.png?itok=QJctG7eN&ssl=1 "Six questions to answer heading into the end of the 2022-2023 NBA season: Lakers, Warriors, Durant and more")
In the Regular Phase 2022-2023 you have gone less than 50 days to come to an end, which means that the NBA season enters its decisive line. The definition of the leaders of each ConferenceHow will it play-in and how the recently switched players will fit in will be the stories to watch between now and April 9th.
The 30 teams of the league have each other 25 and 21 games to put the finishing touches on the normal course and start thinking about the future in the short term. The Playoffsthe race for the ring or even the Draft Lottery will be on the minds of many of them.
So before the post-NBA All-Star competition continues, it’s time to find out what they are questions more importantly from now until the end of the Normal Phase.
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Will it give the Warriors time to react?
As of 2018, no team repeats the ring in the NBA, the most consistent stretch the league has seen in several decades. And in this 2023, it doesn’t look like the streak is going to be broken, especially with the Warriors in a slump. The Californians have not had the campaign they would have dreamed of since they were crowned last June.
Irregularity is Golden State’s common denominator, painting a picture more akin to 2021, in which they missed the postseason despite Stephen Curry’s stellar run. A Steph who has missed 34.5% of his team’s games due to injuries. The ins and outs of the rotation, along with Andrew Wiggins’ case, go a long way toward explaining where the Californians stand, but it doesn’t answer all the questions.
The Warriors have taken several steps back on defense and in a Western Conference at a very high level of competition they cannot afford to let the defensive level down. Steve Kerr’s men have shown at times that they can be a problem in the Playoffs, especially when Curry gets his chance and the rest of his teammates play their part. The problem comes from what remains until April, they need to put their inconsistent performances to date behind them.
Anchored by a 50% win rate, the Warriors need to be at their best in the remaining 24 games.
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Will the Lakers signings work?
The Lakers were one of the market’s closing winners thanks to a solid and extremely aggressive bet. Some changes with the sole purpose of salvaging his season after a rocky start, but also altering his future in the short term in some way. Having made all these moves, they have been able to have room to maneuver in terms of team scheduling for next year due to different salary regulations.
Right now, the angel They are ranked 13th in the Western Conferencebeing in 2 games out of the Play-In zone and 4.5 out of the Playoffs. A situation that, in any other year, would mean a unique opportunity to return, but this 2023 is synonymous with capital equality.
Beyond that, the big question about the Lakers has to do with the long-term effect the recent additions might have. He lace of Anthony Davis next to D’Angelo Russell it looks further natural than that of his predecessor in the position, adding a constant threat from long and mid-range. On the other hand, the profile that Malik Beasley represents as a receiver is exactly what LeBron James needs to unleash his vision of the game.
However, the new names that make up the Lakers’ roster are far from being figures of great value and impact. Instead, they drop teams in the mid or even bottom zone despite having two of the best like AD and James, doubt about its impact is reasonable.
In fact, even if the Lakers achieved good results by taking advantage of their affordable schedule, it might not be enough to beat others like Wolves, Blazers or Thunder for a Play-In spot.
Will the lack of depth affect the Suns?
to catch Kevin Durant Any self-respecting team should be willing to let go of a large portion of their assets, both for the future and in the form of players. It is not only the high salary that the star gets, but the reasonable compensation that the other party must receive to close the operation.
The Suns made a trade that, from their perspective, should be made 99 times out of 100 when the opportunity presents itself. A juncture that meant the loss of one of its strengths to date, such as the depth of the team. Apart from the duo formed by Booker and Paul, Phoenix had two secondaries with great contributions such as bridges and johnson, to which add other names like Dario Saric or Jae Crowder.
In some ways, depth and secondary are aspects that tend to be overrated in the NBA, especially when the moment of truth arrives in the Playoffs. However, it is during the Regular Phase that these names may end up carrying the most weight, especially with only a few weeks left before the end of the course. Dosing the minutes on a team like Phoenix with two veteran names like KD and CP3 as well as protecting those who drag physical disabilities as Payne, Shamet or Warren, it’s a priority. When you consider that the Suns are fifth in the West and their play-in margin is 1.5 games, they can’t afford a false step.
Will Kyrie Irving be enough for the Mavs?
With Kyrie Irving you never know what to expect. One week he’s the savior of a franchise, and the next he’s pulling himself away from the group’s positive dynamic. The Mavs have bet all their cards on who the Nets star in 2019 was to save their season. The Texans’ vision is clear: Kai to help Doncic and raise the team’s level.
However, Irving is not a panacea. No matter how talented and virtuous he may be, he is not a player capable of impacting both ends of the pitch and a more ‘natural’ matchup with Doncic. The 30-year-old point guard will obviously put in the work, put up good numbers and help Dallas add more wins. The question is whether adding him significantly increases the potential the Mavericks had prior to trading for him. That is, How far could Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith have gone?
If your ceiling was up to first round, Moving so many assets to get an always unpredictable Irving might not have been the best move. More so when that contract ends and he’s going to demand the maximum regardless of his performance. All that’s left for Jason Kidd’s men is to hope that they end up where they are and that in the first round of the playoffs they will have to face some Kings with no postseason experience.
Will Russell Westbrook fail the Clippers?
Since winning the MVP in 2017, Russell Westbrook has shared a team with Paul George, James Harden, Bradley Beal, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. And while his numbers were positive (22 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists), his overall performance was light years away from that career high. His outbursts have been short-lived and the slumps have been much more severe than the point guard would have liked. At 34, Rush will begin a new phase with the Clippers, his fourth team since 2020, hoping to feel useful and valid again.
The Californian will end up with a structure that it needs an organizational base, just the opposite of what it is, and that requires aggressive improvement by any means (21st in efficiency). After being cut by the Utah Jazz, Westbrook didn’t have many other options where he could hit, and the Clippers could afford to take a gamble on him.
However, Brody won’t have much room for error. If it doesn’t work out, he’ll soon be back on the bench and his season-long streak with the Clippers will be over.
Westbrook is, without question, facing the most important point of his career. If he can take advantage of these 21 remaining games to revive his profile, he could save what’s left of his career. If not, he will suffer the same fate as other stars in natural decline before him.
Which edition should we expect from the Brooklyn Nets?
It’s the big question among the Eastern Conference teams. The Brooklyn Nets lost their two reports in a matter of days, but gained peace of mind and health within the organization. The New Yorkers now appear as an interesting alternative to drive in the middle zone on this side of the frame. Zach Vaughan has shown every time he is given that he can turn stone into gold and bring out the best players around him. In that sense, the combination of supporting players and emerging figures may be enough for them to end up maintaining the fifth spot they currently hold.
The Nets have a margin of 2.5 games out of seventh place which marks the start of the Play-In zone and, barring a disaster, will be in the postseason one way or another (8.5 games out of 11th).
Beyond that, it’s interesting to wonder how far Brooklyn can go. More so when you consider how Mikal Bridges has performed every time he’s had a big chance in front of him. The former Suns scored 45 points in the last game before the break and went over 20 in two of the other three he played. On the other hand, Dinwiddie continued what he did in Dallas with averages of 17.8 points and 5.3 assists. Add to that the presence of names like Joe Harris, Nic Claxton and Seth Curry, and you’re left with a legitimate Playoff team and a contender for an uncomfortable opponent in a seven-game series.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
