I am really looking forward to the NBA playoffs. I think there is a good chance that for the first time in the three years we will see a team other than the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals this year. Don’t get me wrong, as a serious basketball fan I have enjoyed watching the Warriors and Cavs battle because of the extraordinary collection of talent on both teams and the high level of play that has been exhibited in the Finals by these teams.
Eastern Conference
My pick: Philadelphia 76ers…I definitely feel like I’m going out on a limb picking the #3 seed Sixers, but they did finish the season with a 16 game win streak, led by Super-Rookie Ben Simmons. Always difficult to pick against LeBron James, but I just think the Sixers have a deeper team than the Cavs or the Raptors and in Simmons and Joel Embid Philadelphia have next gen elite stars that can them to the Finals.
Western Conference
My pick: Golden State Warriors. Tough call because the Houston Rockets have a very formidable team and will hold home court advantage as the #1 seed in the West. In picking the Warriors I am assuming that they will have All-Star guard Stephen Curry back by the 2nd round. GS will definitely need Curry to get past the high scoring Rockets.
Champion: Golden State Warriors wins in 6 games over the Sixers. I think the Sixers, assuming they keep Simmons and Embid together and they stay healthy, will be a real threat to win the NBA championship for the next decade, but we have not quite arrived at the changing of the guard year in the NBA, although I think there is a good chance that will happen next year.
gmf journal 