1 Thing We Learned About Every Team In The First Round of the Playoffs

We started with 16 playoff hopefuls. Now, we’re down to the final eight. The first round of the playoffs is over, and boy, was it fun. From game-winners to blown leads, the excitement never seemed to stop. Now, it’s time to reflect. Each team showed us something in the first round. Here are my thoughts on what they showed us.

---

Atlanta Hawks: They Need A Second Star

I didn’t think the Hawks stood a chance against the Heat in the first round. It was uglier than I envisioned it. Trae Young struggled, and nary a Hawk stepped up besides De’Andre Hunter. After making it to the Conference Finals last year, the Hawks went out with a whimper in 2022.

As a Blazers fan, I can relate to this. While Young is an offensive maestro, smaller guards who need pick-and-rolls to generate offense struggle in the playoffs. Against a Miami team with so many switchable defenders, Trae had nowhere to go.

That’s why the Hawks need a second All-Star next to Young on the perimeter. Preferably one who can also give Atlanta some much-needed perimeter defense, but they need someone. I don’t know who they can get, but someone like Donovan Mitchell is perfect for them.

A guy who can create his own shot and doesn’t need Young’s playmaking to be effective. I like Bogdanovic and Huerter, but they’re role players. At a certain point, the Hawks can’t settle for those guys. They need a star.

---

Boston Celtics: They’re Legit

I predicted the Boston Celtics to beat the Nets in the first round. But I didn’t expect them to sweep a team with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics showed that they are for real. Their buzzsaw end to the regular season wasn’t a fluke. 

On both sides of the ball, it looked like the Celtics figured out how to win. Tatum and Brown didn’t always have things going. Boston’s struggled to win in recent seasons when that’s happened. In this series, however, they found offense from other places. The likes of Smart, Grant Williams, and Pritchard all had timely performances.

It’s hard to believe I haven’t talked about Boston’s defense yet because it’s scary. Boston has the best regular-season defense in the NBA for a reason. But, I don’t think we expected to shut down Brooklyn’s stars as they did;

Kevin Durant: 26.3 points / 5.3 turnovers / 53% TS / -2.9 BPM / not the bus driver?

Kyrie Irving: 15.3 ppg / 18% 3-PT / 48% TS after game 1

Robert Williams wasn’t expected back until at least the second round. But, his knee decided he wanted to help Boston beat up Brooklyn. These next few days should allow him to get back in better game shape, which is a bad sign for Milwaukee.

Speaking of the Bucks, that second-round matchup between these two teams should be nothing short of excellence. Boston has proved they belong in the playoffs. Now, their next challenge is the defending champions.

---

Brooklyn Nets: They Have A Lot of Work To Do

Well, this is convenient. I already talked about what the Nets have to do this offseason in my postseason variety show. Read that for a more in-depth analysis, but this is what they have to do, in a nutshell;

• Re-sign Kyrie for less than three years (if possible)
• Get Ben Simmons on the floor
• Overhaul the frontcourt
• Hope for less chaos

Brooklyn’s star power has long hidden a lot of their major flaws. In a way, getting swept was the best thing for them. Now, they have to look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘we need to change.’ Once that happens, this team can get back on a path to contention in the East. 

---

Chicago Bulls: They Need More Depth

Speaking of depth, let’s talk about the Chicago Bulls. After a game two victory to tie the series against the defending champs, the Bulls fell apart. So did their backcourt, as Lavine and Caruso missed time when the Bulls needed them most.

That was Chicago’s season in a nutshell. Lonzo Ball didn’t play after mid-January due to a knee injury. He was one of numerous Bulls players to miss times with injury/Covid. Chicago survived such injuries for a long time, but they caught up to them at the worst time. They went from first in the conference to sixth in just a few weeks.

It’s hard to win in the NBA when this is what happens to your roster;

Zach Lavine (All-Star): 15 missed games
Lonzo Ball (Career Year): 47 missed games + entire playoffs
Alex Caruso (Swiss Army Knife): 41 missed games
Derrick Jones Jr (Depth): 31 missed games
Patrick Williams (Starter): 65 missed games

It’s hard to imagine Chicago deals with these many injuries next season. But, even coming into the season, I questioned their depth. They were one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. More size down low is needed when you share the same conference with Giannis and Embiid.

