On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

THE NBA Who’s On Top?

We are officially past the midpoint mark for the NBA Season with 42 plus games played to date and still holding down the No. 1 Spot in the league are the Boston Celtics (35-10). Them Boys haven’t lost a beat and seem to be getting stronger as a unit game by game on both ends of the floor. Once again, the competitiveness of the Eastern Conference is vastly improving, keeping things quite interesting throughout the season so far. Creeping up behind them are the Milwaukee Bucks (31-13), the Philadelphia 76ers (29-14), the New York Knicks (28-17), the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-16), the Indiana Pacers (25-20), the Miami Heat (24-21) and the Orlando Magic (23-21). The Eastern Conference is definitely heating up!

The usual suspects at the top have taken quite the hit this year but surprisingly still holding down the No. 1 Spot in the Western Conference are the Minnesota Timberwolves (32-13). Them Boys have been looking the part game by game showing the basketball world that they are on a mission to silence the naysayers out there but, breathing down their necks looking to overtake them are the Oklahoma City Thunder (31-13) and the Defending Champions Denver Nuggets (31-13) while the Los Angeles Clippers (28-14), the Phoenix Suns (26-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (26-18), the Sacramento Kings (25-18) and the Dallas Mavericks (24-20) are all staying within striking distance to overtake one another in the standings at any given time. Real Talk!

The power struggles within both conferences continues to give the second half of the season that much more “HYPE” so stay locked in.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA Who’s on Top?

We are officially at the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and with the successful completion of the first NBA In-Season Tournament, the changing of the guards is looking quite optimistic within the early standings updates making some teams quite uncomfortable at the moment.

The NBA In-Season Tournament created some traction and some competitiveness that kept the players involved and motivated to reach the destination in Las Vegas and the two surprising teams to represent their respective coasts for this In-Season Tournament were none other than the two No. 5 Seeds in the Indiana Pacers (12-8) and the Los Angeles Lakers (14-9). Staged on a neutral floor both teams balled out like the NBA Finals and brought us a serious game this early into the season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis took it to the next level and raised the bar with LeBron closing out the game with 24 points and 11 boards while Davis finished off a run that secured him the first NBA Cup MVP Award with a performance of 41 points and 20 boards. Unbelievable! The Laker’s one-two-punch was simply too much for Indiana to contain. The Lakers were the In-Season Tournament’s best team from the jump and proved it by walking away with the Trophy of the NBA’s first In-Season Tournament. As the In-Season Tournament Champion all the players and coaches on the Lakers will receive $500.000 each and as runners-up, the Indiana Pacers will receive $200,000 each. Incentive well-earned.

In Season Tournament aside the championship game will not count for either team’s regular season record, unlike every other game played in the event.

Although the In-Season Tournament was interesting, the true and surprising team holding down the No. 1 Spot is none other then the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-4). Them Boys have been looking like true contenders game by game. The season is a long one but if they can maintain the right nucleus and keep growing as a unit, they could see themselves creating some serious havoc come Playoff time.

Another surprising team on the come up is the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-7). With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander increasingly improving year by year and leading this team to stardom, the Thunder seems to have the right attitude and competitiveness to maintain their position amongst the tough Western Conference.

The Dallas Mavericks (13-8) have been maintaining but have also been hit with the injury bug to key players like Kyrie Irving. Depending on how long Kyrie could be out they could find themselves in the hole quickly if Luka can’t hold down the fort for the time being.

The Defending Champs the Denver Nuggets (14-9) haven’t been themselves as of late but still maintain a certain presence in the league as Defending Champs. Health is key and when healthy they are damn near unstoppable. Nikola Jokic is still piling up the stats in an impressive fashion and has proven capable to carry the team when needed.

With new faces climbing up the standing in the Western Conference the Los Angeles Lakers (14-9) (In-Season Tournament Champion), Sacramento Kings (12-8) and the Phoenix Suns (12-10) could find themselves moving up in no time.

The Boston Celtics (16-5) are holding the No. 2 Spot in the league and are in a very competitive Eastern Conference where the new players on the squad have been gelling just right. Them Boys are proving to be legit and can ball with the best of them from either coast. Definitely early contenders on the watch.

The Orlando Magic (15-7) have showed mass improvement and seem to be getting it together. They have been competitive night in and night out but still have lots to prove but are definitely willing to put in that work.

