The Redesigned NBA Playoffs
By: Jacob Ortiz, (@legionhoops)
In regards to a 16-seed playoff bracket, I think it’s unnecessary to change. I’d love to see the 16 current playoff teams get invited, and a play-in tournament for the four “bubble” western conference teams. Getting the teams to play is enough entertainment, and keeps the integrity of this season’s champion. We already have some people marking this season as an “asterisk”. Those at a disadvantage would be teams like the Lakers, Clippers, etc, in the sense that they worked hard for seeding for home court advantage, which no longer exists. However, this long hiatus does have its advantages for older teams, and they’ve had a chance to rest their bodies.
2 Teams to Watch out for
By: The Halftime Buzz, (@halftimebuzz)
Miami Heat
Headlined by 5-time all-star Jimmy Butler and an experienced coaching staff, the Miami Heat are undoubtedly a team to watch out for in this year's highly anticipated NBA Playoffs. Butler, the team's superstar shooting guard, was averaging 20 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, and 6 assists per game before the season was suddenly halted due to concerns regarding Covid-19. Butler, along with his talented supporting cast, led the Heat to a 41-24 record prior to the season's postponement. Arguably one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season was undrafted rookie, Kendrick Nunn. Nunn played roughly 30 minutes per game and recorded incredible stats, headlined by nearly 16 points per game on 44.8% shooting from the field. Nunn wasn't the only surprise on the Heat roster as dominant big-man Bam Adebayo provided the Heat with his first all-star season. Adebayo was averaging a comfortable double-double while shooting 56.7% from the field. Although these three players headline the team, Miami's role players contribute to a league's best 3-point shooting offense. With the likes of Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, the Heat managed to shoot 38.3% from beyond the arc which surpassed that of every team this season. Robinson, who participated in the 3-point contest this year, shot an unimaginable 44.8% from 3-point land. Furthermore, Miami has one of the league's most proven coaching staffs in the league. Spoelstra and co. have won 15 of 21 postseason series' throughout their lengthy and successful coaching careers. Overall, the Heat have a deep and well-rounded team that has all the proper tools to make a run in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
P.S. the Heat were responsible for 2 of the 12 Bucks' losses in the 2019-2020 season and could very well have to face them again in this year's playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks
One word, Luka. Luka Dončić was putting up MVP numbers in just his second season in the league. The former ROTY was averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, and he is only 21 years old. Are you kidding me? Dončić is already a consensus top player and there's no doubt he could lead the Dallas Mavericks to a potential playoff run in 2020. Don't be fooled by the presence of Dončić, the supporting cast in Dallas is also very talented. Led by 7'3 "unicorn" Kristaps Porzingis, the Dallas Mavericks can stretch out opposing defenses and protect the rim at all costs. When the inside game isn't working, the Mavericks have a 3-point specialist in Seth Curry. Curry shot 45.3% from beyond the arc (2nd best in the NBA) and his teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. wasn't far behind, shooting nearly 7% above the league's 33.9% average. Along with a talented roster, Dallas' coaching pedigree has postseason experience. Head coach Rick Carlisle, a previous NBA champion, has all the weapons necessary to compete with the powerhouses in this league.
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