NBA Finals: Playoff Tree
Season Review – Conference Finals Eliminations
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jeff Teague (81), Skal Labissiere (79) (2YRT), Tyson Chandler (75), Jarrett Jack (74), Chinanu Onuaku (71)A shocking exit for last year's East champions, barely putting up a fight against the top-seeded Wizards. Clearly a step behind, it's likely Cleveland will be scouting the free agent market to find a bonafide superstar to play alongside LeBron in his prime. Jeff Teague and Tyson Chandler could be on the outs, and with further development of Skal Labissiere, time may be short for Zach Randolph also. An offseason of reflection and a further re-tool should hopefully see the Cavaliers back in a similar position next season.
3. New Orleans Pelicans (61-21)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Karl-Anthony Towns (92) (2YRT), Nikola Jokic (89) (T), Tobias Harris (79), Willy Hernangomez (78), Raul Neto (73), Dorian Finney-Smith (73) (T), Chris Mccullough (71) (T)Bounced quite easily for the second straight year by the colossus Thunder, this looked to be the year the Pelicans outgrew the West titan and took the crown. With another year of Nikola Jokic and two for Karl-Anthony Towns on their rookie deals, The Big Easy franchise won't be going anywhere next year, however the free agency possibility of Tobias Harris and Willy Hernangomez could sprout opportunity to bring a fourth star into the fold, and make them an undeniable favourite to return as the #1 seed to next year's postseason and finally get over the hump.
Finals Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Washington Wizards
Previous matchups
28/11: WAS 126 @ OKC 114
13/3: OKC 127 @ WAS 105
More of the same, but different
Nothing's been more consistent in the NBA Finals this decade than Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, however this year it's a little different. In a storybook matchup, the four-time MVP Durant will be facing his former team in his first season at the Washington Wizards. With KD all but proving his worth outside of his former superstar running mates Russell Westbrook and James Harden, he now looks to cement his legacy as the best ever, and with another championship, it will be hard to argue. What stands in his way is the city that has been the most dominant force the NBA has possibly ever seen, already boasting five championships in it's nine years in the state of Oklahoma. Can Durant slay his former home and bring glory to the nation's capital?
Harden looks to boost legacy, protect perfect Finals record
While Kevin Durant may be looking for his sixth championship, the same can be said for James Harden, who returns to the Finals for the sixth time looking for a sixth ring of his own. No stranger to pressure, the lack of Russell Westbook puts extra weight on the shoulders of Harden, the one of the superstar trio yet to collect an individual trophy during his time of Thunder dominance. In Westbrook's absence, there's no better time for The Beard to have his moment in the sun, and help his long-time teammates Norris Cole and Thabo Sefolosha, join some exclusive company with at least six rings.
40 years in the making in DC
It's been 40 years in the making (and 39 since their last shot in the Finals), but the Washington Wizards have returned to the biggest stage to compete for championship glory. After decades of rebuilds and flickering hope, the DC franchise has never looked more dangerous, pairing a dynamic backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson and defensive twin towers of Nerlens Noel and DeAndre Jordan around the league's best player, this feels like the beginning of a very fruitful period for the former Bullets, and their most successful era since their last championship.
Battle on the block creates a No-Fly-Zone
When Kevin Durant and James Harden drive into the lane this series, it will come with a warning, as two of the league's top shot blockers will go head-to-head this Finals series in Hassan Whiteside & DeAndre Jordan. With interior defense so key to both offenses, this battle on the block could sway the series dramatically. Will the bonus blocking ability of Nerlens Noel versus rookie Caleb Swanigan prove enough to the Wizards the edge?
