Eight of the league’s best are squared up and ready to go in the S48 semi-finals. Let’s take a closer look at each team and how they rolled their way into the semis (with occasional gif commentary from none other than The Jesus):
#1 Pelicans vs. #4 Raptors
Let’s start with the Raptors. We haven’t heard much out of Toronto since they took out the league back in 2033, finally snuffing out the Lakers in the finals in 6, led by future SLOE Hall of Famers Bjorn Ironside and RJ Barrett. But they are back with a newly formidable and overlooked squad led by a young, potentially HoF caliber player in Gary Loredo. It took only 4 games to dispense of the Clippers, and now they meet the early favorites to win it all, the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans have had a nice rest period to prepare for the Raptors, which has to benefit the MVP caliber Jordan Johnson, who missed most of the regular season due to injury but otherwise has proven he hasn’t missed a beat. Ben Franklin buttressed the team to 1st place and will likely welcome the additional support. Matching up with Loredo, he may not have the speed to keep up but, man to man on the perimeter Franklin should keep Loredo’s 3pt % down. And Loredo may not have much to answer in the way of Franklin’s offense, exposing one of Loredo’s few weaknesses. Norris Turney should be a fun match up with Johnson but, if the regular season tells us anything, even Turney balling out may not be enough to stop the Pels. It will also be tough for Jaren Jackson Jr. to carry the front court weight needed to match the Pels more balanced front court of Deuce and Jarrett Allen.
As fun as it is to see a spoiler, I predict the Raptors won’t have the gas to stop the Pels’ stars. I take New Orleans to move to the conference finals here.
#3 Timberwolves vs #2 Suns
MVP David Leiker can only do so much. With King Kaldur’ahm coming off IR and William Pearman likely playing limited minutes (or at least limited quality minutes), the Timberwolves are the clear favorites here. If Messi 2.0 pops in to support his team, they might steal a game, maybe two, but even if they make it far enough to see Pearman get some quality unhindered minutes, I don’t see a path to victory. Coming off a 4 game series with the Bulls, they’re on a roll and ready to feast:
Losing Wolfgang in Gm 3 to the Bulls may look bad for the TWolves later in the playoffs, but backup SG and still one of the league’s greats will be satisfactory to match up with Silky Johnson. A healthy combo in Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby will more more than sufficient to take on King and possibly the return of Pearman, and I wouldn’t be surprised of the Twolves keep their sweep streak alive into the Omega Conference Finals.
#6 Brooklyn Nets vs. #2 Washington Wizards
On paper this should be a slam dunk for Xist’s Wizards, but RPF’s Nets have been on quite a stellar path themselves. While the Wizards led the stupidly deep Alpha division all season long, they faltered a bit at the end, allowing the Nuggets to close within one game and the Lakers three games. If there were another sim before the playoffs, it’s possible the Nuggets would slide into the Wizards’ #2 spot.
Conversely the Nets have been hot, feeling hot, like The Jesus:
They took out the slightly (?) injured Bucks in a less than dramatic game 7 - an unconscionable feat as of April 1st when they lost to the Cavs by almost 50 points. It was only 1 of 3 losses in the month, though, and all of a sudden they didn’t just sneak into the playoffs - they took the 6th seed. Whereas the Lakers thought they had momentum going into the playoffs, the Nets have the stamina. With all their players healthy, I see the Nets winning in seven as the most likely upset in the semis.
The Wizards will be tough, though, and are still likely to take the series, but not without bumps in the road. While Xist didn’t need Kenall Liberty to advance out of the 1st round, and possibly the semis, it might be hard to go all the way without the depth Kendall provided. Renato Mosher will have to do a lot coming off the bench in this series and any more to come.
#1 76ers vs. #4 Nuggets
I know the Lakers were said they lost to the Nuggets, curse or not, but they didn’t have a prayer against the 76ers. KI100 has long completed his heavy lifting to boost his Sixers into prominence, and finally reaping what he sowed. Before the tax man comes a knockin’, the pairing of Udoka and McRae in the front court might be the best of the year and, strong as Glen Sabo has proven to be this year and thus far in the playoffs, Udoka and McRae are not who I’d want to see across the floor.
And that’s the biggest problem here for the Nuggets: the front court. Glen Sabo has been their strongest go-to player all year long and he’ll definitely give McRae and Udoka problems. Scanning toward the backcourt, there’s not as tight a comparison. RJ Barrett still rules, but he’s old. Bynum and Lopez are strong, but Wiseman and Rodriquez are younger and hungrier. Are they better yet? Possibly, but whenever Bynum and Lopez need a rest they won’t have the backup power of someone like Obi Toppin to step in, leaving things looking bleak. Then you have Cassius Winston vs. Samuel Adams, Adams isn’t really a PG, but the Nuggets haven’t needed one...yet. Cassius on the other hand can and will run a strong offense for the 76ers, and despite the Nuggets defensive power, will not be able to hold the 76ers to 94 or less per game.
