Biggest Playoff Matchup Winners, Our NBA Award Picks and Coaching Changes

Western Conference playoff chaos sets up enticing first-round battles, with the Houston Rockets eyeing a “cakewalk” against a shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers squad. Can LeBron James carry his team past an energized Rockets side, or will Houston breeze into the second round as predicted? Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secure a favorable bracket path, and the Minnesota Timberwolves loom as serious challengers—are the Nuggets truly the weekend’s biggest winners? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize debate stunning results from the Locked On Podcast Network’s NBA end-of-season awards, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP nod over Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama’s Defensive Player of the Year sweep. Unpack surprising picks for Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man, and Most Improved, plus offbeat honors like Most Annoying Player and Worst Team to Watch. The firing season heats up as Doc Rivers’ departure from the Milwaukee Bucks sparks questions—who’s the ideal next coach, and which benches could see major changes this summer? 00:00 — Playoff Matchups & Winners 13:33 — Locked On End-of-Season Awards 25:01 — Coaching Changes & Future Moves Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTax This year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttps://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON. 5-Hour ENERGY Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.