There are basically two ways to look at the West playoffs every year. If the glass is half-full, we get mostly entertaining series from the NBA’s superior circuit, featuring star power and teams that are forced to earn their spots. Seeds two, three and four were determined by one game, and seeds five, six, seven and eight by two. No .500 teams are sneaking in. Then again, glass half-empty? Soap opera or not, the Warriors are probably coming out of this anyway.
The Crossover previews the first-round matchups below.
Most Intriguing Storyline: Checking Golden State’s Pulse
This time, there’s trouble in paradise, as the Warriors are marching toward a three-peat but certainly don’t seem to be enjoying themselves all that much.