Play-In Potential (Preview)

Another incredible NSL regular season has drawn to a close. This most recent season continued to test the durability and depth of all teams as injuries and missed games continued to spiral, with COVID protocols and resting and tanking impacting which players took the court. After a gruelling 1230 regular season games, the playoff order is set. Well, almost.

The Play In Tournament is a new feature to our great league, placing the fringe playoff teams in a do or die tournament that tests their mettle and worthiness of being a playoff team. Debuting last season, the tournament added another competitive wrinkle to our great game. The teams are set. In the East, the Raptors, Bulls, 76ers and Celtics will comprise the bracket. In the West, the Nuggets, Pelicans, Warriors and the Kings will fight for the final two playoff spots.

Teams who finish 9 and 10 will have to run the gauntlet and win consecutive elimination games to claim a prized playoff position. The loser of this game is eliminated, and the winner will play the loser of 7 vs 8. The winner of that game goes straight to the 7 seed.

Below, we will look at their credentials and how they are positioned to survive the Play In:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

The Toronto Raptors started the season full of hope and optimism that they could truly contend. Since then, they have been slammed by injuries and the hope has dissipated into loathing. However, a Paul George return has left the door open for Raptors fans to believe the season is still alive. Paired with DeMar DeRozan, Fred VanVleet, great bigs and a team full of veterans (even without Melo), Toronto is a playoff team that no one wants to face.

Unfortunately, they will still be without Zion Williamson.




Chicago Bulls fans have also suffered through a rotten year. Injuries plagued the team all season, with Davis and Beal proving a fragility this season and John Wall refusing to play all season. Merencio perceived the writing on the wall and subsequently shipped out Hassan Whiteside, Lou Williams and any veterans he could as the hope for the season leaked profusely out of the front office. However, Davis is back, and with Merencio at the controls, I won�t write the Bulls off.

Unfortunately, they will still be without Bradley Beal and John Wall.


In what appears to be a theme, it has also been a rough ride for the Philadelphia 76ers, who also compromise a middle class in the East that for various reasons has been sinking for the last month or so. Unfortunately, the nail went in the coffin for this esteemed GMs playoff aspirations when they moved a washed star and have since been searching for answers. But, Nenjabin is savvy and gritty and he wants that playoff spot.


The Boston Celtics may be awaking from their slumber, and that could be scary for the NSL in the coming seasons. Tatum has blossomed into a superstar, Garland has become a star, and the roster is stacked with high lottery talent. Can they keep this momentum going? With Wiseman out, they are forced to play small.


Unfortunately, they will still be without James Wiseman and Lu Dort.

What will happen?

The Toronto Raptors will win the 7^th seed. The Boston Celtics will eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers and face the Chicago Bulls. I think that game will be close, with the Boston Celtics advancing to the playoffs in an OT classic.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Denver Nuggets are here, but I am starting to wonder, will this franchise ever get to see their key players all on the floor together? Digga wants more than a Play In. The Splash Kingdom continue to put their eggs in the three pointer basket, their roster comprising of the best shooters in the league. Thankfully, they have a big Willy that eats all the rebounds and allows them to play the style they prefer, and Serge was a great add.

Unfortunately, they will still be without MPJ.

New Orleans Pelicans were almost every GMs pick for the most improved team, pushing their young, talented core into true contender status. For much of the season, they have missed a key player from their starting five and right at the business end they have lost their starting (and back up) frontcourt for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, they have arguably the best legitimate (actual guards) backcourt in the league and Ja is hungry AF.

Unfortunately, they will still be without John Collins and Robert Williams.

The Golden State Warriors, you may know them from Titles proclamations or from previous playoff/play in battles. I was a big fan of the trade deadline moves, funnelling the ball into Zachs hands and surrounding him with capable veterans. I think the Warriors are a genuine chance to get out of the Play In Tournament if they play well. The structure should hold up. Zach better be hungry.

Unfortunately, they will be without Joe Harris (which is likely a good thing).


I will unabashedly claim the Sacramento Kings as my favourite team and I will happily proclaim this under oath. The spirit of Klemm fills up my lungs and I feel that Nicolas Cage stepping off the Jailbird in Con Air and having his exuberance and liveliness flow through my whole being. I actually think this Kings team is slept on, possessing great rebounders, shooters, defenders and playmakers, just no stars. Imagine the Klemm household if they make it through� Scenes.

Unfortunately, they will be without Tim Hardaway Jr.

What will happen?

The Nuggets should prevail over the Pelicans due to their bigs being out, but it will be a close game. The Kings will get over the Warriors in a brutal battle of the affable GMs and then the Pelicans will prevail over the Kings in an OT classic. I think the West is set for some great games where anything could happen.