their fifth postseason in franchise history. They enter as the defending champions, having defeated Miami, Tampa Bay, and Seattle en route to their first title in franchise history.All-Time Playoff Record: 4-3 Finals Record: 1-0 Titles: 1 (2021) Regular Season Meeting(s)The Knicks and Bulls played in week 16 (Jan. 31 – Feb. 6). Chicago won, 5-3-1.Statistical Rankings Among Playoff TeamsNew York FG %: 4th (7th) FT %: 3rd (4th) 3PTM: 3rd (3rd) REBS: 9th (13th) ASTS: 9th (12th) STLS: 9th (12th) BLKS: 9th (13th) TOS: 3rd (10th) PTS: 5th (5th)ChicagoFG %: 10th (20th) FT %: 2nd (3rd) 3PTM: 8th (9th) REBS: 10th (14th) ASTS: 10th (14th) STLS: 10th (14th) BLKS: 10th (14th) TOS: 1st (7th) PTS: 10th (13th)KEY INJURIESNew York – Markelle Fultz (knee – out); Eric Gordon (foot – DTD); Tim Hardaway (foot – out); LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle – DTD); Larry Nance Jr. (knee – out); Norm Powell (foot – out); Enes Freedom (bad at basketball – out)Chicago – Patrick Williams (wrist – out); Ben Simmons (conditioning – out); Dillon Brooks (ankle – out); Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot – out); Kristaps Porzingis (knee – DTD) Series Notes-The #1 seed in the East is 9-3 all-time in their first playoff match-up -New York’s all-time franchise record is 78-128 (regular season) -Chicago’s all-time franchise record is 70-136 (regular season) -After moving away from Boston, the New York Knicks are in search of their first playoff win. And for the first time ever, they won’t have to beat Tampa Bay to accomplish the feat. Have the Knicks’ rotten playoff luck followed them from Boston?That remains to be seen, but the early returns don’t look good. After looking dominant to start the season, injuries have shellacked them, and they’ve lost three of their last five. That includes two drubbings to end the season against both Brooklyn and Chicago. While they will have their big three (LeBron, Mitchell, and Embiid) available, their depth has been sapped. They may still have enough to beat Atlanta, but making the Finals? That’s another story.How the heck did Chicago pull it off?Well, we could do a deep dive and look at how each individual player on both teams played, but the simple answer here is Gordon Hayward died in the first game of the week. He severely sprained his ankle, and he basically missed the whole week. If he plays, Atlanta almost certainly flips points and assists and moves on to the next round. Though, at the same time, there's no guarantee that the Hawks would hold turnovers, so the Bulls might be here no matter what. The Bulls were down to only 8 guys because of injuries, but all 8 of those guys played fairly well (aside from shooting the ball). Now, if both Porzingis and Simmons can come back for this match-up, the Bulls might be heading back to the ECF. New York’s highlight of the season... week 11 vs. Tampa BayThe Knicks were rolling at this point, and the win was their 7th in a row. It also all but locked up the top seed in the East, and they managed to pull it off despite playing far fewer minutes than the Bull Sharks. It’s this match-up that they will lean on to give them hope in a potential conference finals. Chicago’s highlight of the season... week 16 vs. New YorkHonestly, there’s not a whole lot to choose from. The Bulls didn’t register any marquee non-conference wins, and their wins in-conference were largely expected. Even this one against New York came against a Knicks team fielding barely any players. Still, a win over the top of the conference this close to the playoffs needs to be taken as a positive sign. Who to keep an eye on for New York... Kyle Lowry.Lowry is probably the best player besides the big three for the Knicks, and with all of New York's injuries, they are going to need him to play extremely well. That's not something he's done consistently this year, but none of that matters now.Who to keep an eye on for Chicago... Lu Dort.The trade deadline acquisition from Memphis has been playing lights out of late, and the Bulls are really going to need him to keep up his high level of play if they want to make it out of the play-in. In the play-in round, Dort didn't shoot it well (only 38%), but he knocked down 11 three-pointers and averaged 22 ppg. New York's X-Factor: Duncan