...The NBA Playoffs: Western Conference First Round...

The Western Conference seems like it's going to get exciting only once the Conference Finals get going; when the Warriors are expected to face the Spurs for the right to compete in the NBA Finals. However, there are eight teams competing in the playoffs, with most of the teams wanting a shot at the same title. Injuries have hit some of these teams hard, which gives the impression that some of these match ups won't be as competitive as they should be. 

It shouldn't be enough reason to pass on the first round for the west. Here are my thoughts on the first round for the West:

(1) Golden State Warriors vs (8) Houston Rockets - 2015 WCF Revenge Series

Golden State won regular season, 3-0

Both MVP candidates last season, but took huge steps in the opposite directions

After 20 years, the 72-10 regular season of the '96 Bulls seemed like an impossible feat to replicate or even break. Then came the Golden State Warriors, the team that just won the NBA title despite plenty of doubters. They started the season strong, beating teams in blowout fashion game after game. They ended their regular season with their 73rd win - a blowout of the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Rockets failed to build on the excellent 2015 campaign with a disappointing run this year. After a 56-win season and almost toppling the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, they needed all 82 games this season just to hang on to the 8th seed. They are parading essentially the same lineup, with some minor tweaks, but they struggled with an out of shape James Harden and an unmotivated Dwight Howard. 

Why Golden State Will Win: 

After breaking the Bulls' 72-10 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs is unfathomable, is it not?   

Why Houston Will Win:

With a practically intact core and some pieces working better than expected (Clint Capela, Donatas Motiejunas, Michael Beasley), the Rockets actually have a look of a contender. They have a talented roster built around their two superstars in Harden and Howard, and all they need is a motivation to win. 

Why Golden State Will Lose:

The Warriors set NBA highs for three pointers that probably won't be broken until they decide to gun for it. Steph Curry set an NBA record of 402 three pointers in a season before anyone else could register 300. With their reliance on the three ball, the only reason they would lose in the first round is if they counted every Warrior three as a two pointer. 

Why Houston Will Lose:

For all their talent, Harden and Howard don't have the same competitive fire there is in the likes of young franchise players as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and I daresay even Gordon Hayward. The only "winner" in the Rockets' bench is Jason Terry, and that doesn't speak highly of their winning mentality. Maybe that's why Josh Smith and Michael Beasley feel right at home in Houston.

Players to Watch Out For:

With all the attention on the Splash Brothers, Shaun Livingston is sneakily having a great season. If you haven't watched too many Warriors games, Livingston has been an excellent sixth man for them, providing length on defense and an impossible cover for point guards down on the low post. For the Rockets, Patrick Beverly will be given the impossible task of guarding Curry, with Corey Brewer probably having a crack at him too. How effective they are in stopping Curry would dictate how far the Rockets can go against the Warriors. 

Logical Prediction: Warriors in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Warriors in 5

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Memphis Grizzlies - Asserting Their Own Dominance

San Antonio won regular season, 4-0

The Grizzlies lost Marc Gasol as the Spurs acquired a new problem to present

With the Warriors winning a historic 73 wins this season, most people failed to notice that the Spurs won a franchise-best 67 wins themselves. They only lost once in their homecourt all season, and that was against the aforementioned Warriors team. All their accomplishments were overshadowed by the Warriors, and their best revenge would probably be to take this year's title away from them.

A season riddled with injury derailed the Grizzlies' campaign, but they won enough games to secure the sixth seed in the disappointing West. Marc Gasol suffered a season-ending injury, and Mike Conley will make his return in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies were suffering so much from injury, they once fielded a team this season filled with D-League call ups and 10-day contracts. 

Why San Antonio Will Win: 

While everyone seems to be patterning their teams to the small ball style of the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs remain to be the team that every NBA franchise aspire to be. Despite their aging stars, they still managed to infuse young talent in their team, and are now in a great position to win it all with their past (Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili) and future (LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green?) meeting in this present time.   

Why Memphis Will Win:

The Grizzlies have historically been a good matchup for the Spurs. Their grit and grind style of play was able to stop the Spurs' half court plays. 

Why San Antonio Will Lose:

They won't.  

Why Memphis Will Lose:

Losing Marc Gasol cripples Memphis on both ends of the floor.

Players to Watch Out For:

The Spurs will match up against the shell of a Memphis team that doesn't have Gasol in the middle. It may be a chance for them to give their bench some playoff minutes - Kevin Martin, Boban Marjanovic, and Kyle Anderson have given the Spurs quality minutes off the bench during the season, and getting playoff minutes could give them a shot of confidence they could use for the latter rounds of the playoffs. The Grizzlies may not be much this year, but imagine what this playoff run could do for the chemistry between Lance Stephenson, Matt Barnes, and "Grindfather" Tony Allen. 

Logical Prediction: Spurs in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Spurs in 4

(3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Dallas Mavericks - Rekindling Lost Glory

Oklahoma City won regular season, 4-0

The old and the new collide on their way to a common goal

What does one expect from a team that has a triple-double machine and a former league MVP? The Thunder have not made a return trip to the Finals since 2010, even if they were billed to be a piece or two away from being a dynasty. The Thunder have done well surrounding their superstars with talent, even if it meant overpaying some of them. They may not have found their 2010 James Harden just yet, but they do have a formidable duo up front in the Beard Brothers, Enes Kanter and Steven Adams, to clean up the boards. 

Kobe Bryant's farewell tour took all the thunder out of the aging Dirk Nowitzki's brilliant season. The 17-year vet fueled his team's run to the Playoffs despite missing the services of potential future franchise player Chandler Parsons and offseason acquisition Wesley Matthews for most of it. 

Why Oklahoma Will Win: 

Both Westbrook and Durant would be difficult to contain alone, and even if they try, both those guys will still get their shots up by sheer determination.    

Why Dallas Will Win:

The Mavericks have weirdly been a great team playing at home, figuring in a number of comeback victories while playing in front of their home crowd. They don't rely on a single player, as different people step up when they need them the most. That's not to say that they don't have a crunchtime player; they still have Dirk Nowitzki, and he's been playing like it was 2007 in some games. If he can somehow sustain that level of basketball, they may just pull off a surprise against the Thunder. 

Why Oklahoma Will Lose:

They still don't have a third scorer, and Serge Ibaka has not made much of an impact this season to be their third star. 

Why Dallas Will Lose:

Aging and recovering legs are playing for the Mavs, and they lack the scoring and playmaking at the forward spot provided by Chandler Parsons. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Dallas needs Deron Williams to channel his Utah self and be more than just a serviceable point guard. For the Thunder, Cameron Payne could potentially steal Dion Waiters' minutes and be a more effective two-way player at the other guard spot. 

Logical Prediction: Oklahoma in 5

Hopeful Prediction: Dallas in 6

(4) LA Clippers vs (5) Portland Trailblazers - Defying Expectations

Los Angeles won regular season, 3-1

The smallest guys on the court would play the biggest roles for their teams

The Clippers nearly lost DeAndre Jordan during the offseason, until the drama ended with him coming back. Despite their mostly intact core, they struggled to win against contenders this season season. While losing Blake Griffin to injury didn't affect them as bad as people thought, his altercation with a team staff put them in an awkward position. 

