Ranking The Potential NBA 1st Round Match-Ups
By Ryan Mayer
Three weeks left in the regular season, and the NBA playoff picture is starting to shape up. With that in mind let's look at the potential first round match-ups and rank them from least interesting to most.
8) Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics- As of right now this would be the one seed in the Eastern Conference against the eight seed. The Pacers could snag this spot away from Boston which would bump this series a few more spots up because of the previous history between those two in the playoffs. The reason I don't find this series interesting? Honestly, lack of star power. I love watching the Hawks from a purity of basketball, whipping the ball around and bombing threes perspective but are you going to get riled up to see them play a young Celtics team just happy to be there? I'm not. Season Series: Atlanta 2-1
7) Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards- These two teams have been slumping big time lately. While there's plenty of star power on both sides, the teams themselves are significantly less interesting because of their struggles. There's really not any fun story lines between the two either. Season Series: Toronto 3-0
6) Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks- The Grizzlies are the kind of team that's really only fun to watch if you enjoy defense. They have some fun offensive players, but they're not going to run and gun a team to death. They're more like a boa constrictor that slowly squeezes the life out of their opponent by not giving them any space to operate. Season Series: Memphis 3-1
5) Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks- This series interests me for a couple of reasons. One, will Derrick Rose be back and make an impact of any kind in the playoffs this year? Rose's continued injury issues have Chicago fans giving up on hope of ever seeing him at peak form again, will he provide heroics in the post season? Second, the Bucks' young core. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most entertaining players in the league because of his sheer raw potential. A 6'10" 19-year-old who can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court? Yep I'm intrigued. I mean seriously look how few steps it takes him to cover half-court to the rim:
https://vine.co/v/On1mmhqjP2wYep, I'll watch that all day everyday and twice on Sundays. Season Series: Chicago 3-0
4) Portland Trailblazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers- The two reasons I most want to watch this series have nothing to do with Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan ending people (though that's a bonus), or LaMarcus Aldridge making dudes look foolish down low. It's the two smallest guys on the floor, Chris Paul and Damian Lillard. These are two of the most competitive guys in the league and you're telling me I get to watch them go at each other for anywhere between 4-7 games? Sign me up. Let's just hope there's some of this involved:
https://vine.co/v/h2TQLx6iJOgOr some of this:
https://vine.co/v/ODee7w0JrBPSeason Series: Clippers 2-1
3) Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs- The defending champions, who continue to defy age and Father Time, always peak around this time of year vs. James Harden and his ridiculous ability to score at any time. Add in Dwight Howard, one of the most divisive players in the NBA and I'll get the popcorn ready. Season Series: Tied 1-1
2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat- Do I really have to explain why this would be fun? How about how hard Dwyane Wade seems to be trolling LeBron this season? Wade is having one of his healthiest and best seasons in the last 3 years and he looks like 2012 Wade that lured LeBron to South Beach. Meanwhile the Cavs, despite continuing to win, still have a soap opera going on apparently between James and Kevin Love. Plus, how badly do you think Pat Riley wants to stick it to LeBron by knocking him out in the 1st round? This should be number 1 right? Season Series: Heat 2-1
1) Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder- Here's why Cavs-Heat isn't number 1. Because these two teams will most likely square off in the 1st round. Since Durant has been out most of this year, Russell Westbrook has gone into full on 'I'm going to dunk on the world and try to stop me mode'. He's in that mode sometimes with KD on the floor, but right now? He seems extra pissed off. His opponent, well I'm just going to leave this here:
https://vine.co/v/OEpxmj3zEwqSeason Series: Warriors 3-1
Yes, there is other basketball being played right now outside of the NCAA Tournament. And these series could be just as much fun as the tourney has been so far this year.
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.