Me and Bill Walton

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You might not believe it, but the first sport I loved to play was basketball. The only summer camp I ever attended as a kid was a two week basketball camp at Long Beach State in 1997. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a co-director of the camp and I remember for the final day of camp they had a family BBQ event where Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp of the Seattle Supersonics appeared on stage.

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2023 NBA Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 8. Miami Heat

Players to Watch: F Giannis Antetokounmpo and F Jimmy Butler

Who Wins: Bucks in 6 games

4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. New York Knicks

Players to Watch: G Donovan Mitchell and F Julius Randle

Who Wins: Knicks in 7 games

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets

Players to Watch: C Joel Embiid and C Nic Claxton

Who Wins: 76ers in 6 games

2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Atlanta Hawks

Players to Watch: F Jayson Tatum and G Trae Young

Who Wins: Celtics in 5 games

Western Conference

1. Denver Nuggets vs. 8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Players to Watch: C Nikola Jokic and C Karl-Anthony Towns

Who Wins: Nuggets in 5 games

4. Phoenix Suns vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Players to Watch: F Kevin Durant and F Kawhi Leonard

Who Wins: Suns in 6 games

3. Sacramento Kings vs. 6. Golden State Warriors

Players to Watch: G De’Aaron Fox and G Stephen Curry

Who Wins: Kings in 7 games

2. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 7. Los Angeles Lakers

Players to Watch: G Ja Morant and F Anthony Davis

Who Wins: Lakers in 6 games

NBA Finals and Awards Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Rookie – F Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic

Coach – JB Bickerstaff – Cleveland Cavaliers

Defensive Player – F O.G. Anunoby – Toronto Raptors

Most Improved – G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Sixth Man – G Jordan Poole – Golden State Warriors

Executive – Koby Altman – Cleveland Cavaliers

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NBA Finals and Award Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Rookie – C Evan Mobley – Cleveland Cavaliers

Coach – Taylor Jenkins – Memphis Grizzlies

Defensive Player – C Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat

Most Improved – F Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors

Sixth Man – G Tyler Herro – Miami Heat

Executive – Arturas Karnisovas – Chicago Bulls

Playoffs

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