Losing four of their five starters in the offseason usually means a team was destined for the lottery, but the starter that remained wouldn't have any of it. Damian Lillard played out of his mind, and the Blazers found a dangerous combination with him in C.J. McCollum and suddenly, they aren't in a position to build through a high draft pick.  

Why Los Angeles Will Win: 

They have the talent, and they have been here before. They built their team aiming for a championship, and any result below that would be a disappointment.    

Why Portland Will Win:

Nobody thought the Blazers would be in the Playoffs, much less a fifth seed in what has been a competitive Western Conference. Yet, here they are, set to play the Clippers. They have no business winning, but they won anyway. I don't know how they did, so I can't explain how they could, but they probably would. 

Why Los Angeles Will Lose:

For a team built so well, they lose always seem to mess up when it matters. 

Why Portland Will Lose:

They lost four of their five starters from last season. This is the same reason they should not have won a playoff spot, so I don't know if that's enough reason for them to lose here.  

Players to Watch Out For:

Maurice Harkless was a talent the Orlando Magic was reluctant to part with, and while he has been on the bench for most of the season with Portland, he carved out minutes for himself during the latter half of the season. Look for him to play a more prominent role with the Blazers. For the Clippers, Blake Griffin's return would be a huge boost for them, but they would need Jeff Green to play a more prominent role off the bench if they want to finally get over the hump.  

Logical Prediction: Los Angeles in 4

Hopeful Prediction: Portland in 6

...The NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference First Round...

The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA regular season so much this season that almost everyone believes that they will win their second championship in a row. As such, the first round of the Playoffs doesn't seem to be too appealing to watch, as there aren't too many exciting match ups anyway. However, while I think this crop of playoff teams won't be able to replicate the crazy first round we saw last season, I think that there are still exciting pairings in the playoffs that I'd want to watch. 

Here are my thoughts on the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the East, and some storylines that I think are worth looking at if only to make it more interesting:

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Detroit Pistons - The First Test
Detroit won regular season, 3-1

The men tasked to carry their teams on their backs

The Cavs dominated the East last season, and while the Dubs ultimately won the championship, LeBron James came close to fulfilling the promise he had for the city of Cleveland. There was a belief that their path to the championship was too easy compared to the one the Dubs had to take, which made it difficult for them to overcome the battle-tested newcomers in the Finals.

After dominating the East in the early part of 2000's, the Pistons have since dissected their roster and are pursuing a new identity. With Coach Stan Van Gundy at the helm, they might have just gotten it. Much like his successful stint with the DPOY-caliber Dwight Howard-powered Orlando Magic, the team is now anchored by a defense-oriented Andre Drummond. While he isn't the superstar that Howard was in the Magic, Drummond's steady improvement has made him indispensable for the Pistons. 

Why Cleveland Will Win: 

Roster-wise, the Cavaliers are the superior team. They went all the way to the Finals last season even with Kevin Love sidelined since the first round. This year, they are healthier and hungrier for a title than ever. Since changing their head coach, their top three stars have had more of a free hand in playing the way they want.  

Why Detroit Will Win:

They are a team with everything to gain and nothing to lose, as any eighth seed is. They did aspire to enter the Playoffs, but they probably weren't looking at hanging on for dear life. They're a dangerous team at the bottom of the East, and they have ample talent to match up well with the Cavs - Their regular season match up result can attest to that 

Why Cleveland Will Lose:

Their chemistry has been questionable, and we're not sure who's coaching the team. 

Why Detroit Will Lose:

SVG's Orlando Magic was filled with shooters around Dwight Howard, and while the Pistons have several stretch fours, they don't have knockdown shooters from beyond the arc. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Cleveland will need Minnesota's Kevin Love, and not whoever is playing for them these past couple of seasons. The Pistons acquired Tobias Harris at the trade deadline in order to add depth to their team. While the Pistons' defense rightfully relies on Drummond, the offensive load will need to be carried by the likes of Harris, Marcus Morris, and Reggie Jackson. 

Logical Prediction: Cavs in 7

Hopeful Prediction: Pistons in 6

(2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Indiana Pacers - Breaking the Wall the Other Couldn't

Toronto won regular season, 3-1

Can DeMar DeRozan take Toronto where Paul George failed to bring Indiana? 

The Raptors are one of the top teams in the East again this year, and they got even stronger by adding DeMarre Carroll in their mix. Their players have been together for multiple years now, and they may have a chance to do what the Indiana Pacers failed to do during their brief run at the top of the East.

Speaking of the Pacers, their years of success was hindered by a freak accident on their superstar Paul George. None of the Pacers stepped up in his absence, and Roy Hibbert was exposed as an average big man in what could have been a career year for him. The Pacers are not as stacked as they once were, but with George back in the fold, they made it back to the Playoffs. 

Why Toronto Will Win: 

Their roster endured key injures during the regular season, but was still able to finish with their best regular season in team history. They looked like a piece or two away from looking like a team that could get over the hump, and they might have gotten their piece in Carroll. Their solid core of Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, and DeMar DeRozan has been bolstered by players stepping up in their absence, with the likes of Bismack Biyombo, Terrence Ross, and Corey Joseph stepping up when their main guys are injured.   

Why Indiana Will Win:

The Pacers have enough talent on offense to put the basket in the hoop. Apart from George, they have Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles, and they scored on a waiver pickup on Ty Lawson. They have ample frontcourt depth with the likes of Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill, and they have a talented rookie in Myles Turner. The competitor in Paul George doesn't seem to be the type who will settle for a first round exit. 

Why Toronto Will Lose:

They have the look of a contender, but they always seem to miss something. While Lowry and DeRozan are capable players and legitimate All-Stars, they don't seem to be players that can be spoken of in the same breath as Kobe, LeBron, and even Paul George.

Why Indiana Will Lose:

Their offensive firepower has a lot of potential, but they have too many players who need the ball in their hands to create for themselves. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Both teams will have interesting rookies who could play major roles in their respective teams. Norman Powell is a rookie that didn't get much playing time until late in the season for the Raptors. He's given the Raptors unexpected depth with his athleticism and scoring prowess, and showed that he can carry a team on his back in the Raptors' last game of the season. The Pacers lost their defensive anchor in Hibbert, but they don't seem short on defense with the emergence of rookie Myles Turner.  

Logical Prediction: Toronto in 5

Hopeful Prediction: Toronto in 6

(3) Miami Heat vs (6) Charlotte Hornets - Who Runs the Floor Better?

Regular season tied, 2-2

Dwyane Wade is playing like it's 2003

Post-LeBron Heat got back on track faster than expected. They looked good last year before Chris Bosh had a life-threatening injury that kept him out of action. Even the arrival of Goran Dragic wasn't enough to push them to the Playoffs. This year, they faced a similar issue with Bosh, but the improved chemistry of the team and the brilliant season from Dwyane Wade helped them stay on the winning track. Adding Joe Johnson off waivers did wonders for the team as well.

Al Jefferson has not panned out as well as expected for the Hornets. However, they did find a gem by drafting Kemba Walker, and were able to bolster their backcourt with offseason signings of Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lin, and later added Courtney Lee. They have been inconsistent throughout the season, but this young team has shown that they match up well against the Heat during the regular season. 