RobinsonThis guy has been all over the place with his production this year, but he’s still capable of getting hot for a couple of weeks and winning threes by himself. New York may not need it this round, but they will need it to win it all.Chicago's X-Factor: Devontae GrahamIf there’s one guy who hasn’t quite worked out for Chicago, Graham is definitely that guy. He is shooting under 37% from the floor, and he just hasn’t quite been able to do anything with the starting point guard role. That said, he’s also capable of getting stupid hot and making 7 threes in a game. The Bulls need the latter out of him. In the play-in round that... didn't happen, to say the least. He made 9 of 30 shots. New York's Reason for Hope... LeBron JamesHe’s been banged up, sure, but when he’s played, he’s been an MVP-level fantasy player. With the real life Lakers struggling, they’re going to need LeBron to play as much as possible down the stretch, which only helps the Knicks. If they can get top-level production from him, Embiid, and Mitchell, they can beat anyone.Chicago's Reason for Hope... they might get Ben Simmons backThey've waited all season hoping that Ben Simmons might play, and after the real life deadline last week, that just might happen. It doesn't seem likely the first four days, but after the real life all-star break, it becomes a distinct possibility. If he comes back, and Kristaps Porzingis can get back on the floor, Chicago can win this one. I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for New York?Much like the Bull Sharks, the Knicks just keep on keepin on in their quest to finally win it all. They’re the only East team in the field not to have won a title, so that alone would be pretty cool. But if they managed to win in the face of all these injuries? That would be epic. I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Chicago?It’s hard to say they’re a fresh face, given they won the title last year, but they would be a fresh face to the back-to-back club, currently occupied by Brooklyn, Tampa Bay, and… that’s it. Also, it would be kind of funny for the Bulls to win the title despite getting literally nothing all year from Ben Simmons. .. only to get him back for a run through the playoffs. POSTSEASON ROSTERS New York Aldridge, LaMarcus Bogdanovic, Bojan Embiid, Joel Fultz, Markelle Freedom, Enes Gordon, Eric Hardaway, Tim James, LeBron Lowry, Kyle Mitchell, Donovan Nance, Larry Noel, Nerlens Powell, Norman Robinson, DuncanPOSTSEASON ROSTERSChicagoAnthony, Cole Bazley, Darius Bey, Saddiq Brooks, Dillon Brown, Jaylen Dort, Lugentz Graham, Devonte O’Neale, Royce Porzingis, Kristaps Reid, Naz Robinson-Earl, Jeremiah Simmons, Ben Williams, Patrick - IR
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Post by Miege22 on Feb 13, 2022 22:08:58 GMT -5
EAST: Tampa Bay vs. BrooklynHow They Got HereTampa Bay is the #2 seed, coming in at 11-5. They won the Southeast division for the fourth year in a row.Brooklyn enters the postseason as the #3 seed, finishing 10-6. They were second in the North Division.Postseason HistoryThis is the Bull Sharks' 11th playoff appearance. They defeated Boston in the first round last year before losing to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals All-Time Playoff Record: 14-7 Finals Record: 3-0 Titles: 3 (2012, 2015, 2016)The Nets are also making their 11th appearance in the postseason. They were last here in 2020, when they finished undefeated and were on the verge of a third straight Finals appearance, before COVID shut down the season. All-Time Playoff Record: 18-5 Finals Record: 4-1 Titles: 4 (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019)Regular Season Meeting(s)The Bull Sharks and Nets played in week 10 (Dec. 20-26). The Nets won, 5-4.Statistical Rankings Among Playoff TeamsTampa Bay FG %: 1st (2nd overall) FT %: 6th (9th) 3PTM: 10th (11th) REBS: 2nd (3rd) ASTS: 4th (6th) STLS: 8th (11th) BLKS: 5th (8th) TOS: 8th (17th) PTS: 3rd (3rd)Brooklyn FG %: 3rd (6th) FT %: 8th (12th) 3PTM: 11th (12th) REBS: 7th (10th) ASTS: 7th (9th) STLS: 4th (5th) BLKS: 1st (3rd) TOS: 2nd (9th) PTS: 9th (11th)KEY INJURIESTampa Bay - Derrick Rose (ankle - out); Monte Morris (concussion – DTD); Zach LaVine (knee - DTD)Brooklyn – Collin Sexton (knee – out); Jalen McDaniels (ankle – out); Series Notes-The #2 seed in the East is 9-3 all-time in their first playoff matchup -The Bull Sharks’ all-time franchise record is 134-72 (regular season) -The Nets’ all-time franchise record is 150-56 (regular season) -This will be the 7th playoff meeting in 13 years between these two clubs, though it will only be the 2nd time they’ve faced off in the lower half of the bracket. The last time they played in the 2/3 match-up, Brooklyn won en route to their first title. Did the Bull Sharks benefit the most from the (real life) trade deadline?You know, you could make an argument that they did. While they weren’t the team impacted the most (we’re pretty sure half of Poopy’s team was moved), they did have a couple of major dominoes fall. The first was Domantas Sabonis’ move to Sacramento, making him the go to big in that offense. The second was Sacramento shipping out Tyrese Haliburton and putting all of the playmaking on De’Aaron Fox… and the early returns are very good for the Bull Sharks. If this is the kind of Fox they are getting for the postseason, they are probably the favorite.What exactly is Brooklyn’s plan here?Look, we’re not here to belittle playoff appearances. Making the playoffs is a fantastic accomplishment… it’s just interesting to see a franchise as storied as this Nets group in this position. The Nets don’t typically enter the playoffs as a longshot finalist, which is what they are this year. They either win or get shockingly upset. However, if they pull off a win this year, they’ll be the ones pulling the shocking upset. They’re pretty much relying on rookies, castaway role players, specialists, and Brandon Ingram. It’s not going to be easy.Tampa Bay's highlight of the season... week 7 vs. ColoradoBoy, this was not easy. This has not been the easiest year for the Bull Sharks. Between COVID and injuries, they’ve never really managed to find a rhythm. They’ve had no problems beating the teams they should beat, but it’s been hit or miss against those around them in the standings. This was a game that, at the time, seemed like it would carry a ton of weight. And the Bull Sharks took care of the Swannies with ease. As it turned out, it did mean a ton to Colorado, though not so much to Tampa Bay.Brooklyn's highlight of the season... week 4 vs. PhoenixWe could have pointed to their wins over rivals Tampa Bay and New York, but both of those teams were almost comically banged-up. Instead, a big shout-out to their win over a damn good Suns team that played roughly the same number of minutes. The Nets team today is dramatically different from the one during that match-up (gone are Harrell, Hield, Thad Young, NAW, Kenyon Martin Jr., Pat Connaughton, Mike Conley, CP3, and KCP), but it was still an impressive win and kept them afloat during a tough non-conference schedule.Who to keep an eye on for Tampa Bay... Chris PaulWell, well, well, how the turntables… it’s been a weird, winding path for Chris Paul. After leading the Bull Sharks to their first title in 2012, Tampa swapped him to Brooklyn, where he won two more in 13 and 14. Brooklyn lost to Tampa in 2015, and they shipped Paul to Atlanta in 2016… where he lost in the playoffs to Tampa Bay, again. Atlanta sent him to Minnesota, where he toiled away for a few seasons before getting traded to Portland… where he proceeded to BEAT Minnesota in the playoffs that same season. But we’re not done yet! Portland moved to Miami the next season, and Paul was traded back to Tampa Bay at the deadline. Tampa Bay lost in the playoffs to Chicago, and the Nets signed Paul in the off-season before sending him back to Tampa Bay. (*deep breath*) Anyway, Chris Paul is really good, and he might have put Tampa Bay over the top. Who to keep an eye on for Brooklyn... Evan MobleyIt’s got to be Mobley. The rookie big man has been a revelation this year, and he is the runaway rookie of the year favorite. After the Nets went into last year’s draft with all those picks, they exited with Mobley and Suggs thinking it best to grab the two best players they could. Well, that was wrong. They could have just as easily come away with Mobley, Barnes, Wagner, and Giddey, but what’s done is done. Mobley is a foundational piece, and the Nets need all-star level play from him to win this series.Tampa