#much love to lance west... his performance was fantastic

[nicosraf]

i checked barnes & noble and apparently the ABM audiobook is (tentatively) coming out in June ?!?!?!?!

[junker-town]

Lance Stephenson is back, in all his wackadoo glory

We have that and more in Monday’s NBA newsletter.

Lance Stephenson essentially disappeared off the face of the Earth when the last great Indiana Pacers team broke up. Like a fanatic in exile, Stephenson slyly came wriggling back into our lives as the Pacers got decent again. And with a series against a team starring LeBron James, the canvas on which Lance paints his most notable, bizarre work, Lance really took center stage on Sunday.

There was no ear blowing weirdness or jack-in-the-box summoning, but Lance -- for maybe the first time ever -- elicited a response from LeBron, who picked up a tech for pushing Lance off of him during a dead ball. (LeBron’s post-game analogy on the incident was funny.) Mission accomplished!

Lance’s real coup de grace was the surreal finish with the Pacers down three and the Cavaliers inbounding. Stephenson tried to rip the ball from Jeff Green but ended up getting Green in a headlock and tackling him. Somehow, things got even weirder from there. We’ll let Whitney Medworth explain it.

Suffice it to say that the Cavaliers won, evening the series at 2-2 as we return to Cleveland.

Sunday’s Scores

Bucks 104, Celtics 102 Series tied 2-2 Recaps: Brew Hoop | CelticsBlog

Spurs 103, Warriors 90 Golden State leads 3-1 Recaps: Pounding The Rock | Golden State of Mind

Wizards 106, Raptors 98 Series tied 2-2 Recaps: Bullets Forever | Raptors HQ

Cavaliers 104, Pacers 100 Series tied 2-2 Recaps: Fear The Sword | Indy Cornrows

Monday’s Schedule

Rockets at Timberwolves, 8 p.m. ET, TNT Houston leads 2-1

Thunder at Jazz, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT Utah leads 2-1

Links on Links on Links

Word to Manu Ginobili, who had a fantastic performance in what could have been the final home game of his career, should he retire this summer. The Spurs found their stroke and the Warriors have now lost as many games in the 2018 playoffs (one) as they did in the 2017 postseason.

The end of Bucks-Celtics was special. It’s weird for a No. 2 seed to feel good about a loss that evens a series, but the way Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum played down the stretch really will pay dividends in the future when Kyrie Irving never passes to them in crunch time just kidding love you Kyrie.

The Raptors lost to the Wizards despite Bradley Beal fouling out with a few minutes left on a totally bogus call. Ball don’t lie.

The Cavaliers did matching suits again. It worked this time. The broadcast crew revealed that this was an idea LeBron and Dwyane Wade came up with in the brief moment in time in which Wade was a Cleveland Cavalier. So Wade did contribute something to Cleveland! LeBron bought these dudes two beautiful suits, but uh ... can’t Tyronn Lue get one too so he doesn’t have to have fashion debates with Pacers fans?

PLAYOFF RONDO is real.

I wrote about whether the Blazers can really find implicit joy in their journey if it ends in embarassing defeat. Portland has seemingly been trying to push the narrative that losing to a lower seed isn’t a big deal because everyone in the West from No. 3 to No. 10 was bunched up. Two things: a) the Blazers didn’t just lose -- they got run out of the building, and b) it’s not actually beneficial to remind everyone that Portland was a couple games from being out of the playoffs entirely!

Tyler Tynes with another rational, completely anti-reactionary take on the Sixers’ Game 4 win. Tim Cato writes that Philadelphia magically has both the stars and the well of veterans a good team needs.

A very smart deconstruction of how big data in basketball misleads by Yago Colas. My problem is the certitude with which such statistics are presented.

In related news, Basketball Twitter is getting less fun every day. I don’t tweet any more in part because everything is so toxic and everyone has so much conviction in their opinions that everything is a fight. Why? What’s the point? There isn’t enough to argue about in this world that we need to go to the trenches over Al Horford like every second day? Relax, people. Stop fighting all the time. Be nice. Spread joy!

Beautiful Marc Stein meditation on Jimmy Butler helping return playoff joy to Minnesota.

Enjoy the games. Be excellent to each other.

