The NBA is back: Here’s what we are dying to see in the bubble

Zion and Luka playoff debuts?

I want to see it, you want to see it, so let’s not kid ourselves: The two youngest, potentially transcendent superstars in the NBA getting their playoff feet wet would make for must-watch television.

In Zion Williamson‘s case, the only way in which his New Orleans Pelicans can advance into the playoffs is by proxy of obtaining the eighth seed in the West. Unfortunately for Pels fans, this will more than likely pit Zion against LeBron, Anthony Davis, and the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. The series would be a quick one, but for NBA fans, seeing the future face of the NBA in Zion duke it out (no pun intended) against the 15-year face of the NBA in LeBron would make for one of the most exciting first-round match-up’s we have seen in years.

More from NBA

• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• Constructing the NBA’s perfect all-under-25 starting five
• Grading every NBA team’s highest draft pick in the last five years

With Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, however, things are a bit different.

Currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks are only 2.5 games back of the fourth seed. With Doncic putting up MVP caliber numbers all season long and the Mavericks’ offense clicking on all cylinders, I can’t help but picture the possibility of Dallas passing Houston, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz in the standings.

If the playoffs started today, Dallas would be faced with a match-up against the second-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and reigning Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. Despite the Clippers’ inconsistencies, this series would surely favor Los Angeles. Dallas would be out-manned in nearly every category, and a quick playoff ousting of Luka Doncic would be all but certain.

However, if Dallas climbs the standings, their playoff road map would become much more feasible. Imagining a scenario in which Dallas lays claim to the fifth seed and squares off against a more beatable opponent, like Utah, is much more enticing. In this instance, Dallas would possibly end up playing the Lakers in a second-round series. This would not only square Doncic up with his long-time basketball idol, but it would also give Luka, Kristaps Porzingis, and the remaining youthful members of the Mavericks some valuable playoff experience.

Aside from all the technical basketball jargon, I just want to see Zion dunk on as many heads and Luka hit as many step-back jumpers as humanly possible. Is that too much to ask for?