The NBA . . . Where Amazing Happens
The once predictable NBA has been recharged. This season has been exciting, competitive, and unpredictable. In August did anyone think the Lakers would be the #1 seed in the West? Did anyone think the Clippers would be out, the Sixers would be in, the Rockets would set an NBA record, the Suns would trade for Shaq, the Hornets would win 50+ games? Amazing has happened ... and the best teams are just warming up. You couldn't dream up better Playoff Matchups than these. So who you got? 'Check it. I'm on point like a fax machine you get the message. ..Never let me slip, cause if I slip, then I'm slippin.'
Western Conference
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
The Nuggets look to become the Golden State Warriors- the team they beat to get into the playoffs- and knock off the 1 seed in the West. A tall order. But Allen Iverson has put his team on his shoulders before, and taken them all the way to the Finals. In 2001, A.I. had all the answers as he single-handily propelled his 76ers to the big stage only to face: The Lakers- and a back court of Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. Fisher flies under the radar in terms of his clutch playoff play. He's back after spending time on a slew of other Western Conference teams. He and Kobe make up the most experienced and proven playoff back court in the field.
The Nuggets may win a few games-God knows I'll be rooting for them to win um' all- but a healthy Lakers team is just too deep, too well coached, and too, well, too Kobe. J.R. Smith is the x-factor for the Nuggets. If he can drop in 20+ a game to add to Melo and A.I.'s totals, the Nugs have a shot. Carmelo's DUI could be the best thing for the Nuggets because it gives Melo something to prove. When he made the All Star Team and averaged double-doubles, his season was over. Now he has to prove something again. We will see how he responds when he doesn't get any calls. The problem with the Nuggets is that when they get down, they get frustrated. The Lakers get down and they get motivated. Tough break for the 50 win Nuggets. Los Angeles in 6.
Jazz(4) vs. Rockets (5)
This looked like a tremendous match up before the unlucky Rockets got hit with injuries again. You gotta feel for T-Mac here. 7 times in the playoffs and he has not moved past the first round. Rafer Alston "Skip to My Lou" - the streetball legend- was one of my most favorite players this year. The guy had a phenomenal year and was a big reason the Rockets went on that ridiculous 22 game winning streak. Shane Battier's defense and fundy's - he is one of the smartest players in the league- didn't hurt either. Shane is dealing with injury and Rafer is out at least the first two games. The Rockets don't stand a chance. They will try to take down the most disciplined team in the league. Deron Williams will absolutely go off in the playoffs. The Jazz are smart and tough. They will win at home. Utah in 5.
Spurs(3) vs. Suns(6)
Wow. This series will be a battle. Last year these two got in the ring and beat the holy hell out of each other every game. The Suns had no answer for Duncan. Enter Shaquille. In one of the most chided trades of all time, the Suns did what I think is absolutely brilliant: they found a way to beat the Spurs. I don't care if he's old. I don't care if he can't shoot free throws. Shaq changes the entire game when he is on the floor. Duncan has to work. Parker has to change direction.
Shaq's presence alone is what the Suns needed. He frees up Amare Stud-o- mire rather than isolate him like Marion did. And Amare is an absolute beast. The Suns will need some consistent fire power from Barbosa and Diaw, but they still have the greatest point guard in the game. Look for Duncan to get frustrated, and Popavich to get ejected. The Spurs will go the way Ginobli goes. The greatest 6th man since Pippen is as annoying as they come, but he is the best off-gaurd in the league besides Kobe (Lebron plays Forward). If Manu gets his, the Spurs are the hardest team to beat in the business. This is a tough one to call. Several of these games will come down to the final seconds. Phoenix in 7. Bam.
Hornets(2) vs. Mavericks(7)
Maybe what the Dallas Sketchballs need is a lower seed. The hardest team to figure out in the last 6 years has kept Mark Cuban's therapist busy. And how about those New Orleans Hornets!? This team is certainly the easiest to root for. After the hurricane and the relocation, these young guys are the heart of the NBA. Chris Paul is an absolute freaking wizard. The guy is becoming the most exciting passer AND scorer since Magic Johnson. Tyson Chandler is a skinny Dwight Howard. He has had a monster, monster year. And David West is easily the biggest surprise in the entire league. West went to the All Star game not because it was in New Orleans, but because he has played like an absolute stud. He will need to have a big series. Particularly defensively on Dirk. Peja Stojakovic has been unconscious from the floor- particularly from the 3. He has had the greatest shooting season in the league. If you need a big shot at the end of the game, he is the man.