Why Miami Will Win: 

They have the talent, the coach, and the superstar that could lead the team all the way. Joe Johnson was courted by the Cavs, who are favorites to win the East, but decided to join the Heat in his pursuit of a championship. Goran Dragic could have walked away after failing to make the playoffs with the team last season, but may have thought that the Heat were onto something and stuck around. Maybe both players found something with the Heat that people too blinded by LeBron's greatness fail to see. 

Why Charlotte Will Win:

The Hornets have an intriguing roster that has the potential to play small effectively. Despite the absence of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist due to injury, they have incredible talent at the wing to pair with Kemba Walker at the point - Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb, Courtney Lee, Marvin Williams, and a rejuvenated Jeremy Lin could take turns running either the shooting guard or small forward positions. Williams and Batum could also play the stretch four position, if they want to run Miami to the ground. 

Why Miami Will Lose:

Hassan Whiteside can be a blessing or a curse for the Heat. His emotions can sometimes get the best of him, and it's not impossible to exploit that weakness of him. While Amar'e Stoudemire has been great for the Heat offensively, he was never known to be a defensive presence even in his prime. Also, Joe Johnson has a tendency to vanish in games that matter. 

Why Charlotte Will Lose:

They may not have enough talent to match up against the Heat. They have too many young players with no playoff experience, and I don't think their coach has found the right pieces that fit best together on the floor. 

Players to Watch Out For:

Linsanity was a phenomenon in the regular season, but this is the first time we may possibly see it in the playoffs. Could Jeremy Lin find a way to recreate his magic against the Heat? Josh Richardson was the lesser pick for the Heat in this year's draft, but he has leapfrogged Justice Winslow as the prized rookie in terms of playing time near the end of the season, especially in crunch time. Could he carry the success he had late in the regular season?  

Logical Prediction: Heat in 6

Hopeful Prediction: Heat in 4

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs (5) Boston Celtics - A Coaching Chess Match

Atlanta won regular season, 3-1

Evan Turner is proving his worth as a second-overall pick.

A year after surprising the league by registering the best regular season finish in the East, the Hawks find themselves in a strange four-team tie in the middle of the pack. Kyle Korver had a career season last year, but failed to build on his momentum this season. Losing DeMarre Carroll dealt a huge blow to the Hawks' success, but they are coached well enough to maintain their stature among the East's top teams. 

The Celtics are armed with a bunch of draft picks and young talent, and weren't supposed to be in the playoffs last season. It may be a testament to how good Coach Brad Stevens really is. Isaiah Thomas has emerged as the team's go-to guy in his All-Star season, and the team that refuses to lose has proven that last year's playoff run wasn't a fluke by any means. 

Why Atlanta Will Win: 

They have been here before, and they know what it takes to win at this stage. They may have lost Carroll, but they didn't have Thabo Sefolosha in their run last year. They also added a scoring threat in Tim Hardaway Jr., and the continued rise of Dennis Shroder solidifies the team's point guard position throughout the whole game.  

Why Boston Will Win:

Their big man situation may be a mess, but Coach Stevens has been able to make it work. The players have complete confidence in their coach, and are all willing to do what it takes to win. The return of Jae Crowder from injury also gives the Celtics a different look on both ends of the floor. 

Why Atlanta Will Lose:

Their strengths could be their biggest weaknesses. Jeff Teague's name has been floated in trade rumors, with Shroder looking like the point guard the Hawks would want to build around on. The uncertainty of whether or not Al Horford will stick around could also be a motivation or a distraction for the team.  

Why Boston Will Lose:

SVG's Orlando Magic was filled with shooters around Dwight Howard, and while the Pistons have several stretch fours, they don't have knockdown shooters from beyond the arc. 

Players to Watch Out For:

The Hawks' offseason acquisition of Tim Hardaway Jr. looked like a move that will give them a younger player with more defensive potential than Kyle Korver. However, he wasn't used much this season, until a brief stretch towards the end where the second generation player was able to carve out minutes for himself. Kelly Olynyk was playing well for the Celtics before he was sidelined by injury. He hasn't been as effective in his return, as Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson have both played well in his absence. Look for both players to provide firepower for their respective teams in the playoffs.  

Logical Prediction: Hawks in 7

Hopeful Prediction: Boston in 6

...The 2012 NBA Playoffs: The West...

The playoffs are finally less than a week away, and matchups are already set. Everyone will have they say on who’s going past who and I’m going to be one of those friends you have who’s going to throw my opinions out there.

So here goes, from the perspective of an odds and fantasy player for the 2011-2012 NBA season, my picks for the first round matchups of both conferences.

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Utah Jazz
(San Antonio won regular season, 3-1)

Spurs:

The late season acquisition of Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson only made the formidable Spurs much more scarier. They already have the still young Tony Parker, the immortal Tim Duncan, the exciting Manu Ginobili, the workhorse Dajuan Blair, and the Brazilian big man Tiago Splitter. Then you remember how Gary Neal was last year for them, see how effective Danny Green has been for Pop, and why they let go of George Hill in favor of rookie Kawhi Leonard. Despite the early retirement of TJ Ford (who was poised to have a good year before he got injured), the Spurs have maintained their competitiveness and excellence.

Jazz:

Gordon Hayward was best known for hitting a huge halfcourt shot for his college team that came out of nowhere two seasons ago. Despite not having an eye-popping rookie season (which was expected, considering his claim to fame), he took that thing called “sophomore slump” and ripped it apart, having a great season with Utah. Not to mention Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap dominating the boards all season long. Derrick Favors and rookie Enes Kanter provide stability in the frontcourt, as they can fill in nicely for the starters. Devin Harris has had a forgettable season, but he has picked up his game as of late, and may be able to carry that over to the postseason. Jamaal Tinsley has revived his career in Utah.

What to watch out for: Redemption, in different lights

The Spurs had the best record in the league last year, and clinched the top seed in the West. However, they fell to the 8^th seeded Grizzlies, who were appearing in the postseason for the first time in a long while, their last when Pau Gasol was still wearing a Grizzlies jersey. This year, the Spurs look to redeem themselves as they again have the top seed and are matched up with another team that’s coming back to the postseason after missing out last year due to a roller coaster ride of a season that saw them losing their longtime head coach, the face of their franchise, and their postseason appearance streak. Whose “redemption” is hungrier would determine who will win this series.

Who to watch out for:

Coach Greg Poppovich gave Tim Duncan a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision) with a reason being “old”. Timmy’s been playing great basketball this season, and Pop has done a great job of keeping him fresh for this stretch run. I’d say this might be Timmy’s encore, but who knows, he might still play next season. But the real story to watch out for in San Antonio has got to be Stephen Jackson. He had a good run in Golden State before things got sour. He had a good thing going in Charlotte and management decided to break it up. He never got his game going in Milwaukee, and now he’s back with a contender. He won’t be the main man, but how great is it for your team knowing that you have a main man-caliber player playing off your bench behind Manu Ginobili. And don’t forget Danny Green’s been playing stellar basketball too. Boris Diaw is also a name that should be watched, as he could thrive as a point-forward while Tony Parker is resting on the bench. That is one deep bench.

