It it is really, really hard to repeat champs in sports. Nuggets are very good. But they lost depth in the offseason, and, as I said from the jump after round 1 - the Lakers series took a ton out of their legs. They were spent.
Minny is arriving. Now, with their cap situation, they may actually take a step back next season or two, but this is not the offseason yet. They have arrived. Antman is the best 2 guard int the league, bar none. He shot poorly tonight, but still contributed well in other ways. That's what great 2-way players do.
Minny has some really good supporting cast players now, and they have been huge. KAT getting a monkey off his back is also huge. Minny outlasted a spent/not as deep, Nuggets team.
WCF will be fun. Mavs have massively upgraded their supporting cast. A supporting cast who have come into their own. Two really long and athletic wings who are not just defenders, you gotta respect their ability to hit shots also. Adding Gafford and Lively was huge. Luka and Kyrie are their two stars, but the real difference is their much improved starting cast.
Has been an excellent playoffs in the NBA so far, especially in the West. But even the lEast has had some really hard fought, tough series. But the West is where the majority of the best teams reside. Will see if they beat each other up enough to allow the Keltics to cakewalk to a bling. I wouldn't count on it - Keltics are suspect IMO. Until they have won it all, they haven't, and whoever comes out of the much tougher west will be quite battle tested.
Just been a great playoffs so far, no matter what team(s) one roots for.