LA Clippers: Playoff P might be more than a punchline?
I had as fun of a time as anyone laughing while Paul George was putting shots off the side of the backboard against Denver in the 2020 playoffs. But if I’m going to criticize him when he’s bad I have to praise him when he’s good. And Paul George was unbelievable in the 2021 playoffs.
For the Clippers to claw their way to a competitive Western Conference Finals series while missing Kawhi Leonard for most of the playoffs was really impressive. If Paul George and the supporting cast can duplicate that level of play they’ll be a tough out this season.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic can keep you afloat until Jamal Murray gets back
After Jamal Murray got hurt last season their championship hopes were pretty much dead, but they were more than capable of still winning games. In fact, they won 13 of 18 to close the regular season after Murray’s injury thanks to Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. stepping up.
Denver should get Murray back later in the season to help them in the playoffs, but even before that, I expect Jokic and Porter to keep them in the mix. Don’t sleep on the Nuggets.