2011 NBA Playoffs: What to Take Away from the Craziness so Far
These NBA playoffs have been more unpredictable and exciting than any in recent memory, with the top two teams from the Western Conference already eliminated from contention. The last time both the Lakers and Spurs were sitting at home during the conference championship was in 2006; in the past twelve seasons, it has only happened once.
The Eastern Conference has been somewhat more predictable, with only one upset in the first round, but every series so far has been decently competitive.
What have been the biggest surprises so far? And what can we take away from them?
The rise of the Dallas Mavericks
Despite being considered the most likely of the top three seeds to lose in the first round, they now find themselves with home court advantage in the Western Conference Finals.
An increase in mental toughness, Dirk Nowitzki playing as well as he ever has, and an improbable rise in accuracy from 3-point range (41.9% vs 36.5% in the regular season) have lead to their rise to contender-ship.
The Mavericks have a superstar capable of carrying them in the playoffs in Nowitzki, youth and athleticism in J.J. Barea and Tyson Chandler, and veteran toughness and shooting from the rest of the starters that helps to spread the floor and make teams pay for doubling Nowitzki. They have gone from afterthoughts to NBA championship contenders in about two weeks.
The fall of the Los Angeles Lakers
To paraphrase a great quote, they're [not] who we thought they were. All the talent in the world can't make up for a lack of team chemistry or whatever else was distracting the Lakers in these playoffs, which is why they're now looking at an uncertain future instead of a fourth potential three-peat for Phil Jackson.
They can't defend quick perimeter players who can get into the paint, which also means they can't stop a team with quick guards and good three point shooters. Their size ceased to be an advantage because they constantly found themselves out of position on defense and unable to prevent easy buckets.
These Lakers are finished. They'll still be in contention for a playoff spot next season and, depending on what happens with trades, they could still be a contender for the NBA championship. But Phil Jackson is gone, Kobe is aging, and the Laker's time as top dog in the West is over, for now.
How good the Memphis Grizzlies turned out to be
Everyone knew they were playing extremely well over the last couple months of the season, but not many people picked them to be up 2-1 in the conference semis.
They have banded together in the face of adversity after losing Rudy Gay, their best player, to a season ending injury. They have bought into coach Lionel Hollin's philosophies on defense and tough, physical play.
They are getting huge contributions from multiple players - Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, Shane Battier, etc - who former teams deemed more than expendable. When they've faced big deficits, close games or hostile crowds on the road, they have played with the poise of a team that knows how to execute.
These guys are not a one season wonder, and they're not going away anytime soon. If anything, they should be better next year when Gay comes back and they have a full year together to build off of this season. The semifinal series between Oklahoma City and Memphis is a preview of two teams that will be near the top of the conference for the next few years.
These playoffs have been extremely fun to watch and offer a preview into an interesting time of change in the NBA, when the top teams of the past decade are handing over the reigns to those of the next.
