NBA Playoff Haterade IV: Ranked by Who I Want to Win the Finals the Least (Conference Finals Edition)
Eliminated: See You Next Year
Philadelphia 76ers
- Original Ranking: 1
It’s hilarous that people are shocked that Playoff James Harden is not the one we saw in games 1 and 4, but the one that stuck up EVERY OTHER GAME.
Phoenix Suns
- Original Ranking: 2
Memphis Grizzlies
- Original Ranking: 4
Los Angeles Clippers
- Original Ranking: 5
Atlanta Hawks
- Original Ranking: 6
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Original Ranking: 8
New York Knicks
- Original Ranking: 9
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Original Ranking: 10
Brooklyn Nets
- Ranking: 11
Sacramento Kings
- Ranking: 12
Milwaukee Bucks
- Original Ranking: 14
Golden State Warriors
- Original Ranking: 16
To be fair, these were the Dubs we’ve been watching all season long. Steph was INCREDIBLE this year. Everyone else, 🤷🏻♂️
Tier 1: Those Guys
Boston Celtics
- Ranking: 1
- Last Ranking: 3
The Celtics destruction schadenfreude potential was slightly outweighted the need to beat out he Sixers, but IT WAS STRONG AND TANTALIZING
Tier 2: I Would Spend More Time Thinking About It But There’s No Chance – Wait, Maybe There’s A Chance? Oh SHIT There’s seriously a Chance
Miami Heat
- Ranking: 2
- Last Ranking: 8
This time of year, there’s a lot to be said for just refusing to implode.
Tier 3: Raise the Trophy A MILE HIGH
Denver Nuggets
- Ranking: 3
- Last Ranking: 12
Imagine ABC Sports execs waking up with cold sweats at the possibility of a Nuggets-Heat finals instead of Lakers-Celtics
Tier 4: As Mike Breen Says, “BANG! BANG!”
Los Angeles Lakers
- Ranking: 4
- Last Ranking: 14
