The final push

The Western Conference postseason cast had been completed headed by Golden State, Denver, Houston, Portland, Utah, LA Clippers, San Antonio and Oklahoma. The self-proclaimed GOAT is out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-2005 season and with his exit so goes his 13th consecutive playoff run and 8 straight Finals appearance. Yes, like a goat shut out of the pen from the rest of the herd, on the outside longingly looking in.

I liked Ivica Zubac, the former Laker big man who was stupidly sent to the Clippers for nothing. He is his new team’s starting center and in 19 minutes, averages 9 points and almost 8 rebounds per game. I don’t want to talk about his replacement, who had been horrible to say the least.  I’m happy for him that in his third year, Zu is finally playing in the playoffs.

Laker great, NBA logo man and currently Clippers consultant Jerry West reportedly was surprised that Zubac came over as they had never made any inquiries as to his availability.  The Lakers offered, the Clips gladly accepted.  Yeah, Magic Johnson could be a Hall of Famer, a great basketball player but his ineptitude as team executive is of epic proportions.  With the way things are handled now, I fear the Lakers are in for another rough season.

Over at the East as I write this,Milwaukee, Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston and Indiana officially are in the playoffs but it is still a tight race for the last three spots.  Only 1 and a-half games separate Detroit, Brooklyn, Miami and 9th place Orlando.  10th place Charlotte, with seven games to go, is two games behind the Magic and depending on their performances, can still make a late push.  A win for any of these teams will always be of importance.

Detroit plays back-to-back games with Indiana and OKC, both playoff teams, then Charlotte, who for the moment is still mathematically contending.  They close their last two regular season games with Memphis and New York.  They’ll lock on the 6th spot if they win five games.  Though they don’t play significant minutes, there are three former Lakers with the Pistons – Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington and Svi Mykhailiuk.

Another former Laker is primarily responsible for his team’s almost official entry into the playoffssince 2015.  Sent to Brooklyn by Magic Johnson two seasons ago in one of his initial moves as head of basketball operations because the Lakers need a better leader at the point guard position, D’Angelo Russell is the Nets’ leader in points, assists and steals.  He scored 21 points last week when Brooklyn officially eliminated LAL from playoff contention.  Ed Davis is another player who once wore the purple and gold, and he leads Brooklyn in rebounding.  The Nets currently sits at 7th.

Miami and Orlando are a half game between themselves and they must win the most possible games remaining on their schedules.  The Magic have a much lighter five-game sked including three non-playoff teams (New York, Atlanta and Charlotte). 

The Heat plays back-to-back with Boston who also would welcome any win to break away from a fourth-place tie with Indiana.  After the Celtics, Miami then faces Minnesota, Toronto, Philadelphia and then Brooklyn.  They need at least four wins.

A win is a win and these teams need all the victories they can gather to qualify.