Six months, 169 days, 2,460 games, and 42 Russell Westbrook triple-doubles later, it has arrived.
The NBA Playoffs begin Saturday—if you somehow didn't know—and as far as we're concerned, Christmas can fall back. This is the most wonderful time of the year.
All clichés aside, from now until the middle of June when the NBA crowns its next champ, it's about to get real out in these streets. The slog that is the NBA regular season is behind us and the basketball we all pine for is here in all its glory. But what do you need to know before the Association takes it up a few notches? A few things.
Why are the Bulls still balling? What's the most interesting series in the Western Conference besides Houston-Oklahoma City? Does seeding matter? What should we expect from LeBron? Does defense really win championships? And who should you bet on? Get your ass up to speed on all things playoff basketball with our postseason primer. @ us if you must, but when you're done reading this we guarantee you'll be smarter, and possibly richer.
This is why the Warriors signed Kevin Durant.
Throw some money on the Spurs.
Get ready for Super Saiyan LeBron.
The defending champs stumbled their way into the playoffs, having dropped 15 of their last 26 because of a bad defense. They tried shoring it up by bringing Andrew Bogut on only to watch him break his leg in the first minute of his first game. Cleveland will have to flip the switch in a challenging Eastern Conference. Having the best player in the league helps and we all know he’s going to be playing at a high level. But this year feels different. Boston, Toronto, and Washington have all gotten better and are playing great ball. And once (if?) they get past them, the Cavs will have to face a Golden State for the third straight year in the Finals. The 2017 playoffs are going to feel like a Street Fighter arcade campaign. LeBron is a different player in the postseason, though. He goes Super Saiyan and I’m willing to bet he averages a triple-double. The King is chasing the ghosts of the top five players in NBA history. If he reaches the Finals for a seventh straight year and wins? He’ll be top three all-time, no debate, put it in stone, on my momma. Super Saiyan James, Kung-Fu Bronny, and whatever else you wanna call him will be in full effect. So sit down, be humble; for we are all witnesses. — Angel Diaz