In the West, I like the Los Angeles Lakers.
(I've been rooting for LeBron teams for a long time now.)
In the East, the Brooklyn Nets look interesting.
They have three superstars, though two of them are kinda immature (and perhaps unreliable.)
Which teams do you like this year?
My guess for this year’s WCF will be LAL vs LAC and BOS vs PHI for ECF. I still wanted to see the classic match between LAL vs BOS in Finals. LAL is still to strong to be defeated as loong as they still have LBJ and AD, I guess they are still the strongest team in league right now.
I do not see the benefit having KD and JH in BKN, while KI is still struggling with his injuries (I heard he missed a few games, lately). BKN will be stronger in EC, but they’re still MIL and PHI. I wonder what happened to last year’s finalist, MIA. They only won 5 of their last 12 games.
One of my interest in every year’s competition is watching new rookies’ performance. James Wiseman is one of the strongest ROTY candidates. The other are Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Payton Pritchard (BOS) and Patrick Williams (CHI).
NBA Update!
I think there are about two weeks left in the regular season.
I think the Lakers are currently ranked #6.
If they hold on to that rank, they make the playoffs.
If they fall to #7, #8, #9, or #10, they have to win a crucial game after the regular season to make the playoffs.
If they make the playoffs, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis are healthy throughout the playoffs, they have a chance.
Otherwise, they probably don't.
...
Meanwhile, in the East, if the Nets have their three best players healthy throughout the playoffs, they also have a chance.
For both of these teams, availability is the greatest ability, as both teams have had a lot of injuries.
No matter what, I plan to watch a lot of games in the playoffs, so I'm excited, but I'm also nervous for the Lakers.
looks like the stars have fallen.
Harden, LeBron, Zion, etc.
Rehab League.
Yup, and Zion just got injured, when, yesterday?
I like Zion Williamson, but I think he would be even better if he played more aggressively.
He seems to be too nice and polite to be super effective in the NBA.
Also, he's kinda prone to injuries, which is never good, but he's still pretty awesome.
Excellent game yesterday.
The Lakers were down most of the game, but they came back.
The fourth quarter was close I think the whole quarter.
And the Lakers won by three with an incredible shot by the injured LeBron James.
(He got accidentally got poked in the eye and had trouble seeing.)
True, the Lakers didn't play that well, but they won, and they will be in the Playoffs!
I don't think the Play-In games are thought out very well, but they make things exciting.
I think to be more fair, teams should have to win 3 out of 5 games to make it to the Playoffs.
Of course, my solution isn't perfect either, but winning 1 or 2 games to make it to the Playoffs relies too much on luck because anything can happen in just 1 or 2 games.
Ever since I took a knee on that balloney, my interest can be measured in microgiveashits.
Yep, those athletes expressing their first amendment rights on racial injustice is a real tragedy.
They should just "shut up and dribble", amirite? 
Thanks for your gratuitous thread-crapping.
The Lakers and Suns are tied up 2-2 in their series.
Game 1 wasn't very entertaining, but Games 2 through 4 were.
Anthony Davis injured his groin in the second quarter of Game 4, and missed most of that game.
He is unlikely to play Game 5, which sucks because the Lakers really need him.
Hmmm… I like that. 
I do like Charles Barkley (former NBA Star) & his commentary on most things. Great player & great American… a real role model.
The Lakers lost Games 5 and 6.
Anthony Davis didn't play in 5, and he barely played in 6.
So the Lakers' season is over.
Hopefully next year, they'll make the Playoffs, and LeBron and Anthony Davis will be healthy.
Maybe they'll acquire some new talent as well.
I don't know what the team is looking for, but I think they need someone that is good from long range.
A good 3-point shooter would be a nice addition.
LeBron is okay from downtown, but I don't think the rest of the team is.
...
Now I will start following the Brooklyn Nets.
They're going to have their hands full with the Milwaukee Bucks.
If the Nets' best three players are healthy, they have a decent chance.
I just saw the Nets Game 1 of Round 2.
It was a good game.
James Harden reaggravated his injury and played only the first minute.
The Bucks missed a TON of 3-pointers, and that caused them to lose the game.
(They're usually very good from downtown.)
I'm not used to watching very fast-paced basketball like this game.
It makes me tired just watching it.
I actually prefer slower-paced basketball.
I haven't rooted for the Nets since Jason Kidd played for them.
I hope Harden returns soon because obviously the Nets need him.
as posted in May: Rehab League.
can injuries be infectious?
I just saw the Nets Game 6 of Round 2.
The Nets lost.
I'm glad James Harden played a lot of minutes in Game 5 and 6, but he's nowhere near 100%.
Quite understandably, he's worried about reaggravating his hamstring injury.
Harden is a pretty good ball handler, but he can't currently jump very well or do much in the paint.
Tomorrow...
The decisive Game 7!
(You gotta love Game 7s.) 
I think the regular season is too long.
It's typically 82 games.
If that gets reduced to something like 65 or 72 games, then there would be less injuries.
I would also be in favor of shortening the games from 48 minutes to 40 minutes.
Well, crud.
The Nets lost in overtime in Game 7.
So the Lakers got knocked out in Round 1 and the Nets got knocked out in Round 2.
Now I'm going to root for the Suns, but since I'm so good at picking losers this year, I'm not too optimistic.
The Suns won Game 6, so they're going to The Finals.
It's nice to finally see a team that I am rooting for advance in the playoffs.
I also like it when my team plays aggressively, but poised.
To be "poised" in this case means to not commit any stupid fouls, not to get into foul trouble, not to commit flagrant fouls, and to avoid getting technicals.
I don't think my teams are always poised, but it's nice when it happens.
...
Now all that's to be decided is who will win in the East.
I like the Bucks, but their best player is injured and won't play tonight, so who knows?
I quit watching NBA and NFL games years ago, now may have to stop MLB as well. I refuse to give any time or effort to people payed millions to play a game and the to whine about politics. If they must, then do it off the field of play and put your money where your mouth is. Do something to help the south side of Chicago, LA or New York and stop whining!
This thread is clearly about the NBA.
It's not an opportunity to b*tch about politics.
Take your negative waves elsewhere.
They are not welcome here.
There is no good reason to politicize this thread, and politics aren't even allowed on BLF anyways.
mattlward… 