[buddyrabrahams]

10 NBA coaches on the hot seat this season

The NBA is a “get wins or get out” enterprise. The business can be callous at times, spurning head coaches who have seemingly earned job security — a lesson Dwane Casey learned the hard way in May. It’s still hard to imagine Casey on the Pistons’ sideline.

It may seem ridiculous to already be speculating about which coaches could be fired this season, but the 2018-19 season is practically upon us, and before we know it, some team will be searching for a new leader. With the preseason already underway, here are 10 coaches on the hot seat.

10. Alvin Gentry, Pelicans

You could argue Anthony Davis’ impressive late-season surge saved Gentry’s job last season. The Pelicans won their first playoff series in the Davis era — an encouraging sign — but the Warriors quickly vanquished New Orleans’ momentum. This seems to be a pivotal moment for the franchise. The Pelicans didn’t have much spending money this summer, as the squad had already dished out hefty contracts to players like E’Twaun Moore, Alexis Ajinca, and Omer Asik. The team allowed DeMarcus Cousins to bolt and signed bargain-basement assets Jahlil Okafor and Elfrid Payton, in addition to Julius Randle. The Pelicans are reliant on Davis sustaining MVP-level production; if he and Jrue Holiday crash back to earth early this season, however, GM Dell Demps — left with little flexibility to add another impact player — may opt to make a coaching change.

9. Tyronn Lue, Cavaliers

It seems the pressure should finally be off of Lue now that LeBron James has joined a new team, right? We disagree. It’s no secret that King James was highly influential in Lue replacing David Blatt midway through the 2015-16 season. Though Cleveland reached the Finals in each year under Lue, the Cavs’ success was always served with a hefty side of drama. With his ties to LeBron now irrelevant, Lue’s job security appears precarious. The Cavs’ talent level is suddenly average — if you’re looking at it optimistically — and the team this summer doubled down on Kevin Love, giving him a four-year extension. That indicates the team will presumably build around the 30-year-old Love. With Cleveland’s finances in disarray and no real prospect of competing for a title in the near future, the Cavs appear headed downhill fast, and Lue could lose his job as a result of a bad season.

8. Mike Malone, Nuggets

In April, Denver GM Tim Connelly said Malone’s job was safe. “I guess [questioning Malone’s job status is] the unfortunate narrative of professional basketball, but Mo’s done a fantastic job,” Connelly told the Denver Post. The Nuggets narrowly missed out on the postseason. With a roster that’s brimming with young talent, you have to wonder whether Malone’s job will indeed be safe if the Nuggets limp out of the gate. With a young core centered on Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Gary Harris, expectations are high. Malone’s contract is up after 2018-19, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise for Denver to part ways with the former Kings head coach. To hold onto his job, Malone will need his team’s defense to improve; last season, the Nuggets had the fifth-worst defensive rating in the league.

7. Luke Walton, Lakers

With great (star) power comes great responsibility. As Lue noted, having LeBron on the roster generates “outside tension,” which puts “added pressure immediately on the coaches.” Walton now has arguably the toughest role in the league: coaching LeBron. Walton’s job already seemed in jeopardy last season, when LaVar Ball was calling out the young coach. The Lakers have improved in each season under Walton, but expectations are at a new level this season. In Cleveland, Lue got a bit of a break because fans — and management — recognized LeBron had little talent surrounding him. In L.A., however, the situation is different. The Lakers are flush with promising young pieces, and they shelled out cap space to acquire veteran role players like Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson this summer. Though the Lakers’ long-term prospects are encouraging, the situation this season has all the makings of something that could go wrong out of the gate. The team lacks shooters and a reliable second scoring option. If the early season goes poorly, the 38-year-old Walton could be the fall guy.

6. Doc Rivers, Clippers

The Clippers have officially moved on from Lob City — Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets, Blake Griffin was traded to the Pistons, and DeAndre Jordan signed with the Mavericks. With that era in the past, the team may also look to move on from Rivers, who’s been with L.A. since 2013. He’s no longer heading up the front office, and when he shifted to focusing exclusively on coaching last season, the results were surprisingly good. Despite the roster lacking noticeable talent, the Clippers — led by surprise star Lou Williams — hung around in the West playoff race and finished with a winning record (42-40). Given the team’s performance last season, Rivers’ job isn’t in major jeopardy, but it’s also not entirely secure. L.A. could retool with two max-contract players in 2019, and if the team wants to usher in an entirely new chapter, it may change its leadership as well.

