Last year, the NBA ended in an interesting way. The season ended in the bubble in Orlando, Florida with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their 17th NBA championship. This season, the NBA has returned to somewhat normal with teams being able to travel and play against each other with limited number of fans. With a season that has been entertaining with the new NBA Play-in games, we should be in for a good playoffs. So without further ado, these are my picks for the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

Western Conference First Round

#8 Golden State Warriors vs #1 Utah Jazz

My prediction: Jazz over Warriors 4-2

I am just going off thinking the Warriors will win the play in game vs the Grizzles. This could be a very entertaining series. The Jazz have been playing really good this season, arguably some of the best basketball of the season. Stephen Curry has been playing out of his mind this season, as I think he should be the NBA MVP. The Warriors will steal a game or two, but the Jazz are a deep loaded team that will be too much for the Warriors to handle. If the Grizzles win the play in, the Jazz will win in 5.

5. Dallas Mavericks vs 4. Los Angeles Clippers

My prediction: Clippers over Mavericks 4-2

This is going to be a very underrated series, a rematch of last year’s first round matchup. You could possibly see a lot of scuffles and close games. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis will give the Clippers everything they got, but I think the Clippers are just the better team. I think Paul George will be more prepared and ready in the clutch with new point guard Rajon Rondo that will provide that leadership on the floor they need. Kawhi Leonard will do his thing, and the Clippers will claw their way to the second round.

#7 Los Angeles Lakers vs #2 Phoenix Suns

My prediction: Lakers over Suns 4-1

The Phoenix Suns have had an amazing season. Devin Booker and Chris Paul have lead that team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. But I don’t think they stand a chance against the reigning champs. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are back and healthy, and they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs. It sucks to see this if you are Phoenix fans, because the Suns deserve to go far. But they unfortunately got the bad end of the straw and got the toughest first round opponent in the playoffs.

#6 Portland Trailblazers vs #3 Denver Nuggets

My prediction: Trailblazers over Nuggets 4-2

I am picking an upset on this one! I think that the Nuggets without Jamal Murray are not going to be able to make a run in the playoffs. Nikola Jokic has arguably been the MVP this year, but the Blazers have a much deeper and talented roster. I expect Damien Lillard to have a big series along side CJ McCollum. Both players can get hot in a hurry, and I don’t think the Nuggets will have answer for Portlands back court. People are sleeping on the Trailblazers!

Eastern Conference First Round

#8 Washington Wizards vs #1 Philadelphia 76ers

My prediction: Sixers over Wizards 4-0

I think that this series will be a sweep in my opinion, the Sixers have a good defensive team and I see no one standing a chance against Joel Embiid. The Sixers have Simmons and Thybulle too slow down Beal and Westbrook. The Wizards could take one game, but they aren’t going to win a game in Philly. Game 3 is the Wizards game if they want to win, if not it’s going to be a sweep.

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs #4 New York Knicks

My prediction: Hawks over Knicks 4-3

This is a series that definitely will be a 6-7 game series. Both of these teams making it back to the playoffs for the first time in awhile. I’m picking the Hawks, because I think they just have a little bit more talented roster than the Knicks. Trae Young on the pick and roll with Clint Capela and John Collins is tough to stop. The Knicks have very good defense and will not back down for the Hawks, but I don’t think Julius Randle is going to put this to the second round. The Knicks just need another piece in the off season for them to make a run in the playoffs.

#7 Boston Celtics vs #2 Brooklyn Nets

My prediction: Nets over Celtics 4-1

Brooklyn is going to be too much for Boston I think. The Celtics will have to worry about Durant, Harden, and Kyrie without Jaylen Brown. People think that Brooklyn will sweep the Celtics, but I see the Celtics at least winning a game, maybe two. With full capacity coming back to TD Garden in Game 4, I see them at least winning a game at home, and could steal one on the road if they want to actually come ready to play. Brooklyn is scary good offensively.

#6 Miami Heat vs #3 Milwaukee Bucks

My prediction: Bucks over Heat 4-3

Ugh, this is such a good series and this series is definitely going 7 games I think. Two talented teams that don’t deserve to lose in the first round. Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are a very deep team, but I think the Bucks will squeeze this one out. Giannis Antetokounmpo is now focused on winning an NBA title, he does not care about winning an MVP. He wants to win, and I think that he will be able to get by the Heat, but it will be a nail bitter.

