What was learned after the 2024 NBA Conference Semi-Finals?


The second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs has finally concluded. Much was learned following the advancement and eliminations of the remaining playoff teams. Starting in the Eastern Conference, the 1 Seed Boston Celtics eliminated the 5 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games. The Celtics had the upperhand through out the series, as the Cavs were missing injured former All Star Center Jarret Allen for all 5 games played. The Cavs were a lot missing injured All Star Donovan Mitchell for games 4 and 5. The Celtics were missing injured former All Star Center Kristaps Porzingis, but his injury did not matter. The Celtics outplayed the Cavs in a gentelman’s sweep. The injuries got the worst of the Cavs, as they were outmatched by the Celtics. The 6 Seed Indiana Pacers eliminated the 2 Seed New York Knicks. The series went the full distance of 7 games. Injuries once again defined the match up, as the Knicks were missing several supporting role players. Injuries to Power Forward Og Anunoby, Center Mitchell Robinson and Small Forward Josh Hart left the Knicks lacking rotational depth. The Pacers shot the ball at 67 percentage clip, clinching a winner takes all Game 7. The Western Conference Semi-Finals were neck and neck. The 5 Seed Dallas Mavericks eliminated the 1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder in 6 games. The games were fairly close but the Thunder were exposed for their defensive lack of size. The Mavs were clutch in their close out victories and improved their defensive rebounding. Lastly, the 3 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the 2 Seed Defending Champion Nuggets. The Series also went the full distance of 7 games. The Nuggets blew a 20 point second half lead and were blown out by 45 points in the previous closeout game. The Nuggets bench was exposed for a lack of scoring depth. The Timberwolves held the Nuggets to under 100 points in all four of their victories. Timberwolves All Star Small Forward Anthony Edwards led the way, leading the team to their second Western Conference finals appearance since 2004. What could the aftermaths be for these eliminated teams? What does their futures and offseasons hold? The Eastern and Western Conference Finals are the next chapter of these 2024 NBA Playoffs. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Should the Brooklyn Nets move on from Sean Marks?

Image
The Brooklyn Nets are currently one of the worst basketball teams in the 2023-2024 NBA season. They have poorly underachieved, fired their head coach and botched the trade deadline. General Manager Sean Marks is responsible for this poorly constructed Nets roster and failed coaching staff. The Nets 2023-2024 roster is flawed but the team problems date back as early as three years ago. Sean Marks problems as General Manager began in January 2021, the year he traded multiple first round draft picks, future All Star Jarret Allen, role players Carris Levert and Taurean Prince for Super Stars James Harden. The future first round draft picks would go to the Houston Rockets, preventing the Nets from owning their own picks in the future. Just one year later, Sean Marks traded a disgruntled James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for former multi All Star Ben Simmons. Marks could have kept the Nets big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden in tact for the 2022 playoffs. He would liste...
Read more

Who are the likely first time NBA 2025 All Stars?

Image
The 2025 NBA All Star game is approaching in the coming weeks. It is around that time where the All Star predictions begin. Like with many All Star games, there are usually several players making their All Star game debut. In the NBA there are a total of 24 players selected as NBA All Stars. Its time to analyze who the potential first time All Stars could be. It is noteworthy that many NBA All Stars are selected from winning teams at the top of each conference. Lets begin with the Eastern Conference. Potential first time All Stars from the Eastern Conference include Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics. These potential first time All Stars are averaging career highs in points per game and impacting winning on both sides of the court in the Eastern Conference. Switching to the Western Conference, potential first time All Stars include Victor...
Read more

Is tanking in December bad for the NBA?

Image
Today begins the early stages of trade season in the NBA. Players who signed during the 2024 offseason are now eligable for trades. Several contendering NBA teams are now in the mix for trade upgrades to their playoff caliber rosters. The question becomes why would a team sell players with over 50 games remaining in the 2024-2025 season. The answer is simple: to tank. The NBA 2025 draft lottery is 5 months away but that wont stop many NBA general managers from selling high or low. Rebuilding NBA teams have a chance to impact their draft lottery odds by selling as soon as possible. Selling early often leads to impacting the number of game losses. For example, the Golden State Warriors traded multiple future second round picks and injured guard Deanthony Melton for Brooklyn Nets point guard Dennis Schroder. The Nets made this trade to impact their season’s tank, while gaining assets for the future. They are now essentialy waving the white flag and no longer foccusing on winning games. Ta...
Read more