5. Terry Stotts, Blazers

Stotts is the leading candidate to replicate Casey’s fate this season. He’s done a tremendous job in Portland, but his team hasn’t found success in the postseason. Shortly after Portland fell to New Orleans in Game 4 of their first-round series, completing the Pelicans’ sweep, Marc Stein tweeted that “murmurs have already started in coaching circles that 10 consecutive playoff defeats will cost Terry Stotts his job.” GM Neil Olshey elected to keep Stotts around — for now. Rumors have also indicated the Blazers are open to shopping C.J. McCollum or Damian Lillard, but it’s tough to imagine the team breaking up the electrifying young backcourt. Portland also this summer re-signed big man Jusuf Nurkic, doubling down on its current roster. With Stotts owning an uninspiring 12-28 career postseason record, he could be the scapegoat if this team falls short yet again, or falls behind in the competitive playoff race by the All-Star break.

4. Fred Hoiberg, Bulls

Who knows what’s going to happen with the Chicago Bulls this season? That team looks entirely unpredictable. Hoiberg was successful at Iowa State, and he was considered one of the hottest young coaching commodities in hoops circles — but his move to the NBA, like Billy Donovan’s, has not been ideal. His Bulls teams haven’t escaped the first round since he took over, and his win total has declined every year. Chicago has an enticing group of young players — Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. are particularly promising — but it isn’t clear who will bear the Bulls’ primary scoring burden. Zach Lavine? Jabari Parker? Is having one of those players as your primary option even remotely encouraging? Hoiberg’s system has not translated well to the NBA; the 45-year-old may not make it through year four of his five-year deal.

3. Dave Joerger, Kings

Seemingly everyone was baffled when the Grizzlies didn’t bring back Joerger. The Kings were thrilled to sign the emerging young coach, who had pushed Golden State to six games and had led Memphis to 55 regular-season wins. But his time in Sacramento has been a letdown. In Joerger’s first season (2016-17), Sacramento won 32 games; last season, the Kings won 27. If their win total declines yet again — which many expect it will given the proliferation of talent in the West — the Kings may allow Joerger’s contract to expire. The wrinkle in this situation: Sacramento has embraced a rebuild and is focused on developing its young talent. If De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, or Harry Giles seem to be blossoming into a star, the Kings may hesitate to switch coaches, fearful of stunting the young player’s development.

2. Tom Thibodeau, Timberwolves

Minnesota made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2003-04, but Thibs is in serious trouble. Despite the playoff berth, last season was a letdown. With Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl-Anthony Towns in tow, pundits expected the Wolves to challenge the top teams in the West. Instead, they limped into the playoffs and barely challenged Houston in the first round. Now, Butler — who also played for Thibs in Chicago — wants a trade to a major-market team with space to sign him to a max deal. Butler’s camp can try to spin this a different way, but there’s no denying the dynamics in Minnesota’s locker room were off. The three stars just didn’t play well together, and personalities seemed to clash. Some responsibility for that funky dynamic has to fall on the coach. Thibs’ coaching approach may have worked with the hard-nosed Bulls, led by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, but he hasn’t replicated his success in Minnesota. This situation looks poised to blow up.

1. Billy Donovan, Thunder

You have to wonder whether Donovan regrets leaving Florida. In his first season, the Thunder took a 3-1 lead on the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals — but, of course, they blew that series (and have not escaped the first round since that point). Then another blow: OKC lost Kevin Durant to Golden State. Then Russell Westbrook turned into a one-man wrecking crew, driving basketball purists mad. Last season featured the awkward Carmelo Anthony Experiment, and the season ended in disappointing fashion with a hasty exit at the hands of the Jazz. OKC brought back Paul George this summer, and GM Sam Presti said “continuity is (Donovan’s) best friend going forward.” With George back, Anthony gone, and Dennis Schroder added to the rotation, OKC is starting to gain some title buzz — they could challenge Houston as the West’s No. 2 team, people are saying. Fans are expecting a contender. Donovan inherited a tough gig with high expectations, and this appears to be his final chance. If his team doesn’t escape the first round yet again this year, he’ll all but certainly be looking for a new job (perhaps back in the NCAA ranks).

