Quote Originally Posted by Sloppy Joe View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Sloppy Joe View Post

Hard to argue with that, really. I guess I'm more willing to write off the bubble collapse than anyone and not sure why. Weirdly think more highly of Paul George too. Think that signing Rondo was a double win, as they no longer have Lou Williams to depend on too.

It's mostly Kawhi respect, but I just don't see Denver/Utah/Phoenix winning three rounds.

Not betting it, just my guess.
Probably safe to cross Denver off the list with Murray going down. Him and Jimmy Butler were the highlight of last year's playoffs for all non-Lakers fans.

Truly a bummer, as that team seemed to be primed for a deep run with Jokic firing on all cylinders. Think they are still a little dangerous, especially if MPJ takes this opportunity and runs with it, but not having Murray probably takes them out.
That sucks. Jokic has been a joy to watch dishing it everywhere. Truly a unique player and best passing center ever. Not really close.

With the Lakers banged up, you need 4 more breaks as a Blazers fan. I think Portland is probably sixth in west all healthy, but with Murray out, they’re probably fifth in west and sixth or seventh best in the league. Absurd how good west is. You probably wouldn’t want it that way.

That injury certainly dampens the west playoffs. I think I was looking forward to that more than any year previous. I still struggle to take Phoenix seriously. I take Chris Paul seriously, but he just has the worst playoff curse. I can’t believe he has the Suns playing this well. They feel like the team that is probably a few years off, but his sense of urgency raises everyone by a level.

In a vacuum, the Blazers seem fifth now, but Clippers history v Kawhi clutch is story. Miami seems convinced they’re getting him. Seems improbable given his desire to get home, but real people feel confident. I feel Rondo and whether he’s playoff Rondo is huge. They lack playmaking so much for a high level team.

Lakers are going to need to get well in a hurry. Utah is really good, but it’s Utah. It’s feel like Utah luck to draw the Lakers as some play in. Now Murray. You need chips to fall right, but you can see a path if you squint. Playoff Dame is a real thing too. You’d need CJ and Norm to have all time heaters from 3, much like Murray last year in bubble.