Devin Harris needs to regain his all-star form if the Jazz want to come out on top. They have the bigs to match up with the Spurs bigs and a competitive backcourt rotation, but may be a little weak at the wing position after Josh Howard went down. Hopes hinge on the continued rise of Gordon Hayward, but the spotlight should be on Harris, as he has not delivered on the expectations of him. This would be a perfect time for him to show up.

Prediction: Spurs in 5

I would not be surprised if this went to seven games, considering the brilliant play of Millsap and Jefferson. However, the Spurs team looks good not only on paper because of the system that they run.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Dallas Mavericks
(Oklahoma won regular season, 3-1)

Thunder:

The Thunder has dominated their opponents this season with hot shooting from their stars (scoring champ favorite Kevin Durant, all around point Russell Westbrook, and super sub James Harden), and the defense of Kendrick Perkins and shot blocking machine Serge Ibaka. The rest of the roster just understands what their roles are in contributing to the success of the team, which I think Coach Scott Brooks should be credited for. There are not much airheads in this team (Kendrick Perkins may be a candidate, but they need his swag to make the team balanced), and it’s hard not to love this Thunder squad because they work hard and they don’t really talk much smack.  

Mavericks:

Letting Tyson Chandler go was a head scratcher, getting Lamar Odom was almost genius but it never really took off. The Mavericks never really got their stride this season, with most of their key players suffering injuries and cold streaks. After years of lacking a solid big man to win it all, they got it in Chandler last season, and they got their title. I never understood why they had to let him go, considering Mark Cuban’s willingness to spend. From what they have now, they need to settle with Ian Mahinmi in the middle, and hope that Brendan Haywood turns out to be the force they hoped he would be when they got him. Vince Carter had his moments this season when it looked like he turned back the clock, but in true Vince Carter-esque fashion, he has been inconsistent in his production all season long.

What to watch out for: The “Future” making it “Now”

The defending champions have a formidable test ahead of them, with the Thunder squad growing up way too fast for the old guards (powerhouse teams of the last decade who still have some fight left). The Thunder would want to get past the aging (and totally different) Mavericks team easily to “actualize” all those “potential” people said they have. Dallas may have earned their “champion” tag and would have the hunger to defend it, but would that hunger be stronger than when they didn’t have their rings yet? Jason Kidd’s production seems to say it isn’t so.

Who to watch out for:

Kevin Durant will take over for the Thunder. That’s the popular choice, and I’m going with it. But considering this Dallas squad, I think Kendrick Perkins will have his field day owning the glass and the paint. He will play a major factor and re-affirm the perception that his acquisition last year was the biggest boost in the Thunder’s title hopes. Derek Fisher will complement Perkins’ championship experience with his veteran wisdom and leadership skills, which will be the key factor in the Thunder negating that “championship experience” advantage by the Mavs.

While it seems at times that this Dallas squad has lost its fight, look for Dirk and Kidd to not easily give up that title they have dedicated their lives to claim as theirs. Their numbers this season have been disappointments, especially Kidd, but I think they’ll pick it up on their home floor after they get spanked by the Thunder in OKC.

Prediction: Thunder in 5

I initially had Dallas upsetting the Thunder in 7 games, but looking back at the season and looking at the makeup of both squads, I am leaning more towards believing that the Thunder is going to grow up fast than the creaky legs of Dallas suddenly getting greased. That “championsip poise” advantage is limited to Kidd, Dirk, and to some extent, Terry because this is not the same Dallas team that won it last year. Their veterans can only take them so far, and this year, it doesn’t look very far, really. Besides, with Derek Fisher on that Thunder bench, it’s not difficult to imagine that these kids will mature fast.

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs (6) Denver Nuggets
(Los Angeles won, 3-1)

Lakers

Safe to say that Los Angeles is still Lakerland rather than Lob City? Their supremacy in the City of Angels has been challenged by their co-leasers at Staples, but at the end of the season, they have a slightly better record than the buzzing Clippers. Andrew Bynum is turning out to be a force inside, but shows he’s still young by making some bad decisions and throwing tantrums. Pau Gasol has had a fantastic season, and he’s extending his range more, with Bynum ably manning the middle, stretching defenses and opening  it up for slashers. Kobe Bryant had a ridiculous start of the season, scoring like he’s shooting a ping pong in the ring. Their young guns have provided energy off the bench and when called upon, with Troy Murphy and Josh McRoberts not really getting the credit they deserve. The Ramon Sessions acquisition may have the same effect on the Lakers as when they got Gasol; he’s a solid point guard playing behind a rookie and soon-to-be superstar in Cleveland, and he’s just what the Lakers needed. Sure, they had to let go of longtime point guard Derek Fisher, but getting a younger, more agile Sessions is not a bad tradeoff.

Nuggets

When discussing bench depth, it is impossible to not have the Nuggets in the discussion. I don’t think even George Karl has a definite starting lineup. Andre Miller or Ty Lawson at point? Aaron Aflalo may be locked as the 2 guard as Rudy Fernandez is injured. Sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari or the athletic two-way player Corey Brewer at 3? Big man with range Al Harrington or “Manimal” Kenneth Faried at 4? Shot blocking machines JaVale McGee and Chris Andersen or bulky Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos at center? Rookies Julyan Stone and Jordan Hamilton have had their burns in playing time and showed potential as well. And imagine if Wilson Chandler was healthy. What makes this Nuggets team difficult to beat is that you can’t guard just one person because they don’t have a definite go to guy. You can’t lock up one player because the 4 others can destroy your team in other ways.  

What to watch out for: Depth against stars

Denver is a well-balanced team, while the Lakers, for all the talent they loaded that team up, is still pretty much Kobe’s team. This matchup will feature the team concept against a star-centric Lakers team thanks to Mike Brown. If the games are close, you know that Kobe and his Lakers will have the chance to get the W. But with all the weapons Denver has, it will be difficult for the Lakers to keep games close if they rely heavily on Kobe. Oh yeah, there’s Gasol and Bynum too.

Who to watch out for:

Andrew Bynum has a lot to prove in this series. He’s a piece the Magic desperately want in exchange for Dwight Howard, and the Lakers not giving in to that says a lot at how they see Bynum. While he still is young, they need him to grow up fast because Kobe is not getting any younger. And honestly, I can’t imagine a Lakers team winning without Kobe.

For all the balance I’ve kept raving about Denver, they have a player who has the heart to push them beyond what is expected of them; Andre Miller. He’s playing off the bench behind Ty Lawson, but he can take over games like no one else in that Denver team, and he does it on both ends of the floor. He’s not the face of the franchise, but I daresay that he personifies what that Nuggets team is all about; all heart, and understanding one’s role.

Prediction: Lakers in 7

This series could go either way, and if I turn out to be wrong and Denver upsets the Lakers, I would not be the least bit surprised. I’m giving the edge to the Lakers because of their winning tradition rather than the Nuggets who are still establishing their identity. There’s that possible storyline that the Lakers still aren’t buying into Coach Mike Brown’s system, but it’s difficult to imagine that a Lakers team with this much talent will fall in the first round.

