Tomahawk Tuesday: Can the Denver Nuggets weather the storm?

The Denver Nuggets have had a really impressive 18-9 start to the season and for the first time all year they are about to face some serious adversity. Last Friday at Charlotte, their star power forward Paul Millsap went down with fractured right big toe that is expected to sideline him for the next four-to-six weeks. Millsap has been averaging 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, doing a little bit of everything for this Nuggets team. On top of his absence, the Nuggets are also dealing with the absence of their star shooting guard Gary Harris, Jr., who has been diagnosed with a strained right hip, keeping him out for the next three-to-four weeks. Harris is putting up 16.6 points per game, carrying a good chunk of their scoring load.

It would be bad enough if it was just Millsap and Harris that were out. But there's more: Will Barton is considered week-to-week with a sore hip; Isaiah Thomas is still out indefinitely as he recovers from right hip surgery; rookie small forward Jarred Vanderbilt is yet to play a game as he recovers from right foot surgery; and rookie small forward Michael Porter, Jr. is also yet to play a game due to back surgery.  Things have gotten so bad for the Nuggets that they've had to use their hardship exception to sign guard Nick Young to a non-guaranteed contract.

As good as the Nuggets have been playing, it's tough to see them staying afloat in such a tight Western Conference amid all of these injuries. The good news for them is they still have guard Jamal Murray (17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists) and center Nikola Jokic (17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists) healthy. Both of those guys are having fantastic seasons and are certainly capable of shouldering more of the load. The only question is how much of the load can they carry?

During the next three-to-four weeks, the fate of this promising Nuggets team will likely be decided given how competitive the Western Conference is. If Murray and Jokic can keep their team playing above .500 ball, odds are good they'll be able to gain some ground back in February and March. If on the flip side, they play below .500 ball, we're probably looking at a team that finishes 7th or 8th in the Western Conference with the possibility of missing the playoffs altogether.

The NBA can be a cruel world and the Denver Nuggets are finding that out right now. Hopefully for them they'll be able to weather the storm and keep themselves in contention. They've been one of the feel good stories of the league this year and it would be a real shame to see their season go down the tubes due to injury so early on.

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Saturday Slam: What does the future hold for Isaiah Thomas?

                                          (Credit: ESPN.com) 

Earlier this month, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Isaiah Thomas underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip and is expected to need four months to recover. While the Lakers are reportedly open to re-signing the two-time All-Star, the future for Thomas remains uncertain. Since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 60th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas has proven his worth, averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 assists, and nearly 1 steal per game during his time in the league.  However, he is yet to find a permanent home, playing for five teams in a span of seven seasons.

Thomas has had a really good career. The numbers and All-Star appearances back it up. Yet for whatever reason no team has been willing to commit to him for the long term. He's considered to be a very valuable trade chip but not a guy who you can really build a team around. His value seems to lie in being a guy who you can trade to get other good assets. It's a very weird role to play in the basketball world because you are both desired and unwanted at the same time.

Personally, I think Isaiah Thomas deserves a shot to stay in a place for at least three seasons. Having to constantly be on the go like he has been is very challenging. He has to get used to new systems, new teammates, and new cultures all at the same time. Everyone, regardless of what profession they are in, wants to find some sort of consistency in their lives and it's impossible to do that if you are constantly getting traded from one team to the next.

As for whether or not the Lakers can be that permanent home for Thomas, I don't see why not. They're in desperate need of some sort of veteran presence and Thomas can provide that for them. Assuming he is able to get back to full strength, he'll be able to give them a reliable All-Star to build around for the coming seasons. While he isn't perhaps as good as Kyrie Irving or some of the other superstars in the NBA, he's still a really good player who can make your team more competitive. You can't constantly be looking for "assets" at the expense of a finished product like Thomas who can help you right away.

If Thomas doesn't stay in Los Angeles, he is certain to have several teams interested in his services during free agency. I think where he's best served is in a sixth-man type of role on a championship contending team. He's a guy who can come off the bench and give you points while also providing veteran leadership. He's also someone you can trust in clutch situations as is evident by the fact that he led the league in fourth quarter points just one season ago.

Regardless of where Isaiah Thomas ends up after this season, I just hope it's a place where he can stay for the long term. He's a good enough player to stick around in the same spot and has done all he can to prove his value in the NBA. While the NBA is a business, that can't be used an excuse for why a good player like Thomas can't find a permanent home. Out of 30 teams in the NBA, there has to be at least one place where he can finally build a legacy for his own. He just needs to find where that place is.