Aaron Mansfield is a freelance sports writer. His work has appeared in Complex, USA Today, and the New York Times. You can reach him via email at aaroncmansfield@gmail.com.

from Larry Brown Sports https://ift.tt/2RkdCpE

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Ed and Charlie on a Mission from God

HOW would be feel if you’re Tom Hawkins?

Both Curnow brothers head to the tribunal and get a great result, with Steven May allowed to board the plane to China as well. All after poor Tom copped a week for his indiscretion only one week prior.

It is all a bit random at the moment these sanctions, but for mine, given the sudden increase in umpire contact, the resolution isn’t about consistency with the tribunal outcomes, but if the umpires can stop being so touchable, dial back the flirting.

Haven’t had umpire contact for years and now four in two weeks. Perhaps the Lynx Africa umpires sponsorship is working too well.

Onto more pressing and interesting matters..

1.  Monday night, Chris Judd had an idea to increase the spectacle of the game by replacing percentage on the ladder with simply points scored, encourage teams to score more. That works well for Etihad Stadium tenants always under a roof on a fast track, but for anyone else, particularly those who play in Queensland monsoons every now and then, not so good. Thanks Chris.

2.  Essendon - something else going on? The Mark Neeld thing is bizarre. Don't believe 'public media releases'. It's amiss. Especially when the coach uses "they" in press conferences talking about his own players. Heppell is a star looking anything but, Goddard is not good for that team at this minute and don't ask on Stringer. This is a very well-run organisation, particularly post-drugs saga, and it’s a very talented list. Worsfold was good at West Coast and awesome in his first year at Tullamarine. So yep, something away from the cameras, away from game day, is properly wrong.

3.  Devon Smith a bright spot for Essendon though, in a side looking light on for want, desire, effort, he is averaging 8 tackles a game, second in the comp.

4.  Buddy Franklin, bruised heel, didn't get up last week and already ruled out for this week. Strange. Wouldn't be another Dayne Beams-style injury-layoff, would it?

5.  Ben Ronke, seven goals, fantastic, taken as a rookie, pick 17. The pick before in that same rookie draft was Jack Henry, last week’s rising star nominee for Geelong. The pick before that, Tendai Mzungu, the ex-Docker, taken by GWS. They can't get much right the Giants.

6.  As for the GWS, now sitting out of the eight. If they don't beat North down in Hobart they're in big trouble to get back in the eight. As it stands you’d be happy to lock in the top two on the ladder for September, and pencil in those three through seven. You could argue Port, in eighth, with the next four or five clubs are playing for perhaps one spot. The  Giants are supposed to be a team almost ‘designed’ to be top four at worst. Early crow, but they can’t afford to head past midnight on the premiership clock, they are getting no crowds and need a flag within their first 5-10 years of existence. Need.

7.  Good to see Port turn up but you just don’t trust them. They'll win this week and go 6-3 before their post-China bye, however, if they were anyone else you'd be locking them in for the eight, but with Alberton we still have way too many trust issues.

8.  North have got a good thing going, not a super list but this column must give credit to Brad Scott. They play a different style to Richmond but are performing in a similar vein, Scott is extracting success from the specific parts he has available, akin to Hardwick last year. Other than the Crows who took the Tigers apart in in Round Two, are North the best opposition the reigning premier has faced to date?

9.  Jack Macrae having some sort of year! Will be second in the Brownlow count to this point; remembering unless the leader gets injured or suspended he has his second medal. Listen to this column, put your life savings on, and be grateful later.

10. Speaking of Nat Fyfe, he is in unreal form and so to is Patty Cripps. Both similar styles on the inside, huge beasts almost impossible to stop. Both those boys crumbing to Nic Naitanui in an Origin game, something utterly magical we're likely never going to see. Shame.

11. Melbourne are the sleeper, got themselves to 5-3 and are getting the most inside 50s of anyone in the comp, genuine initial entries but also re-entries due to pressure. Second in the comp for clearances too and fifth in tackles. Have the game to go well and deep. A 'Buy'.

