The hype of opening games, the glitter of Christmas Day basketball and the bright lights of New Year’s Eve have already whizzed by in a flash. A new year starts, marking a crucial stretch of games for teams battling for postseason basketball. The next big event is the All-Star Game in mid-February, and between now and then each team has (roughly) 18 games to play. 18 games that could be the difference between going home in April or playing a 1st round play-off series.
Philadelphia, for example, are one of those teams that need to rack up a good number of wins before the All-Star game. 11th of the East, they are only 2 games behind 8th place Detroit. In fact, their next three games are absolutely crucial: After hosting Minnesota, they will match up against Cleveland and Detroit, two direct contenders of a playoff spot. Whilst teams containing all stars such as the Thunder, Heat, Indiana, Clippers (and so on) are just jogging along, counting down the days until the All-Star Game, most teams will be battling hard to pick up a maximum of wins before having a weekend’s rest before the second half of the season.
I say that, but many potential All-Stars (should) have their mind on other things than the meeting in New Orleans on February 15th; Kyrie Irving, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Anthony Davis are all currently set to miss out on the playoffs.
The last month before the playoffs always has that particular trademark to it: Top teams waiting for the postseason, praying no one will get injured, where as teams around 8th place scramble for every win in order to have a longer season- I guess basketball players just dislike holidays… All joking aside, although the focus is on what happens in the last month, this stretch of games usually decides a team’s fate.
This year’s surprises who are currently seeded desperately need to keep winning to ensure that they stay in their position of strength. Washington and Charlotte used to be the laughing stock of the league, and now they are 5th and 7th of the East. Having said that, the Wizards only have one more win than Boston, who are 9th. Nothing is set in stone, far from it, and now is the time for those teams to keep working in the shadows, behind the hype of the upcoming All-Star Game. A bit like rebounding- unpleasant and usually overlooked, yet most of the time crucial.
In the Western Conference, elite teams like Denver and Minnesota are also out of the precious top eight spots. In a conference that is so unforgiving, every wing counts. Add to that the fact that Portland, and more surprisingly, Phoenix are doing so well, there have never been so many contenders for 7th and 8th place; In the mix for that spot are also teams like the the Pelicans, Grizzlies and Lakers, though injury and inconsistency make them lesser threats.
All in all, now is the time for these teams to rack up the wins. The excitement has died down after Christmas, and whilst Lebron and Durant prepare for the All Star Game, Melo and Irving are fighting for a chance to take part in playoff basketball. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy 2014.
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