For the last decade, a few NBA playoffs storylines seemed inevitable.
LeBron James would appear in the NBA Finals. So would the Golden State Warriors. And a handful of other NBA stars would have unsettling “what if” feelings about their championship prospects if only they could stay healthy.
That’s no longer the case. Sure, James led the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA title in a campus bubble in 2020. Sure, the Warriors reclaimed their title throne last season. But as shown in the 2021 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, the path has appeared wide open toward the collecting the Larry O’Brien trophy in the past four years.
As for this year’s NBA playoffs? Any developments will become predictably unpredictable. To sort through that fog, below are five bold predictions for what should be an entertaining postseason.
Milwaukee Bucks will win NBA championship
Just like when they won the NBA title two years ago, the Bucks have the right ingredients to win another one. They still have an MVP candidate (Giannis Antetokounmpo), a complementary star (Khris Middleton) and an elite defender (Jrue Holiday). They also have the same coach (Mike Budenholzer) and most of the same supporting cast.
Just like last season, the Celtics could get in their way. They also have one of the best NBA duos (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown), best perimeter defenders (Marcus Smart) and best rim protectors (Robert Williams III). But the Bucks are a tad deeper than the Celtics. The Bucks have more answers for Tatum and Brown with two strong wing defenders (Holiday, Jae Crowder). The Celtics won’t have as much success with limiting Milwaukee’s trio.
Phoenix Suns will return to NBA Finals
This might be expected. The Suns are two years removed from playing in the NBA Finals. They also acquired Kevin Durant in a mid-season trade. But that doesn’t guarantee the Suns will play in June. Phoenix has sparked concerns about their durability with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Durant nursing overlapping injuries. They don’t have the depth to absorb such absences partly because they gave it up to acquire Durant.
Yet, those concerns won’t bloom in the playoffs. The Suns’ training staff have handled their stars with care. Phoenix has also faced zero hiccups with integrating Durant. He remains an efficient scorer without diminishing anyone else’s stature. Booker has still proven valuable as a scorer. And Paul has happily leaned more into his playmaking.
Finally, Kevin Durant will win against his ex team in playoffs
Technically, Durant has faced the Golden State Warriors ever since leaving them as a free agent for the Brooklyn Nets four years ago. But not quite in the setting NBA fans have hoped. The Warriors played a tribute video for Durant in the 2020-21 season, but the gesture took place at Chase Center without any fans because of pandemic restrictions. Since then, Durant has always nursed an injury anytime the Nets and Suns played in Golden State. More importantly, Durant has not faced his former team in an actual playoff series.
Unlike when the Warriors overcame a 3-1 series lead against Oklahoma City, Durant will prevail this time. The Warriors might have more continuity and depth. Yet, Golden State has struggled with defensive consistency. Even with Andrew Wiggins returning for the playoffs, he might face a lot of rust following a 22-game absence.
There will be plenty of star performances
The NBA always banks on its stars, and for good reason. They often deliver with their skills and personality. Expect that to take place beginning in the first round. Watch for the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell to have break-out games against each other. Enjoy Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Atlanta’s Trae Young trying to top each other in scoring. Look for the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard to draw the primary defensive assignment on Durant. Get ready for Denver’ Nikola Jokic to outmaneuver Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert. Expect Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Golden State’s Stephen Curry to have a shootout. Don’t be surprised if the NBA’s leading faces of the league (Lakers’ LeBron James) tries to his exert his superiority over the NBA’s next generational talent (Grizzlies’ Ja Morant).
There will be plenty of trash talking
Miami’s Jimmy Butler will try to knock the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks off their game. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards will try to throw down a dunk over Jokic. Phoenix’s Chris Paul will jaw against his former team (Clippers). Golden State’s Draymond Green will lob some insults at Sacramento to fuel a NorCal rivalry. And it seems inevitable that Memphis’ Dillon Brooks will yap with James and anyone else on the Lakers.
Let’s just hope for a few things. Keep the trash talking and physicality alive so long as it stays civil. Don’t have a real fight. Don’t have a fake fight. If he attends a Lakers-Grizzlies game, Shannon Sharpe should not start another incident with almost the entire Grizzlies team. Players should ignore the rude fans. Fans should avoid crossing the line with yelling out any personal or offensive insults to players.
Mark Medina covers the NBA for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.