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Skyhook Sunday: Winners and losers from the NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA trade deadline was Thursday at 3:00 PM EST and a lot of very interesting moves occurred. The Cavaliers were particularly active at the deadline acquiring George Hill and Rodney Hood from the Kings and Jazz in a three-way trade while sending Isaiah Thomas to the Lakers and Dwyane Wade back to the Heat. Other moves worth noting are the Magic trading Elfrid Payton to the Suns, the Nuggets trading Emmanuel Mudiay to the Knicks, and the Jazz actually parting ways with Joe Johnson in the Hood deal, which could result in Johnson going to a contender assuming the Kings buyout his contract. If you want a full recap of all the trades and moves that happened, check out any of the NBALord.com social media accounts (links provided at the bottom of the article). I posted all of the moves on there.

What I wanted to do in this post is quickly go over who I felt the winners and losers were at the trade deadline. I plan on analyzing some of the teams more closely next week.

Winners

The Lakers traded Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. to the Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a protected 2018 first round pick. Considering their need for a legitimate star player, I'd say the Lakers were winners in this trade. While Isaiah Thomas has been on the move a lot, that doesn't mean he's not a guy you'd want to have on your team. He was a borderline MVP candidate during his final season with the Celtics. To add a guy of his caliber has to have the Lakers excited. 

Let's be real, Isaiah Thomas wasn't a good fit with the Cavaliers and they needed to get something in return for him. While Rodney Hood wasn't directly involved with the Thomas deal, he is a guy who'll bring quality three-point shooting to the team and an ability to score in a similar fashion as Thomas did. Plus, Hood should fit in personality wise with the Cavaliers and relish the opportunity to play alongside LeBron James on a team that is hoping to reach the NBA Finals. As for shipping off Dwyane Wade, that's kind of a bummer, but at the same time if it isn't working out, why hang onto him? The Cavaliers were wise to move him and not continue with an experiment that just wasn't working. 

Emmanuel Mudiay strikes me as a guy who might just need a change of scenery. I like what he can bring to the table and the Knicks could really benefit from having a true franchise point guard. What's even better is the Knicks only had to give up Doug McDermott to get him. The Knicks were definitely winners at the trade deadline, though losing Kristaps Porzingis for the season due to a torn ACL overshadows this move.

The Suns acquired Elfrid Payton from the Magic for a second round pick, which is an absolute steal considering that Payton is averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. I've always liked Payton's game and believed in his ability to become a star point guard in this league. With Brandon Knight's future with the Suns in doubt due to the injuries he's had, this was a no brainer move for the Suns. 

Note: Brandon Condron provided a good breakdown of this trade on YouTube and what it means for the Suns. Click here to check it out. 

The Celtics made no moves at the trade deadline but are still considered winners simply because they got to watch the Cavaliers trade Isaiah Thomas away.  

Getting Dwyane Wade back in a Heat uniform is pretty cool. Especially since the Heat are in the mix to get home court advantage in the first round. They're seeded 7th in the Eastern Conference right now, but that could change with Wade coming back.

Not a move that happened right at the trade deadline, but the Pistons are definitely winners for acquiring Blake Griffin from the Clippers. They needed a franchise player to build around and now they have one. If you missed my blog post on the Blake Griffin trade from the Pistons' perspective, click here. I go into more detail in there. 

Losers

I know I'm kinda cheating by also listing the Cavaliers as losers, but here me out on this. While it is good that they got something for Isaiah Thomas and were able to shake things up a bit, the fact that they had to make those moves in the first place is very concerning. Hell, there was even some speculation that it might be good for the Cavaliers to trade LeBron James and totally hit the reset button for good. The bottom line is that while the moves the Cavaliers made were good for their present situation, it's never a good sign to be in a situation where you need to make a flurry of deals before the deadline in order to stay afloat. 

I'm pretty indifferent to the moves the Jazz made at the deadline. Jae Crowder is a nice player and I understand why Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson needed to go as they probably weren't going to come back once they hit free agency. At the same time, Rodney Hood was supposed to be one of their bright young players to build around in a post Gordon Hayward era. To see him go is kind of a disappointment if you are a fan of the Jazz. Even worse, it feels like the Jazz are a team struggling to find an identity right now. Donovan Mitchell is becoming their man, but they're still a long ways off from being a serious championship contender.

When the Toronto Raptors selected Bruno Caboclo with the 20th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, they thought they had found a diamond in the rough. Everyone else was asking what drugs they were on for selecting him in the first place. At the deadline, the Raptors parted ways with their Brazilian draft and stash wonder, sending him to the Kings for Malachi Richardson. That 2014 first round pick is one the Raptors would like to have back. Rodney Hood, Joe Harris, Nikola Jokic, and Jordan Clarkson were all still available and would have been much better selections than Caboclo, who quite honestly shouldn't have been drafted in either round.

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Skyhook Sunday: What does Isaiah Thomas bring to the Cleveland Cavaliers?

                                        (Credit: Jason Miller/NBA.com) 

Earlier this week, Isaiah Thomas made his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers after sitting out the first chunk of the season as he recovered from a hip injury. During his first two games back, Thomas is averaging 18.0 points and 3.5 assists per game on 52.0% shooting from the field and 41.7% shooting from 3-point range. The Cavaliers are 2-0 in these games, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 127-110 and the Orlando Magic 131-127.

