With the conclusion of the 2019 NBA regular season, the playoff matchups are all but decided. Teams have gone through circuses, trades have been executed, and player abilities shown complete 180-degree turns. It’s been an unusual season so far, featuring unexpected starts and stumbles, contenders and pretenders, all with the looming questions of long-term plans hanging overhead. The Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and other clubs are currently shaping their postseason strategies while others are setting their sights on the future.
The Warriors started the season very strong, with a 12-3 record to begin the season. Even with Klay Thompson’s absence, this success raised expectations dramatically. Even given this great opening run, the team went on a shocking collapse, posting a 13-21 record over the next few months. This led to a daring trade for Jimmy Butler III. The restructured team is making an obvious play to change the competitive tone as they try to recapture their championship vibes.
On the other side, the Boston Celtics have been led by brilliant displays from their stars. Jayson Tatum is having another great year, averaging a career best 26.9 points per game. Meanwhile, his Finals-MVP co-star is right there with him, averaging 22.5 points on average. Collectively, they are the key to propelling the Celtics to a long postseason run.
The Warriors’ Rollercoaster Ride
The Golden State Warriors were winning out of the gate to start last season, and all of that generated some serious excitement around the franchise. At 12-3, the team seemed poised to make a serious run at the title, especially after losing Thompson during the offseason. Over the ensuing months, the compromise tanked hard, with debts barely rearing their ugly heads before resulting in a catastrophic 13-21 record.
This precipitous drop was alarming to both fans and pundits. To try and jump start a seemingly doomed season, the Warriors went all-in too, trading for disgruntled star Jimmy Butler III. His inclusion should only strengthen the Midwest juggernauts on the diamond and deliver some serious on-field leadership that was frankly lacking. The Warriors now prepare for a playoff run reminiscent of their championship season in 2022, relying on their seasoned experience and favorable matchups against potential opponents.
The franchise’s waning hopes depend on whether it can get back on track and leap on the heels of its previous achievements. The future playoff series will be telling as they hope to get back into championship form after a rollercoaster of a season.
Celtics Continue to Shine
Boston Celtics have been one of the most dominant teams in the entire league this year. Jayson Tatum‘s scoring prowess has never been more on display as he’s averaging a career-high 26.9 points per game. His Finals-MVP co-star is similarly unhinged, currently scoring 22.5 points per game on truly ridiculous efficiency. Together, they create a terrifying combination that has defenses shaking in fear.
Their offensive synergy has carried the Celtics to just off the playoff picture despite all the tough scheduling losses. Today, they are the leading dangerous pretenders to the throne. Tatum and his new teammate immediately developed great chemistry. This bond is central to their success as they face difficult matchups side by side.
As the postseason nears, Boston’s efforts will be watched with a critical eye. The devil is in the details. Going forward, the team will have to maintain their momentum. This will be important toward making a deep playoff run, winning another championship banner.
Future Prospects for Other Teams
As some teams remain jockeying for playoff positions, others are looking towards the future. In fact, the Utah Jazz currently have the best odds in the NBA of receiving the first overall draft pick this season. They are committed to staying the course on rebuilding for the long haul. Specifically, they didn’t trade for or away any big names at this season’s trade deadline. That doesn’t mean they won’t talk about moving most of their veteran players this summer though.
In Houston, the Rockets express satisfaction with the development of young talents like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. This young core is what this franchise will be built on after they continue moving through a rebuilding phase with plenty of contracts to flexibility to work with.
Miami is playing their way through the play-in for the third consecutive playoff appearance. This marks the conclusion of a rather tumultuous season with much drama involving Jimmy Butler III. Their ability to regroup and make impactful adjustments will be vital if they hope to advance beyond the play-in games.
The Sacramento Kings secured a play-in spot due to recent outcomes but are still vying for home-court advantage in their matchup. That makes this year’s top draft pick immensely important to their long-term dreams. That makes it difficult to overstate how much its outcome could influence their trajectory going forward.
In Denver, interim head coach David Adelman takes over after an 11-13 rollercoaster from the All-Star break on. How the team performs in the playoffs will determine how they approach the offseason. Maybe that’s what will keep them competitive this season and beyond.
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