You’re in trouble when a washed-up Tristan Thompson is your postseason backup center. The Bulls need to fill that need, and FAST. Luckily, they have some options. Thadgic Johnson, Serge Ibaka, and Hassan Whiteside are all prolific rebounders. If the Bulls could snag any one of these guys, their rebounding would greatly improve.

---

Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic Has The Help He Needs

Luka Doncic said something that stuck with me. Immediately after getting past for the first time in his career, Doncic said this;

I mean, I think today we didn’t play that good. Uh, I think our energy was low. We picked it up in the second half, but in the first half we were bull****ing around.

Luka Doncic after owning the state of Utah

Luka Doncic doesn’t have to carry the load when his team plays “poorly” for the first time in his career. The Mavericks were ride-or-die with whatever Luka gave them over the past two years. It was a different story in this series.

Jason Kidd’s defense proved itself in the playoffs. Utah’s 3-pt shooting in this series was abysmal. Donovan Mitchell hardly had airspace. The league’s best offense averaged just 99 points on 44% shooting from the field in this series. That sort of thing wouldn’t have happened under Rick Carlisle.

Jalen Brunson turned into a reliable second option. Kristaps Porzingis didn’t average 27 points in a playoff series, giving Dallas two crucial wins when Luka was out. Others like Finney-Smith, Kleber, and Bullock were marvelous in this series.

Doncic played well against Utah, but he didn’t have to be “F U Luka” for Dallas to come away with wins. That story may change against the top-seeded Suns in the first round, but that’s not the point. Think of Luka’s help from the past three seasons. Of those three, which one are you the most confident in?

Your answer has to be this year’s helpers. So, finally, the Wunderkind has some help.

---

Denver Nuggets: Health is Everything

Jamal Murray: 0 games played in 2022
Michael Porter Jr: 9 games played in 2022
Total Contract Owed: $274,050,200

The Nuggets managed to win a game against Golden State even without two of their best players. It’s a win for role players, but they need to be healthy. Nikola Jokic can only do so much. Both Murray and MPJ have to be on the floor in 2023 for this team to go anywhere.

If that happens, I think this team is one of the most talented in the NBA. Until then, we wait.

---

Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole Is Their True X-Factor

The Warriors rolled through the short-handed Nuggets in the first round. Despite the hurdle of Steph Curry’s health, Golden State got back to their winning ways, winning their first playoff series in 1,073 days. I don’t want to talk about Curry, Thompson, or Draymond Green. Nor do I want to have a symposium about Steve Kerr or Andrew Wiggins.

No. I want to talk about Jordan Poole. Due to Curry’s foot injury, Jordan Poole was tasked with being the starting point guard for the Warriors. It’s safe to say he managed himself in that role;

21.0 points / 5.4 assists / 72% TS / 4.5 OBPM

Poole scored 59 combined points in his first two playoff games. His hot start was breaking records left, right, and center. He was the catalyst to Golden State’s hot start, not returning to the bench until game five. Even without Steph Curry, Poole made sure Golden State wasn’t missing a beat in production.

When Klay Thompson returned to the court in early January, Poole was negatively effected. After starting for the entire season, he was relegated to the bench. Going to the bench made his production crash like the stock market.

But, to his credit, he stayed ready. Now that his confidence is at an all-time high, the Warriors are even more dangerous. To go from Steph Curry to Jordan Poole off the bench is a nightmare matchup for any defense.

If you thought the Warriors were dangerous before, think again! Jordan Poole gives the Warriors something they’ve never had before; a legitimate scoring threat off the bench. Sorry, Shaun Livingston.

---

Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr Can’t Help Himself

The Memphis Grizzlies may have stolen three wins away from the Timberwolves, but they certainly didn’t play their best basketball in that series. In particular, Jaren Jackson Jr. didn’t play up to his abilities. In fact, JJJ hardly played at all during this series.

Foul trouble has always plagued the young forward. I think you get the idea here. Jackson played a total of 147 minutes in the first round. He made 24 field goals, but he also had an astonishing 31 fouls. He only played 30+ minutes in a game once.

If Jackson had been on the floor more, this series wouldn’t have been as close. JJJ is one of the best rim-protectors in the NBA. But, staying on the floor remains a challenge for the 22-year-old.

If the Grizzlies want to take down the Warriors, Jackson is going to have to control himself better, or else.

