Hyperbole is a tricky thing. In the world of sports we throw around words like greatness, superstar, best, even MVP like they’re candy. Every shot is a great shot. Every great performance is the best performance ever. LeBron James finally won a title? He’s better than Jordan.
We don’t exactly do our due diligence in properly explaining the action. We just throw those catchphrases at people. It is the sports-writing equivalent of crying wolf. Except this time there really is one.
These NBA Playoffs are the greatest ever. By the time this article is read, we will have witnessed six decisive Game 7s in the first round. It is the only time in NBA history that this has happened.
There has been a lot to love thus far in the playoffs. Here are the five things I’ve loved most about the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
5) YEAH, I SAID IT
The Toronto Raptors haven’t been relevant pretty much ever. Their return to post-season play has been a nice story this year. Nice enough that half the city turned out for a pre-game pep rally before game 1 against the Nets and were treated to the sounds of their general manager Masai Ujiri saying “f— Brooklyn”. He was fined $25,000. It would appear that the upstart Raptors may just win this series and, hey, who wouldn’t rather live in Toronto than New York City?
4) THE SPOILED BRAT PACERS
The epic collapse of the Indiana Pacers continues. We at The Clarion correctly predicted that this series would go to a Game 7. It has still been tough to watch. Roy Hibbert began the year as one of the best centers in the NBA. Now, he’s got his own coach questioning whether or not to put him in the game AT ALL. Supposed future superstar Paul George continues to pout and look petulant; Lance Stephenson had the most embarrassing dunk attempt ever and even team enforcer David West got punked out by Atlanta rookie Pero Antic. Despite all of this the Pacers still have a chance to win the series! I love it.
3) WAIT, THE HEAT ARE STILL IN IT?
Since 2011 every NBA Playoff has been centered around everyone wanting to beat the Heat. Fans and players alike seemed to hate them. But with a pedestrian opponent in round 1 and swirling drama everywhere else, I actually totally forgot about Miami. The Heat are seeking to do what only one other team has done since the 1960’s (when it didn’t count) and go to a fourth consecutive NBA Finals. MJ never did that.
2) I’M FROM THE BAY!
Every year a new star emerges in the NBA playoffs. Last year it was Paul George, the year before that it was James Harden. This year it is Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard and, boy, is he fun to watch. Lillard is a fearless, combative player who gets in your face and stays there. He is from the city of Oakland, the birthplace of some of the greatest point guards in NBA history: guys like Jason Kidd and Gary Payton. Not only were they great players, they were tough. They talked trash, got in your face and played like their lives depended on it. Lillard is just like that. Oh, and he hit the series ending game winning shot in Game 6 with 0.9 seconds left.
1) FREE Z-BO!
For the past 30 years no one has given more fuel to conspiracy nuts than David Stern. Whether it’s a well-placed NBA lottery ball, a deftly executed suspension, or an investigation into referee gambling, Commissioner Stern kept us guessing what was “really going on.”
Adam Silver has taken that ball and run with it! He announced that the NBA was suspending the Grizzlies best player Zach Randolph right before Game 7 between the Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Allegedly, Randolph punched Thunder center Steven Adams. Who knows? I watched that entire game and I didn’t see Randolph punch him.
I have at it conspiracy theorists! Kevin Durant is about to win MVP and Memphis is a small-time team that doesn’t play as well on Madison avenue. It could be any number of things. One thing is for sure. Suspending a team’s best player under murky circumstances right before said team is poised to eliminate an NBA media darling? That is David Stern 101 and Silver continues to prove he is up to the job.