Backend Bandits- Who will kickstart 2022-23 in the final weeks?

While the playoff race for seedings is heating up, the playoff and play-in teams are almost locked with only one team (Boston) holding a wild card in being able to sneak into the party. In all previous seasons there has been a race for final positions but with two weeks to go the NSL standings look essentially locked.

Is this good or bad for the league? When I go out for dinner, I like to get what I order. I like to read the menu and know exactly coming on the plate. When I watch my sports, I like a surprise. A side of gravy with a little pepper, a tasty morsel with a hint of unknown spice. Sadly, the league is lacking a little flavour for this year�s run home.

So, who are the teams that should use the last two weeks as a dress rehearsal for next season? Instead of tanking gung-ho for mid-late lottery, which teams could position themselves for a greatly improved 2022-23 season? Who will be RSVP�ing for the playoff party? Who are the backend bandits of the NSL?

 

Boston Celtics- Playoff Party Status: YET TO RESPOND TO INVITE

Being a personal victim of this franchise, I�ve seen first hand what the Celts can do when firing on all cylinders. Boston dismantled the Spurs in week 14, beating down on the Washed King and his merry men with a 103-91 showing. Boston have all the key cogs, a two-way superstar in Jayson Tatum and a plethora of two-way guys to stop the rot on the perimeter. They have scoring in KPJ, they have rebounding in Sengun and they have potential with Kuminga and Wiseman (if he ever plays). Ironically, it seems the Green Celtics are waiting for a green light from management. They have a play-in to play for and could be a wild card to take seriously if they attempt to play their best basketball. The carrot for playing well is to improve the Free Agency Algorithm which rewards record, something Boston management may consider; however, the most valuable reward might come from doing what Boston do best and wait another year. This could be the last season of asset accumulation before GM Toby flicks the switch, hopefully fans still care about their Celtics.

Golden State- Playoff Party Status: RSVP�d ATTENDING

GM Titles has always set out to win and since a scrutinised trade with GM Klemm his roster is absolutely purring. As I write this piece the Warriors are on a 9-game winning streak! Morale is through the roof and just in case you we�re paying attention to Discord, LAVINE is making a case for MVP. There�s no doubt the beef between Titles and Klemm is legit but it may amount to nothing as the Warriors explode down the final stretch. We hope the two ascending rivals meet in the post season but fans may have to wait for the Western Conference Finals to get what they crave. Either way, Warriors will be upsetting a number of teams as they eye a playoff series and big 2022-23 season behind their young stars.

 

Orlando Magic- Playoff Party Status: RSVP�d ATTENDING

The Magic have seen it all this season and are now reaping the benefits of high-quality GM work at the controls. The ship has well and truly steadied under the leadership of GM Mailo and the Magic has quickly ascended in the rankings. They sit 8^th in the East, just a game back from a freefalling Toronto, and will be neck and neck with Cleveland chasing the 6^th seed. With one of the most enviable backcourts in the competition, Murray and Trae, the Magic could cause serious disruption in the post season. They could take out a contender or two this season but they�ll will know in the back of their minds that they�ll be a monster in 2022-23.

 

Brooklyn Nets- Status: WANT TO GO TO THE DANCE BUT DON�T HAVE A DATE

Poor Brooklyn. Their season hasn�t even been a roller coaster, it�s been a toboggin ride downhill. On paper the squad looks significantly better than a 20 win team but here they are in limbo and without a saving grace, a pick in the 2022 draft. *Somewhere JMAC laughs and evil laugh* Brooklyn were dogged by the doctor but really didn�t do themselves any favours by offloading the 2^nd round pick around mid-season which gives them absolutely no joy from a sub-par year. They�ll be determined to save face and get a few Ws down the stretch to devalue their high lottery pick going to Portland. They also might get an added boost from a star if Murray makes a late return though the outlook is unlikely at this stage. Brooklyn will expect to see themselves in the play-in / playoff hunt in 2022-23. 

 

Miami Heat- Status: BROKE THEIR ANKLE ON THE CURB OUTSIDE THE PARTY

Miami will use the back end of the season as a dress rehearsal for the party that will be 2022-23. When blessed with a healthy roster, GM Pistolpk has proven to be a handful for the league. He loves size, athleticism and length and will use the draft to find another stud to add to the stable. The back end of this season will be a chance for Heat management to have a close look at their trio of Markelle Fultz, Mo Bamba and Malcolm Brogdon, while they wait for Simmons and Isaac to return for the fresh season. They could be waiting forever for Isaac though unfortunately. If Miami becomes a destination franchise, they could be one of the big improvers this offseason and come into the new season with playoff aspirations.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder- Status: �THE KIDS HAVE A COLD, I�LL COME TO THE NEXT ONE�

 The Thunder have a sneaky good roster that gets younger with each transaction. Not only this but their list of picks continues to grow and they possess 4 picks (one first and 3 second round) for the 2022 draft. Thunder GM Wizkid will use the back end of this season to �hopefully lose� and cement a high lottery pick, while getting a close look at the Porzingis-Wood pairing. Anthony Edwards is the jewel in the crown in OKC and will elevate the team with his continued improvement and a better support cast. I could see Wizkid moving on from Mills-Theis-Looney this offseason to bring back some more low-end draft capital and free up finance and roster positions for the next crop of talent. It�ll be interesting if they come to the party next year or if this is the beginning of the rebuild, a long isolation.

 

Cleveland Cavaliers- Status: �I LOVE TO PARTY�

The Cleveland Cavs have been a pleasant surprise this season and GM Dylan has openly stated they�re �ahead of schedule� in terms of success. The have done enough to lock in a play-in position and will likely have to earn a spot in the playoffs with a little post season injury luck. Cleveland�s poster boy Jarrett Allen is currently sitting for some time which will provide headaches for Cavs management, though the depth could be enough to take the 8^th seed. Cavs own the Magic�s first this off-season, which is getting worse by the day, but if there�s one thing Dylan has shown, it�s that he can scout and find talent. Next season Cleveland will have a healthy Allen, Horford and Wiggins, and Mitchell, Thybulle and Caruso will be locked into big roles. With that two-way core, Cleveland will want to add as many Ws to improve the algorithm as possible. Expect them to make a splash in free agency and possibly by trade. With one or two savvy moves this offseason, the Cavs could become a contender in the East. 

 

Sacramento Kings- Playoff Party Status: �I LOVE TO PARTY�

The Kings management see the game different to 99% of the league. They play the free agency as well as any team and constantly initiate trades involving half the league. There is no quit in GM Klemm. He loves winning, hates draft picks and when given a dead horse, has the ability to ride it to the play-ins and beyond. His team picked up a few names following a blockbuster rival trade between Sac and GSW and he will be working the sticks relentlessly to try and turn Lowry, Buddy, Seth and Vuc into a playoff contender. If he fall short, expect some weird and wacky moves in the offseason where he goes, sideways, upwards, backwards, around a roundabout and likely one step ahead of where he was before.