---

Miami Heat: Victor Oladipo Is Back?

Miami’s bludgeoning of the Hawks in the first-round was nothing surprising. What was surprising was how well some of their role players played. Lowry and Butler both missed time during that series. So, as we all expected, Victor Oladipo came to the rescue.

Injuries ruined any promise his All-Star career had with the Pacers. He came to Miami, but didn’t play until March. Oladipo was playing well off the bench, ending the season with a 40-point explosion against the Magic.

Now, Oladipo didn’t play in the first three games of this series. Heck, his game four performance was nothing spectacular, either. But, I was impressed with how he handled himself in a starting role in game 5;

Victor Oladipo in Game 5 against the Hawks

23 points / 3 steals / 50% FG / +7 plus/minus

Oladipo was all over the floor. In the first half, he attacked the basket like he was still a Pacer. His length and aggressiveness on defense made him yet another defender Atlanta couldn’t expose. Given that the Heat don’t have too many great perimeter defenders off the bench, Oladipo could get more playing time in the second round.

While Duncan Robinson gives them more offense, Dipo gives Miami more defense. Defense wins championships, so maybe Miami gives him more chances to prove himself down the stretch. And I’m all here for it.

---

Milwaukee Bucks: They’re Still Da Champs

After losing game two of the series AND Khris Middleton, I started to worry about the defending champs. They weren’t playing well, and now Giannis didn’t have his co-star. Could this be the end of Milwaukee’s chances to repe-

no

Instead of panicking, the Bucks dismantled the Bulls. They beat them by a combined 70 points over the final three contests. Giannis was dominant, and he had some help along the way. Those last three games were a statement to the rest of the league.

Sure, the regular season didn’t see them dominate every team in their wake. We didn’t see Milwaukee be atop the standings for a long time. They were just kind of there. But, guess what? They’re still the defending champions.

So, even though they looked outgunned in the second round against Boston, don’t throw caution into the wind. This team is still dangerous and looking for their second-straight title.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves: Man, Are They Immature

The Minnesota Timberwolves did all of this in one playoff series;

• Blew two 20-point leads in Game three, fall behind 2-1
• Blow double-digit lead in decisive Game 5 – lose at the buzzer – fall behind 3-2
• Blew ANOTHER double-digit lead – 4th quarter collapse – lose series in six games

Minnesota should have won this series. As I mentioned earlier, the Grizzlies did not play their best basketball. But they played better when it mattered. They got better as the game went on, and Minnesota got worse.

You can blame A-Rod, protestors, or something else, but let’s face the facts. This team showed us that they’re not ready. Anthony Edwards was the only guy I trusted out there, and even then, he’s the reason Ja Morant got so open for that game five buzzer-beater.

But, Towns? D-Lo? Those guys were horrendous in this series. Russell was so bad that Jordan McLoughlin was the better option for them. Towns was either feeble or dominant in this series with no in-between. His complaining, stupid offensive fouls, and even stupider shot selection continue even though this was his seventh season in the NBA.

Remember the last time Towns made the playoffs? It was with Jimmy Butler. Towns again made the playoffs this season with Anthony Edwards. Do you see the pattern here? Towns is not capable of being the #1 option. I may have called him a once-in-a-lifetime player earlier this season, but mentally, he’s not capable of leading a team. 

Anthony Edwards was the best player in this series. For Minnesota to go anywhere, they have to put all of its eggs into his basket. That has to happen for this team to build off this season.

---

New Orleans Pelicans: The Itch On Your Back You Can’t Reach

The Pelicans gave the top-seeded Suns everything they had. Even without Zion Williamson, they nearly forced a game seven against the team that ran circles around the rest of the NBA during the regular season.

From their rookies stepping up to the Brandon Ingram show, they were must-watch TV every time they played. After a 3-16 start that made us question their existence, the Pelicans’ post-AD ambitions are coming to fruition.

Assuming all goes well, this roster is one of the better ones in the West;

CJ McCollum
Herb Jones
Brandon Ingram
Zion Williamson
Jones Valanciunas

Jose Alvarado
Jaxson Hayes
Devonte Graham
Trey Murphy III
Larry Nance Jr
Naji Marshall

The Pelicans have an identity. They’re the itch on your back that you can’t reach. They’ll push and scrap until you’re so mad you can’t even focus. If they can do that to a Chris Paul-led team in the playoffs, they can do it to anybody.