12. Shout out to Angus Brayshaw, looked at one point to be the next Jack Trengove, incredibly talented junior, more than their fair share of injuries, becoming an unfortunate but inevitably wasted pick. But no no, he is now integral to their midfield mix. Brings the tackle pressure, over five a game, averaging 23 touches as well. He is amongst the league leaders for inside 50s too, a clean user, is tough – a fantastic foil to some of their real jets. Like I said, get on the Dees.

13. Let’s get a couple on the Pies out of the way – firstly Mason Cox, top five in the comp for contested marks. Not many strings to his bow, but on the back of his vast improvement catching the thing, worth persisting with for now. A 'Hold’.

14. Tom Mitchell and Jack Macrae having great years, not only amongst the league leaders in contested ball, but ranking really highly in uncontested ball too;  working hard inside and on the spread alike. Only one other is doing something similar, Adam Treloar, top 20 in both categories, having as good a year so far as his 2016 where he polled 21 Charlie votes.

15. No-one has handballed more than the Pies this year, not even close. The Tigers are going about 1.26 kicks to handball, around average, the Eagles are kicking the highest, 1.78 kicks to handball, yet the Pies, 1.11 kicks to handball. Looks to be working visually, impressive against two 2017 preliminary finalists (Adelaide and GWS), and for a half against a third (Richmond). But three of their four wins though are against 15th, 17th and 18th. However, if they were to win every coming game against someone currently below them on the ladder they will finish with 12 wins, so the draw is their oyster.

16. Darcy Moore stays at Collingwood a million percent, unless Ned Guy is as confident in securing Tom Lynch as Sydney was all 2013 in securing Lance Franklin - it’s already been done, it’s just a secret until it's permissible to go public with it. With Ben Reid the wrong side of 30 next season, and always injured, no way the Pies go into 2019 without one of Moore or Lynch. Having both is more likely than having neither.

17. Reckon Olli Wines goes. Victorian boy out of contract, the Power had a tonne of space last year but whilst they didn't spend all of it, they did commit plenty of new money beyond 2018, so the space wasn't just used up for one year, it’s considerably used up going forward. Plenty of Melbourne clubs with space they've been trying to burn for a while, so North, St Kilda, these clubs, unless the kid's dead loyal or sees real premiership potential soon (maybe?), the money and term will be better back this side of Horsham.

18. Top 3 in the Coleman? Ben Brown on 26, on 70-goal pace, utter megastar the Taswegian. But second and third, Luke Breust and Jack Darling.  Will Tom Lynch's price be going down with every passing round? Why would the Tigers want him? Breust has 23 majors, Roughead for comparison, four inches taller yet nine less goals, who is more important? Breust top 5 in the league for assists too, unbelievable first third of the season for the Riverina product.

19. This column loves that this game has so many unique aspects, most notably the father son in the draft. It’s awesome - no-one else has it. But its gone too far now with academies. Not only do the expansion clubs have priority access to kids in their area, but also the northern clubs get the same entitlement with anyone remotely geographically close too (Heeney and Mills with Sydney for example). But now all clubs have pseudo academies, which aren't academies at all, they are basically the re-emergence of zones.

Take Tarryn Thomas. He is an indigenous gun from Tasmania, a serious jet who I’m really looking forward to see in the big time, who in this new world comes under the Roos' ‘Next Generation Academy’. Nothing to do with North really and Tassie has produced VFL/AFL footballers for as long as a typical season of MKR. But recently they were given the area to which Thomas is from for who knows why. So they will now get priority access to him in November’s draft, but then take the case of former North and Fitzroy wingman John Blakey's son, Nick. Could go father son to North, could go father son to Brisbane too, but because John has worked for Sydney as a coach and lived there long enough, Nick is eligible to go via academy to the Swans as well. And guess what, the kid doesn't want to move interstate so has nominated Sydney as his club of choice. This draft, combined with all the malarkey with points accrual and what not, has lost its essence. Go back to something simpler or just ditch the draft and revert to zones proper like it always was and be done with it.