 

(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers
(Los Angeles won, 2-1)

Clippers

Lob City had the basketball world buzzing when Chris Paul signed up with the Clippers. People were excited when Baron Davis was throwing lobs to Blake Griffin last year, so imagine the frenzy when they learned that Chris Paul was going to do that this year. They also got Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams, creating a logjam of point guard talent on their bench. It proved to be just what they need, as Chris Paul missed an extended period early in the season due to injury, and Chauncey Billups going out of commission even before the half of the season ended. Randy Foye picked up his game after the all-star break, hitting 3’s like crazy. Late acquisitions Nick Young and Kenyon Martin surely made this team better. DeAndre Jordan had a solid start in the season, but he wasn’t able to keep it up through the season, but seeing how he dominated early, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to find his form.

Grizzlies:

After their magical run last season, people expected the Grizzlies to get better, with Rudy Gay back in the fold. Then just a few weeks into the season, Zach Randolph, arguably their best player last year, suffered a season-depleting injury that saw him sidelined for most of the season. The Grizzlies found ways to win though, with Marc Gasol playing big and earning an All-Star reserve selection, Mike Conley causing havoc on defense, Rudy Gay still making clutch baskets, and Tony Allen being the defensive pest that he is. Early season acquisition Mareese Speights provided some quality relief at the PF spot while Zbo is out. Dante Cunningham was a surprise source of energy off the bench. O.J. Mayo is playing somewhat effectively this season, after spending it in the doghouse last year. Gilbert Arenas was a surprising acquisition for the Grizz, and though he looks more like the Gilbert Arenas of Orlando rather than Agent Zero of the Wizards, he may become an effective player if he embraces his role in this team.

What to watch out for: Spoilers yet again?

Grizzlies pulled off a massive upset last year when they beat the top seeded San Antonio Spurs, who were also the best team in the regular season. This year, they face a crowd-favorite Los Angeles Clippers team who’s making an appearance in the playoffs for the first time since Elton Brand and Sam Cassell led them to a 2-round push. With the exciting tandem of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, people are certainly rooting to see more of those aerial acrobatics that “Lob City” would provide. But the Grizzlies may have other plans. They kept Zbo on the bench since he returned, presumably to get his groove back on, but not push him too much so that he would be fresh and game-fit come playoff time. With O.J. Mayo getting to show his stuff and Gilbert Arenas mellowing down and making his case on the court rather  than on blogs, this dangerous spoiler team of last year just got better and even more dangerous. And a late push by the Grizz and the Clips struggling had homecourt advantage swinging the Grizzlies' way, which is going to be huge in this series.

Who to watch out for:

Chris Paul will definitely have the world watching him. After essentially pushing for his trade to come here, he now has to prove that he can indeed elevate this team to being THE team in LA. But don’t sleep on Nick Young. The former Arenas protégé in Washington might want to back up all those praises Arenas had for the young fellow. Randy Foye has that starting 2 spot because of his late brilliance, but Young has a lot of upside considering his length and athleticism.

The Grizzlies had a lot of success with Zbo in the paint last year. This year, they got the 4^th seed mostly without Zbo. Much like the argument for Rose’s absence in the Bulls lineup, we are all going to have to wait and see if his return to the lineup is more beneficial to the team more than it hurts them. In this case, I vote that it only helps them greatly. They’ll be 2-deep in all positions and can go toe to toe with the big guys of the Clippers. And don’t forget about Gilbert Arenas. He made a name for himself by creating a mini-rivalry between Washington and Cleveland during the better days of the Eastern conference. If he can channel some of that swag back to his game the Grizz are going to be tough to beat.

Prediction: Memphis in 7

I feel like I will get burned with this prediction but these are two teams that have shown inconsistencies all season long. Even with Chris Paul on his game, the Clippers seem to drop games that should be in their bags already. Memphis, for their part could beat a contender today then lose to a team like Charlotte tomorrow. The Grizzlies look to have a more refined group than the Clippers team that though promising, looks like it still needs to grow more.  

...The 2012 NBA Playoffs: The East...

The playoffs are finally less than a week away, and matchups are already set. Everyone will have they say on who’s going past who and I’m going to be one of those friends you have who’s going to throw my opinions out there.

So here goes, from the perspective of an odds and fantasy player for the 2011-2012 NBA season, my picks for the first round matchups of both conferences.

(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Philadelphia 76ers
(Chicago won regular season, 2-1)

Bulls:

They are one of the best teams in the NBA this season, winning with or without reigning league MVP Derrick Rose. They have an abundance of talent to make up for the loss of even their best player. They are a title favorite, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to give up an upset.

Sixers:

They had a good stretch during the start of the regular season, which propelled them to the upper half of the East standings. However, as the season progressed, their performance dipped as well, losing games they should be winning. Now they’re down to the 8^th spot in the East, and it’s probably their own fault. They still are a dangerous team and can pull off an upset against another team, probably, but not the Bulls.

What to watch out for: The “Bench Mob” vs The “Night Shift”

This is a matchup of 2 bench-heavy teams; the difference being Chicago having a solid starting 5 filled with all-stars Rose, Boozer, Hamilton and almost All-Stars Deng and Noah while the Sixers have Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala (has he ever been an All-Star?), which says a lot when comparing talent depth of both squads. With Rose not being in his best form, look for the Bulls to look to their bench to see how they can best compensate for the lost production from Rose. On the other side, look for Sixers to employ a heavy reliance on their bench more because of adjustments rather than keeping their starters fresh. The way that Sixers team has been playing all year, it doesn’t look like they consider their “starters” to be their best 5 on the floor.

Who to watch out for:

Taj Gibson is going to have a field day in this series. The Sixers don’t have much inside presence, and Gibson might be able to use that to his advantage by posting up or just crashing the boards.

Spencer Hawes is still not 100%, and may not be able to provide the numbers he gave his team at the start of the season, but Nikola Vucevic has played well filling up for him. Lou Williams might make his case to be starting point guard at some of the games as well, if he can pick up the defensive slack to complement his explosive offensive game.

Prediction: Chicago in 5

I think this has a sweep potential, but I won’t go that far. I think the Sixers will win at least one of their home games, catching the Bulls off-guard.

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) New York Knicks
(Miami won regular season, 3-0)

Heat:

They’re on their way to yet another successful season together, with LeBron playing for his 3^rd MVP plum, and the team gaining more chemistry as this is their second season together with the three stars. Norris Cole has been a nice surprise for the Heat; the rookie has provided a nice spark off the bench to give more stability at the point guard spot behind Mario Chalmers (like they still actually needed it). They’re still undersized at the center position, with Joel Anthony not given enough minutes because he’s an offensive liability and Udonis Haslem not really the big, bruising center they need.

Knicks:

Fans have forgiven the Knicks for a dismal close to last year’s campaign, thinking this year would be better with Anthony and Stoudemire having training camp together. Then they got Tyson Chandler, which got everyone buzzing as it suddenly transformed them to title contenders. Then the losses. Then Jeremy Lin explodes from nowhere. Then he goes down to injury. Talk about an up and down season for the Knicks. They made a nice push to get in to the playoffs despite their season struggles, and only time will tell if that’s enough to overcome the mighty Heat.

