Five storylines to look out for in the 2015 NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs are finally here! After a grueling 82 game schedule, we are down to the best 16 teams in the association. With this year’s playoff field, there are so many storylines to look out for, I have decided to come up with the best five that NBA fans should be keen to. Without further adieu let’s get started with my first storyline.

1. Are the Cleveland Cavaliers ready for the bright lights?

The regular season is now over for the Cleveland Cavaliers as that was just the midterm exam. The NBA playoffs is what this team was built specifically for even though they have a rookie head coach in David Blatt. The last time the Cavaliers were even in the playoffs was the 2009-2010 season. That year, they were 61-21 and got bounced in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Boston Celtics in six games. That was also the last year of LeBron in Cleveland. Everybody remembers him at the end of game six taking his jersey off, which ultimately signified him taking his talents to South Beach.

Fast forward to this season and LeBron is back home leading the Cavaliers to the second seed in the East. This is not his first time in the playoffs but it is the first time for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. How will those guys perform in playoff pressure moments? This is not the regular season anymore, players’ careers are made and legends are born. If Cleveland has a tough time against the Boston Celtics, and gets bounced in the semifinals, expect Blatt to be fired.

2. The San Antonio Spurs are looking to make it back to the NBA Finals

The Spurs are once again in the NBA playoffs and to no surprise they are playing great basketball at the right time, winning 13 straight games. San Antonio, like every great team, was just going through the motions in the regular season but when it comes to the playoffs they are a different team. Our very own, Curt Jenkins even told us to watch out for the Spurs as they made their late season run.

The question now is, can they go back to the finals and win another championship? They are a six seed coming into the playoffs taking on a very weak third seed in the Los Angeles Clippers. Expect San Antonio to run through the Clippers in six games, then take out Houston in six games and finally have to take on the Golden State Warriors for the right to go to the NBA Finals. If that matchup happens, then I will make my prediction but for now the only real threat in the West that stands in their way from another NBA Finals appearance is the Warriors.

3. The Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors must bring it every night

The two number one seeds in their respective conferences are the teams with the biggest bulls-eye on their back. The Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors had tremendous seasons as both teams won 60 plus games and play great team basketball. The question now is can they duplicate that when the stakes are higher? I am more confident in the Warriors to do that but do not count out the Hawks, as this season they have proven that if you take them lightly they can score points in a hurry. Just ask LeBron James, what the Hawks did to the Cavs this season? Atlanta beat them 127-98 in December.

Both teams have favorable first round matchups that they should win in five games, if they handle business. But their tests will come in the semifinals and beyond and if they pass it will be a successful season.

4. Playoff Anthony Davis

Yes, NBA and basketball fans rejoice everywhere, we get the chance to see playoff Anthony Davis. The bad news is his New Orleans Pelicans are taking on the Golden State Warriors. But, the good news is that we get to see a young star in the league, who has his name in the MVP discussion but the award will come down to Stephen Curry or James Harden. Anyway, Davis has had a spectacular season to help lead the Pelicans to a 45-37 record in the NBA’s best division, the Southwest. This season, Davis is averaging 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.

Davis will be a thorn in the Warriors’ side all series but Golden State still wins it in five games. But for Davis, the playoff experience will be beneficial and make him hungry to go back next season.

5. Can Derrick Rose lead Chicago to the promise land?

This has been the burning question around the league since Derrick Rose returned this season. Can he lead the Chicago Bulls to the promise land? This season it can definitely happen as Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, and Jimmy Butler have played  great. This might be the year that Rose has the supporting cast around him to get to the NBA Finals.

But will he do it or will his body allow him to do? Ever since coming back from his injury last week, Rose has looked very good and still quick, exploding to the basket whenever he wants. The last time Rose played in the playoffs was back on April 2012, where he suffered his first ACL injury as his Bulls were taking on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Still seeing that injury makes me sick to my stomach but these playoffs will be different for Rose and the Bulls. I expect them to get past Milwaukee in six games and then we get a colossal matchup between him and LeBron for the right to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. Could we not ask for a better matchup of the NBA’s two best superstars in action? That is going to be better than watching Floyd Mayweahter fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

The 2015 NBA playoffs should give us ton of excitement just like last season but this time around the field is that much better.