SWISH SUNDAY VOL. 5
Swish Sunday
Written by Luke Rowntree
Well, here we are last week of the regular season before we get into the real basketball. The Wizards are still on a tear after sending the Raptors fishing for draft picks with that double-overtime thriller on Friday night. The whole league is praying for a winner take all game between LeBron & Steph again. This brings us to the real storyline of the week and maybe the season. Why LeBron wants “somebody fired” and why everyone is taking sides.
Play-In or Play-Out?
When having a playoff bubble last year (outside of some basketball die-hards watching the Grizzlies v. Trailblazers game), The play-in tournament went largely undiscussed. This was because very few teams were even in contention outside of Memphis and Portland last season. This year though, it's the talk of the town. Take a look at the graphic below to get an idea of how the playoffs would look if they started today:
This is why LeBron and other players like Luka are complaining. I do see where they are coming from. They really just don't want to play a whole season just to make the final eight to be told they have to win a do or die game and have their season end.
So many things are wrong with this way of thinking, excluding the fact that only superstar players and billionaire owners are complaining. I would remind them that they voted 70% in favour of this before the season resumed last year in the bubble. Teams also knew that this would bring significant playoff television revenue to teams who won't make the playoffs. With the state of television ratings during COVID down, the NBA wanted a shot in the arm.
From a fan and basketball analysis perspective, this is the best thing to happen to the NBA since LeBron was drafted in 2003. It keeps an injury-riddled team or a slow-starting one in the playoff race right up until the end of the season. In combination with the new, more equal draft lottery odds implemented over the last several years, the NBA has effectively curved late-season tanking. Speaking as a Toronto fan, it was not until this past Friday that I fossilized this year's Raptors which is vital for a business that relies on brand loyalty when only one team can win.
Like it or not, Mr James, this is a genie that cannot go back in the bottle. The NBA has increased viewership for late-season regular games. They helped the tanking issue and gave us a late-season do-or-die tournament, which means more basketball to love.
Source: CBS Sports | Photo from USATSI
Games of the Week
Monday, May 10th
Washington @ Atlanta 7:30 pm
The Wizards have been on an absolute tear with Westbrook & Beal playing like the best backcourt in the NBA over the last ten games. Even though John Collins should eat well on this night in the paint, the Wizards are battling for their play-in lives. I think desperation wins in a high-scoring affair.
- Wizards Win
Tuesday, May 11th
New York @ LA Lakers 10:00 pm
The Lakers have gone from defending champs to fighting just to make the playoffs. When they lost to Portland Friday night, they gave up the tiebreaker and to make things worse Anthony Davis is out with back spasms. The Knicks are the best defense team in the Association and have Julias Randle ready to go head-to-head with LBJ. Even so, I don't see LeBron letting his team slip with or without Davis.
- Lakers Win
Thursday, May 13th
Portland @ Phoenix 10:00pm
Portland is playing really well of late on the offensive end of the floor but the Pheonix Suns are an absolute juggernaut of late out West. Unless CJ and Dame can combine for 60+ points I don't see this staying close. Pheonix will end the season with the best record in the NBA.
- Suns Win
SWISH SUNDAY RECORD
6-6Fantasy Pick Up of the Week
Jackson Hayes (C) – I know most people's fantasy season ended this weekend. However, some leagues still run through till the last day of the season. For those people, you need to look at the second year Centre on the Pelicans. Steven Adams is hurt; Zion and Ingram have been all but retired until next season. He could easily average all-star numbers if he can stay out of foul trouble for the remaining games this week.
Sources:
- NBA
- CBS Sports
Comments