The Milwaukee Bucks (15-7) have proven to have the fire power on the offensive end to hold onto their standing for now but where they fall is at the defensive end. With the loss of Jrue Holiday, the defense has taken a major hit that needs to be addressed if they are to compete towards a Championship.

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-7) have been competitive for the time being but do also suffer from weak defense that needs to be addressed as well. Two-way player MVP Joel Embiid is playing at an all-time high but can’t cover every part of floor at the same time.

The Indiana Pacers (12-8) (In-Season Tournament runners-up), the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-9), the New York Knicks (12-9), the Brooklyn Nets (12-9) and the Miami Heat (12-10) all have the talent but lack consistency but with the right momentum going their way could find themselves bumping the higher ups down from their pedestals.

So much can change from game to game so stay locked in as the season progresses.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA FINALS 2023”

2023 NBA FINALS

With the completion of the NBA’s version of the Final 4 now officially over, the two remaining teams to represent their respective coasts are the No. 1 Seeded Denver Nuggets for the WESTSIDE and No. 8 Seeded Miami Heat for the EASTSIDE.

Denver stayed true to their identity and their No. 1 Seed by running through their competition and crushing them with an iron fist one series at a time, proving that they were destined to grace the NBA Finals for their first appearance.

As good as the Nuggets have been looking throughout the Playoffs, it’s been the Heat stealing the spotlight with their No. 8 Seed placing and still standing after a hard, gruelling battle with the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics went down to a game 7 on enemy territory to decide who would be representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

Miami nearly dropped the ball on this one, going up 3-0 on the Celtics to eventually losing their choke grip on Boston who managed to make it a very interesting series by rallying back to an unforeseen 3-3 series tie, in a blink of an eye.

Boston was back in the game and the favorite to pull it off on home court. However, Miami saw the writing on the wall, drying up rapidly and they had to revert back to what got them there: nonstop toughness from both ends of the floor, teamwork and a very motivated Jimmy Butler leading the way hitting big shots after big shots eventually crushing the Celtics to submission and winning a ticket to the NBA Finals.

Regardless of how this NBA Finals unravels, history will be in the making. The Denver Nuggets have never won an NBA Title let alone been the No. 1 Seed in the Western Conference. Denver has looked overpowering throughout the Playoffs and steadily peaking round after round. With Nikola Jokic and a healthy squad leading the way, the Nuggets should be the Finals favorite to win it all.

That being said, No. 8 Seed has ever won an NBA Championship and the Miami Heat squad is determined to enter the record books as the only team to accomplish the impossible. The Heat have displayed some exceptional play throughout the Playoffs and knocked off some serious competition on their way to the Finals. Them Boys are a legit threat and deserve to be in the NBA Finals. The Nuggets may have the better team but them “heat seekers” have the “DOGG” in them and have proven to be the higher seed killers of these Playoffs series. Another Seed must fall for them to become NBA Champions once again.

Tune in this Thursday night June 1, 2023 and be part of this intriguing NBA Finals matchup.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2023 NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals

The No. 2 Seed Boston Celtics put a beating on the 76ers today to secure their position at the Eastern Conference Finals pinning them once again for the second following season against the No. 8 Seed Miami Heat.

This is an Eastern Conference rematch that saw Miami fall short on their quest succumbing to Boston in a game seven last year but these are different times this time around. The Celtics have proven to be the team to beat all season long. They are determined to reach the NBA Finals and once again hoist that Championship Crown but one major obstacle ahead is the rejuvenated heat seekers Miami.

The Heat have already taken down the No. 1 Seed Milwaukee and the No. 5 seed Knicks in a very convincing fashion proving to be every bit ready to tackle their biggest hurdle who have prevented them from ever reaching the NBA Finals.

Miami is walking into this battle as the underdog but the hunger that this team displays on the court says different. They are the 8 Seed this time around looking to defy and upset the betting favourites Boston Celtics on the biggest stage. The odds are definitely stacked against them but the Heat wouldn’t have it any other way.

Miami beating the Celtics is history in the making but Boston would rather be the last team standing when it’s all said and done.

That said both teams match up well at every corner making this series that much more intriguing than the previous years. Tune in this Wednesday night to see which team will have kept the momentum going in their favor.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2023 NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS”

2023 NBA Western Conference Finals

The NBA’s version of the Final 4 is set to start this Tuesday night May 16, 2023 in the Western Conference, with the No. 1 Seed Denver Nuggets still going strong and ready to fend off the Play-In Tournament survivor Los Angeles Lakers who are fresh off a solid game six series win with the Golden State Warriors.