20. Lastly, to Rugby League. Last Saturday night there was over 30,000 to a double header at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Nothing else in the round came close to half that, most crowds in Sydney barely broke five figures. How is that competition, a comp dying out for an in increase in crowds, still without a second team in Brisbane? Imagine the AFL not having the Power or Dockers, it's a real head scratcher. How a broadcaster hasn’t demanded it either is also staggering. Especially when it seems the Broncos aren’t just a universal love up there either, which surprises this column. You want the next bitcoin – shares in the second NRL team in Brisbane. A HUGE ‘Buy’….. when it happens. If, sorry, if it happens. Clowns.

(originally published 16 May)

[theqgentleman]

2017 NBA Playoff Preview

There are more exciting teams to watch in this year’s playoffs than just the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.

With the playoffs starting this Saturday, most of the sports world is predicting the two teams to meet once more, especially since this is the third straight year the Warriors have won 65 games or more, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson play in the bay, LeBron James is playing at a high level for the Cavaliers and the Northeast Ohio team is fully equipped with three of the top 25 players in the game—LeBron, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

But the playoffs are loaded with 14 other teams that are must see TV.

Let’s keep in in the East. The Boston Celtics are a fun team to watch, especially with the grit, skill-level and tenacity Isaiah Thomas exhibits on a nightly basis. Standing at essentially 5’11, Thomas has produced one of the more prolific seasons in a decorated Boston Celtic history, averaging, 29.2 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds. No, he is not the old Isiah Thomas from the Detroit Pistons that dominated 1980s, but he is an astonishing cross between former Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson and Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Traveling down the Eastern seaboard to the nation’s capital, the Wizards are demonstrating they are a remarkable team to watch. Former Kentucky Wildcat and current point guard of the Wizards John Wall is an all-around point guard who fundamentally displays why he is one of the top point guards in the game. His frame of 6’4, which imposes superiority over smaller point guards around the league, ball handling ability, excellent feel for running an offense, athleticism and defensive prowess are among the tools he has in his arsenal.

Wall’s averages of 23.1 points, 10.7 assists and 2.1 steals are gaudy, but he is assisted by his sidekick in Bradley Beal, who is a poor man’s version of Ray Allen.

Taking a trip north of the border, the Toronto Raptors have remerged as one of the top teams in the East after a slow start earlier in the year. Led by Villanova-product Kyle Lowry, this team can make some noise in the Eastern Conference.

Lowry provides relentless drive to get to the hoop, excellent three-point shot making ability and a great feel for leading his offense into getting good shots. His 22.7 points, 6.9 assists and 4.8 assists a game will carry the team to at least to a second round appearance. And, with the skilled and athletic DeMar DeRozan, this team could make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals, especially since they proved last year they could take the Cavaliers to a game six of the conference finals.

The Atlanta Hawks are an intriguing team to watch for the simple fact they lost Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers and Kyle Korver to the Cavaliers, but they are still a scrappy team that can give teams fits.

Led by Dwight Howard and Pau Millsap, this team likes to bang inside. Their perimeter players of Dennis Schroder, Kent Bazemore and Tim Hardaway Jr., though, operate outside the paint.

One thing comes to mind when thinking about the Milwaukee Bucks: the Greek Freak. Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly a next generation superstar. Right now, he is a star still trying to find out how to use his athletic gifts; he can handle, pass to set up his teammates for good shots, rebound amongst the trees in the middle and can play outstanding defense because of his 6’11 frame.

Jimmy Butler is the engine that makes the Chicago Bulls nowadays. With a tough defensive mindset, Butler can also score in bunches with his 25 points a game. Butler will have to be the player to watch as Dwyane Wade has just returned from his elbow injury. It will take Wade—a three-time champion with the Miami Heat—a few games to get back on track.

It will be interesting to see how Rajon Rondo performs, however.  Once considered one of the best point guards in the NBA when playing for the Celtics just a few years ago, Rondo now tries to find himself alongside Butler, but he is still a very good passer, defender, rebounder and floor general.

Paul George is a superstar player in the NBA as he tries to lead his Indiana Pacers to a deep playoff run. George is a prolific all-around player with his ability to score at will, handling superiority, passing, lock-down defense and leading capabilities. Before his gruesome injury in 2014 at the summer Olympics in which he broke his leg, George was consistently challenging the Miami Heat—backwhen LeBron James was on the team—in the Eastern Conference Finals.