The biggest weak spot for this Cavaliers team has been at the point guard position. Derrick Rose (ankle) has missed an extended period of time as has Iman Shumpert (knee). With both of those guys out and Isaiah Thomas still waiting to get healthy, LeBron James, Jose Calderon, and even Dwyane Wade have had to run the point guard position. With Thomas now back, James and Wade can go back to their more natural positions while Calderon can move into much much more of a backup point guard type of role. Thomas is the best point guard on this team and is the only guy truly capable of filling in for Kyrie Irving.

Isaiah Thomas does more than just run the point guard position. He knows how to shoot and put up points. With him back, the Cavaliers have a much more potent offensive attack than before. In order to compete with the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers need all the offensive weapons that they can get and outside of LeBron James, Thomas might be the best pure scoring option that they have. As good as Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, and Dwyane Wade are, those guys aren't good enough of a supporting cast around James to get past the Warriors in a seven game series. When you add Isaiah Thomas to the mix, I don't think that makes the Cavaliers favorites to take out the Warriors or anything, but it definitely makes them a lot more of a threat.

The addition of Isaiah Thomas cannot fully be quantified by statistics or analytics. Thomas brings a lot of intangibles to this team such as leadership, toughness, and determination. If you are going to win an NBA championship, you need guys who can play through adversity and step up in crunch time. Isaiah Thomas is one of the very best crunch time players in the NBA, leading the league in 4th quarter points last season. With him in the rotation, the Cavaliers have one more guy who they can go to in clutch situations, taking some of the pressure off of LeBron James.

If you are wondering how big of an addition Isaiah Thomas is to this Cavaliers team, I hope this article helped answer your questions. Thomas is a major addition to this team for his point guard play, scoring, and ability to step up in the clutch. I don't think the Cavaliers can win a title without him, but with him at full strength, they absolutely have what it takes to go wire to wire with the Warriors in a seven game series.

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Saturday Slam: How much can Dwyane Wade help the Cleveland Cavaliers?

After clearing waivers following his release from the Chicago Bulls, Dwyane Wade signed a one-year, $2.3M deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. While Wade is in the twilight years of his career, he's still a very good NBA player, averaging 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 60 games with the Bulls last season. If the Cavaliers know how to use him right, Wade could make a huge impact on their quest for another NBA championship.

Like I said above, the key in all of this is for the Cavaliers to use Wade the right way. They can't expect him to play more than 30 minutes per game. They have to use him as a spice, giving him somewhere between 24 and 30 minutes every night while also resting him when appropriate. They need to find this balance between keeping him lubricated and in some sort of rhythm while also not overworking him and jeopardizing his ability to be effective in the playoffs, which is when they really need him.

While Wade has tailed off a bit, he should still be able to play well alongside LeBron James. The two of them really fed off of each other's energy while they were in Miami, especially in the transition. When you have two guys like that out on the wing, you're pretty close to unbeatable.

Once again it's on @DwyaneWade!! 👑 ⚡️

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 29, 2017

Health is probably the biggest thing the Cavaliers need to worry about as a collective whole. Isaiah Thomas (hip) isn't expected to be back until January, so it's not like Wade is the only guy whose health needs to be monitored. This team can absolutely contend for a championship. The pieces are there, it's really just a matter of everyone finding a way to stay healthy, which is easier said than done.

If Wade is able to stay healthy and give the Cavaliers the maximum level of production that he is capable of, he's an absolute steal given how much money he's getting paid. Wade is a three-time NBA champion who knows what it's like to play with LeBron. The two of them have been through a lot and know what it takes to win a championship together. Given the moves that the Boston Celtics have made, there's really no reason to not like this move for the Cavaliers.

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NBALord.com Podcast: Kyrie Irving lands in Boston; Rodney Hood discussing extension with Utah Jazz

(Boston Celtics on Twitter)

On this week's episode of the NBALord.com podcast, Brian Kaiserman joins me to discuss the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade, Rodney Hood possibly getting a contract extension with the Utah Jazz, and the future of Carmelo Anthony. Click here to listen to the podcast.





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Wednesday Windmill: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics complete their trade

I just wanted to provide a quick update on here about the Kyrie Irving/Isaiah Thomas trade. As I'm sure many of you heard, the trade got stalled due to Isaiah Thomas' hip still being injured. In order for trades to process, players have to pass a physical or else the deal can be nullified. In order to push this through, the Boston Celtics agreed to sweeten the deal by attaching their 2020 second round pick via Miami to the originally proposed trade.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN revealed the details earlier today. If you missed my take on the trade and why the Celtics should now be favorites to come out of the East, click here.