Western Conference Semi Finals

#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #1 Utah Jazz

My prediction: Clippers over Jazz 4-2

I think it’s time to finally have the LA Clippers get into the Western Conference Finals. Kawhi and PG are on a mission and they are not going to blow this chance again. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are the best players in this series, and I don’t think Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will be able to match their level. The Clippers will make the WCF for the first time in franchise history. History will be made! (finally).

#7 Los Angeles Lakers vs #6 Portland Traiblazers

My prediction: Lakers over Trailblazers 4-2

I think that this could be an entertaining series with two big names in LeBron James and Damien Lillard going head to head once again in the playoffs. But the Lakers (if healthy) will be too locked in and I don’t think the Trailblazers can match them when the Lakers get locked in. The X factor in this series is Anthony Davis, if he can actually be the superstar Anthony Davis we saw last year in the playoffs, the Lakers are tough to beat. But if not, don’t be surprise if the Trailblazers give them a run for their money.

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs #1 Philadelphia 76ers

My prediction: Sixers over Hawks 4-1

I think the Philadelphia 76ers probably have the easiest route to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Atlanta Hawks have a good team, but the last time we saw the Sixers play against, the Sixers defense overwhelmed the Hawks. Joel Embiid will have a big series again, and the Sixers defense is what’s going to prevail this team to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.

#3 Milwaukee Bucks vs #2 Brooklyn Nets

My prediction: Nets over Bucks 4-3

If the Nets are going to want to win this series, the Nets Big 3 HAS to be healthy. Milwaukee I feel like could slow them down, but yet again I don’t really trust the Nets defense. I think the Nets will win this series in 7 games, because I feel like that Big 3 will be way too much for the Bucks. But don’t count out the Bucks, they have playoff experience and this series could literally be a coin flip.

Western Conference Finals

#7 Los Angeles Lakers vs #4 Los Angeles Clippers

My prediction: Lakers over Clippers 4-2

This one was a really tough one. We finally got our dream Western Conference Finals matchup between the Clippers and Lakers, but I just see the Lakers winning this series. The Clippers will be giving the Lakers a run, but if the Lakers are this deep, they aren’t looking back, especially LeBron James. I think LeBron James will have a big series, he wants to get that 5th ring badly, and I see the Clippers having a problem with him. The Clippers will get eliminated, leaving Clippers with the questions “Is Kawhi going to stay?”.

Eastern Conference Finals

#2 Brooklyn Nets vs #1 Philadelphia 76ers

My prediction: Nets over Sixers 4-2

I think Brooklyn will prevail in this series, because of their experience in the playoffs with Durant, Kyrie, and Harden. The Sixers defense will give the Nets problems, but if the Big 3 is too much for the Sixers. The X factor for the Sixers in this series is Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris. Simmons needs to step up offensively, and Tobias Harris needs to bring his regular season success to the NBA playoffs. Kevin Durant wants to make it to the NBA Finals to face against Lebron, and I think the NBA will do what they can to get that matchup to happen. I expect this series to be a good one.

NBA Finals

#7 Los Angeles Lakers vs #2 Brooklyn Nets

My prediction: Nets over Lakers 4-1

NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Durant

The Brooklyn Nets having home court is HUGE in this series. I think that the Nets will be fired up to play in this series I believe, and I think that they will frustrate the Lakers. The Lakers besides Lebron and Anthony Davis do not have much for outside shooting or offense. The Lakers will be ready to play, but I just think Kevin Durant is just going to give them the business. Durant lives for these kind of matchups, especially a few years ago when he was on the Warriors playing against Lebron when he was still in Cleveland. I also picked the Nets to win the whole thing, because I think it’s hard to win back to back NBA titles. Lebron has done it before, but I have a gut feeling that he won’t do it again because of his age. But I could be wrong on that one. I guess we will have to find out!

I am so excited for these playoffs, I think they will be a very entertaining matchups and I don’t think this will be a disappointing playoffs!

After years of being out of the league, Tim Tebow is back in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed Tim Tebow on a one year deal. Tebow last played for the Philadelphia Eagles playing a few games as a quarterback before being released after the 4th preseason game.