What to watch out for: LeBron vs Melo

As much of a Dwayne Wade fan I am, I think this series is a test for LeBron more than it is for Wade. Wade can close out games, no doubt. But the way that LeBron has been playing has earned him the right to call the Heat “his” team. To complete this process, LeBron needs to own his team by actually closing out. He can take over games to give them a chance to win, but at the end of the game, he doesn’t seem to want to take that last shot. If he can learn how to close out, it will only make the Heat more dangerous as teams would not know how to deny the last possession when they have to guard both LeBron and Wade.

Adversely, Melo has shown time and again that he can close games. However, he can’t seem to always will his team to win, as he tries to do a little too much at times. New York has offensive options that can help Melo out in cutting leads down; streaky JR Smith and sweet-shooting Steve Novak are there, Landry Fields has some shooting range as well, plus the inside presence of Amar’e and Tyson Chandler.

Whoever learns faster, LeBron closing or Melo sharing, could determine the fate of these two teams.

Who to watch out for:

Chris Bosh will be a major factor in this series, if he decides to play the bruising center that they need (a realization he had during the offseason), or he just plays his role effectively. Much of the attention will go to LeBron and Wade, so Bosh needs to prove why there are 3 stars in this team.

Baron Davis is a strong candidate for the most crucial player in the Knicks roster. They have ball hogs in Melo and Amar’e who want to create for themselves, but if there’s a point guard who will be able to take them to the right spots, it would make this team more efficient. Davis could be a ball hog himself, and he does have a strong offensive game, so enhancing his passing game would greatly benefit the Knicks. 

Prediction: Miami in 6

New York has the potential for an upset, especially if they wax hot. But I don’t think this is their year just yet. I’m looking at Miami to close out in the Garden, as stars usually bring their A-game there.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs (6) Orlando Magic
(Orlando won regular season, 3-1)

Pacers:

This team is an illustration of what a “streaky” team looks like. Their regular season win-loss record is filled with long win streaks, but had losing streaks as long as those win streaks were. Like all teams, they lost some players due to injuries, but didn’t have significant roster losses to explain their long losing streaks. However, this team still looks good, with Roy Hibbert blossoming into an All-Star, David West regaining his form, Danny Granger still leading the pack, Paul George just having an amazing season, and the backcourt rotation of Darren Collison and George Hill where you can’t go wrong whoever you choose. The late season acquisition of Leandro Barbosa is a brilliant move for the Pacers to infuse an offensive boost in their bench.

Magic:

I’d say this was a potential upset if Dwight Howard would still be able to play for this series. They do have the tools to compete, with Glen Davis filling in nicely for Howard offensively and on the boards, JJ Redick and Jason Richardson shooting nicely at the backcourt, Jameer Nelson picking his game up, and Ryan Anderson having a career year. However, without Dwight, they’re not the same team.

What to watch out for: Pacers Dominance

If there’s a playoff series that I think I can bet my arm on, it would be this matchup. The hustle and energy of the Magic can only get them so far; the Pacers have those hustle and energy guys too in Lou Amundson and Tyler Hansborough.

Who to watch out for:

George Hill is a player that got the coach rethinking his point guard rotation when his initial choice of starting point guard comes back from injury. It’s a good problem to have, really. With his length and defensive prowess, Hill may just showcase how good a player he is and get the nod for a starting spot despite the return of Darren Collison.

Jameer Nelson was selected as an All-Star reserve some years back, but injury prevented him from playing in that game. Without superstar Dwight Howard manning the middle and this team desperately looking for an identity, Nelson has to find his all-star form and lead this team to win.

Prediction: Pacers in 5

I would call sweep, but the Magic look like a gutsy bunch that could pull off at least one win.

(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Atlanta Hawks 
(Boston won regular season, 2-1)

Celtics:

The aging big three look like they still have something left in the tank and at the same time, they have look to have a good young core with them. Despite the loss of Jeff Green for the season due to a heart surgery, they did have nice revelations in their rookies Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma. Bradley has given them a lift on both ends of the floor when called on, and Stiemsma has been a shot blocking machine. The return of Marquis Daniels will also help the cause of the Celtics. Brandon Bass has been pretty solid for them but I think it would be more beneficial for him to move to the bench in favor of a center to play alongside Garnett, so that the Big Ticket can play his natural PF position rather than play as a center or for Bass to play undersized.

Hawks:

What started out as a great season for the Hawks went back down to being another mediocre season when Al Horford went down. If Horford does indeed return for the Hawks in the postseason, it will only improve their chances of advancing to the second round. Zaza Pachulia, who has been playing well to fill in for Horford, is also set to return, which will make the team formidable. They already have a strong backcourt with the improved Jeff Teague, the steady Kirk Hinrich, and the sharpshooting Joe Johnson. Marvin Williams has played his role nicely as the wing man, and rookie Ivan Johnson has shown skills and energy on both ends of the floor.

What to watch out for: Tradition against Promise

The Celtics has a winning tradition and a group of guys who understand and live by this tradition. The Hawks have a promising future ahead of them, with current players not even on their prime and already playing well. This will be a close series to call, with the Hawks trying to get over the hump by beating a Celtics team whose core has already won a championship.

Who to watch out for:

For Boston, there won’t be any surprises. Marquis Daniels might provide a spark off the bench, Sasha Pavlovic might have his moments, but for the most part, this is going to be where Paul Pierce will take over. Rajon Rondo’s brilliance have people buzzing over how he may be taking the torch even before the Big 3’s time is over, but I think Paul Pierce will step up to show the basketball world that this is still his time, their time.

Atlanta’s Josh Smith will need to get his head in the game if they want to win. His contributions show up in the stat sheet, but for the most part, he plays erratically and wants the ball when he doesn’t need to have it in his hands. He needs to crash the boards on both ends, and don’t try too much on the offense, because they have good players who can get him the ball on places where he can score.

Prediction: Boston in 7

Not a dig on the talent level of Boston, but more on respecting the Hawks’s ability to match up well against the Celtics. This could be over in 5 games, with the Hawks stealing one in Boston and the Celtics winning the rest of the games, but I’m leaning more on the possibility that this will be a home and home series, with no team giving up their homecourt advantage.

...The Playoffs 2011: The East...

It's that time of the season again, where the top 16 teams separate themselves from the rest of the pack, and slug it out for the biggest prize in the league: the NBA Championship. I give annual predictions for the playoffs, and I think I have a pretty decent positive percentage. These predictions earn me nothing, and this writing this does me no good. But I just like the feeling of being right and actually having proof that I was.=)) 

This year, with all the Fantasy Basketball knowledge that I have, I can give a more in-depth analysis on my predictions and not just base it on stats. I have also decided to make predictions per round, if in case I get some predictions wrong. For the time being, the West seedings are still a bit blurry for me, but at least I got to finish The East already. 