Story on ESPN: Boston adds a 2020 second-round pick, finally acquires Kyrie Irving in trade with Cleveland. https://t.co/KD2VGLWxkw

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 31, 2017

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Wednesday Windmill: After landing Kyrie Irving, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites to come out of the East

(Ron Schwane/AP)

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a 2018 first-round draft pick. This move appears to be good for both sides involved. The Celtics add a superstar point guard with championship experience while the Cavaliers free up some cap space and land an elite level point guard of their own in Isaiah Thomas.

While this move does make sense for both sides, the surprising part of this deal is the fact that the Cavaliers were willing to make such a move with their biggest threat in the East. Typically, you want to do all you can to not help your enemies, but in this case, the Cavaliers felt like they couldn't pass up what the Celtics had to offer.

While I do like what the Cavaliers got back in this trade, the Celtics are the clear winners. By getting both Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving this summer, the Celtics have greatly upgraded their roster and positioned themselves to reach the NBA Finals.

What the Celtics have needed is a true go-to option that can lead them to a title. As good as Isaiah Thomas has been, I was never convinced that he was that type of guy. As for Al Horford, he's not even remotely close to being such a guy. While he is a very good big man that borders on all-star level, you are not going to win a title with him as your best player.

While Irving gets criticized for not playing defense and being too much of a one-way player, there's no denying his ability to take over games in crunch time. He's one of the most electric offensive players in the league and has proven himself to be more than capable on the game's biggest stage.

As for Hayward, while not possessing the same resume as Irving, he appears to have the tools to be a really good number two option on this Celtics team. He plays well on both ends of the floor and is capable of doing a lot of different things on offense, whether its shooting, attacking the rim, or creating for others.

The Boston Celtics have to feel really good about where they are right now. They landed the biggest prize in free agency and also the star point guard of the team that took them out in the Eastern Conference Finals. If the Celtics do not find themselves playing into June next season, it will be a major disappointment.

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Wednesday Windmill: Is Gordon Hayward the missing piece for the Boston Celtics?

There has been lots of chatter about Gordon Hayward leaving the Utah Jazz for the Boston Celtics due to his ability to opt out of his contract and connections to Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. The 6'8", 225 pound small forward is coming off his first all-star season in the NBA and is just starting to enter his prime at 27 years of age. After watching the Eastern Conference Finals, it is clear that the Celtics are in need of a major addition to leap frog the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. While Gordon Hayward is one of the best young talents in the league, is he the missing ingredient to a Boston Celtics championship run?

At the moment, the top player on the Celtics is Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game last season. Thomas led the NBA in fourth quarter points and should have been a much more serious MVP candidate than he was. While he is blossoming into an elite player in the NBA, he can't carry this Celtics team on his shoulders. He needs someone else to help him carry the load and Al Horford so far is not looking like that kind of player.

What makes Hayward such an attractive option for the Celtics is the fact that he could easily slide into their starting lineup without disrupting what they already have. He averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, better numbers than everyone else on the Celtics aside from Isaiah Thomas. Hayward would instantly become the #2 scoring option on the Celtics and give them an elite wing, something that every championship contending team needs to have.

The big question that is on everyone's minds is whether or not Hayward will stay in Utah or leave for greener pastures in Boston. A lot of that comes down to whether or not Boston is in fact "greener pastures." While Boston does offer Hayward the chance to be the next major star of a storied franchise, that may not be something that he is looking for. The pressure to deliver in Boston is enormous, especially when you are playing for the Celtics.

                                        (Credit: Trent Nelson. The Salt Lake Tribune) 

As for Utah, there is much less pressure there and it is also a much more family friendly environment. Hayward is married with a young child, something that is sure to factor into his decision. He may feel that Utah is a better place for him to raise his family and that he doesn't want to put them through the pressures that come with playing in Boston.

Plus, it's not like the Utah Jazz are chopped liver. They won a playoff series last season and are one of the up and coming teams in the NBA. Hayward has good reason to feel that Utah is the best place for him from a competitive standpoint as well.

While we are yet to know where Gordon Hayward will be playing next season, the Boston Celtics better hope he suits up for them. They need an elite wing that can put up points and take the pressure off of Isaiah Thomas. By landing him, the Celtics would put themselves in a great position to reach the NBA Finals and dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers as the champions of the Eastern Conference.

Note: Wednesday Windmill is a weekly post focusing on the Eastern Conference. This article also appears on my Utah Jazz blog. Click here to check it out. 

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Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

On Wednesday at 8:30 PM EST on TNT, the Eastern Conference Finals will tip off in Boston as the Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics come into this series having taken out the Washington Wizards in seven games while the Cavaliers come in having swept the Toronto Raptors. Given how easily the Cavaliers dispatched of the Raptors and how much the Celtics struggled to get past the Wizards, many people are predicting this to be an easy series for the Cavaliers.