The way the season went on for the Lakers this year nobody expected them to crack the Playoffs let alone reach the Western Conference but they are here now and ready to rekindle the rivalry of their 2020 Western Conference Finals where the Lakers prevailed and eventually took the Crown that year.

Times have changed and this version of the Nuggets has gained massive experience and has a much healthier squad this time around to compete with the Lakers who have been playing some serious impressive ball as of late and will show resistance when push comes to shove.

The way the Lakers dismantled the No. 2 Seed Grizzlies and the Defending Champion Warriors is proof enough that the Lakers mean business and are quite motivated to win another NBA Championship but they have a formidable opponent that they must go through first in the Denver Nuggets, making this particular series must see TV.

Tune in this Tuesday night May 16, 2023 for game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Blaze

ON The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS”

Western Conference Semifinals

The western Conference has finally reached completion. The No. 1 Seed Denver Nuggets stayed true to their position and dispatched of the pesky No. 8 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves in a very convincing fashion. The Nuggets have had plenty of rest and considerable time to strategize for their next foe in the No. 4 Seed Phoenix Suns who them too dispatched of their opponent, the No. 5 Seed Los Angeles Clippers in a convincing fashion as well. Considering their early dominance of the first round, both teams have already engaged in their battle, giving the Nuggets a 1-0 win over their formidable adversary. Definitely a series to keep an eye on.

The same can’t be said for the No. 2 Seed Memphis Grizzlies who talked a good game all the way up to the Playoffs and looked the part right until they fell short to the No. 7 Seed Los Angeles Lakers. The Grizzlies made that series competitive up until they got the attention of LeBron James. The excess trash talking sent his way woke up a sleeping giant waiting for a reason to unleash his unstoppable assault and that he did. LeBron and company showed levels above the Grizzlies and shut the show down and crushed the Grizzlies into submission and went on to round two. Waiting for them are the No. 6 Seed Golden State Warriors who took down No. 3 Seed Sacramento Kings fresh off the only game 7 series in the first round but they are still hungry to prove the naysayers wrong. Truth be told, the Warriors have been horrendous on the road throughout the season but still managed enough quality wins to be able to attempt to defend their previous NBA Championship. Beating the young gunning Kings was a tough obstacle but the challenge ahead with a very motivated LeBron James and the Lakers, will be must see TV considering these are the No. 6 and 7 Seed trying to get to the NBA Finals. Both squads are starting to get it together game by game. I can’t wait to see how this particular series unfolds.

Tune in and witness the outcome.

Blaze

ON The Watch “It’s All About The NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS”

Eastern Conference Semifinals

With the first round officially over, we can now set our focus on the second round of attention-grabbing match ups. The only team claiming a four-game sweep in the first round of exciting action was the No. 3 seeded Eastern team the Philadelphia 76ers who fought tooth and nail and eventually overpowered the Brooklyn Nets game by game. If the 76ers can maintain their focus on both sides of the court, they can definitely bring that heat to the No. 2 Seeded Boston Celtics who have been looking stronger and stronger game by game. However, with Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown balling out of their mind as of late, I can only expect an incredible shootout come Game 1 of the second round. Real Talk!

With the fall of the No. 1 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks at the hands of the No. 8 Seeded Miami Heat, the Eastern Conference Playoffs have taken a serious shift. The Heat will have to capitalize on this great first round win and continue with the momentum when they take on the No. 5 Seeded New York Knicks. The Knicks have been looking sharp and motivated game by game, but that said Jimmy Butler has put the Heat on his back playing out of his mind and looking like an “Equalizer” that can’t be stopped. An intriguing matchup to pay attention too. Real Talk!

Tune in this Sunday April 30, 2023, for round two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA-Who’s On Top?

We are officially past the midpoint mark for the NBA Season with 42 plus games played to date and still holding down the No. 1 Spot in the league are the Boston Celtics (32-12). Them Boys are mission driven this year playing some very good basketball from both ends of the floor. However, holding on to the No. 1 spot won’t be easy with the other Eastern Conference teams staying quite competitive. The Brooklyn Nets (27-15), the Milwaukee Bucks (27-16), the Philadelphia 76ers (27-16), the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-17), the New York Knicks (25-19), the Miami Heat (24-20) and the Indiana Pacers (23-21) have all showed some serious improvement making the second half of the Season that much more intriguing.

