I believe that you think any ex player insights are brilliant. And I don't agree with that. In fact I think it often blinds people to actual correct analysis because its all about when I played and what I did versus how things are actually taking place at the moment and the reality of people who actually coach the game or gm the game.
So we all have our viewpoints on analysis and I've leave it at that.
So if I built 25 houses I might be swayed because of how I built them and not recognize the issue of a fellow builder? Where as you, who has never built a house, but watched a lot of Bob Villa will correctly find the faults and identify them?
I think you don't quite understand why announcing is 95% ex players. They lived it.
And the ones who are really good at it in theory are generally the ones who are actually coaching it or doing the real gm work. Or they make that transition. When Barkley becomes a GM and starts coaching and assembles a team or coaches a team then he can point to actual experience at doing the thing well because he did the thing well. Currently he can speak to the individual experience of being a great player. Or playing in the NBA. Which is absolutely fine and entertaining. But I don't take Charles Barkley as the the high end of basketball analysis on those subject.
Clearly you do however. And you are entitled to that opinion. I don't at all. And when he says something dumb imo I'll point it out.
Good debate. We'll always clash over this but I respect your acumen.
Anyway moving on......
I believe these 4 teams have to be favorites to win it all this year, in no particular order:
Golden State
San Antonio (They showed what they have been hiding all year last night, knew it was gonna happen)
Cleveland
Memphis (people should stop sleeping on them)
Sleepers who would have to be hot at the right time
Atlanta (Not ready yet, but next year watch out)
Dallas
Houston
Clippers
Dropped out due to injuries
Chicago (No Rose, no win)
Portland (Matthews is going to kill them)
Teams I secretly hope get in the playoffs just to watch
New Orleans
Oklahoma City
Hornets (That MJ favoritism)