While the Cavaliers should be favored to win this series, that doesn't mean it will be easy for them to advance. The Cavaliers may have the advantage of rest, but the Celtics still have home court advantage, which is no small thing in the NBA playoffs. If the Celtics can find a way to get up for Game 1 on their home floor and simply hold serve, they'll put themselves in a great position to win this series and at the very least make this series go much longer than the Cavaliers would like.

If the Celtics want to give themselves any chance at winning this series, it all starts with Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has been phenomenal all season long and has really carried the load for this Celtics team, scoring 29 points and dishing out 12 assists in Game 7 against the Wizards. In the NBA playoffs, it's star time, which means this is when Isaiah Thomas needs to deliver the goods.

At the same time, Isaiah Thomas can't be the only one who steps up for the Celtics. We saw Kelly Olynyk have a big game in Game 7 against the Wizards, scoring 26 points, many of which came in the 4th quarter. Without Olynyk and his man bun coming up big, it would be the Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals and not the Celtics. So, it really is important that the Celtics find ways to get Isaiah Thomas the help that he needs. If a guy like Jaylen Brown can get rolling a bit, that would be huge and really give the Celtics much better odds of winning this series.

For the Cavaliers, their key to winning this series is stealing Game 1 in Boston. They are coming into this game as the more well rested team and they need to take advantage of this. There will be no easier game to win in Boston than Game 1 and so if the Cavaliers don't win this game, they could be in big trouble.

In order for the Cavaliers to win Game 1 and set the tone for the rest of the series, much like the Celtics, they need their own star, LeBron James, to have a big night while also getting others involved. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the two guys who round out Cleveland's "Big Three" are the main guys who LeBron James needs to rely on for support. If those guys get in a groove and get hot, it could be a long night for the Celtics. If on the other hand, they struggle and aren't in a good rhythm, the Celtics will likely be the team with the upper hand.

One thing that could play a weird role in all of this is the Celtics landing the #1 pick in the NBA Draft after Tuesday's Lottery. The Celtics have to feel like karma is on their side right now and so that could give them a little bit of a boost going into this game.

As far as a prediction for this series is concerned, I do have the Cavaliers winning this series in six games. I think the Celtics have the pieces to win this series and I certainly would not be surprised to see them reach the NBA Finals. That said, I have to put my money on the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, who are led by LeBron James, the best player in the world. The Cavaliers have earned the right to be considered favorites based on how they've played in the playoffs up until this point and I see no reason to pick against them now.

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Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards

The #1 seeded Boston Celtics and #4 seeded Washington Wizards are facing off in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics won Game 1 of this series by a final score of 123-111. Game 2 will be held tonight at 8:00 PM EST on TNT. The Celtics come into this series having taken out the Bulls in six games while the Wizards come in having taken out the Hawks in six games.

After understandably struggling right after the death of Isaiah Thomas' sister, the Celtics have now won five straight games and appear to be fully locked in. Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, and Al Horford are playing really good basketball right now and are back to playing the type of basketball that got them the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, playing unselfishly and getting everyone involved.

The Wizards likewise come into this series playing good basketball. John Wall is showing why he is arguably the top point guard in the NBA, scoring 42 points and dishing out 8 assists in the Wizards' series clinching win over the Hawks in Atlanta. Bradley Beal is also playing at a high level, putting up points and proving himself to be a fantastic backcourt mate for John Wall, dropping 31 points in Game 6 against the Hawks.

Last week, I said the key to the Celtics' success is Al Horford stepping up his game and he is so far doing just that. In Game 1 against the Wizards, Horford scored 21 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. When Horford plays at an elite level, the Celtics become a really difficult team to stop. Isaiah Thomas is one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, Jae Crowder has emerged as one of the top small forwards, and Avery Bradley is one of the best two-way guards in the NBA. When you combine their stellar play with a big man like Al Horford who is putting up 20 points and 10 rebounds, they can hang with anyone in the league.

In order for the Celtics to win this series, they not only need Al Horford to step up. They also need Avery Bradley to do all he can to slow down John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt. When Wall and Beal are on a roll, the Wizards are very difficult to stop as well. Bradley is one of the few defenders in the NBA that can give those guys trouble and he needs to do all he can to get in their grill, fight through screens, and not allow them to get easy looks. If he is able to do that, the Celtics will be in really good shape.

As for the Wizards, they need to do more than just get stellar production from John Wall and Bradley Beal. They need to do a good job on the glass and not allow Al Horford, Jae Crowder, and Kelly Olynyk to have an easy time inside. Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris, and Otto Porter, Jr. need to do all they can to keep things competitive on the glass. Morris injured his knee in Game 1 and his status for Game 2 is a game-time decision. If he is unable to go for an extended period of time, that could be trouble for the Wizards.

My prediction for this series is Celtics in six games. I think the Wizards will get a couple of games, but the Celtics are simply the better team. Plus, the Celtics want to be as rested as possible for the Cavaliers. This will be a fun series, but in the end, it will be the Celtics advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Note: To listen to the podcast that previews this series, click here. 