The Western Conference teams have been playing musical chairs with their standings while the new faces climbing up have been making a serious stand of their own. The Denver Nuggets (30-13) now hold the No. 1 Spot with their back-to-back MVP player Nikola Jokic doing just about everything on the floor to keep them afloat for the time being. However, breathing down their necks are the Memphis Grizzlies (29-13), the New Orleans Pelicans (26-17), the Sacramento Kings (24-18), the Dallas Mavericks (24-21), the Los Angeles Clippers (23-22) while the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-22), the Golden State Warriors (21-22) and the Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) are struggling to rectify their situation but are not counted out yet.

The drastic changes of power within both conferences are exciting and mind-boggling but the second half of the season could still bring some more drama so stay locked in.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA-Who’s on Top?

We are officially at the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and the changing of the guards within the early standings updates is making some teams quite uncomfortable at the moment. Although the NBA Season is in its early stages the panic button is staying at arm’s reach for some particular teams.

Holding the No. 1 Spot in the league are the Boston Celtics (18-5) who lost their Coach Ime Udoka for disciplinary reasons early at the start of the season, but have maintained a level of competitiveness night in and night out keeping them on pace to the task at hand.

The Milwaukee Bucks (16-6) are staying at arm’s length of the Boston Celtics ready and willing to relieve them of the No. 1 Spot. With Giannis playing at a Super Star level night in and night out with a competitive squad having his back, no one in their right mind should ever sleep on the Bucks regardless of their standing because the Bucks want next no matter what.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (15-8) surprisingly keep moving up the ladder a lot quicker than expected and are showing some serious grit in the way they’ve been balling at this early stage. They are definitely a team to keep a close eye on. While the Atlanta Hawks (13-10), the Indiana Pacers 12-10, the Brooklyn Nets (13-11), Philadelphia 76ers (12-11), and the Toronto Raptors (12-11) are all in position to readjust their standing as the season progresses.

The Phoenix Suns (15-7) have re-emerged at the No. 1 Spot for the time being, proving to be key players still in a championship run regardless of any previous outcomes. That said, holding on to their No. 1 Spot in the tough Western Conference won’t be easy with new faces climbing up the standings like the Denver Nuggets (14-8), the New Orleans Pelicans (14-8), the Memphis Grizzlies (13-9), the Sacramento Kings (12-9) who are making some early noise.
The defending Champs the Golden State Warriors who have been going through an unexpected slow start sitting in the 6th seed (13-11) working their way back to a respectable seeding one game at a time. (Still not to be slept on).

The Los Angeles Clippers (13-11), the Utah Jazz (14-12) and the Portland Trail Blazers (12-11) could all climb up the standings but these two particular teams on the outside looking in at the Dallas Mavericks (11-11) and the Los Angeles Lakers (9-12) who have the right nucleus to rise all the way up (Fat Joe voice) if your team gets caught slipping throughout the season.

Stay locked in cause this roller-coaster ride of an NBA Season is just getting heated.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About 2022 NBA CONFERENCE FINALS”

2022 NBA CONFERENCE FINALS

The NBA’s version of the Final 4 is set to start this Tuesday night May 17, 2022 in the Eastern Conference with the No.1 Seed the Miami Heat and the No. 2 Seed the Boston Celtics. Both teams are coming in fully confident and battle tested. I have a feeling that bully ball will be on full display when these two teams collide on game night. Both teams have shown to be quite physical this Playoff run if need be and I personally think the physicality of this series might be the deciding factor. Both teams have big-time players capable of taking over games but it will come down to who can execute when the tough times get rough down the stretch, which makes this series that much more intriguing.

The No. 3 Seed Golden State Warriors have been missing in action the last couple of years but now have worked their way back to the Western Conference and ready to cool off the hot and blazing No. 4 Seed Dallas Mavericks who are fresh from taking out the No. 1 Seed Phoenix Suns in a blowout game 7. Real Talk! The Dallas Boys have been on a tear and definitely feeling themselves on that court as the team to beat. Luka has been playing out of his mind and his squad has kept up the pace right behind him. That said, as hot as the Mavericks have been throughout their Playoff run, the Warriors have been all business. Them Boys have been peaking just as well and at the right time. The Warriors will have to be on 100% to silence them Mavericks Boys cause these guys didn’t come this far to lay down to the Warriors. Both teams got shooters but the Warriors got snipers on deck from all angles. Factor in their experience at this stage in the Playoffs, the Warriors should walk away the victor. That said, I’m absolutely locked in for this series going down Wednesday night May 18, 2022.

Tune In!

Blaze