Man, I really want to pick the Hornets. I will be rooting for them every single game. It is so hard to rule out the sketchballs though. Jason Terry is the x-factor. They have been playing very well together. Man, I want to say Dallas in 5. You get the feeling that the experience, especially the experience of being so close and losing, plus adding one of the greatest assist men of all time, is too much. Dallas could go to the Finals if they pull their heads out. Man, this is a tough one. Dallas will either sweep or take it in 5, or lose in 6 or 7.
Screw it. Byron Scott knows what its like to win the big games. He is an excellent coach. Watch these guys in the huddle during the game. I am going with the Hornets. I love em. Peja hits some daggers. Hornets back home on the Bayou take the 7th game. New Orleans in 7.
Eastern Conference
Boston(1) vs. Atlanta(8)
This series has what most first round series' had for many years in the NBA. A powerhouse against a treadmill. While exciting, I call Atlanta a treadmill because the Celtics will just use them to warm up for their series against The Cleveland Lebron's. Yes Boston has only one year together, yes they are coming out of the Eastern Conference. But they are really, really good. These guys are not messing around. They have beaten, handily, every Western 'powerhouse' this year. They have 29 more wins than the Hawks. The Celtics will absolutely obliterate Atlanta. Perfect training ground for young Rajon Rondo to gain some playoff confidence for the Celtics run at the title (it has to go through Detriot though). Boston in 4. Get the broom out.
Cavaliers(4) vs. Wizards(5)
Arenas is back and already talking smack on his blog. This poor bstrd works harder than anyone in off season and continues to get hurt. He has been waiting to be the machine that he can be in the playoffs. The last time these two teams matched up in a series there were some terrific games. Both Lebron and Arenas can single-handily win games. Arenas is the most exciting deep shooter I have ever seen. The guy is simply amazing. Lebron can single-handily win an entire series. And, in case you forgot already, he can single-handily take his team to the NBA Finals. What King James did last year against the Detroit Pistons was one of the most amazing feats in all of sports. Ever. He scored 25 straight points for lord sakes, to beat the freaking Pistons! If you don't believe the hype yet, you have been living under a rock. The Wizards haven't worked together enough this year to make it work.Arenas is incredible. He could signle handily beat Lebron. This is a battle between two of the most explosive players in NBA history. Lebron in 6.
Magic(3) vs. Raptors(6)
This is an interesting series. At first glance. But the Magic are the real up and coming team here. Dwight Howard is just straight nasty. Hedo Turkoglu has had a dream season. One of the most underrated talents for a long time, this guy just needed a coach to believe in him and a system that wasn't 'Rick Addleman' stifling. If Jameer Nelson can step it up a bit, the Magic can be scary even later in the playoffs. But they will certainly win this series. Chris Bosh gets a lot of play for not having proved much. The pressure is on him. Maybe 6 games because of Nelson turnovers. I'll say Orlando in 6.
Pistons(2) vs. Sixers(7)
A team like the Pistons is like a giant mythological snake. The only way to beat them is to cut off the head. And Chauncey is the head. He is the best floor general- in terms of dictating and changing the pace of the game- in the entire NBA. Don't forget that he was one shot away from being a 2 TIME NBA Finals MVP either. The Pistons go the way Chauncey goes.
Andre Miller is a poor man's Chauncey Billups. A really poor man. Still, it's an interesting matchup. If anyone can frustrate Chauncey, body him up on D, post him up on O, it's Andre. Chauncey can shoot- really well- outside 15 ft., Andre can't. The Sixers are the surprise team of the last 1/4 of the season, and they are actually playing pretty good ball. But the Pistons are the Pistons. Their bench play has been tremendous as well. Prince steps it up in the playoffs. They must get back to being what they once were and what the Spurs are now: the ultimate team. Under Larry Brown they were. It's up to the players now to get give up the ball play hardcore D. Equal shots for everyone and nobody can stop this team. And for gods sake Sheed, play some post defense like ya used to man. - Sheed is still one of the most versatile players ever when he puts his mind to it. Deeeee- troit in 5.