---

Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden Can’t Be Relied Upon

The 76ers should have swept the Toronto Raptors. A miraculous Joel Embiid game-winner sealed game three, giving Philly a commanding 3-0 series. So, even when we learned that Embiid was dealing with a hand injury, nobody blinked.

‘They’ll be fine,’ we thought. Instead, Philly lost the next two games, eventually winning the series in six but losing Joel Embiid for the foreseeable future in doing so. So, what’s the lesson from all of this? 

James Harden Can’t Be Trusted

Toronto’s defense allowed Harden to collect all the assists he could dream of. But in terms of quality of play, Harden was sub-par. 41% shooting doesn’t flatter me, if we’re being honest. And, the worst part of all of this?

Harden now has to (somehow) turn back the clocks against Miami. I find it hard to believe Joel Embiid will play anywhere near healthy during this series. Having a mild concussion, among other things, will do that to you.

Philly’s title hopes now lie with a washed-up superstar who isn’t the same player he was in Houston. Have fun!

---

Phoenix Suns: They Desperately Needed This

Sometimes, a kick in the pants gets the best out of you. Last year, the Suns heard how “lucky” they were that the Lakers weren’t healthy in the first round of the playoffs. Then, they went to the NBA Finals. After an amazing regular season that had us all drooling over them, the Suns needed a kick in the pants. It’s safe to say they got one.

Chris Paul put on one of the greatest playoff games ever after Jose Alvarado annoyed him like no other had before. Jae Crowder made some fun t-shirts after the Pelicans crowd jeered him. And, most of all, the Suns got tougher because of this series.

I’m not saying that they weren’t tough before, but the Suns are a finesse team. In the playoffs, historically, those teams don’t fare well. So, playing this up-and-coming, annoying Pelicans team was the best thing possible for Phoenix.

In a second-round series against a Dallas team that isn’t afraid to talk the talk, Phoenix will have to be ready. The Pelicans helped them do just that.

---

Toronto Raptors: They Need A True #1

Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have both been All-Stars before. They’ve been apart of a title-winning team in 2019. But, more than anything, they have one unfortunate trait in common;

They’re NOT #1 Options

Pascal Siakam’s offensive repertoire isn’t refined enough for him to be the best player on a contending team. Fred VanVleet’s chucking nature disqualifies him from that role, as well. As much as I like both of these players, the Raptors aren’t going anywhere with them.

And, barring a Scottie Barnes supernova, their #1 isn’t currently on their roster. That’s why they’re doomed to be middling for a while. In a crowded Eastern Conference, there isn’t room for a team without a #1 option to make a deep run.

Masai Ujiri was in a similar position a few years ago. He had built a team that was capable of making it to the playoffs every year. But those Raptors teams could never get over the hump. So, he traded for an alpha in Kawhi Leonard, and the rest was history.

Ujiri will have to work similar magic to get this team where they want to go. Right now, they’re a playoff team. I get the sense that they want more than that, but to achieve those ambitions, they’ll have to go out of house.

---

Utah Jazz: They Are Who We Thought They Were

Oh, where do I even start with the Jazz? How about their inability to make adjustments over the course of a series? What about their lack of perimeter defenders? Oh, I know! Let’s talk about was a disaster this team is.

The Jazz did it again. They found a way to lower our already tabled expectations of them. Donovan Mitchell was terribly inefficient in this series. Mike Conley was nonresistant. Rudy Gobert was hung out to dry by Utah’s poor schemes.

The bottom line is simple. This team has to change, or else. Something has to give, and the easiest thing to point to is the personnel. For decades, Utah has been a franchise that doesn’t change, even when the results don’t approve of it.

Stockton and Malone. Williams and Boozer. Mitchell and Gobert. The good news for Jazz fans is that they finally have someone who doesn’t like change. Danny Ainge is never afraid to take a big swing for a trade or a draft pick.

His expertise is going to be needed if the Jazz want to turn this team into a contender. Whether it be breaking up their star duo to firing their coach, something has to give. I will get the popcorn ready as we wait and see what this ticking timebomb does this offseason.

---

What Are Your Thoughts? Leave A Comment Down Below!

• Instagram
• Facebook

Follow My Instagram & Facebook To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions