13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts: Elite or Embarrassed?

Boston Celtics
The Celtics have had a successful season and will be the only team in the league to achieve the lofty sixty win mark. They also have the home court for all series they are involved in. They have the ability to rest players and give them time to get over the little injuries they may have. The only problems they have between now and the playoffs is an injury or rust from not playing in highly competitive games. They are playoff ready.

Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are the enigma of the conference. For a team that is supposed to be competing for a title it’s difficult to take them seriously when they just lost to Washington and Memphis. This at a time when good teams should be beating up weak teams. The Bucks are not playoff ready.

Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are an interesting team. They endured numerous injuries to key players and had a very successful January. As players returned they have struggled. Since March first they have gone eight and eleven. The Cavs are not playoff ready.

New York Knicks
The Knicks are an interesting team, Tom Thibodeau always gets the most of the team but that may be the problem. The team seems to be running out of gas and that may be because they have been asking key players to play big minutes. That and the announcement that Julius Randle will be getting surgery and is out for the season are big problems. They are a tough team that nobody wants to play in a series but they are not playoff ready.

Orlando Magic
This team has a definite future as a top team in the conference for years to come. They are young and talented and have gone seven and three in their last ten games. The Magic are playoff ready but their inexperience in the playoffs will ultimately be their undoing.

Miami Heat
The Heat can never be counted out and this year is no different. They have had an injury filled season but slowly seem to be rounding into shape. They also have gone seven and three in their last ten games. They are playoff ready.

Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have Joel Embiid just coming back after being out two months. That’s the good news but after watching him play Tuesday he is still effective but out of shape. Unless things change quickly he will not be able to play for long stretches and for big minutes. The Sixers need the Embiid that can play big minutes to go anywhere in the playoffs. They are not playoff ready.

Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have gone thirty-one and twenty -six since their tournament championship against the Lakers. Since March first they have gone nine and seven. In the last week they have lost to the Bulls and believe it or not the Nets. They are not playoff ready.