The first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs in the Eastern Conference lived up to the hype and then some. While the Western Conference saw quicker resolutions and blowouts in several series, the East delivered non-stop drama with three of four matchups going the full seven games. This showcased real parity across the conference, where seeding often mattered less than execution, health, and momentum. Higher seeds were pushed to the brink (or beyond), and upsets highlighted how competitive the East has become.
Here is a look at how each series unfolded, with key moments, standout performances, and what it means heading into the semifinals.
In early February 2026, the Cavs made a blockbuster midseason move: they traded young guard Darius Garland (then 26) and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for 11-time All-Star James Harden (then 36). The deal was driven by Cleveland’s push for immediate contention after strong regular-season performance but playoff shortcomings in prior years.
Many of us Cavs fans loved the trade, though the move also raised some eyebrows at the time due to the age gap and the fact that Garland was part of the team’s young core. Critics questioned trading a younger, cheaper player for an older veteran with a player option looming after the season.
Since then, the Clippers were bounced from the play-in tourny as Garland acknowledged he was basically playing on only nine toes. Meanwhile, Harden and the Cavs are thriving.
The Detroit Pistons will have the top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, with the Rockets, Cavs, Raptors and Magic rounding out the top five. Most scots believe this draft is loaded, particularly with the top five prospects.
Cade Cunningham – He’s the consensus top pick, though the Pistons will certainly do their homework on all the top prospects. Cunningham is a 6’8″ point guard who many believe can do it all. He can create his own shot or make plays passing, and is the type of wing player most GMs crave in the modern NBA.
Evan Mobley – Mobley is a modern-day big man who can handle the ball like a guard and shoot from the perimeter while also protecting the rim. As a seven-footer he’s certainly an intriguing prospect.
Jalen Green – He’s a 6’5″ wing player who is probably the most dynamic scorer in the draft. He would be an ideal for for a team like the Cavs but frankly fit the prototype of the NBA wing player who can dominate the game with his athleticism.
Jalen Suggs – A 6’4″ guard who can play the point or off the ball, Suggs is an elite athlete who has a complete game. He’s probably the best known prospect given his time at Gonzaga.
Jonathan Kuminga – Like Green, Kuminga is another G League player who will likely go in the top 5. He has prototypical size at 6’8″ but is more of a raw talent at this point. He’s very athletic with speed, strength and the ability to play above the rim.
It will be interesting to see how things play out as opinions vary on the order that these five should go after Cunningham likely gets picked by the Pistons.
It is a significant source of joy for NBA fans whenever they see three or more All-Star superstars playing together in one team, forming what is now known as a superteam. This has grown to be quite a popular talking point for over 15 years now. Fans love seeing the best players in the sport teaming up.
However, there is a split of opinion since a section of the fanbase believes that there isn’t any competitiveness when players start combining forces to challenge a trophy win. There has been a recent development where there is a possibility of James Harden leaving the Houston Rockets and joining the Brooklyn Nets.
The seasoned star will be joining the likes of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, forming another one of the coveted superteams. This speculation is what has brought forth new debate over the matter.
The Brooklyn Nets will now stand a higher chance of becoming the 2020/21 NBA champions if James Harden joins them. But that won’t be the only superteam in the recent past. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most successful superteams of the 2010s. The infographic below, taken from a Betway NBA article outlines the latest NBA Superteams.
Craig Ehlo discusses “The Shot” and “The Last Dance” in an interview with Chris Fedor in The Wine and Gold Talk podcast. It’s an amazing story, as Michael Jordan explained in “The Last Dance” that he felt that Lenny Wilkins made a mistake putting Ehlo on him over Ron Harper. Harper claimed that he asked Wilkins to guard Jordan but claimed that Wilkins said no.
Ehlo took no offense by anything in the documentary but didn’t remember Harper saying anything like that, though Ehlo concedes that Harper may have said something directly to Jordan.
It’s a great interview, as Ehlo is a class act, and he tells some great Jordan stories that show a good side of Jordan.
