PISCOPIO PILLARS - NBA Playoff Edition

We finally made it to the NBA Playoffs. While I think it takes way too long and that the first round should be a 5-game series, nonetheless, I'm pumped. Here are the Pillars...the foundation of the NBA Playoffs/Play-In that you guys were all waiting for.

Thanks for Playing In - Magic, Hawks, Bulls, Heat, Kings, Mavericks

Not much to say other than the NBA needs to fix the Play-In to where teams under .500 can’t make it in or have it so that teams over a game or two behind the 8 seed cant make it. 20 of 30 teams are in the Play-In or Playoffs and 5 of 8 of the Play-In teams are under .500. That is too much mediocrity for a league that should be pushing greatness.

Tough Road Ahead - Grizzlies, Bucks, Knicks, Rockets

Alex Bierens De Haan / Getty Images

Grizzlies need to win in Golden State and if they don’t, they would host a win or go home game and if they were to win that, they would be awarded by playing the Thunder, where I don’t think the series would last more than 5 games. Not with basically a brand new coach as well. I think the Bucks and Knicks could get clipped in the 1st round, Pacers beat the Bucks last playoffs and the Knicks seem like a vulnerable team to me as they don’t fair well against the best of the best. And it feels disrespectful to the Rockets, but I think they are too young and a match with the Warriors is a tough playoff matchup, the first one since Harden has been gone since the 2019-20 season.

Different Paths, Same Ending - Warriors, Clippers, Pistons, Pacers

Cary Edmondson - Imagn Images

I had higher hopes for the Warriors last time I did my Pillars, but that Clippers loss felt like it exposed some of their offensive flaws minus Curry. They get Memphis first, if they win they get Houston who did beat them a couple weeks ago. IF they fall to the 8 seed, theyre gonna get ran around by OKC. And if they meet the Lakers in the 2nd round, it's tough for me to trust this team as the playoffs go on as much as I did a couple weeks ago. The Clippers have had a nice end to the season, but will have a tough task with Jokic in the 1st round. It was hard to put the Pistons above or below these teams, but it will be a tough series vs. the Knicks. But even if they get by them, I don’t think they can win multiple rounds this year. I think the Pacers can win in the first round but their road also probably ends there. I dont think any of these teams get past the 2nd round at most.

One Year Away - Cavaliers

Bob Finnan, "The Gazette"

The best record in the East, however I think this is more about Boston just being deeper and more talented than Cleveland. Really nice year for the young core of Mitchell, garland, Mobley and crew, but Boston will be too tough for them even with home court on their side.

Superstars, but Is It Too Late? - Nuggets, Timberwolves

Ron Chenoy - Imagn Images

I feel like I should have the Nuggets lower due to the recklessness of firing HC Michael Malone last week and the impact Russell Westbrook and the other role players like Murray, Porter and Gordon have inconsistently on the team. But they have Nikola Jokic and until they are bounced, I can’t have them any lower than this. Same with the TWolves, not a great team during the season, but they have Anthony Edwards, and they made the Conference Finals last year. Minus a tough matchup for both Nuggets and Wolves first round, if they find a way to get through the LA teams, watch out. 

Excellent Team…Better Story - Thunder

Victor Pozadas by News on 6 News 9

They have the MVP in SGA, a deep well rounded team for 2025’s style of play. However, I do favor older, more experienced players in the playoffs. They can definitely get to the finals and even win it, but they would be the youngest team to ever do so. It's hard for me to have them as the team with the best shot to win it all this year.

Give Me the Vets - Lakers

AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill

Obviously this team has flaws, they were remade at the deadline. But LeBron even at 40 years old, plus Luka plus Reaves with some solid roles players to fill out the team, they have the best chance to take down the young run and gun Thunder team. Having J.J. Redick as the coach has been an upgrade over their past coaches. Record aside, vibes and energy for the team feel different plus adding Luka is scary for the league.

2012 & 2013 Miami Heat - Celtics

AP / Charles Krupa

They would be the first team in the East to repeat as champions since LeBron’s heat, and they may have to go through him once again. We all know this is the deepest, most talented team in the league. Have 7-9 guys that can do many things well. It’s a boring answer to say back to back champions, but I don’t see a worthy Eastern conference opponent for them right now. And I would bet US currency on them vs basically any team that has to come out of that gauntlet of a Western Conference this year.

Piscopio Pillars Heading Into the Playoffs

2012 & 2013 Miami Heat - Celtics

Give Me the Vets - Lakers

Excellent Team…Better Story - Thunder

Superstars, but Is It Too Late? - Nuggets, Timberwolves

One Year Away - Cavaliers

Different Paths, Same Ending - Warriors, Clippers, Pistons, Pacers

Tough Road Ahead - Grizzlies, Bucks, Knicks, Rockets

Thanks for Playing In - Magic, Hawks, Bulls, Heat, Kings, Mavericks