The marathon that is the NBA regular season is finally over, but at least this type of marathon isn’t stressful on your knees and thighs. If it is, then you should probably stop doing whatever weird stuff you are doing while watching NBA games and visit a doctor quick. Although I can imagine some aggressive thigh slapping from Pistons fans out there after witnessing their play this season. Welp, I digress.

While NCAA March Madness for some is pretty stellar, now it’s time for the best in the world to duke it out. That likely means the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors will again battle in the Finals, and although that’s not a bad ending, these playoffs should have other goodies to offer. Now, some of these first-round series I wouldn’t in good faith tell you to watch, but then again, anything at all is a step up from watching Detroit Pistons basketball. Just enjoy these playoffs while you can.

2017 NBA Playoff bracket:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Boston Celtics v. (8) Chicago Bulls

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

DON’T WATCH. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a good fight or two though.

(4) Washington Wizards v. (5) Atlanta Hawks

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

DON’T WATCH.

(3) Toronto Raptors v. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH. It’s pretty hard to get excited about a 42-40 team that’s not your own, but if you are into that kind of thing then this Bucks squad could satisfy whatever you need to have satisfied. Yes, I will watch some of this series alone in my room. Don’t call me.

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers v. (7) Indiana Pacers

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH. Lance Stephenson is back with Indiana and he and LeBron James have some history.

Also, l don’t know if fruit and vegetable mentions are still in vogue here on DBB — but let me try with this Lance tormenting an apple clip.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Golden State Warriors v. (8) Portland Trailblazers

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH. And curse the Trailblazers a bunch while you are at it because they got so hot the last month of the season and the Denver Nuggets just couldn’t hang on, meaning we can’t watch Nikola Jokic for a long while. Until next season, Nikola.

(4) Los Angeles Clippers v. (5) Utah Jazz

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH. It will be a long series and might in fact be the very last hurrah for the Clip Show as we know it.

(3) Houston Rockets v. (6) Oklahoma City Thunder

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH this series if it’s the last thing you ever do. If you don’t, you definitely failed like this guy did.

(2) San Antonio Spurs v. (7) Memphis Grizzlies

WATCH or DON’T WATCH?

WATCH — but only if Boban is playing somehow.

~~

I’m just messing with you all, watch every single minute of these NBA playoffs that you can muster. And really, I pretty much told you to watch every series anyway. Action starts this Saturday, April 15th.

Also, if anyone in the Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Lansing area would like to meet up for a playoff watch party, please do express your interest in the comments. Could be fun.