Grind City Media’s Lang Whitaker and Kelcey Wright Johnson weigh in on the most pertinent news from around the NBA. What’s lit? What’s lame? Find out each week right here.
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 11:13 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: IMHO
PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS!
Sure, the games are being played on weekday afternoons in empty arenas inside a bubble, but the NBA Playoffs are upon us! And there’s no better time to jump to some conclusions than right away, especially in the Eastern Conference.
As I write this, we aren’t even done with the first set of games, and the mighty Milwaukee Bucks find themselves down 0-1 to the Orlando Magic, and the Boston Celtics just found out that they’re going to be without Gordon Hayward for a few rounds of games.
I know we’re overreacting—I’m asking you to overreact!—but which team do you think is in the most trouble?
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 8:12 PM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: IMHO
Lang haha let’s have some fun—I can overreact with ya! The Lakers are in some serious trouble dropping game one to the Blazers. Dame is on fire. The Lakers’ offense looks bad.
Can you imagine an 8-1 upset? Sheesh! When’s the last time that happened? I know the 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies took out the Spurs for their first ever playoff series victory back in 2011. And then of course, the Bulls with the Derrick Rose injury the following year. But has it happened since then?
In all seriousness though, if you were to choose one of the series we’re watching right now; what do you think could be the most likely upset in the first round?
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10:44 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: IMHO
I really think the Lakers are on the ropes from the Blazers. In the NBA, over the course of a seven-game series, the best team usually wins. In baseball, however, it just takes a team getting hot at the right time, with like two starting pitchers throwing lights out. And right now that’s what the Blazers feel like. Dame and CJ are red hot, and they’re able to take turns carrying the Blazers along. Nurk bangs down low, and then guys like Melo and Gary Trent Jr., are able to be role players.
The Lakers have an amazing big two in Bron and AD, but none of the others really strike fear in my heart if I’m the Blazers. I thought Alex Caruso was their most active complementary player, which is saying something. LA’s offense has been the worst of all the bubble teams through the opening eight games. I know Shaq said they were going to flip the switch when it mattered, but that didn’t happen the other night for Game One. I learned a long time ago that you should never, ever, count out LeBron James, so I don’t want to write the Lakers off just yet. But man, they sure haven’t looked like the best team in the Western Conference. (One game, I know!)
That being said, in that Game One loss, LeBron still had a line even the Toon Squad wouldn’t believe (23 points, 17 rebounds, 16 assists). If I told you that you could pick any one player remaining in the playoffs right now to have on your team for the rest of the playoffs, would you take LeBron? Or is there someone else you would rather ride with?
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10:25 PM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: IMHO
Lang,
I think I’d go with someone else; he may not have the insane stat lines to back him up quite yet like LeBron, but I have a hard time betting against Kawhi Leonard. I truly believe he’s the best two-way player in the league, so if I’ve got to rock with one player I think it’d be him—for both his offense and defense.
I’ve seen the way he can affect a game on both ends; he’s a defending NBA champ, a Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year. I’d ride the rest of playoffs with the Fun Guy.
I’d also pay a lot of money to watch a competitive Kawhi vs. Lebron 1-on-1 game. Completely off topic… but wouldn’t that be great?!
To flip the question on you – are there any players you’ve been disappointed in seeing in the playoffs so far? Either they’re not living up to hype, or just not showing up the way they should in games?
Talk again soon!
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10:44 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: IMHO
As I’m sitting here writing this, I just watched Paul George pick up his fourth personal foul, in a game in which the Clippers trail the Mavericks by 18 points in the fourth quarter. Now, PG is an amazing player—five-time All-NBA and four-time first team All-Defense—and I don’t think anyone can deny his individual skills and attributes.
That said—you knew that was coming, huh?—Paul George has never performed well in the postseason. Sure, he had some deep runs to the Conference Finals with the Pacers, when the East was weak and Miami was waiting to drop a beatdown in the boss battle. (Remember when Roy Hibbert and verticality was a thing?) But since then, PG has lost in the first round of the playoffs the last four seasons in a row.
I know it’s not entirely on George, and losing in the first round once or twice might be a fluke. But losing in the first round four seasons in a row with two different franchises is a pattern. These Clippers are clearly the best team George has ever played with, and I expect them to get past Dallas, one way or another. You went with Kawhi as your pick for one player you’d ride with, which is a worthy selection. Now it’s up to PG to prove that what he’s able to do in the regular season can translate into the postseason.