13 rules: Random NBA thoughts -NBA conference final

Listen and add the 13 rules: NBA Random Thought's podcast to your list! This week Steve shares his thoughts when the conference final teams are used in the NBA playoffs 2024-25.

NBA conference final – Eastern Conference

• Hats in front of the NY Knicks that pulled it off. You played very well in the crucial game, a blow from the Cetics. Jalen Brunson was his usual big one in this round so that the Knicks could continue to win. If Josh shoots hard from a long distance, this means that the offensive has to fight.

• Jayson Tatum, who teared his Achilles, was difficult to observe. What makes it difficult is that he is not only good on the pitch; A star that can do everything, achieves, rebounded and defend. The shame of it is that he is not a “show player” who has to tell them how good he is. He only plays and over time after he has observed it, you understand how good he is.

• In the Clincher game between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the cavaliers did not cancel and played hard until the end. Donovan Mitchell deserves recognition that he has made the efforts he hurt. The Cavaliers have an interesting low season. You have to decide whether you should trace it or not. I think it would be advisable to see what Darius Garland can get. He is a really good offensive player when he is healthy. I think it is difficult to defend in the NBA with two small guards, especially when the opposition with Nembhard, Nesmith and Haliburton, all of which is larger than the guards of Cleveland, have big evaluation guards like the Pacers. Mitchell is 6'3 and Garland 6'1. The cavs have to get a larger guard that can defend itself to combine with Mitchell. Someone like a younger Marcus Smart, but a better shooter.

NBA conference final – Western Conference

• The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder series is interesting. You have the classic story. The older champions try to get back to the top against the upstart and the more talented team. But they have never been at this level. It is experience against skills. If I would choose the ability to be particularly at home.
• The Golden State Warriors are at an interesting point as a franchise. I understand that there is really no choice. You have to thread the needle so that your only goals stay in the regular season in the regular season and are healthy for the playoffs. If you can do both, you are dangerous.

NBA conference final – random thoughts

• When you see the playoffs you understand, defense is important, but a stronger team defense than individual defense. You can have a great defender, but let's be honest, Teams Run Pick and Roll to bring your offensive star to the weakest defender in the opposition so that individual defenders can be taken out of the game. Defendings that are successful must synchronize and try to force teams to do things they don't do well. In the playoffs, it seems teams that defensively impose the will for a route, the winners.