Takes from Semis:
NYK- Like them better without Randle
. If they had OG, I think they would have taken the series. Randle, Mitch Rob, Bogdanovich, health(ier) Hart, Hartenstein, Brunson would have helped as well. Like this team, they're one piece away. Hartenstein about to be unrestricted free agent.
OKC-They should have got Gafford. They have a million picks and can't even roster all those picks. Even slotting in Gafford to replace backup C, Jaylin Williams would've been helpful. They lost the rebound battle badly. Hayward wasn't it. Shai is an overrated defender. SGA has been in talks from the media for all-NBA defensive team cause of his high steal rate. He was hidden on PJ Washington JR. for majority of the series, and PJ had himself a series.
SGA is a good defender, he's not a top 10 defender.
Denver- MAGA Porter Jr. crapped the bed. He's their 3rd max contract player, averaged 10.7pts on 37% FG vs Minny, max salary until 2026-2027.
Minny- This was KATs series. He was primary defender on Jokic majority of the time and did a great job. There was a small contingent wanting more NAZ REID here, we got it, and he flourished. Played 9/12 minutes of 4th quarter G7
4th quarter, big plays down the stretch in crunch time.