NBA fans keep saying that the most recent playoffs lacked aura. Is that true? Why would fans say something like that?
Is it because superstars like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant were eliminated early in the NBA playoffs? Is it because the games lacked dramatic background stories or rivalries?
Maybe it’s all of the above.
If we had the powers of the basketball gods to control the matchups, we would choose a few of the following scenarios to add some spice to the NBA playoffs.
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This series would top them all. Can you imagine if these two teams met in the NBA Finals? Two of the most successful teams battling out for title No. 18. What could be better than that? The sidelines would be filled with basketball legends from the past, TV ratings would be sky-high, and fans would be talking about this for years to come.
Jaylen Brown said “I don’t think Bronny is a pro” 😳 pic.twitter.com/ywavJ4mzMU
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) July 16, 2024
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
What would the home crowd look like? Probably a sea of yellow jerseys since the Lakers are L.A.’s favorite team. We also get to witness what would happen if fans of both teams were inside the same building at the same time. Will this spark another L.A. riot? The venue would certainly double the number of security officers inside and outside throughout the series.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets
We might as well call this the “Morris vs. Jokic” series. For those who forgot, Markieff Morris once fouled Nikola Jokic in a dirty kind of way a few years ago. Jokic retaliated by shoving Morris, sending him tumbling to the ground. To add more drama to the event, we had Jokic’s brothers getting pumped up and ready to fight anyone from the Morris family. There is no doubt that this series would have added some drama to the postseason.
Jokic and Markieff Morris both got ejected after exchanging fouls during Nuggets-Heat.
Morris was hurt but walked off the floor under his own power. pic.twitter.com/ReXnjRTHzu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 9, 2021
Los Angeles Clippers versus Oklahoma City Thunder
The Clippers traded a promising, young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Thunder in exchange for Paul George. Was it the right move for the Clippers? Maybe it was at that time, but right now, it’s looking kind of dim for the Clippers. Regardless, a playoff battle between Gilgeous-Alexander and George would have drawn so much attention.
A healthy Jimmy Butler in the NBA Playoffs
It turns out we all missed Butler after all. He would have easily made any series as entertaining as it should be. The way he plays, the way he talks, and the way he conducts interviews would have added some “theatricals” to the playoffs. Butler even made some bold claims about how his team would have defeated the New York Knicks or the Celtics if he played.
JIMMY BUTLER IS A FLAMETHROWER. 50 BURGER WITH CHEESE 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/M6KPnSeFoX
— AJ King (@allday_ajking) April 25, 2023
Main Image Credit:
