The Biggest 2022 NBA Playoff Storylines to Follow

Image via Complex Original

Steve Nash’s Brooklyn Nets had a weird year. They were widely expected to compete with Milwaukee for No. 1 in the East, but they hung around the bottom of the playoff pack, finishing with the No. 7 seed…much to gamblers’ dismay. A big reason for Brooklyn’s woes: the absence of Kyrie Irving, whose stance on COVID-19 vaccine mandates kept him largely out of the rotation.

Uncle Drew came back full-time for the playoffs, and the Nets entered the postseason with a fresh look with James Harden shipped off to Philly. The Nets messed around all year, and we were waiting to see when they’d put their foot on the gas – but it just never happened. Now, in a serious hole against the surging Celtics, Kevin Durant & Co. look practically dead in the water.

It’s still not clear whether Ben Simmons will see the court this year, and Brooklyn will face a Herculean task bouncing back to best Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. Nonetheless, it would be a massive flop of a season if Brooklyn were to fall in Round 1 – and the haters will make their voices heard.

Many NBA fans entered the postseason hoping for a Brooklyn-Milwaukee playoff rematch. Remember that epic seven-game series in the 2021 East semifinals? Milwaukee closed it out in overtime after a hard-fought Game 7. 

While Brooklyn struggled this year, the Bucks were among the class of the East again this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo landed back in the MVP mix. And Milwaukee’s other big names – Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday – were excellent as well. You couldn’t ask for more from Bud’s top players.

Particularly now that Middleton is battling injury, Milwaukee’s hopes for hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy will largely hinge on its bench play. The boys from the Brew City will need quality minutes from Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, & Co. Grayson Allen has stepped up of late, bludgeoning the Bulls for 49 points combined in games 3 and 4. The unheralded contributors were central to Milwaukee’s title run in 2021, and they’ll be key to dictating how far Milwaukee goes in 2022. 

The 76ers had an up-and-down year. Much of the season was riddled with Ben Simmons drama, until Daryl Morey shipped Simmons to the Nets in a deal revolving around the former LSU star and James Harden.

The Joel Embiid-Harden marriage quickly looked like a match made in heaven. They’re undoubtedly two of the best players in the league, and the big-little duo seem to feed off of each other. Their talent is undeniable…but we still aren’t sure how well this will work. Indeed, Philly had some hiccups late in the regular season.

The Sixers have looked great early in the playoffs and might be finding their stride. Doc Rivers will need Embiid and Harden at their best if they are to have a prayer against the best of the East.

The Warriors look different these days. They aren’t Villains anymore. Kevin Durant ain’t out there getting buckets – he’s been replaced by All-Star Andrew Wiggins.

And yet they also look the same. The Splash Brothers are still making it rain. Steph Curry is still cooking with the sauce, posting an insane Player Efficiency Rating of 21.6 this season. Klay Thompson has bounced back admirably from his ACL tear in the 2019 NBA Finals, which was followed by a torn achilles tendon. He returned in January and has shot 36.5% from deep while averaging 18.7 PPG. 

The Warriors are dangerous not only because of the return to glory of their familiar faces, but also because of the emergence of Wiggins and youngster Jordan Poole (18.2 PPG). Poole is a problem. Bob Myers just knows how to pick players.

Watching Steph & Co. battle back to the Finals would be a lot of fun.

The world is watching, Ja. You’ve been great this season. Now it’s your chance to cement your greatness.

The 2019 No. 2 overall pick had a career year, posting averages of 27.4 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 5.7 RPG while shooting a career-best 49.3% from the field. Morant is must-see TV every time he’s on the court. Though he’s only 22, Morant prompted people in Grind City to dream of a title run.  Morant won’t win MVP this year, but he could finish in the top five. It’s now hard to believe Zion Williamson was the unanimous No. 1 in his draft class.

But make no mistake – this team isn’t all about Ja Morant. He missed time late in the season and his squad didn’t miss a beat. Memphis has depth and an abundance of youth – with key figures including Desmond Bane (23), Dillon Brooks (26), Jaren Jackson Jr. (22), and De’Anthony Melton (23). Nonetheless, competition out West is serious, and the young Grizzlies face a tall challenge.