Tebow retired from football and went to play baseball for the New York Mets organization before making the return back to football. Tebow is now going to be playing a new position, the Tight End.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to turn their season around after acquiring the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawerence

My Thoughts

I think it is pretty cool to see Tim Tebow back in the NFL. I wonder what it will be like for him not only back in the NFL, but to be playing a brand new position.

I remember when he was on the Jets, and there was a few games where he played as a running back. I think Tebow can be able to adjust to the new position. I mean he was closet to being called up to the New York Mets when no one thought he would be able to make in the Minor Leagues.

I wonder how teammates will react to this as well. I know a lot of people don’t like this as Tebow has been out of a NFL job for awhile. But I think Tebow has been given a good chance to show what he can do, and if things go well he can be able to achieve.

The Boston Celtics bad luck continues. Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is out for the rest of the season due to a torn ligament in the left wrist. Brown was out the past few games due to a left ankle sprain, but was announced today that an MRI confirmed his torn ligament.

Brown has been averaging a career year for the Celtics averaging 24 points and 6 boards a game, while being selected to his first All-Star selection this season. Reports say that Brown was dealing with the injury around mid April.

The Celtics are currently in seventh place, as it looks like they will be playing a play-in game without their star player.

My Thoughts

Well it’s official, the Celtics are going a full season without having a healthy roster. Losing Brown definitely hurts this teams chances to ever be a dark horse team in the Eastern Conference.

But I think the Celtics were going to be a first round exit either way in my opinion. The Celtics have been really inconsistent all season long, and have never really been healthy. I don’t expect the Celtics to make a run, but we said the same thing in 2018 when the Celtics lost Kyrie Irving for the rest of the season.

It sucks to see this happen to Jaylen Brown, who has been having an amazing season. Brown will hopefully be ready by the time the season starts, but it may take a little while for that to do so.

Last year, the Utah Jazz blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets to lose in the 2020 NBA First Round playoffs. A season that was filled with high hopes, turned into disappointment. But things seem to be turning around for the Utah Jazz this season; as the Jazz currently stand in first place in the Western Conference with a 29-11 record.

So what has changed this season for the Utah Jazz?

Well let’s just say many players on the Jazz have stepped up this season. Donovan Mitchell has been leading the way for this team this season, having yet again a career season. Rudy Gobert “The Stifle Tower” averaging a double double and making another run at the defensive player of the year. Mike Conley finally settling in to his new role in Utah, making the All-Star game for the first time this year. Other players like Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanović, Jordan Clarkson, Royce O’Neale, all stepping up when needed to.

Quinn Synder has his team playing some of it’s best basketball since the Karl Malone-John Stockton days. The ball movement is stellar, they are shooting amazing beyond the arc, and they put away teams. This team just seems different than last year. last year, it was filled with some drama, and no one really settled in their role. With this team at full strength, they can clearly make some noise this year.

Why do I think they can come out of the West?

Well I know that there is a lot of things that can happen on the season, but I am confident that this team could possibly come out of the West IF they stay healthy.

Reason #1 The Phoenix Suns don’t have the playoff experience

The Phoenix Suns are having an excellent season. Adding Chris Paul was the piece they were missing on this team. Devin Booker having an amazing season, while Deandre Ayton making his case as one of the top centers in the NBA. But here’s the thing about the Suns is that, they don’t have the playoff experience. This team has not made the playoffs since 2010, and a lot of those guys are very young. They can definitely make some noise in the playoffs, but I can’t see them coming out of the West duet to the lack of experience.

Reason #2 The Los Angeles Lakers will have more pressure

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again going to be a strong favorite in the Western Conference, but there is going too be a lot more pressure on the Lakers this season. Being the defending NBA Champions, teams are going to want to take them down. And this roster is a stronger team than last year, but can they stay strong during the playoffs. And it all depends on Anthony Davis’s injury, if he is not healthy by playoff time. Lakers fans need to panic, because he is valuable member to this team.

Reason #3 The Los Angeles Clippers are very inconsistent

Last year, the LA Clippers I thought were the favorites to win the West last season. With Kawhi, Paul George, and a very talented bench. I for sure thought it was going to be them coming out of the West, but they blew a 3-1 lead in the second round. Ever since then, I have looked at the Clippers differently. The Clippers have a good team, but they can’t close out games in the 4th. Paul George can have a great first three quarters and then a terrible 4th. Kawhi Leonard can have a great game, but can sometimes disappear. They lack consistency, and when you do that you can’t be a favorite in the West.