Bay's X-Factor: Zach LaVineIs he healthy? That’s the most important question here. If he’s healthy, he’s likely to average darn near 30 points. If he’s not, the drop-off is substantial. The Bull Sharks need LaVine to finally make it through a postseason if they want to win a title. Brooklyn’s X-Factor: Jalen SuggsSuggs has been significantly better since coming back from his fractured thumb, but, like LaVine, he’s dealing with some lingering injuries. If he’s not healthy, we can pretty much skip ahead to the conference finals. Tampa Bay's Reason for Hope... they’re the healthiest, most talented teamNo team in the East enters the postseason in Tampa’s class in both a health and talent standpoint. The Knicks have the talent, but they are extremely injured at the moment. The Nets are relatively healthy, but they cannot match Tampa’s firepower. The Bull Sharks took last year’s disappointment and gave themselves one more year to finally get it done with this group, and it’s as good a shot as they’ve ever had.Brooklyn's Reason for Hope... they just, kind of, winThe Nets are not going to win the title… but, maybe, they can get lucky? I mean, they have won four titles already, and while they don’t have the high-end talent, maybe they can get enough hot streaks and opposing team injuries to accomplish the unthinkable? I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Tampa Bay?There’s something admirable about refusing to tear things down in the face of repeated failure. Tampa Bay has advanced the conference finals three straight years, losing all three times. Most teams would look at those results, and the upcoming cap issues, and look to take a step back and retool. Instead, Tampa Bay has continued to go for broke, trying their darndest to get back to the promised land. It’s been six long years since they last went to, and won, the Finals. Is this finally the year they get back?I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Brooklyn?Because this isn’t your typical Brooklyn team, loaded with star talent and beating back all-comers. If they managed to win it all, it would be a true cinderella story. Given their previous success, no one would be faulted for wanting to seem some new blood, but this is not your heavy favorite Nets squad.POSTSEASON ROSTERSTampa Bay Allen, Jarrett Burks, Alec Fox, De’Aaron Griffin, Blake Holiday, Justin LaVine, Zach Mathews, Garrison McDermott, Doug Morris, Marcus Morris, Monte Paul, Chris Rose, Derrick (IR) Sabonis, Domantas Towns, Karl-Anthony Zubac, Ivica Brooklyn Boston, Brandon (D-LEAGUE) Bullock, Reggie Clarke, Brandon Christopher, Josh Ingram, Brandon Lyles, Trey McDaniels, Jalen McLemore, Ben Mobley, Evan Ross, Terrence Sexton, Collin (IR) Strus, Max Suggs, Jalen Tate, Jae’Sean Washington, Duane Williams III, Robert
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Post by Miege22 on Feb 13, 2022 22:35:19 GMT -5
WEST: Golden State vs. HoustonHow They Got HereGolden State is the #1 seed in the West after winning the Pacific Division. They finished with the best record in the league at 14-2.OKC is the 5th seed, finishing 11-5. They defeated the Houston Rockets in the play-in round to get here.Postseason HistoryThis is Golden State’s 5th playoff appearance, and their first since 2017. They’ve yet to win a game. They lost to Houston in their last appearance.All-Time Playoff Record: 0-4 Finals Record: 0-0 Titles: N/AThis is the 5th playoff appearance for the Thunder, and it is their first appearance in the playoffs since 2015. The last time they made the playoffs, they lost in the first round to Las Vegas.All-Time Playoff Record: 4-3 Finals Record: 1-0 Titles: 1 (2011)Regular Season Meeting(s)The Warriors and Thunder played in week 8 (Dec. 6-12). OKC won, 8-1.Statistical Rankings Among Playoff TeamsGolden State FG %: 7th (17th) FT %: 1st (1st) 3PTM: 2nd (2nd) REBS: 4th (5th) ASTS: 2nd (2nd) STLS: 5th (6th) BLKS: 7th (11th) TOS: 6th (14th) PTS: 1st (1st)Oklahoma City FG %: 8th (18th) FT %: 10th (18th) 3PTM: 5th (5th) REBS: 5th (6th) ASTS: 1st (1st) STLS: 2nd (3rd) BLKS: 6th (9th) TOS: 10th (20th) PTS: 7th (7th)KEY INJURIESGolden St. – Luke Kennard (ankle – DTD); Kendrick Nunn (knee – out)OKC - noneSeries Notes-The #1 seed in the West is 10-2 all-time in first round match-ups -Golden State’s all-time franchise record is 101-105 (regular season) -OKC's all-time record is 101-105 (regular season) -Golden State’s 11-win improvement over last year’s record represents the single biggest year-to-year improvement in league history. Just how did the Warriors do it?Coming into the season, the league knew Golden State could be good. They’d assembled an incredibly talented roster last year, but COVID and injuries doomed their season almost from the start. Golden State was remarkably active in the trade market, and what resulted was a roster loaded with proven contributors and vets. Their trade for Devin Booker set them on this path, but subsequent trades for Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Jimmy Butler really solidified their top-end. They also struck gold on some key gambles, namely Kevin Love, Al Horford, and Reggie Jackson. About midway through the year, it became clear this was going to be a team no one wanted to face in the playoffs.Was that the best comeback in playoff history? Oh no, but it was pretty special. The Thunder actually managed to flip points, rebounds, and assists rather easily. The surprising part was picking up 4 blocks in the last 6 minutes of the Boston/Atlanta game to flip that category as well. Edwards picked up another block and went off in the second half of the last game, and that was all she wrote. The win, OKC's first in the playoffs since they won the title in 2011 (on the back of arguably their best playoff comeback in franchise history), sets up a rematch of OKC's blowout win over GS from earlier this season. Golden State’s highlight of the season... week 11 vs. HoustonAfter a gut-wrenching loss to Phoenix, the Warriors took out their anger and frustration on Houston and throttled the Rockets. They shut them out, and it kicked off their 6 game winning streak to end the season. OKC's highlight of the season... week 12 vs. Kansas City The Thunder had already won four straight to cement themselves as contenders in the West by the time their match-up with the undefeated Kings rolled around, but their thorough win over KC left no doubt that OKC was for real. Both teams also played roughly the same number of minutes, so you couldn't chalk this up as a schedule win/loss. This was an old-fashioned drubbing.Who to keep an eye on for Golden State… Fred VanVleet.Steady Freddy has played at an all-star level this year, and he’s been a key reason for Golden State’s success. However, he’s also been injury prone in the past and is currently dealing with a bit of a funny groin. With Houston’s firepower, the Warriors are going to need Fred.Who to keep an eye on for OKC... Davion MitchellThe rookie out of Baylor has gotten a chance to shoulder a bigger load with some real life teammates out injured, and he has jumped at the opportunity, scoring in double figures in each of the last 6 games. With some of those same teammates prime trade targets, there's a chance that Mitchell could continue to get all he can handle. Golden State’s X-Factor: Kevin LoveCould it be anyone else? Talk about a renaissance. Love came into the season looking at a backup role on a potentially bad team. But instead of pouting, he’s taken those 22 mpg and turned in a throwback season. The counting stats aren’t huge, again, because of the minutes, but if you just look at February, you’d think he was the old Kevin Love. He’s put up 18-10-2.5 with nearly 3 threes per game. It’s been one of the coolest stories in the league, if we’re being honest.OKC's X-Factor: Russell WestbrookRuss has the ability to sink this Thunder team or catapult them to the Finals, he's that volatile. Last week against Houston, he almost gave the matchup away with a particularly dreadful performance Saturday night. If OKC has any hope of winning not just this round, but making a real run? They need MVP Russ.Golden State's Reason for Hope... they’re the best team hereLook, winning a title isn’t easy. It never is, and it’s not supposed to be. If the Warriors win it all, it’s going to be tough. But they’re 14-2 for a reason, and that’s because they’re a damn good team with top-end talent and depth. They can play with, and beat, anyone, and they’ve proven that this year.OKC's Reason for Hope... their star talent are STARSLuka is a