I don't know if you have noticed it, but there are several characteristics in the first round of this year's playoffs. First, the replacement is accelerating. You can take a look at these veterans, they really can't stand it and are in an extremely passive situation. On the other hand, the league is also deliberately forcibly renewing, and the teams where these veteran stars are in the playoffs, it can be seen from the number of free throws and the perception on the court that the referees are a little unkind to them, among which the Nuggets and Lakers, Mavericks and Clippers are obvious. Second, the west is one-sided, while the east is complementary. There is basically not much suspense in the west, and the east still has to continue to go, especially the group of Magic and Cavaliers.
The East is not strong overall this season, but it can still contribute wonderful performances in the playoffs. The Magic and the Cavaliers are inseparable, and both teams are very abstract existences. But if there is a series in which the big picture is decided, it is the Knicks vs. the 76ers. Everyone has seen the G4 on both sides, and the harder team is still the Knicks. Both teams played classical basketball and played extreme defense. If you want to say that the Knicks won the game, it is naturally Brunson. Brunson wanted to take the series to get the match point when he was in G3, and the guy did 39 points and 13 assists in the last game, but unfortunately the team lost. In the G4 game, Brunson was even tougher, directly scoring 47 points and 10 assists, leading the team to get the match point.
If you want to say that Brunson's performance in the playoffs this year, he is definitely the No. 1 guard in the East, and there is no objection. The Celtics' Brown is decent and sometimes off the table. The Pacers' Haliburton has become an older version of Harden, without the spirit of the early season. As for Lillard, I have to say that he is also old. Not to mention Maxey of the 76ers, you can't even see Brunson's taillights. Brunson has thoroughly tapped his potential in these four games. He averaged 42 minutes per game and had 33 points and 9 assists. The last two games have 47+39 data, which is definitely the top existence in the league. I have to say that if a second-round pick can play such a performance, the Knicks will also make a lot of money.
For the 76ers, now that they are 1-3 behind, it is unlikely that they will turn the tables, not to mention that the next game will be played at the Knicks' home court. If you want to talk about the key to the 76ers, Embiid must come out, but it's a pity that Embiid only played one good game, and G4 fell into a strange circle again. There's no way around it, Embiid is such a player, and he can't see his thoughts clearly in the game. For Embiid, the series is over, and the next game is just going through the motions. Embiid has been playing in the playoffs for so many years, but he has never made it past the second round, and this year it is difficult to even make it to the first round. This offseason, the 76ers are going to make changes, and they can be disbanded to a certain extent. Harris's contract expires, and it doesn't make much sense to renew it. Batum is preparing to retire, and a number of other players are also in contract years.
Overall, the East is also quite interesting this year, and everyone has a chance, especially the Knicks. The Knicks have their own toughness, as well as a rotation strategy. From the 76ers' perspective, it's time to think about what to do next and aim for next season. Of course, there is still a possibility of basketball this offseason, on the one hand, there are not many super free agents, and on the other hand, there may not be anyone to go to the 76ers. Embiid's peak is just a few years, and a wasted year is a year.