NBA Post All Star Break: What to Expect

Author: Zachary Patlin

Editor: Fran Attie

As we begin the second half of the 2021 NBA season, many storylines dominate the rest of the schedule. One such storyline is injuries. With injuries to both Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, the two conferences might be completely up for grabs. It is the Jazz that have the best record in the West and the Nets that have the best record in the East, but everyone expects the Lakers and the 76ers to give those teams a run for their money come playoff time.

Another story to watch out for is the emergence of the Suns. Booker and CP3 have been a SCARY backcourt, maybe one of the scariest in all of the NBA, just behind Brooklyn’s Harden and Irving. Can the Suns continue their dominance and be a power in the West? Time will tell, as the Jazz, Lakers, and Clippers are all extremely versatile and can win playoff series as well.

The East is a lot less spread out in terms of talent. Right now, the Nets are barely leading the 76ers, who are coping with an injured Joel Embiid, however, most expect the Nets to run away with the East and face one of the Western conference powerhouses in the NBA finals. The teams that could give the Nets a run for their money are the 76ers and the Bucks, while teams like the Knicks have been an incredible storyline and will continue to be under Tom Thibodeau, as they play a gritty smothering form of defense dating back as far as the 1990s style of play.

After a contract buyout with the Pistons, Blake Griffen has added needed depth to the Nets bench. Could he be the piece to put them over the top? I believe so. But never count LeBron James and Anthony Davis, if healthy, out. The defending champions are looking to remain champs after this season. But let’s see just how the second half and the stretch playoff run play out.

With all the young stars around the league, things aren’t just looking up for the winningest and most successful teams. With stars like Luca Doncic, Trae Young, and LaMelo Ball, among so many others, their respective teams look to contend in the near future for a long long time. So can this second half cement one of these rising stars as the MVP of the league? Probably not, as Embiid (now injured), LeBron, Curry and Jokic appear to be the front runners thus far. But hey, there’s plenty of season left for that to change.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE