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The 2022 NBA playoffs are well underway and while there have been small surprises like the Brooklyn Nets getting swept, all of the top seeds have taken care of business in the first round. While predictions typically come before the playoffs, we’ll spice things up and predict what will happen the rest of the way and some things that might follow as a result of the postseason based off of what we’ve seen so far.
From panic in Philadelphia to young stars like Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic taking the playoff spotlight from the usual names we’ve seen in the past, there is no shortage of playoff storylines. Longtime superstars Chris Paul and James Harden are still in search of their first championship while Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are looking to become the first back-to-back champions since the 2018 Warriors. Three-time NBA champion Steph Curry is still first NBA Finals MVP. Only time will tell the story but for now, the Complex Sports crew cooked up some predictions for the rest of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
The Boston Celtics will reach the NBA Finals
Currently facing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, making it out of the Eastern Conference will be no easy task for the Celtics. But the combination of their stifling defense and the All-Star wing tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be enough to guide the Celtics through the Bucks and whoever their conference finals opponent will be. Look for the Celtics to reach their first NBA Finals since the 2010 postseason, with a great chance at capturing their first title since 2008. Tatum and Brown will etch their names in Celtics’ lore, becoming legends in Boston. – Kameron Hay
James Harden plays his last game in Philly
21 years. The Sixers haven’t made it to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. To be fair, they spent most of those years tanking due to a “Trust the Process” theory created by Sam Hinkie. But the past five years have been a disappointment. A team that was trending toward being an NBA powerhouse with cap space and a young star core that included Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons has turned into consistent let downs. The only thing that’s been consistent about this franchise has been its early playoff exits, the inability to stay healthy come postseason, and disgruntled stars like Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, and now maybe James Harden.
If James Harden walks this summer and Philly doesn’t field a roster good enough to win a title, is Embiid the next superstar to demand a trade? There has been recent buzz that Harden will take less than the max to return to Philadelphia for one more season, which might benefit filling out the roster. But for a man who was slated to make nearly $50 million this summer, I’m not sure if giving up that money will be easy. From Philly’s point of view, you can’t be confident at this point that Harden is worth the max extension as some might say Tyrese Maxey is the second best player on the roster. – Zion Olojede
Steph Curry wins his first Finals MVP
The one blemish, if you had to choose one, on Steph Curry’s prestigious resume is the lack of a Finals MVP in five Finals appearances. He will without a doubt go down as the greatest shooter to ever touch a basketball and he has two league MVPs to go along with his three rings. I’m not only predicting that the Warriors will come out on top, which is not that bold, but Steph will garner his first Finals MVP. I don’t even think it’s a shoe-in for Steph if the Warriors win it all especially after Andre Iguodala took home the award in 2015. But if there was ever a year to do it, it’d be this year. – Zion Olojede
‘Changing of the Guard’
There’s a distinctive changing of the guard in the NBA and it’s a beautiful thing to see. During this postseason run in particular, several young players have ascended into the upper echelon of talent within the association. Two names that immediately come to mind are Jayson Tatum and Ja Morant.
While young stars like Luka Doncic have had career trajectories, almost like child prodigies, Morant and Tatum have steadily progressed with this postseason marking a significant leap.
They’re both reminiscent of past stars like Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson, but with their own distinctive individuality. That lets me know the league is in great hands for years to come. – Pierce Simpson
Chris Paul finally wins a championship
When you look at CP3’s resume, it reads as one of the most decorated players in NBA history. A 12x All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Paul has accomplished nearly everything a player can individually at this level. The only thing left for him to check off the checklist? Win that ever elusive title. After reaching the NBA Finals and falling short a season ago, Paul and the Suns will finish the deal this season and knock off the Boston Celtics. At age 37, the Point God will cement himself as one of the five greatest floor generals the sports has ever seen. – Kameron Hay
Chris Paul wins Finals MVP
All the pieces seem to be aligning for Chris Paul to finally capture that elusive ring that he’s chased feverishly in his career. The Suns have been a dominant team all season long, as they look to avenge their Finals loss last season against the Milwaukee Bucks. With that in mind, I feel the Suns are destined to make things right this season with a Finals victory, but I also have a hunch that CP3 will capture Finals MVP as well, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest point guards to ever grace the hardwood. – Pierce Simpson
Luka plays his last postseason without a co-superstar
It’s time to get Luka Doncic some help. Jalen Brunson has had a great run in the NBA Playoffs especially when Luka was sidelined in the first round. And although he will get his money, he’s not moving the needle. We’ve seen it early in the Suns series. The Kristaps Porzingis experiment failed so Luka has still never really had someone who can take some pressure off him. That will end after this postseason. Mark Cuban will not let Luka continuously try to carry his team deep within the postseason. It might have to come via trade as this year’s free agency pool is fairly weak this season especially when you consider realistic options. But Mark Cuban could have some tricks up his sleeve left. – Zion Olojede