It’s hard to get excited for the NBA playoffs after the NCAA tournament but I’m trying. There are a number of things I love heading into the playoffs. In no particular order:
JALEN BRUNSON
Every time I watch him play I shake my head. How does that slow, pudgy, left-handed point guard get everywhere he wants to get on the floor, set up his teammates like a conductor of the New York Philharmonic and manage to score the ball almost at will. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how in a league filled with 6’8 athletes, Jalen Brunson is arguably the most important player on the floor the moment he steps into the gym. He gets his props — and he signed his $100 million deal — but I still think he’s underrated. If Brunson leads the Knicks to a first-round upset of the Cavs, imagine how good Brunson will sleep knowing Mark Cuban isn’t sleeping at all.
JALEN BROWN
He’s an activist. He wants to help his community. He just seems like a really, really good dude. I just root for him.
ANDREW WIGGINS
People forget he was the best players on the floor in last year’s finals. He guarded the other team’s bets player, rebounded his ass off and took off some of the scoring load from Steph. If he can give the Warriors anything in his return, they’ve obviously got a shot.
THE DENVER NUGGETS
Can they make a run. Like a legitimate run. I’d love to see it. We don;’t really need to see the Warriors in the finals again. Let;s give someone else a chance.
MY PLAYOFF BETS (so far)
Zubac to get more rebounds than Ayton in the Suns-Clippers Series. (-115)
Devin Booker to be the leading scorer in the Clippers vs Suns series. (+250)
Desmond Bane to be the leading scorer in Grizzlies vs Lakers series. (+4500)
Anthony Davis to be the leading scorer in Grizzlies vs Lakers series. (+550)
De’Aaron Fox to be leading scorer in Kings vs Warriors. (+300)
Series Parlay 76ers + Celtics + Bucks + Nuggets (-161)
Series Game Spread Parlay Knicks +2.5, Kings +2.5, Grizzlies +2.5, Clippers +2.5 (+288)
Happy Gambling!
