The Knicks are keeping Phil Jackson for some reason

Welcome to the calm before the storm. The 2017 NBA Playoffs begin Saturday at 3 p.m. ET as the defending champ Cavaliers host the Pacers, followed by three more games in rapid succession. We’ll get four more on Easter. But for now, we preview, we predict, we wait.

As such, Friday’s newsletter will be somewhat abbreviated. But we’re going seven days a week for the next two months starting now, as well. The links are below.

Big piece from Tim Cato on how the Rockets are transforming basketball. Much has been made (myself included) about how we’ll remember Russell Westbrook’s season above all. But what Houston has done may have the biggest impact on the NBA over the next several years. Mike D’Antoni does it again.

The Warriors Game 5 against the Blazers at Oracle is scheduled for the same day as a Chance The Rapper concert. Is that some delightful arrogance in presuming a sweep for Golden State? (Not really.)

Also from the annals of overblown arrogance we still adore: Damian Lillard’s “Blazers in 6” comment.

Thirty-four NBA records were broken this season. Unbelievable.

We have our first lottery pick staying in school: Michigan State’s Miles Bridges.

Phil Jackson is staying with the Knicks as the two sides picked up their option. (I had previously suggested that Jackson might not be the best fit in New York.) Meanwhile, Rob Hennigan is out in Orlando. This is not unexpected after another down season and the bad Serge Ibaka trade combo.

Tony Allen might miss the entire first round with a severe calf strain. The poor Grizzlies. It’s OK, though, because Mike Conley has never been issued a technical foul in his entire life.

The best Westbrook moments of the season.

Zito Madu on the backlash to triple-doubles.

Fun Marc Spears profile of Rudy Gobert on the eve of his playoff debut.

Dirk Nowitzki will play his 20th season for the Mavericks next year.

ESPN released its writers’ award votes on Thursday. It’s not clear how many of those writers are also official voters, but there are a lot of votes here for Russell Westbrook and ... Joel Embiid. Here’s Zach Lowe explaining his picks.

The insanity of Kobe’s final game as told by the coaches, players, and reporters who were there.

Fascinating Karen Given story for WBUR’s Only a Game on the forgotten co-founder of the NBA, Leo Farris.