Saturday’s news that Ricky Rubio will miss Game 1 and potentially a few weeks with a hamstring injury is a hammer blow to a Jazz team that needs him at full strength to compete. Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in NBA history, and needs a title to cement his legacy. To combat his brilliance, the Jazz need every healthy advantage they can get — but who will handle the load in Rubio’s absence?
Donovan Mitchell has superstardom written all over him after a brilliant Game 6 to close out the Thunder — but James Harden may be the league’s best offensive player and will be this season’s MVP.