NBA playoffs heat up

By Cornelius White

Sports reporter

The NBA Playoffs are now underway, with some teams being eliminated, like the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers, with notable players like Kawhi, James Harden, Luka, and many more superstars. 

Image courtesy of bleacherreport.com.

But it seems like the young stars are taking over and eliminating the OGs of the NBA, players like Jokic and D. Mitch, but more specifically Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards. Anthony Edwards has made people believers in the Timberwolves making a run.

I go to talk to Crete-Monee High School about the NBA playoffs and who they believe are going all the way. 

The Thunder are the current betting favorites to win the NBA Finals at +175, with the Celtics sitting right behind them at +200.

“ I have the Timberwolves going all the way.” Senior Jordan Outlaw said

Anthony Edwards is an up-and-coming player and the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves. They beat the Lakers in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs, and they have now lost game 1 to the Warriors, going down 1-0 in the series.

Every contending team, of course, has a Batman, or a star player, and a Robin, a second option, guys. But sometimes Alfred has to come in and save the day. 

Players like Zubac and Buddy Hield, but one of our sources feels different about the best breakout/doing the dirty work behind the scenes.

“ I feel like Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be the breakout player for the Minnesota Timberwolves with his great shooting and defending, being a 3 & D player off the bench,” senior Jordan Outlaw said. 

There have been a lot of interesting matchups in the playoffs just from round 1. Luka and LeBron vs. Ant-Man, Jokic and Murray vs. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, and Cade vs. Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns.

Senior Jordan Outlaw told me what matchup he is most excited by in the 2nd round.

“I feel like Jimmy going back to Minnesota to play for the Timberwolves knowing the history of the two franchises.” Senior Jordan Outlaw said.

The history between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves dates back to the 2017-18 season. Jimmy Butler was tired of Chicago and wanted change. The Bulls traded Jimmy Butler and the 16th pick for Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Kris Dunn. 

Jimmy led the Timberwolves to the playoffs at 47-35. They lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets 4-1. That offseason Jimmy wanted his money, but they didn’t give it to him.

He held out in training camp and one day decided to come to practice. He scrimmaged with the 3rd stringers and beat the starters badly. He walked out and told the ownership to pay him.

The NBA playoffs are a wild time, and they are looking wild as usual, but we will see who will win it all in the end.