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Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview: Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

In the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the #1 seeded Boston Celtics (53-29) will take on the #8 seeded Chicago Bulls (41-41). The regular season series split 2-2.  Game 1 will be played on Sunday at 6:30 PM EST on TNT.

After dueling it out with the Cleveland Cavaliers down the stretch, the Boston Celtics were able to secure the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Isaiah Thomas leads the way for this Celtics team, averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game on 37.9% shooting from three-point range and 90.9% shooting from the foul line. Thomas has had an MVP worthy season for the Celtics, leading the league in 4th quarter points and guiding his team to the top record in the Eastern Conference. He has truly established himself as an elite NBA player.

In addition to Thomas, the Celtics have another quality guard in Avery Bradley, who is averaging 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Bradley is one of the top perimeter defenders in the league, capable of guarding anyone on the perimeter. When you combine him with Isaiah Thomas, you have something scary in the backcourt. Down on the block, the Celtics have Al Horford, who signed with the team in free agency after being with the Atlanta Hawks. Horford is averaging 14.0 points and 6.8 rebounds, giving the Celtics a very sound post presence.

In addition to the trio of Thomas, Bradley, and Horford, the Celtics have other quality players in Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, and rookie small forward Jaylen Brown. The Celtics have a very balanced team, capable of doing damage both inside and out. While not many people expected the Celtics to get the top seed, they certainly earned it and deserve the respect that goes along with it.

As for the Chicago Bulls, this is a team that has not lived up to expectations. When they got Dwyane Wade in the offseason to go along with Jimmy Butler, lots of people expected this Bulls team to be an upper echelon team in the conference and be a contender. Instead, the Bulls barely squeaked into the playoffs and have had to deal with a lot of distractions caused by Rajon Rondo and rumors that head coach Fred Hoiberg was going to get canned.

In a way, it's a miracle the Bulls still found a way to make the playoffs. For a while there, they were looking like a lost cause. For them, this series is an opportunity to hit the reset button and see what the Jimmy Butler/Dwyane Wade combination can do in the playoffs. The pieces are definitely there to win this series, but the question is will the Bulls play up their maximum potential or will they once again underperform?

If the Bulls want any chance at giving the Celtics a scare, they need to get all they can out of Dwyane Wade, who is averaging 18.3 points per game. Jimmy Butler leads the team in scoring with 23.9 points per game and Wade is the only guy on the team who he can truly rely on to give him some help in terms of sharing the scoring load. If Wade is able to produce above his scoring average, the Bulls could make this series interesting. If on the other hand, Wade struggles and never gets into a groove, this series will be over really quick.

A lot of this depends on the health of Dwyane Wade, who has returned to the lineup after being sidelined with a knee injury. There are major questions of as to whether or not Wade is physically capable of playing up to the level that the Bulls need him to. In his three games back, Wade has averaged 11.3 points per game, which to say the least is not encouraging. Dwayne Wade is really the x-factor to this whole series. If he plays well, the Bulls have a chance to win. If he doesn't, the Celtics will win easily.

In terms of my prediction, I have the Celtics sweeping the Bulls 4-0. Isaiah Thomas is the best player in the series and the presence of Avery Bradley out on the perimeter will make things tough on both Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. The Celtics are on a mission to get to the NBA Finals and they should be motivated to win this series as quickly as possible. I know I'm coming off as dismissive of the Bulls, but the truth is I don't see this series being all that competitive. If Dwyane Wade were at full strength, it would be a different story, but so long as it will be Jimmy Butler needing to play hero ball, I don't see the Bulls having a prayer.





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Wednesday Windmill: Is Isaiah Thomas a legit MVP candidate?

                                         (Credit: Keith Allison. Click here for source). 

During the past few seasons, we've gotten pretty used to hearing LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden mentioned in the NBA MVP conversations. While this year is no different in that those same names are once again being mentioned, a new MVP candidate has emerged in Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 29.1 points and 5.9 assists per game on 46.2% shooting from the field, 37.9% shooting three-point range, and 91.1% shooting from the foul line.

Thomas, in his sixth season out of Washington, has the Celtics currently atop the Eastern Conference standings, posing to LeBron James the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference since the days when Paul George and the Indiana Pacers were contenders. While it is unprecedented to see a 5'9", 185 pound MVP candidate, Isaiah Thomas deserves such recognition for the way he has led his team throughout the season.

If there is one stat I can point to that best proves his MVP candidacy, it's that Isaiah Thomas leads the NBA in 4th quarter scoring. Thomas is showing that he can step up in crunch time as well as anybody in the NBA, which makes him an MVP candidate by default. When looking at what separates stars from the rest of the field, late game heroics and 4th quarter performances are what we first look to after glancing at the overall stats. When we think of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and other legends of the game, we think of their game winners and ability to take over games during the final minutes. By establishing himself as the best 4th quarter scorer in the NBA, it would be ridiculous for us to not mention Thomas as a serious MVP candidate.