Utah Jazz are legit team in the West. Strong starting five, strong bench, great coach, you don’t want to sleep on this team. They will make you pay and they will be ready to go come playoff time.

The Buffalo Bills have added a solid quarterback to back up Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills have officially signed former Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky to a one year deal.

Trubisky and the Bears agreed to part ways this offseason, after Trubisky lost his starting quarterback job to Nick Foles.

My Thoughts

Honestly this was a solid pickup for the Buffalo Bills. Because if Allen gets hurt, you have a good quarterback to back him up.

I know things in Chicago weren’t exactly great for Mitch Trubisky, but this is a new start for him moving further.

For the Bears, I expect them to be looking to make a splash and add either Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson. It won’t be easy, but I think that they can be capable of adding a piece to that team.

Guys, I just need to vent for a few minutes.

What on earth is going on with the Boston Celtics?

They are currently 20-20 on the season, just barely over .500 and hanging on to a playoff spot as of right now. This team got off to a really good start, and now things aren’t really going too hot right now. I don’t really get it. I don’t know if it was when everyone got COVID, or not having a healthy roster every game, but it’s a little concerning right now.

Danny Ainge NEEDS to make a trade, because this roster is going absolutely no where.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are having career years, and it seems like they are having to carry a lot of the load in order for the Celtics to win games.

Kemba Walker has had a lot of good and bad games this season, he hasn’t been terrible, but definitely could be better.

Rob Williams has been playing amazing as of lately, Tristan Thompson, Daniel Theis, and Marcus Smart have been solid for us, but they can’t create their own shots or offense.

Payton Pritchard has been decent, but has not played well since his injury. Aaron Nesmith and Carsen Edwards for some reason don’t get any minutes, when I feel like they could help our team.

Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye, Jeff Teague, and Grant Williams are AWFUL. They don’t do anything good for our team. They can’t hit a shot from the outside, they are basically out there for cardio it seems like. I don’t get why they are out there on the floor, I wish they would go lol. I would much rather have a guy like Isaiah Thomas or Demarcus Cousins come off our bench.

Tremont Waters and Tacko Falls just suit up to cheer on the team lol.

No Brad Stevens does not need to be fired, they just need to fix this roster around a little. Our bench depth is the one thing we lack in my opinion. We have the stars, the solid 7 role players, you just need to add a shooter or a guy who can create his own shot.

I personally would love to see a guy named Harrison Barnes or Jerami Grant. Those 2 guys are playing on bad teams and need to be free. I feel like that would help out Tatum and Brown so much, because we always have to have either Brown or Tatum on the court at all times. The Bench can’t play well without them on the court, and it’s annoying.

Danny Ainge needs to make a move, or else he’s on the hot seat. If he doesn’t make a move, I do not really understand what he is doing as a general manager.

I am still hopeful with this team, we need a little win streak to get back on track, but we need to add another piece or two to help our team.

Go Celtics!

WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING?

Head Coach Bill Belicheck and the New England Patriots have really busy this off season so far. They have brought in some of the top free agency names on the market. Adding guys like linebacker Matt Judon, two of the top tight ends on the marker Matt Henry and Jonnu Smith, and bringing back Trent Brown and Cam Newton.

The Patriots finished 7-9 last season, missing the playoffs in their first season not having Tom Brady on the roster. The Patriots weren’t terrible last year, but it wasn’t pretty. Their defense was really carrying the offense last season. Cam Newton couldn’t really throw the ball more than 10 yards, the offensive weapons are no help, it was rough to see. But now the Patriots are improving once again on the offensive end and the defensive end as a possible threat in the AFC.

I expect Cam Newton to have a much better season, Cam has better weapons on the field now and I think they can make him look not so bad. Thats IF they don’t bring in another quarterback to take his spot. A guy you could possibly see them getting is 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo or Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Lots of rumors have been speculating about the Patriots have been interested in trading for Garoppolo. They have already brought back Trent Brown and Kyle Van Noy, why not bring in one more piece to really complete the roster? Deshaun Watson is also a guy to not sleep on coming to the Patriots. He wants out of Houston, New England needs a quarterback, he wants a new place to start, why not join the Pats?

