Diego Dario: The East is probably the tougher conference this season. The talent and the star power is on a different level. I think all the higher seeded teams will advance to the next round. I know the Celtics are playing well, but with Time Lord [Robert Williams] out with an injury, that opens up the lane for super scorers like Irving, Durant, and Simmons. Yes, I believe Simmons will play in the playoffs.
I still think the Bucks will beat the Nets and advance to the East finals against the Heat. Miami is a deep team but rotations shorten in the playoffs so I got the Bucks making another NBA Finals appearance.
Over to the West, I don't think there will be upsets until the Warriors face the Grizzlies. That's gonna be a tough matchup, but I think a healthy Warriors team will use their experience against a young and hungry Grizzlies team. Memphis will have its time, though, in the years to come.
Suns vs. Warriors for the West finals just makes sense - two teams with incredible offensive firepower and discipline on defense (with Draymond on the floor, of course) will be going at it for seven games. The Suns come out on top, though, because of their hunger to seek revenge against the Bucks.
We had no problems with the Cavs-Warriors series battling it out for consecutive years and I think it will be the same for this Bucks vs. Suns series. It just makes sense; their lineups, depth, and systems make them the two top teams in the NBA. With last year’s heartbreak, though, I'm going for the Suns winning the chip and finally giving CP3 his well-deserved ring.
Isaac Go: My pick for the West is the Phoenix Suns. I counted them out last year - I didn’t think they were gonna make it that far. This year, I’m not gonna make the same mistake. This feels like the San Antonio Spurs redemption story where they lost to Miami and came back stronger the following year. As much as the Golden State Warriors has been on a roll this year, Steph Curry is just coming back from a long layoff. And we have yet to see how the young guys will adapt to the playoff atmosphere and if the vets stay healthy and deliver.
The East has gotten so tough this year with multiple finals contenders. My pick to come out of the East has to be the Brooklyn Nets. They were one shoe size away from making the NBA finals last year. I would argue they are better this year if—and I mean, a huge if—Ben Simmons comes back.
In the end, I'm taking Phoenix because of the story and how good they’ve looked. And I want CP3 to finally win a chip so people stop disrespecting him.
Jett Manuel: Out of the East, I’m picking the Bucks.
You can’t go against the defending champs, especially when they’re complete. They’re still the team to beat. And Giannis is still the best player in the world.
In the West, it’s going to be the Suns. They’re the best team in the West. Best record in the league. And I think they’re primed with enough experience to win it all when they put it all together. And the addition of Javale McGee, whose championship experience…. is key. Hahaha.
Champs? Still Bucks.
Chris Newsome: I believe the Suns have proven they are the team to beat in the West! They have playoff experience and they have the depth and chemistry to make it out the West.
For the East, It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think the Milwaukee Bucks are going to sneak into the NBA Finals in back-to-back years. Many have counted them out, but they have almost every piece needed to run it back. You can never count out the heart of a champion!
I would love to see another round of Bucks-Suns. Last year’s finals was a nice change from the years past, and it was very competitive. That being said, I believe the Suns are hungrier and more primed to go up against the Bucks this year than last year. I would love to see Chris Paul and DBook finally get a championship, and I believe this is the year they finally pull it off.
Gabe Norwood: I’ll go with the Brooklyn Nets still coming out of the Eastern Conference, somehow, despite coming in at the 7th spot.
In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns are my pick. Even though I wouldn’t mind the Memphis Grizzlies making a memorable run in this year’s playoffs. Just imagine Ja Morant playing in the finals.
LA Tenorio: I think it’s going to be a rematch of last year’s finals. The Bucks and Suns will meet again especially if both teams are healthy. But in the end, it will be another championship for Milwaukee.
The main reason why I’m picking the Bucks is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s a walking mismatch: too big, too strong, and too athletic. His level of play is still higher than anybody right now.
The Bucks have a lot of players who can match up well against the Suns. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middeleton will take on Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Deandre Ayton might try to slow down Giannis, but Giannis will still win that matchup and be the difference-maker for his team.
It’s a rematch of last season and the Bucks will still win the championship.