In addition to his 4th quarter heroics, if you simply look at what Isaiah Thomas is doing as a whole, it's pretty obvious that he should be in the MVP conversation. He's getting close to 30 points per game and has his team in the driver's seat for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. While he has gotten some help from the likes of Avery Bradley and Al Horford, the Boston Celtics really is the Isaiah Thomas show. Without him, this team would be fighting for an 8 seed instead of the top seed in the conference.

When looking at his complete resume, it is clear that Isaiah Thomas is a strong MVP candidate. He's got the stats, the clutch factor, and he's got his team in a position to make a deep run in the playoffs. I certainly hope that when the MVP voting gets revealed, we'll see that Isaiah Thomas was given the proper consideration for the award that he deserves.


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Wednesday Windmill: The Boston Celtics are gaining ground on the Cleveland Cavaliers

After a 109-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics are in sole possession of the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings and only 2.5 games back of the #1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, who just hosted Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich, Lance Stephenson, and Jordan Farmar for a workout earlier in the day according to ESPN. 

After speculating of as to whether or not the Celtics need to make another move to contend, it appears as though this Celtics team is making the case that it might be smart to not shake things up and see what this current roster can do. Isaiah Thomas continues to be the major catalyst for the Celtics' success, averaging 29.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists while going off for 40+ points on a fairly regular basis. Al Horford is playing solid ball with his 15.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while Jae Crowder is likewise stepping up with his 14.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. 

This Celtics team is very good and what's scary is that they are getting better. Rookie small forward Jaylen Brown is starting to come into his own more and more as the season goes on and other guys like Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk are doing well in their supportive roles, too. As an added bonus of sorts, Avery Bradley, who averages 17.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, is scheduled to be back soon. Once he comes back, the Celtics' offense and perimeter defense will get a really nice boost. 

I know I said earlier that a trade is something the Celtics should consider, but so long as they play like this, they need to ride this wave out and see where this roster can take them. Making a serious trade midseason shakes things up and this is certainly not a team in need of a shakeup. This is just a team in need of more experience and confidence boosting wins like the one they got on Wednesday. 

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Wednesday Windmill: Do the Boston Celtics need to make a trade?

The Boston Celtics are starting to make some noise, having won six of their last seven games. After a bit of a sluggish start, the Celtics are starting to find their groove, currently possessing a 19-13 record, which puts them just 3.5 games back of the #2 seeded Toronto Raptors.

A big reason for the Celtics' success is the play of point guard Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game on 43.9% shooting from the field, 33.2% shooting from 3-point range, and 89.4% shooting from the foul line. Despite being just 5'9" and 185 pounds, Isaiah Thomas knows how to get buckets. In a hostile Memphis environment, Thomas lit up the Grizzlies like a Christmas tree for 44 points en route to a 112-109 road win on December 20. Without his sensational play, the Celtics would not have a winning record.

In addition to Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics are getting quality play from their new center Al Horford, who is averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Horford is proving himself to be a quality acquisition for the Celtics who they can to continue to build around for the coming seasons.

Jae Crowder is likewise having a strong season for the Celtics, averaging 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. At 6'6", 235 pounds, Jae Crowder is able to provide a nice inside-outside presence due to his size and quality perimeter shooting (40.8% shooting from 3-point range). Jae Crowder is without question the most improved player on this Celtics team, playing like a legitimate starter at the small forward position.

The only real question for this Celtics team is what they do at the trade deadline. They have a quality trio in Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, and Jae Crowder, but that trio isn't good enough to get them to the NBA Finals this season or next season, for that matter. This team might be good enough as is to get past the Toronto Raptors to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but still, I would have to give the Toronto Raptors the edge at the moment.

With a quality trade before the trade deadline, the Boston Celtics might put themselves in a position to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and possibly threaten to reach the NBA Finals. The only question is what trade would make sense? One possible name to target is DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. I don't know what the Celtics would have to give up, but DeMarcus Cousins has been linked to the Celtics in trade rumors before. If the Boston Celtics could somehow land him or even his teammate Rudy Gay, they could have the pieces to make a run at the Eastern Conference crown.

The bottom line for the Boston Celtics is that they have a good team as it is, but they need to get better in order to make serious noise in the playoffs. Whether or not Danny Ainge is willing to roll the dice and make a big move at the trade deadline remains to be seen, but either way, I'm sure he's planning some brilliant move to improve his team. We'll just have to wait and see to find out what that move will be.

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Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics

                                (4) Atlanta Hawks (48-34) vs. (5) Boston Celtics (48-34) 
   
     Predicting the outcome of a 4-5 matchup is like taking a stroll through Central Park in the middle of the night. You have no idea what will happen. The possibilities are endless. You might meet the friendly lady from Home Alone 2 that spends all of her time with pigeons because she's too afraid to have her heart broken again, you might meet a murderer, or you might meet a troll.

     While I don't see this series involving pigeons, a murderer, or a troll, I'm perfectly honest when I say that I could see this series going in any number of directions. The Hawks might pummel the Celtics due to their experience, Isaiah Thomas might have a breakout series and lead the Celtics to victory, or this series could go back and forth with it coming down to a seventh game in Atlanta.

     To help make sense of this toss up series, I will quickly explain what each team needs to do in order to win this series. In regards to the Hawks, what they need to do is defend their home floor. Atlanta isn't known for being a tough road environment. If there's any place in the NBA to choose to go on the road in a playoff game, Atlanta might be atop the list. Al Horford and Paul Millsap need to set the tone in Game 1 of this series and make sure their team defends their home floor. If the Hawks come out and have a dominant performance on their home floor to start the series, odds are good they win the series. They have home court advantage and they better take advantage.

     As for the Celtics, what they need is for Isaiah Thomas to step up and take control in the playoffs. Isaiah Thomas is averaging 22.2 points per game and is clearly the star of this team. The question that the Celtics are yet to have answered is whether or not Isaiah Thomas has what it takes to lead them to a playoff series victory. If Isaiah Thomas proves to be the best player in this series and takes control, odds are good the Celtics win the series in six or seven games.

      Given that this series is really hard to predict, I'm going to pick the Hawks to win in seven games.  The Hawks have home court advantage and they have more experience. The trio of Paul Millsap, Al Horford, and Jeff Teague will come up big in Game 7 and find a way to get their team to the second round.
   
     Note: Game 1 of this series is Saturday at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) vs. #7 Boston Celtics (40-42): 

     The season series between these two teams was 2-2, but the last two games were back-to-back at the end of the season when the Cavaliers had nothing to play for. In addition, to say that the Celtics played the Cavaliers tough back on November 14 (122-121) is misleading since Jeff Green, Rajon Rondo, and Jared Sullinger were the key players on the Celtics at that time. Green and Rondo have since been traded and Sullinger is still working his way back from injury, only playing a handful of minutes. Head-to-head data does not help when it comes to predicting this series. I have to instead analyze the two teams side by side, looking at their records and current rosters.

     When analyzing the series in this way, it's pretty clear that the Cavaliers have an advantage thanks to having the three best players in the series (Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love), home court, and depth. It's always tough to beat a team when your best player isn't as good as three other players on the opposing team.  Isaiah Thomas, a talented young point guard who can really score, is the best player on the Celtics, averaging 16.4 points and 1.9 threes per game. He's a very good player, but he isn't at the same level that Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love are at. He's a step below them at the moment and would be much more of a roll player than a go-to option if he were on the Cavaliers.

     The fact that the Cavaliers have home court advantage can't be ignored even though it feels like an afterthought given the wide gap in the standings. But whenever you are analyzing a series, you need to address home court advantage and give the team which has it an edge or at least a check mark. The fact that the Cavaliers have home court in this series gives them a tremendous advantage since they already are the better team on paper. The Celtics will have a very hard time winning one game in Cleveland and what's scary for them is that the Cavaliers shouldn't have much trouble winning a game or two in Boston if needed.

     As for depth, the Cavaliers have more weapons that they can use. In addition to Love, James, and Irving, the Cavaliers also have J.R. Smith, Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, Shawn Marion, Kendrick Perkins, and Mike Miller who all know their roles. These guys collectively score, rebound, and defend very well.

      With that all being said, the only way the Celtics win this series is if their bench really steps up and outshines the Cavaliers' bench. This is something that could happen, given the statistics. The Celtics are the #1 bench-scoring team in the NBA, averaging 41.6 bench points per game whereas the Cavaliers rank dead last in this category, with their bench producing only 24.3 points per game. Now, what is somewhat misleading in all of this is that Isaiah Thomas comes off the bench for the Celtics, which inflates their bench-scoring total. However, the Celtics still have some other quality guys coming off the bench like Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, and Luigi Datome. Those guys can definitely put up some points and provide the Celtics with some relief.

      The problem that the Celtics' bench faces is that they have to do more than outperform the Cavaliers' bench. They have to to outperform their bench so well that they defeat LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love in the process. The Cavaliers won Game 1 of this series 113-100 despite the Celtics outscoring them 55-29 in bench points.

     If the Celtics' bench is going to make the difference, they'll have to find ways to also slow down LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. Do I think the Celtics can slow down the Cavaliers' big three well enough to win this series? I don't think so. The Celtics bench may keep them in some games and help them win a game, but they simply don't have the horses to win this series. I expect the Cavaliers to sweep the Celtics 4-0 when it is all said and done.
   
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news