With wins against the Pacers and Celtics, respectively, both the Nets and Magic with make the 2019 NBA Playoffs and end two of the three longest playoff droughts in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets had not made the postseason since 2015, when they were led by Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, and Brook Lopez, while the Magic had not been to the playoffs since 2012 when they were led by All-NBA first team center Dwight Howard. The Knicks now have the longest playoff drought in the East, having not made the playoffs since 2013.
The star of this year’s Nets’ squad, first time All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell, credits his teammates with helping his club get back to the postseason for the first time in four years, writes Greg Logan of Newsday.
“We wouldn’t have gotten this far without everybody,” Russell said. “It sounds cliché to say, but so many guys made big shots that you may not have expected and so many guys made big winning plays that got us those games. We’re enjoying this as a group.”
Meanwhile, the Magic will also earn a Southeast Division title, the team’s first in nine years. Their leader, another first-time All-Star in center Nikola Vucevic, is proud of his team’s fight and toughness both this season and through the hard times in seasons’ past, writes Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel.
“It feels incredible,” Vucevic said. “A whole year fighting, the ups and downs. We made it the hard way… We’ve lost so many games and we’ve struggled so much these last few years… I’m so proud of this team. No one thought we could make it… It’s an amazing feeling.”
Lmao meanwhile my Lakers sitting out. Again. If Bron doesn’t at least get us to playoffs next year, I’m gonna spontaneity combust
Wont even be Bron’s fault, Lakers are the Knicks of the west.
If the knicks has like 15 more titles sure
It’s been 8 years for the lakers the knicks have 1 playoff series win this millennium
How does Nikola not have a max contract? I’ve seen benchwarmers paid better than what he makes.
At the time, his contract wasnt too bad. Lot of guys were getting 4-45, 4-60 deals. He started shooting 3s at the right time. If he gets max, prob a big mistake, but hell make 20M-25M most likely now.
who would have thought MCW would be contributing on a playoff team right now? Lol
It’s almost an afterthought that Orlando won the Southeast Division. Division titles are only minor tie-breakers now and don’t affect seeding or home field anymore. The only meaning it would’ve is if Orlando played a four-game season series with either the Pistons or the Nets and split the series. Orlando’s division title would’ve counted as the second tie-breaker after head-to-head.
What’s the longest playoff drought in the west? The Timberwolves I guess?
Wolves were in the playoffs last year.
Kings
link to fadeawayworld.net
Netz> Magic? are you kidding me? This last year’s spot has to be for someone greater. Kan’t see Blake running the floor then forget about it. They’re a Kings team in a King’s league. U will never forget about it