It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: An NBA Playoffs Primer

The playoffs have arrived. What do you need to know as the first round begins and who do we expect to win it all in June? Peep the knowledge & predictions.

LeBron James JR Smith Cavs Blazers 2015
USA Today Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (left) and forward LeBron James (23) celebrate after a 105-100 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena.

LeBron James JR Smith Cavs Blazers 2015

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.

Kevin Durant Warriors Heat 2017

Throw some money on the Spurs.

Gregg Popovich Kawhi Leonard Spurs 2015

Get ready for Super Saiyan LeBron.

Ken Blaze

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

Why did the Bulls make the playoffs?

Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls Sixers 2017

Seeding doesn't matter.

Kyrie Irving Isaiah Thomas Cavs Celtics 2016

Settle in for The Lance Stephenson Experience.

Lance Stephenson Pacers Magic 2017

This is the series you should pay attention to in the West.

Mike Conley Grizzlies Spurs 2017

Why can't we have playoff Dion?

Dion Waiters Miami Heat Pacers 2017

Defense wins championships. Attn: Cleveland.

Cleveland Cavaliers Frye Jefferson Korver Williams 2017

Enoy the Clippers while you can.

Clippers Doc DeAndre Chris Blake 2015

So who's winning it all?

Steph Curry Andre Iguodala Larry O'Brien Trophy 2016

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