by Brian Abate, Chris DiGeronimo, and Gianluca Milea
“Nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.” - Serena Williams
Playoff basketball is back and better than ever!
Can LeBron and AD overcome Kawhi and the Clippers? Can the Greek Freak propel the Bucks out of the East? How will the Raptors fare with the departures of Kawhi and Danny Green?
There are so many story lines that have fans on the edge of their seats. The chip appears to be anyone's for the taking, unlike the recent past. Along with the engaging story lines come players that we have all come to know and love.
We’ve broken them down into two categories: Must Watch First Team and Sleepers. While some of the names on the sleeper list are well known players they are, in our eyes, players that deserve a lot more credit and who will surely show out during this year’s playoff push.
You’ll definitely want to tune in when these guys are playing...
First team
LeBron James:
No surprise here, it’s LeBron… His presence immediately makes the team a title contender. At 35-years-old, he is showing no signs of slowing down. With the addition of Anthony Davis, LeBron now has the running mate he was seeking and seems destined for a Western Conference Finals LA showdown.
Luka Doncic:
It's showtime every time Doncic takes the court. At 21-years-old he's already one of the NBA's best and most entertaining players. The Dallas Mavericks aren't a normal seven seed and they should push the Los Angeles Clippers. Luka's playmaking ability makes everyone else on the Mavs better and he seems to thrive under pressure. As long as he is healthy, they have a chance to win.
James Harden:
The Beard has fared pretty well since he arrived in Houston in 2012, winning an MVP award and three consecutive scoring titles but he's still chasing the one thing that has eluded him all these years, a championship. Harden has gone through a ton of adversity in the playoffs and this year is no different. There is no doubt that Harden will have to strap the Rockets on his back as he chases the elusive Larry O’Brien trophy.
Giannis Antetokounmpo:
The Greek Freak was poised to make a run at his second straight MVP award this season. His talent is undeniable, he has a running mate in Khris Middleton and rising star Pat Connaughton. If the Bucks are going to win anything, Giannis will have to dominate the competition. The team runs through him and he’ll need to show out, especially against a difficult Raptors side in the East.
Kawhi Leonard:
"The Claw" takes his game to another level in the postseason. All of his load management days were to prepare for the playoffs and he is locked in. In addition to his elite scoring and defensive abilities, Kawhi is becoming a better playmaker. He carried the Raptors to their first championship last year and is looking to do the same for the Clippers this year. Look for Kawhi to take over games when the Clippers are struggling.
Sleepers
Fred VanVleet:
The Raptors’ point guard has improved each season and stepped up coming off the bench in the NBA Finals last year. This year, he became a starter and has excelled in a bigger role after Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard left Toronto in free agency. He finished the regular season averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. All are career-highs. VanVleet has proven in college (at Wichita State) and in his four NBA seasons that he thrives under pressure. Look for him to step up in the postseason as the Raptors attempt to defend their championship.
Michael Porter Jr.:
Michael Porter Jr. was passed over by most of the league in the 2018 draft due to a back issue, but the Nuggets took a gamble on the talented forward and their investment is paying off. After sitting out all of the 2018-19 season, Porter Jr. returned this year as a valuable role player for Denver. He finished the regular season averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1 assist, but really turned it on in the bubble. His recent performances have shown that he is a star in the making and once Denver allows him to take the training wheels off, the sky's the limit on his potential.
Caris LeVert:
The Nets already have two superstars on their roster in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but LeVert has shown that he can be that third piece that is needed to win a championship. LeVert has had some injury problems in the past, but when healthy he is a sharp shooter that is not afraid to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. LeVert finished the regular season averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game and carried the Nets to secure their playoff spot in the bubble. Durant and Irving may be waiting in the wings, but this is LeVert’s team at the moment.
TJ Warren:
This wouldn’t be much of a bubble list without TJ Warren. TJ is coming off of his biggest season yet, averaging 19.8 points. Warren was probably the most improved player since the NBA restart and will need to continue his hot play if the Pacers want to be able to get by the Heat. His beef with Jimmy Butler will also make this one a must watch matchup.
Bam Adebayo:
Bam has become a star during his short tenure in the league. He is on a team that is primed to make some noise this postseason. With Jimmy Butler and the emergence of Tyler Herro, the Heat have built a solid “Big 3” for years to come. It will be interesting to see how long the team will last, but one thing is for sure, Bam will be at the center of it all.
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