(1) Chicago Bulls vs (8) Indiana Pacers

Roster:
INDIANA         CHICAGO

G Darren Collison                                            PG Derrick Rose
G Paul George                                                SG Ronnie Brewer
F Danny Granger                                             SF Luol Deng
PF Tyler Hansborough                                      PF Carlos Boozer
C Roy Hibbert                                                   C  Joakim Noah

The Bench

G Tj Ford                                                          C Omer Asik
C Jeff Foster                                                   SG Keith Bogans
G/F Mike Dunleavy                                         G/F Rasual Butler
G Dahntay Jones                                               F Taj Gibson
C Solomon Jones                                           G/F Kyle Korver
F Josh McRoberts                                             G John Lucas III
G/F James Posey                                             G Jannero Pargo
G A.J. Price                                                   F/C Brian Scalabrine
G/F Brandon Rush                                          F/C Kurt Thomas
G Lance Stephenson                                         G C.J. Watson

Key Players: Derrick Rose, Danny Granger

Watch out for: Bench players on both teams

Season series: Chicago won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

Derrick Rose is playing an incredible season. Sure the Spurs have played well throughout the season, but the Bulls have been just as good after a slow start. Unlike last year when there were debates flaring out about who the MVP was, this season, Rose has emerged as the heavy favorite, with no one close to even try and take that away from him (except Dwight Howard, of course). They are virtually an unstoppable team, with the 2 spot being the only apparent weakness. And to think they can fill that out with defensive specialist Ronnie Brewer, bench sparkplug C.J. Watson, sharpshooter Kyle Korver, and veteran starter Keith Bogans. Old reliable Jannero Pargo can also fill that spot up. Taj Gibson and Omer Asik won’t do much scoring but will definitely make offensive players work for their shots, and rebounding can be a bitch with those two manning the paint. Brian Scalabrine and Kurt Thomas give veteran presence when they are called. 

Indiana, for its part, is one of the few teams in the league that can go 15-deep in their lineup. Though not as talented as 8-deep lineups, they have an infinite number of combinations they can use. Tyler Hansborough and Josh McRoberts have shown great improvements this season. If Roy Hibbert can stay out of foul trouble and regain his dominant form at the start of the season before getting injured, he surely would be a force to reckon with inside. Rookie Paul George has shown flashes of brilliance to complement Danny Granger’s lackluster performances as of late. Mike Dunleavy is an effective scorer when healthy. Dahntay Jones can provide energy, a defensive presence, and a bit of a scoring punch off the bench. And people forget how good T.J. Ford is. Jeff Foster is also an underrated center.

Prediction: Bulls win, 4-0

This is a series that can’t be placed on a storybook type of scenario. No team can play the part of villain because both teams are filled with so much heroes. They all play hard, and they’re all talented from the starting 5 to the 15^th player on the bench. However, as good as the Pacers have been all season, they’re not as good as the red-hot Bulls right now. Not to take anything away from the great season that the Pacers have had, but I do think that the first experience of being in the playoffs would prove to be too much for the young guys in the team to be able to perform at the level they’re playing now. This will be a competitive series, and games will be close, but ultimately, the Pacers won’t win in Chicago, and the Bulls have too much momentum on their side by Game 3, that by Game 4, the Pacers will have already been too demoralized to win.

(4) Orlando vs (5) Atlanta

Roster:

      ORLANDO         ATLANTA

PG Jameer Nelson                                           PG Kirk Hinrich
SG Jason Richardson                                      SG Joe Johnson
SF Hedo Turkgolu                                            SF Marvin Williams
PF Brandon Bass                                            PF Josh Smith
C Dwight Howard                                               C Al Horford

The Bench

F Ryan Anderson                                           G/F Jamaal Crawford
G Chris Duhon                                                  C Zaza Pachulia
F/C Earl Clark                                                G/F Damien Wilkins
F Malik Allen                                                    G Jeff Teague
G Gilbert Arenas                                               F Josh Powell
G JJ Reddick                                                    C Hilton Armstrong
G/F Quentin Richardson                                    C Jason Collins

Key Players: Dwight Howard, Al Horford

Watch out for: Jameer Nelson, Atlanta bigs

Season series: Atlanta won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

The early season trade that Orlando pulled off took the league by surprise. It drastically improved the Magic’s roster by getting back arguably their MVP during their Finals run in Hedo Turkgolu, traded a former all-star for another former all-star (Gilbert Arenas for Rashard Lewis), and got a borderline all-star in Jason Richardson. But things didn’t run as smoothly as expected, and they eventually fell to the 4^th spot in the East, after being a heavy favorite back in the preseason. They still have a wide arsenal at their command; Ryan Anderson is a stretch 4 in the Hedo mold without the playmaking ability; Jameer Nelson still has something to prove after being criticized for making a comeback in their finals run despite Rafer Alston and Jason Williams capably manning the point at that time; Brandon Bass is a workhorse that takes care of the boards ably; and JJ Reddick has improved his defense drastically to become a major part of the rotation. These facts, added to the fact that Dwight Howard is on their team, make the Magic that much scarier to face in the first round. What could be scarier is if Gilbert Arenas regains his playoff form circa 2006.

Atlanta has had its hot and cold streaks all season. The trade that blindsided starting point guard Mike Bibby and sent him to Washington in exchange for Kirk Hinrich didn’t seem like it would matter, but I think the defense that Kirk Hinrich brings to the team is a valuable asset for the Hawks. And no matter how clutch Joe Johnson is and that he’s the man for Atlanta, the Hawks can only go as far as Al Horford will take them. Josh Smith is an all-around player that will contribute greatly on both ends of the floor. Marvin Williams still has to prove his worth after being picked before Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Jamaal Crawford is a 6^th man playing starters’ minutes, and he’s been playing at a starter’s level. Jeff Teague has been handed the reins and will perform when called. Hilton Armstrong, Josh Powell, Zaza Pachulia, and Jason Collins have bodies wide enough to fill up the paint. Damien Wilkins is a solid bench player that knows his role in the rotation.

Prediction: Atlanta in 6

After careful deliberation and research, I have come to the conclusion that Atlanta is a more sound team than Orlando coming in to the playoffs. Despite the big names and all that talent in the Magic bench, they still have not figured out how to optimize their roster. For Atlanta, they just got better with Hinrich-for-Bibby swap. They’ve been a project for several years, and this might be the peak of their team in terms of talent. The team has been solid with few roster shakeups as compared to the Magic and their drastic changes over the course of the season. With the Magic anchored so much on Dwight Howard, they get to win games because he is so dominant down low. However, the Hawks have able bodies in Pachulia, Collins, Armstrong, and Powell who are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the big fella and take him one on one. With everybody else not leaving to double on Dwight, it makes it that much difficult for him because he has to create his own shots, and not be able to kick out to shooters because no one’s open. I see a shocker in Game 1, with Atlanta taking it, and the rest of the games for the home team to take the wins.