top-5 fantasy player. Tatum is capable of playing at that level for extended stretches, as is Anthony Edwards. All three fill up the stat sheet. Sometimes all it takes to make a deep run is for your stars to outplay the other team. This game can be kind of simple in that way, and we saw it play out on the final day of the play-in round when Tatum and Edwards combined for 75. Luka averaged 43-10-8, Tatum put up 27-7-4, and Edwards averaged 27-4-4.I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Golden State?It’s hard to go wrong with any of the teams left in the West. The only one here that’s even been to the Finals, let alone won a title, is Houston. For the Warriors (and the Suns, we’ll get to them), they haven’t won so much as a round. New blood is always fun, and it’s especially rewarding when an owner builds a team back up to contender status the way the Dubs have done it. I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for OKC?The Thunder were dead in the water until the final day of the play-in round, when they staged a comeback that will go down in the history books of this league. Using that comeback as a springboard to a second title in franchise history, their first since 2011, would be quite the story.POSTSEASON ROSTERS Golden State Allen, Grayson Booker, Devin Butler, Jimmy Curry, Seth Gordon, Aaron Horford, Al Jackson, Reggie Jones, Herb (D-League) Kennard, Luke Love, Kevin Mills, Patty Nunn, Kendrick (IR) Siakam, Pascal VanVleet, Fred Vucevic, Nikola Walker, KembaOKC Azubuike, Udoka Capela, Clint Crowder, Jae Doncic, Luka Edwards, Anthony Mitchell, Davion Mykhailiuk, Svi Okongwu, Onyeka Smart, Marcus Tatum, Jayson Vassell, Devin Westbrook, Russell White, Coby White, Derrick
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Post by Miege22 on Feb 13, 2022 22:40:32 GMT -5
WEST: Phoenix vs. Kansas CityHow They Got HerePhoenix enters as the #2 seed after finishing 13-3. They’ve won 9 of their last 10 games.Kansas City is the #3 seed, also finishing 13-3. They’ve lost 3 of 5, but they won the Midwest Division for the 2nd time in 3 years.Postseason HistoryThis is just the third playoff appearance for the Suns, but their first in Phoenix. They last made the playoffs in 2020 as the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing in round one to Portland. All-Time Playoff Record: 1-2 Finals Record: 0-0 Titles: N/AThis is the 8th playoff appearance for the Kings. They made the playoffs last year as the #2 seed, losing the Soncis in round one. All-Time Playoff Record: 4-7 Finals Record: 0-0 Titles: N/ARegular Season Meeting(s)These two played in week 15 (Jan. 24-30). The Suns won, 6-3.Statistical Rankings Among Playoff TeamsPhoenix FG %: 2nd (3rd) FT %: 9th (14th) 3PTM: 6th (7th) REBS: 1st (1st) ASTS: 8th (11th) STLS: 1st (1st) BLKS: 4th (6th) TOS: 5th (12th) PTS: 6th (6th)Kansas City FG %: 5th (9th) FT %: 7th (11th) 3PTM: 8th (9th) REBS: 3rd (4th) ASTS: 5th (7th) STLS: 7th (10th) BLKS: 7th (9th) TOS: 7th (15th) PTS: 2nd (2nd)KEY INJURIESPhoenix – Malcolm Brogdon (achilles – DTD); Mitchell Robinson (ankle - DTD); Terence Davis (wrist – out)Kansas City – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle – out); Ricky Rubio (knee – out); Javonte Green (foot - DTD)Series Notes-Kansas City's all-time record is 121-85 (regular season) -Phoenix's all-time record is 89-117 (regular season) -The #2 seed in the West has not been a great landing spot lately. The #2 seed has lost each of the last three first round match-ups. -This marks yet another playoff match-up we’ve never seen before, becoming the fourth already this postseason. Aren’t the Suns the best team here?You could certainly make the case for that, and not many would argue. Much like the Warriors, the Suns have some really good top-end talent (uh, Nikola Jokic, anyone?) as well as a ton of depth. They have the leading candidate for MIP, in Miles Bridges, and at least one other guy giving him a run for his money in Anfernee Simons. If Brogdon can come back strong, this team is more than capable of winning the whole dang thing.Is Poopy still alive? How has he kept so quiet?Yes, he’s still alive, but we’re as surprised as anyone that he hasn’t made any grand proclamations about this title chances. Rumor has it that, for once, he’s biding his