5 biggest questions heading into 2021 NBA Playoffs

How can young stars handle the pressure of the West?

There are a lot of young stars in a position to win in the Western Conference. Look at the top four teams as of this writing. There is the veteran-laden Golden State Warriors in the four seed. Then, there are the Suns, Grizzlies, and Mavericks with the other three seeds. They are led by Devin Booker (25 years old), Ja Morant (22 years old), and Luka Doncic (23 years old). The youth in the Western Conference right now is incredibly exciting.

Those players are looking to lead their teams against some of the best in the NBA. Just think about this; Booker is set to take on the Los Angeles Clippers who are getting Paul George and Kawhi Leonard back. The Suns are by far the favorites to win it all, but if it ends up with the Clippers getting the eighth seed out of the play in, then it’s going to be an uphill battle from the start for the Suns and Booker.

The Grizzlies have a slightly easier road, but what if the Timberwolves actually don’t make it out of the play in. Then the Clippers are taking on the Grizzlies in the first round. Imagine if the Los Angeles Lakers find a way to get it together with a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis, putting Booker against the Lakers and Morant against the Clippers. That would be a much harder run than most one and two seeds.

Doncic and Jason Kidd’s Mavericks are ready for the first round where they take on the Utah Jazz. The Mavs are 2-2 against the Jazz this season. Nikola Jokic is trying to win an MVP, and it would be strange if he got knocked out in the first round. However, one of Jokic and Doncic will likely be out in the first round. Seriously, what a fun first round of the NBA playoffs it’s going to be.