If Deshaun Watson comes to New England, the Patriots have a legit shot in the AFC again.

Bill Belicheck wants to win another ring. I think you can tell that Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay has made him want to bring home a title again to New England. Something to prove that he can win without Tom Brady. The Patriots have the defense, but they need two more weapons, a Wide Receiver and a solid quarterback.

Expect the Patriots to make another move! The Patriots are HUNGRY!

The Milwaukee Bucks are going in on their title run. The Houston Rockets have traded P.J. Tucker and Rodney Kurucs to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for DJ Augustin, D.J. Wilson, and a first round draft pick.

P.J Tucker spent a few seasons with the Rockets averaging 6.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Houston Rockets are currently on a 17 game losing streak, which has made Tucker want out of the organization.

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make a run in the Eastern Conference this year, as Houston is starting to go down the path for a rebuild.

My thoughts

This was a very good pick up for Milwaukee.

P.J. Tucker is getting up there in age, but he is a guy that contribute to this team. He plays like he is 6’8, can knock down the corner three, play defense, and will help lead a team. I’m not sure if he will start or not, but whatever happens he will help out a lot.

For Houston, this definitely going down the road for a rebuild. There is no doubt about it. I expect Houston to possibly be making more trades like Victor Oladipo, possibly John Wall, and others. It’s amazing how things change so fast in a year.

The Houston Rockets had James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Clint Cappela, as a possible favorite to come out of the Western Conference. Instead, they are looking to get the highest draft pick possible.

The Brooklyn Nets just got even scarier. Six time All-Star Blake Griffin and the Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a deal for the remainder of the season. Griffin was recently last playing for the Detroit Pistons as the Pistons and Griffin recently agreed to part ways and bought out his remaining contract.

Griffin has had a down year with the Pistons averaging 12.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG, but now he will be contributing to one of the top teams in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets. Griffin is set to join Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and former Clipper teammate DeAndre Jordan in their hopes to bring Brooklyn an NBA championship.

My Thoughts

I was not surprised about this at all.

It was time for Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons to part ways. The Pistons are a young team looking to build for the future, while the Blake Griffin is near the end of his career, looking to win a championship.

Blake Griffin has been “eh” this year. He’s a starter for an NBA team or a solid role player, but he is NO WHERE close to where he was a few years ago with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Brooklyn Nets are looking scary. I think this makes them the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Not only could they win the East, but they could win the NBA title.

With a dominant scoring Big 3 in Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, how are you stopping them? Then you have DeAndre Jordan, Joe Harris, and now Blake Griffin to the mix, this team is not to mess around with.

The Nets still need to bring in another guy or two to really secure the East, but that James Harden is now paying off. Just to think if Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t get hurt.

For the Pistons, it’s time to tank and time to bring in another piece through free agency or trade. But the question is, for who?

You can cancel your dream of Giannis going to your NBA team in 2021. Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a five year/$228 million dollar extension to stay in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo is coming off winning the NBA MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-20. After a disappointing second round exit last season, Giannis’ future with the Bucks was unsure heading into the 2020-21 season.

After rumors of Giannis possibly leaving the Bucks to join Miami or Golden State in 2021, Giannis addressed the rumors today by announcing on his twitter he was signing the super max extension to stay put in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo becomes one of the highest paid players in the NBA, as the Bucks will look to compete for an NBA title.

My Thoughts

This is a very good thing for Milwaukee fans. You got your franchise star locked up for the next five years, and you don’t have to worry about losing him for nothing.

I was very surprised about this move by Giannis. I did not think he would’ve signed this extension. I thought he would’ve waited out on how the season was going or the end of the season to sign this contract. Money wise, this was a very smart decision about him, but trying to win an NBA Championship, it’s hard to tell.

I don’t see people coming to Milwaukee to play there, but you never know now since Giannis is there to stay.

The Bucks are going to have a hard time bringing in new pieces after signing this big contract. It’s a small market and with Holiday and Middleton both under contract, don’t be surprised if you see maybe see one of them getting move in the future to bring in another star to help Giannis.

Things got a little bit interesting!