27 Comments

1. 

   @NGC1986

   March 28, 2025 at 5:01 pm

   Had this debate with someone recently. I think it depends on how you look at it. There are more “good” teams in the west.. but only one “contender”. There are more “mediocre” teams in the east.., but two “contenders”… so what’s harder? Beating 3 “good” teams to get there or one great/contending team? Odds of losing to a team who is a contender in a series is much higher than a good one, so I’d argue overall the East is tougher

   Reply
2. 

   @tripdagrim2504

   March 28, 2025 at 5:07 pm

   How is the west easier? If everyone is healthy come playoff time you got,
   Okc clearly ahead of everyone
   Bron/Luka and Lakers are dangerous
   Jokic/Murray and Nuggets are dangerous
   Harden/Kawhi and Clippers could be dangerous
   Steph/Jimmy and Warriors are a sleeper
   Rockets are a sleeper

   Reply
3. 

   @BaseballStarAaron

   March 28, 2025 at 5:09 pm

   How is this even a question man

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4. 

   @reneepeters2478

   March 28, 2025 at 5:15 pm

   THESE GIRLS ARE A MESS… ASK CLEAR QUESTIONS PLEASE! GEEEEEZ.

   Reply
5. 

   @mikielsahagun6054

   March 28, 2025 at 5:21 pm

   So 61 wins doesn’t say “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!” (Gandalf voice)?

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6. 

   @javiercarrillo914

   March 28, 2025 at 5:28 pm

   Boston was also a wall in 2022 and look what happened

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7. 

   @TashjianSimms

   March 28, 2025 at 5:28 pm

   🤣🤣🤣🤣

   Reply
   • 

     @TashjianSimms

     March 28, 2025 at 5:33 pm

     Kp n dem can b funny some days

     Reply
8. 

   @aidanmcconnell2154

   March 28, 2025 at 6:00 pm

   As a clippers fan SAS is 100% right about kawhi

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9. 

   @jamaalhooks8256

   March 28, 2025 at 6:29 pm

   Molly better stop acting like Monica didn’t refuse to answer whether The Clippers or Lakers would do better in the playoffs.

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10. 

    @marcuswhite-rg5lj

    March 28, 2025 at 6:32 pm

    West, Got Pistons in the tougher East.

    Reply
11. 

    @warrenwashington609

    March 28, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    Perk a whole fool! 😂😂😂

    Reply
12. 

    @hoop2477

    March 28, 2025 at 6:51 pm

    LeBron got him saying anything just to hate bruh the east is easier

    Reply
13. 

    @shaylomontgomery9401

    March 28, 2025 at 7:15 pm

    Why doesn’t ESPN fire Stephen a Smith. They need to get rid of this guy

    Reply
14. 

    @KiddZomakk1

    March 28, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    Yall are gonna have a rude awakening when my Pacers win the finals

    Reply
15. 

    @tx_spook_la

    March 28, 2025 at 7:26 pm

    I’m 42 yrs young I’ve never had any kind of interest in watching Game Of Thrones 🤷🏾‍♂️

    Reply
16. 

    @jmaster387

    March 28, 2025 at 8:00 pm

    Already starting this narrative incase the lakers make it 🤔

    Reply
17. 

    @Big11449

    March 28, 2025 at 8:01 pm

    Stephen A setting up Bron’s “road to prosperity” 😂

    Reply
18. 

    @chrystophergladhill5577

    March 28, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    Celtics in six

    Reply
19. 

    @jkj03_

    March 28, 2025 at 8:15 pm

    The league wants a Celtics vs Lakers finals. Come back to this when it happens

    Reply
20. 

    @tin-n6u

    March 28, 2025 at 9:16 pm

    kendrickperkins

    Reply
    • 

      @tin-n6u

      March 28, 2025 at 9:20 pm

      monicam

      Reply
21. 

    @Darren-u8x

    March 28, 2025 at 10:04 pm

    The most significant factor that gives the Celtics an edge over the Cavaliers and the Thunder is their wealth of playoff experience. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have been consistently deep in the playoffs in recent years. They have a proven track record of success in high-pressure games, including an appearance in the NBA Finals last season. Tatum, Brown, and Holiday are seasoned postseason players who know how to handle the intensity of playoff basketball. Their ability to perform under pressure, demonstrated through their deep playoff runs, provides them with a significant advantage over teams like OKC and Cleveland, who are still relatively untested in the postseason.

    In contrast, both the Cavaliers and Thunder, while impressive in the regular season, have not shown the same level of sustained playoff success. The Cavs have a young core that includes Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, but they lack the kind of playoff experience that Tatum, Brown, and Holiday bring. Their previous postseason appearances ended in second-round exits, which raises concerns about their ability to step up when the stakes are highest. Similarly, the Thunder, while boasting a dynamic young roster led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have yet to prove themselves in the grueling playoff atmosphere, making their postseason prospects uncertain.

    The Celtics have established a championship-winning culture. Under the leadership of head coach Joe Mazzulla, the team has demonstrated resilience and mental toughness. They have had their ups and downs throughout the regular season, but their championship mentality remains intact. Their ability to stay focused during adversity, combined with their belief in the system, gives them an edge in the playoffs, where mental fortitude is often the difference between winning and losing.

    The Cavaliers and Thunder, on the other hand, lack the same championship culture. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, they have not yet demonstrated the consistent excellence required to make a deep postseason run. The pressure of the playoffs often brings out the best in veteran teams, and the Celtics’ roster is filled with players who have not only been through multiple playoff battles but also come out on top. This experience and culture are indispensable when it comes to competing for a title, especially when the competition is fierce.

    Reply
22. 

    @AlexisCando-yg6kk

    March 28, 2025 at 10:26 pm

    SAS saying the East is harder??… Look at the record SAS… The 8th seed in the West which is currently the Wolves has the same record as the 5th seed in the East which is the Pistons… Like common now… SAS is smoking weed

    Edit 1: The West 6th-8th seed almost has the identical records as the 4th and 5th seed in the East like are we serious right now… SAS, you are losing it lately

    Edit 2: The West arguably has 2 of the best players in the league right now and top 2 in MVP voting in SGA and Nikola Jokic so what is this none sense

    Reply
23. 

    @denissallanyu4034

    March 28, 2025 at 10:52 pm

    What? Stephen A Smith is losing it after the Lebron feud. His takes are horrible

    Reply
24. 

    @mmadmbjm

    March 28, 2025 at 11:10 pm

    West is harder
    Cleveland wins it all

    Reply
25. 

    @TheRobversion1

    March 28, 2025 at 11:17 pm

    Depends on where you’re looking at.

    The thunder is a clear favorite over anyone in the west. The celtics and cavs arent clear favorites over each other.

    1st round: west is harder
    2nd round: about similar
    CF: east is harder

    so if you’re a team thats just looking to get out of the 1st round, you want to be in the east. If you’re a true contender? you want to be out west.

    Reply