time and waiting to see how his team performs in the postseason. After a couple of early flameouts the last two years, patience is running thin. This group likely has next year to figure it out, but then a reckoning will be coming.Phoenix's highlight of the season... week 15 vs. Kansas City In a game that could be a sign of things to come, the Suns ran roughshod all over the Kings, en route to a comfortable 6-3 win. The victory assured the Suns of a spot in the 2/3 match-up, avoiding the play-in game. Kansas City's highlight of the season... week 14 vs. HoustonThey may have started 11-0, but the playoffs were still in doubt by the time they got to week 14 against the Rockets. Once the week ended, though, they had wrapped up a playoff spot and the division, once again proving that Poopy can manage with the best of them.Who to keep an eye on for Phoenix... Evan FournierAfter slumping hard earlier in the year, Fournier has been lights out over the last couple of weeks. He’s hit double digit scoring in every game since the 28th, and he’s even contributed in other categories. Who to keep an eye on for Kansas City... Josh HartHart has been an all-around dynamo for the Kings… when healthy. After getting moved (in real life) to Portland, he should have even more opportunities to do, well, everything. That is, if he can stay on the floor. Phoenix's X-Factor: Mitchell RobinsonWhich Mitch Rob are the Suns going to get? Will they get the guy who dominates the boards and blocks everything in sight? Or will they get the guy who’s just kind of… there? If it’s the former, they’re an upset candidate. If it’s the latter, they’re going to the Finals.Kansas City's X-Factor: everyone in new situationsThis one was hard to pin down because the Kings had a whopping five players traded during the real life deadline. It’s a complete toss up to project what CJ McCollum, Dennis Schroder, Caris LeVert, Josh Hart, and Montrezl Harrell will do.Phoenix's Reason for Hope... much like the Warriors, they’re just dang goodAs if winning 9 of 10 wasn’t good enough, the Suns also, probably, have the MVP in Nikola Jokic. The Joker has been even better than he was last year, and he’s basically a walking triple-double. He’s going to be the best fantasy player in any series he goes into, and he’s been remarkably dependable. As long as he’s around, the Suns are a tough out.Kansas City's Reason for Hope... depthWhat the Kings lack in star power, they more than make up for in sheer solidity. There are no dead spots on this roster. Even the role players provide production in looked over categories. Now, we’ve seen in the past that depth alone hasn’t been enough to win it all, but maybe, juuuuuust maybe, the Kings can be the exception.I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Phoenix?After bursting onto the scene two years ago, only to fall short in the playoffs, the Suns took a step backward. Or should I say the Wolves. That disappointment led to a city, a new division, and a new opportunity. The Wolves took some swings, and they’ve been rewarded. Miles Bridges, Anfernee Simons, and Gary Payton are not guys anyone would have counted to contribute what they are. Yet, they’re here, and they do. It would represent a total sea change in the Western Conference, and that’s always interesting.I'm a neutral observer, why should I root for Kansas City?I feel like we say this every year, but just imagine the incredible rants from Poopy if they pull this off. It would also be a feather in the cap of anyone who’s ever thought about going for it instead of selling off parts. The Kings refuse to go quietly into the night, and it’s about time they’re rewarded for it.POSTSEASON ROSTERS Phoenix Anunoby, OG Brogdon, Malcolm Bridges, Miles Caldwell, Pope Conley, Mike Davis, Terrence (IR) Fournier, Evan Jokic, Nikola Mann, Tre Olynyk, Kelly Payton II, Gary Robinson, Mitchell Simons, Anfernee Thybulle, Matisse Valanciunas, Jonas Wiggins, Aaron (D-LEAGUE)Kansas City Anderson, Kyle Barnes, Harrison Gilgeous-Alexander, Shai (IR) Grant, Jerami Green, Javonte Harrell, Montrezl Hart, Josh Joseph, Cory LeVert, Caris Looney, Kevon McCollum, CJ Nowell, Jaylen (D-LEAGUE) Portis, Bobby Rubio, Ricky Schroder, Dennis Wood, Christian
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