His team, though, is just not as talented as they lost key players David West and Roy Hibbert, who were two low-post anchors used to challenge virtually any team three to four years ago. Lance Stephenson just came back, so maybe this will help the Pacers win a few more games in the playoffs.

Heading out to the Western Conference, where many would presume the competition is a lot stiffer, there are many intriguing teams—much like the East—that have real shots at making a deep run in the playoffs.

The San Antonio Spurs are the second best team in the Western Conference, and it has a lot to do with their deep team, as well as Pop’s tactical coaching strategy, one that employs the offensive system to continually move the ball, make hard cuts and play great defense, which, of course, is basketball 101.

Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard is an MVP candidate. His 25.7 points per game is the highest scoring average of his career, a feat that has many folks who follow the NBA in awe. Leonard—after his 2014 NBA Finals MVP year—has really developed himself into not only a great defensive player, but a great offensive player, one that can handle the ball with the best of them, can shoot well from mid-range and can pass the ball in precision.

Let’s not forget the Spurs acquired LaMarcus Aldridge last year. Aldridge is a sensational post-up player, and, of course, can score at will. With Tim Duncan retired, the Spurs will lean on Leonard and savvy veterans Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, two players that helped Duncan win four titles in 11 years.

For years Mike D’Antoni was the laughing stock of the NBA because his philosophy is run-and-gun, shoot a lot threes, but play no defense. After being in the NBA’s basement as the coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers the past two years, D’Antoni has reemerged as a mastermind, a perception not bestowed upon him since his day with the Phoenix Suns when former Phoenix Sun’s point guard Steve Nash was winning MVPs.

D’Antoni switched this year’s MVP candidate James Harden from shooting guard to point guard, and it has worked as the Rockets currently are the third best team in the West. With his stubbly and thick beard, Harden combines his extraordinary dribbling ability with his innate gift to shoot threes and draw contact from defenders.

The Rockets will be a tough out for any team, and Harden’s 29.2 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds averages are worth the price of admission.

For the first time since the 2011-2012 season, the Utah Jazz will be in the playoffs. But this time they will be led by former Butler prodigy and current Jazz star Gordon Hayward, a dynamic small forward who can handle the basketball, shoot the three and has a knack for finding the driving lanes.

One aspect that is worth watching about Hayward—besides his 22.5 points per contest—is his instinctive ability to probe the perimeter off of screens, and know when to make the right play for his team. He has underrated athleticism as well.

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are always a doozy to watch, especially when Paul is able to hook up with Griffin off of pick and rolls. Last year, both Paul and Griffin were injured in the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers, as Paul suffered a broken hand and Griffin with a quad injury.

It’ll be interesting to see how these players respond after such unfortunate circumstances last year.

Ever since Kevin Durant left last summer to join the Warriors, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook has taken the NBA by storm. Yes, he is averaging a triple double with his 31.7 points, 10.4 assists and 10.7 assists. Westbrook on Sunday just set the all-time triple doubles record with 42, passing Oscar Robertson.

Westbrook plays at a hundred miles an hour and he makes a lot of plays for himself and his teammates. With Westbrook going 100 percent of the time on offense, it will be a tragedy for anyone to miss Oklahoma City’s run.

In a stunning turn of events, the Memphis Grizzlies actually pulled off a win against the Warriors on Feb. 10, and that is in large part due to the play of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. The trio has been together for half a decade, but they are still going strong.

Randolph’s low-post game is fantastic, while Gasol’s post-up and mid-range ability and Conley’s ability to handle the ball and switch gears to get to the rim are fun to watch. If this team gets past the first round, the Warriors should be perturbed.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers are among the best guard combos in the NBA, which means they are must-see television despite them flirting with a losing winning percentage.

Lillard is this generation’s Isiah Thomas, but not the one who currently plays, rather the one who won two championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. McCollum has off-the-ball skills like former Celtic and Heat great Ray Allen. He is also a very good shooter on and off the dribble.

These two players will give fits to any player in the playoffs.

As we count down to the NBA playoffs, remember, these 14 other teams are must-see television despite the likelihood the Cavs and the Warriors will meet again for the third straight season.