(3) Boston vs (6) New York

Roster:

      BOSTON NEW YORK

PG Rajon Rondo                                               PG Chauncey Billups
SG Ray Allen                                                   SG Landry Fields
SF Paul Pierce                                                 SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Kevin Garnett                                              PF Amare Stoudemire
C Jermaine O’Neal                                              C Ronnie Turiaf

The Bench
 
F Jeff Green                                                        F Jared Jeffries
F/C Glen Davis                                                   G Roger Mason Jr
C Nenad Kristic                                                  G Toney Douglas
F Troy Murphy                                                    G Anthony Carter
G Carlos Arroyo                                                  F Derrick Brown
F Sasha Pavlovic                                                F Renaldo Balkman
G/F Von Wafer                                                   F Shelden Williams
C Shaquille O’Neal                                             G Shawne Williams
G Delonte West                                                 G Bill Walker

Key Players: Rajon Rondo, Amar’e Stoudemire

Watch out for: The vets vs superstar pairing

Season series: Boston won, 3-1

How the roster stacks up:

Boston is in stuck in the middle of rebuild and championship push. While their team was performing well, they decide to ship Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma to find a player that would fill up Paul Pierce’s spot in the team. The future of the Celtics looks like Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis being the anchors, and they needed a third young player preferably at the wing position to build the team around on in the future. They got that in Jeff Green, but in the process, lost the big body and physicality Perkins can give the team inside. Now, it seems that they need to get the O’Neals healthy again, because Troy Murphy and Nenad Kristic aren’t those strong, physical types. Carlos Arroyo seems like a solid pickup, especially with the talented, but fragile Delonte West being their backup point. Sasha Pavlovic offers defense and some perimeter shooting, but they won’t look to him so much to contribute. If Von Wafer finds his form when he was in Houston, he would be a very valuable asset to this team. Much has been said about the Big Three, and their performances would dictate what happens to this team in the postseason, but this run is the team’s transition of handing the team over to Rajon Rondo.

After striking out in the free agent bonanza of 2010, New York “settled” for Amar’e Stoudemire and his unsure knees. Then he breaks out and goes for monstrous performances night in and night out, and literally carry the team on his back. Then he even got his wish when management decided to turn the roster over and grab the disgruntled Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. Chauncy Billups is a solid bonus in that trade, as well as the veteran locker room presence of Anthony Carter. These two should keep the young superstar tandem of the apostrophed ones’ egos at bay. Wilson Chandler was playing so well for the team that his loss was supposed to hurt the team. But then they got Jared Jeffries, New York’s Wilson Chandler before there ever was a Wilson Chandler. Landry Fields is a scrappy guard that can defend and give outside shooting when needed. Toney Douglas will also contribute greatly to their cause from the bench. Mike D’Antoni uses a short bench, so the other bench players not named Jeffries or Douglas would have to split the remaining minutes.

Prediction: New York in 6

I have been in this position 3 times last year, when I discounted the Celtics in every round they got into. But this year, I am a little bit more confident that they won’t get past the still excited New York Knicks, simply because of the loss of Kendrick Perkins. Other than physicality, he was somewhat the heart of the team. Yes, the Knicks are new to this postseason thing, but Carmelo and Amare are not. They can carry this team on their shoulders, as they have their previous teams. Despite the short bench, the starting unit is loaded with talents, so they wouldn’t need to rely too heavily on their bench. And with the core being young as they are, they would have enough energy to keep up with the Big 4 and veteran bench of Boston. On the other side of the spectrum, Boston’s age was a red flag for me last year, and it is still a red flag for me now. Their low post looks much too different with Nenad Kristic being a stretch 5 rather than a hulking force that was Perkins. Shaq’s health and Jermaine’s performance would greatly swing the series in favor of the Celts. But with health being a major issue at this point in time for Boston, the early to mid season run of the Celts may have been their last hurrah before full rebuild.

(2) Miami vs (7) Philadelphia

Roster:

   PHILADELPHIA MIAMI

PG Jrue Holiday                                                  PG Mike Bibby
SG Jodie Meeks                                                 SG Dwayne Wade
SF Andre Iguodala                                               SF LeBron James             
PF Elton Brand                                                   PF Chris Bosh
C Spencer Hawes                                                 C Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Bench
 
G/F Evan Turner                                                   G Mario Chalmers
F Thaddeus Young                                               C Joel Anthony
F Andres Nocioni                                               G/F Mike Miller
G/F Antonio Daniels                                              F James Jones
F/C Mareese Speights                                           F Juwan Howard
G Lou Williams                                                     G Eddie House
C Tony Battie                                                       C Jamaal Magloire
G/F Jason Kapono                                                C Erik Dampier
F Darius Songaila                                                 F Udonis Haslem

Key Players: Andre Iguodala, LeBron James

Watch out for: The other Miami players

Season series: Miami won, 3-0

How the roster stacks up:

Philadelphia’s success this season has been attributed more to the coaching change rather than a drastic spike in player performances. That is not to take away anything from the talent in the roster. Elton Brand had a stretch of double-double performances in the season, and was a solid player for them in the post; not his Clipper-playoff run self, but at least better than his first year in Philly. Andre Iguodala was expected to be the face of the franchise, and though he wouldn’t post eye-popping numbers, he did put stats across the board that helped his team get much needed wins for a playoff push. Jrue Holiday has emerged as a solid point guard for their team. Evan Turner, the second pick in the draft, was solid, but not good enough to even challenge for the top rookie honors. He’s not franchise-player-of-the-future material, but he could be a very good Scottie Pippen, should Philly find a Micheal Jordan. Spencer Hawes has been solid as well. Mareese Speights still hasn’t been a consistent performer, but there’s potential there. Lou Williams was groomed to be the starting point guard before getting hurt and Holiday’s emergence, so there’s no lack of talent there. Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks will be the X-factors in this series for Philadelphia.

As expected when they first got together, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh will be heavily-relied on. Then they got a bunch of veteran players who were willing to take less pay and a lesser role if only to win a championship or two. Mike Miller was supposed to be their 6^th man, but despite his rebounds and court presence, he hasn’t done what he was brought here to do: shoot the ball from the outside. That need was filled up by James Jones when they needed it, and the ever-dependable Eddie House. Newly-acquired Mike Bibby now needs to channel his Sacramento days for Miami to win it all. Mario Chalmers provides solid defense at the point, and he can drain the occasional 3 ball. Joel Anthony has been so underrated this season, but he’s been their Dwight in the middle. While Z and Dampier can provide the size and veteran savvy (more for Z than Damp; Damp provides false inside presence, really. He’s one of the big factors why Miami won the championship against his Dallas team in 2006) inside, it really is Joel Anthony’s inside presence that greatly improves the team’s defense. With Udonis Haslem set to return by the playoffs, Miami will have a deep frontcourt come playoff time.

Prediction: Miami wins 4-1

Speaking not just a fanboy, but also on a basketball perspective, Miami is going to have a cakewalk in this series. Not that Philadelphia isn’t dangerous enough, but rather, Miami would just be too much for them to handle. Brand hasn’t been known for his defense, and Hawes would be a foul-prone young center. Thaddeus Young and Speights could probably provide defense, but against a team loaded with talents, two good defenders wouldn’t be enough. The problem that Miami will have to deal with is who gets the ball at the end of games. This has been Dwayne Wade’s team since day one until LeBron came to town. Carrying his MVP trophies and media hype, the diva in “King” James had to be satisfied by handing him the ball at the most crucial times of the game. There’s a reason why the Cavs never won it all despite having all the talents they needed, and there’s a reason why LeBron is never mentioned in the same breath as Kobe, Melo, and even Brandon Roy as the game’s best closer. Wade has been too good of a teammate focused on winning that he’d rather give the ball up to LeBron at the end of games just so ‘Bron won’t whine about not having it. I think this problem will cost them at least one game in this series, but ultimately knock some sense into *choker* LeBron and finally let Wade take control of his team.