I still remember the excitement building up as the 2018 NBA playoffs approached—the intensity, the unexpected upsets, and the sheer drama that unfolded game after game. Looking back now, what strikes me most is how this particular postseason became a turning point for several franchises, setting the stage for player movements that would ripple across global basketball. Take the case of players like Paraiso, who was entering his second season with the KIA franchise after being traded from NorthPort the previous year. His journey reminds me that playoff performances often dictate career trajectories, whether in the NBA or leagues abroad. Similarly, Rivero, a first-round pick by Rain or Shine in the 2019 PBA Draft, made his return after competing for Phoenix in the 40th Kadayawan Invitational—a reminder of how international and local leagues intersect, with players often bouncing between high-stakes tournaments.
The 2018 playoff schedule kicked off on April 14th, with the Golden State Warriors defending their title against a hungry Western Conference. I’ve always believed that the first round is where legends are forged, and this year was no exception. The Houston Rockets, led by James Harden and Chris Paul, clinched the top seed with a staggering 65-17 record, while LeBron James single-handedly carried the Cleveland Cavaliers through a grueling Eastern Conference bracket. What stood out to me was the sheer unpredictability—like the Indiana Pacers pushing the Cavs to seven games, or the Utah Jazz upsetting the Oklahoma City Thunder in six. From a fan’s perspective, it felt like every series had its own narrative, whether it was the Philadelphia 76ers’ “Trust the Process” mantra finally paying off or the Boston Celtics overcoming injuries to reach the Conference Finals.
As the playoffs progressed into May, the matchups grew fiercer. The Warriors and Rockets clashed in a Western Conference Finals that went the full seven games—a series I’d argue was one of the most tactical in recent memory. Houston’s switch-heavy defense forced Golden State to dig deep, and though the Warriors advanced, it cost them energy they’d later rue in the Finals. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers’ path felt almost surreal, with LeBron averaging 34 points per game and delivering iconic moments like his game-winning buzzer-beater against Toronto. Personally, I found myself rooting for underdogs like the New Orleans Pelicans, who swept the Trail Blazers behind Anthony Davis’ dominance, showcasing how a single superstar can elevate an entire team’s playoff run.
By the time the Finals rolled around in late May, fatigue and injuries had taken their toll. The Warriors swept the Cavaliers in four games, but the scorelines don’t tell the whole story—Game 1 went into overtime, and JR Smith’s infamous blunder became an instant meme. Reflecting on it now, I think the 2018 playoffs highlighted the NBA’s global influence, with players like Paraiso and Rivero embodying how playoff exposure can shape careers across leagues. Whether it’s the PBA or the NBA, the postseason is where legacies are built, and for me, that year reinforced why basketball remains the world’s most captivating sport.