The (Boring) NBA First Round
Maybe it is just me, but it seems like this year's first round of the NBA playoffs just isn't interesting.
In a year where a highly talented group of teams have dominated the top of the Western Conference, it comes as no surprise that this side of the bracket has been filled with blowouts. The Spurs have already swept the Grizzlies. The Warriors should have already swept the Rockets (though one bad no-call cost them one game) and will likely finish off the series Wednesday night having outscored the Rockets by 61 points in the series, including the loss. The Oklahoma City Thunder look to close out their series tonight (they lead the series 3-1) at home having won their three series wins by no less than 10 points (including a win by 38).
This leaves only one interesting match-up in the Western Conference's first round. The Portland Trail Blazers are down 2-1 to the Los Angeles Clippers and could even the series tonight with a win at home. Let's not be too quick to call it the best series considering two of the three games already played have been decided by more than 20 points.
The Eastern Conference seems to be a bit more entertaining, though let's be honest, since when has East Coast basketball ever been more entertaining than the high-powered West Coast offenses (mixing my sports references but it still works). The Cavs are already through to the second round, sweeping the Pistons. But the other three series hold some intrigue.
Just look at all of the middle seeds of the conference. Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and Charlotte all ended the season with the exact same win-loss record. These games should be good.
Though they are more evenly matched and the series' are almost guaranteed a game 7, the blowouts are still represented. Almost half of the games played in the remaining three Eastern Conference series' have been by more than 15 points (5 of 11) capped by a 28 point win by Miami in Game 1. Though the series' may be more even, the games still go the way of disinterest due to what I am now terming the "blowout effect".
Definition of "blowout effect": When the games are so uneven that it overshadows and detracts from the excitement of the full season or series.
In conversations with other NBA enthusiasts it seems to be the consensus that we are all ready for the second round when the fun actually starts. A healthy and trending Clippers team against a Curry-less Warriors team. The Spurs and Thunder, tickets sell themselves. And every possible second round match-up in the East. Basketball is about to get real, because we all know that this first round hasn't been.
In a year where a highly talented group of teams have dominated the top of the Western Conference, it comes as no surprise that this side of the bracket has been filled with blowouts. The Spurs have already swept the Grizzlies. The Warriors should have already swept the Rockets (though one bad no-call cost them one game) and will likely finish off the series Wednesday night having outscored the Rockets by 61 points in the series, including the loss. The Oklahoma City Thunder look to close out their series tonight (they lead the series 3-1) at home having won their three series wins by no less than 10 points (including a win by 38).
This leaves only one interesting match-up in the Western Conference's first round. The Portland Trail Blazers are down 2-1 to the Los Angeles Clippers and could even the series tonight with a win at home. Let's not be too quick to call it the best series considering two of the three games already played have been decided by more than 20 points.
The Eastern Conference seems to be a bit more entertaining, though let's be honest, since when has East Coast basketball ever been more entertaining than the high-powered West Coast offenses (mixing my sports references but it still works). The Cavs are already through to the second round, sweeping the Pistons. But the other three series hold some intrigue.
Just look at all of the middle seeds of the conference. Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and Charlotte all ended the season with the exact same win-loss record. These games should be good.
Though they are more evenly matched and the series' are almost guaranteed a game 7, the blowouts are still represented. Almost half of the games played in the remaining three Eastern Conference series' have been by more than 15 points (5 of 11) capped by a 28 point win by Miami in Game 1. Though the series' may be more even, the games still go the way of disinterest due to what I am now terming the "blowout effect".
Definition of "blowout effect": When the games are so uneven that it overshadows and detracts from the excitement of the full season or series.
In conversations with other NBA enthusiasts it seems to be the consensus that we are all ready for the second round when the fun actually starts. A healthy and trending Clippers team against a Curry-less Warriors team. The Spurs and Thunder, tickets sell themselves. And every possible second round match-up in the East. Basketball is about to get real, because we all know that this first round hasn't been.
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