Top 10: Things We Learn This NBA Postseason

Marcelo Unda • June 13, 2023

NBA Playoffs have dominated headlines since April. Let's recap what we've learn.

1. Nikola Jokic is the best player in the league.

The 2nd to last pick in the NBA All-Star Game & 2x NBA MVP is so motivated to win a championship nothing else matters. You can argue he should have won his 3rd straight MVP this year. Jokic is something special in the likes of Jordan, LeBron, and Curry. Every time you see him play he can still surprise you with his game.

2. Jimmy Butler is HIM.

People have forgotten the Heat were one game away of being eliminated from the Play-In game. Butler has managed to take down Giannis and the one seed Bucks, beat his former HC Tom Thibodeaux and the Knicks, and upset the preseason favorite Celtics who were supposed to win the championship. What Butler has done is legendary and won't be forgotten. People are never going to count the Heat out ever.

3. LeBron is not retiring.

LeBron complains about how media controls the narrative when, in fact, he controls the narrative after getting swept in the Western Conference Finals. I don't think he gets enough credit for being NBA leading scorer. Maybe because it happen so long ago in the regular season. He's a great player who can complete for a championship at 38 years old.

4. Lakers have momentum going into the offseason.

Credit the Lakers organization on making the necessary moves to make a playoff run at the trade deadline. Did they get some help from Utah dumping Russell Westbrook? Yes. However you can't ignore the acquisitions of Jarred Vanderbilt, DeAngelo Russell, & Rui Hachimura. The make up of the team did a complete 180, and reached the WCF.

5. The Suns have more questions than answers.

Phoenix lets go of Monty Williams and decide to move forward with Frank Vogel. I am sure NBA fans have their doubts on the hire. There's obvious concerns about Kevin Durant's injury history at this point in his career. Since the return from his achilles injury in 2020 , he is averaging 46 games a season. New ownership mortgage the future for KD & Devin Booker to lead this team to the WCF.

6. The Celtics lost because of coaching, but they have their coach moving forward.

Head Coach Joe Mazzula was thrown in a ambiguous situation when the Celtics fire Udoka before the start of the season.  He led the Celtics to a 57-25 record this season and a Eastern Conference Finals berth. It look like when Mazzula got to the playoffs he could no longer rely on talent alone and needed to make adjustments. You could see other coaches out performing him. I give him a ton of credit on winning two playoff series and coming back down 3-0 to force a game 7. The organization stands behind him, and I expect the Celtics & Mazzula do it what it takes to return to the Finals. 

7. Knicks fans rule!


What. a. debacle! A guy just taking a huge rip out of a bong. (who is carrying that big of a piece around the city???) Fans are acting if they won the championship. This is after game 5 where the Heat lead the series 3-2 lmfao. The guy popping champagne is a literal meme. This is a fanbase who lives and breathes for their basketball team. It just means more to them and I gotta respect it. This energy makes you believe you can accomplish anything. I hope one day the fans in New Orleans can experience something like this in the streets after a game.

8. The Pelicans would not have won a playoff series.

Lets be honest- had the Pels made it through the play-in they would not have gotten passed the Denver Nuggets. Maybe with a healthy Zion and Ingram, but the Pelicans would not have  been in that situation if they were healthy to begin with. The West was deep and top heavy. I think back to the Suns series last year and think of the passion the fan base had. We were excited of the opportunity to compete. It didn't matter if it was against the one seed or who was on the other side. We earned that playoff spot after running through the play-in and we were announcing we have arrived. I do believe this team still has the ability to compete in the playoffs.

9. The Kings are good.

It's hard to remember back when the Sacramento Kings took the Golden State Warriors to Game 7. They give hope to any small market team that a turnaround can happen at any time. They have a lot of young talent and an offense that hums. Coach of the Year, Mike Brown, has experience winning a championship and has shown he can compete in the Western Conference.

10. Heat Culture is real.

I still have to give the Miami Heat their flowers for this unbelievable run. It starts at the top of the organization, to the coaching staff, and into the players. Overcoming deficits in the 4th quarter. Winning 10 out of 13 straight up as underdogs is nothing to sneeze at. Losing Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro in the first round and still made it to the Finals. It's unfortunate to see the magic run it's course, but you earned a lot of the fans respect. 

What a crazy long season for the NBA. I know fans will complain of a dull NBA Finals, but I felt that the committee got it right. The two best teams made it to the end. The drama of the season and the highlights is enough to keep us entertained until next season. What were some of your favorite playoff performances or storylines?


-Lettem Know

@marcelo_unda

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