12 Most Dunkredible Reasons I Love NBA Playoffs

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I have a patient wife! She concedes my attention to the TV whenever the Denver Broncos or Denver Nuggets are playing. She gives me an extra measure of grace when it comes to NBA Playoff time.

I know some people will argue that college basketball is better, and the NCAA definitely brings its own “win or go home” mentality with a college fervor. However, I like 7-game playoff series because the better team wins almost every time versus a so-so team just catching fire for one game.

Here are my 12 Most Dunkredible Reasons I love the NBA Playoffs:

1. Rim-rattling dunks

There are artfully creative dunks, and then there are the rim-rattling “I’m playing here all night, and you just got poster-ized… dunk you very much” dunks. I prefer the latter because it is in the attitude! I do not like bad sportsmanship, but I do like authoritative statements like this one from Kenneth Faried.

2. Alley-oop passes

Alley-oop passes are special because they require timing between two players. Add the case where that pass is coming from past halfcourt, and it also requires court vision and pinpoint accuracy. Here is my favorite of the playoffs that prompted its own post on my blog.

3. No-look passes

I love team basketball, versus isolation plays, because I appreciate the Power of the Assist. The savvy players with great vision can pull off passes like this one from Manu Ginobili to Tim Duncan.

4. Dagger-3s

Dagger-3s are the three point shots that are done to either change the momentum of a game or build it to such a crescendo that the opponents call a timeout. In this case, Matt Bonner let’s fly with a morale-breaking 3-pointer to give the Spurs a halftime lead over the Jazz.

5. “Not In My House” blocked shots

These are physical statements a defensive player imposes on the offensive player. It’s the “get that stuff out of here” block like what Lebron James does to Tyson Chandler.

6. “Fake You Out of Your Shorts” moves

Fake passes and crossovers are not restricted to just point guards. Check out this sweet move from Mr. Fundamental – Tim Duncan.

7. In game and between game adjustments

The most successful coaches know how to make in-game adjustments based upon how the opponent is playing. Sometimes, the opponent’s strategy is so overwhelming that it requires half-time or even between game adjustments. I think George Karl is one of the best to ever coach the game when it comes to bringing the unorthodox to attack opponents’ strengths AND weaknesses. Karl revels in organized chaos!

8. Taking one for the team

Sometimes a team is just struggling to keep up with the opponent. The shots are not falling, and the game has no “flow”. At times like these, it is the little things that help a team survive and claim the momentum. A defender taking a charge can get the crowd on their side and let their team members know they are willing to do what it takes to help the team win.

9. Rising stars

I follow the Denver Nuggets which is probably the best example of trading away all superstars and malcontents in favor of team-minded, youthful players. They show their immaturity and inexperience at times, but when players like Ty Lawson, Aaron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, JaVale McGee, Timofey Mosgov and Corey Brewer are playing with aggression and confidence, it is something special to see!

10. Consistent excellence

I cannot mention the rising stars without tipping my hat to the professionals who have been consistently excellent for years. I already gave “Mr. Fundamental” Tim Duncan his praise earlier in this post, so this shout goes to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen closing out the Atlanta Hawks with a little help from the young ‘un Rajon Rondo.

11. Rockin’ the house

The NBA season is normally an 82-game marathon. Some teams have great fans but a regular season game does not generate the frenzy of a playoff game. When the fans’ roar starts surpassing jet engines in decibels, and gets the cameras shaking, you are in the NBA Playoffs!

12. Talkin’ smack around the water cooler and online

Back in the day, you gathered around the water cooler, talked smack, and gloated when your team won the previous night. Now you can pull up your favorite mobile device and follow a stream based upon a hashtag keyword like #DenverNuggets or #GoNuggs. I am sure that readers would be more than willing to volunteer their team’s hashtagged keywords in the comments for this post. Well, the victors anyway!

Do you enjoy the NBA playoffs? Do not get me started on the commentator and referee bias for large market teams and superstars! A foul is a foul regardless of who the players are. And does this prompt you to tell us why you also love the NHL playoffs? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured image courtesy of mvongrue via Creative Commons.

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