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Reply to "Bucks versus Nets - Eastern Conference Semifinals"

The Bucks, Nuggets, Suns, Hawks, and Jazz have probably assembled the best teams you can possibly assemble without signing a max free agent away from someone else.  None of the are particularly dependent on a top 3 pick. I know Ayton was first overall, but the Suns win because of Booker/Paul. Trae Young was a #5 pick for the Hawks, but it's not like they were getting Zion or LeBron at the top of the draft. All five front offices maximized talent from later draft picks, shrewd trades, and mid-level free agents. For any true fan's sake, I hope one of those 5 wins the title.

The Sixers are good because they lost on purpose for several years and turned those draft picks into Embiid and Simmons. If they wouldn't have completely botched the Fultz/Tatum draft , they'd likely be a multi-title dynasty. If you put Tatum on that team, I'm not sure anyone (including the Nets) beats them. If they win a title, it will validate putting out a crappy project for several years to eventually win down the road.

The Nets and Clippers are glorified AAU teams. After the Lakers win last year, the Durant Warriors teams, and the James/Bosh/Wade Heat, another win from a mercenary-led team will push the league even further towards this model. Either of these teams winning would be worse than the LeBron Heat or the Durant Warriors winning. At least LeBron, Bosh, and Durant never purposely half-assed a season while playing for a team. Last year's Lakers had AD, who decided he just wasn't going to play hard for the Pelicans. This year's Clippers are lead by Kawhi, who did win a title in Toronto, but also just decided he was going to blow off one of the most successful franchises in pro sports (Spurs). The Nets are the worst example of this ever. Durant always played hard for every team he was on, but the Nets have 3 other starters who half-assed their way out of other teams. Kyrie Irving has basically quit on both the Celtics and the Cavs. Harden decided to go clubbing publicly during COVID and force his way off a team that built their entire team and philosophy around him. Blake Griffin magically looks like he can jump again after sleepwalking for the Pistons the last few years.

Sadly, I think the Nets are going to win it all. Especially, if they put away the Bucks fast and can rest guys and get Harden back.

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