If there weren’t enough topics up for discussion in the NBA playoffs already, there certainly are now. Each of the eight playoff series that began over the weekend didn’t disappoint.
Here are five storylines to watch evolve as the playoffs kick into full gear.
1. Will the referees keep softening up the playoffs?
Saturday’s game between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat epitomizes how different NBA officials are calling the playoffs.
Knicks center Tyson Chandler was issued a flagrant-two foul and an ejection for his hard screen on LeBron James. It was a terrible call and Chandler was unfairly ejected.
LeBron should pursue acting after his basketball playing days are over.
Referees are calling games tighter in the playoffs than they did in the regular season, which is unfair.
It’s playoff season. Let the boys play.
2. Can the Lakers continue their hot start?
The Lakers are playing their best basketball at the right time.
Behind center Andrew Bynum’s triple-double, Los Angeles cruised past the Denver Nuggets, 103-88. Not to mention Kobe Bryant added 31 points.
The addition of point guard Ramon Sessions has also been a breath of fresh air for the Lake Show since acquiring him at the trade deadline. I think the Lakers have what it takes to return to the Western Conference Finals after getting swept by the eventual world champion Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 playoffs.
If Bynum and Bryant can continue their torrid pace, I wouldn’t want to face Los Angeles going forward.
Bynum’s 10 blocks tied him with Hakeem Olajuwom and Mark Eaton for the most blocks in a playoff game in NBA history.
3. How does Rajon Rondo’s suspension affect the Boston Celtics?
After playing a terrible game, the Celtics were somehow within striking distance of the Atlanta Hawks with minutes left in the fourth quarter.
But after a controversial foul on Brandon Bass, Boston guard Rajon Rondo bumped official Marc Davis while disputing the call.
However unintentional the contact looked, the NBA suspended Rondo one game for the bump. Not only did the Celtics drop Game 1, they will now be without their best playmaker for a crucial Game 2. If guard Ray Allen has to sit out again tonight after sitting out Game 1 with an ankle injury, it could spell trouble for Boston.
The Celtics can’t afford to go back to Boston down 2-0.
4. How do the Grizzlies respond to their collapse against the Clippers?
Don’t call it a comeback. Seriously, don’t.
Memphis could do no wrong against the Los Angeles Clippers for three quarters. But its hot start wasn’t enough, as the Grizzlies put up a laughable 13 points in the fourth frame, and the Clippers were able to steal Game 1 on the road, 99-98.
Even after their first-round upset of San Antonio in last season’s playoffs, the Grizzlies are in a difficult situation after losing Sunday night. Memphis essentially blew the home-court advantage it worked so hard for.
For the Grizzlies to have any hope of winning the series, they have to win tonight.
5. Does Chicago stand a chance without Derrick Rose?
The first game of the playoffs between the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday turned out to be the one with the biggest ramifications.
With 1:10 left in the fourth quarter and Chicago in front with a double-digit lead, Bulls point guard Derrick Rose fell to the ground clutching his left knee. He tore both his ACL and MCL and will miss the rest of the playoffs.
Chicago, we have a problem.
Although the Bulls are 18-9 without Rose in the lineup so far this season, winning in the regular season is far different than winning in the playoffs. I don’t think they have what it takes to make a deep run without last season’s NBA Most Valuable Player.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]