It sure has been “Amazing” already!
(Sorry for no updates in a long time, but expect more this summer…)
The NBA’s slogan this year is amazing and there sure has been nothing short of that in some of the series so far. I’m going to be reflecting on the first two rounds of the playoffs, give my conference finals picks and re-visit my Finals pick. Let’s just say that I’m wavering in my original pick of Lakers over Cavs in 7.
First round recap
In the first round we saw the Baby Bulls grow up, a battle of two aging teams, a surprising, feisty Rockets team, the Sixers and Hawks showing their future potential, Dwayne Wade showing why he’s in LeBron and Kobe’s league still, and the Cavs, Nuggets, and Lakers sleepwalking through their respective series. The Bulls stole game 1 and nearly game 2 against the Celtics. I was surprised how big of an impact losing KG was for the Celtics. I knew it would affect the second round, but did not expect the Bulls to do what they did either. The Bulls need a veteran post player to develop Tyrus Thomas and, I can’t believe I’m saying it, but, Jokim Noah too. They have a better presence down low and we’ll see them a little more often in the playoffs and deeper too.
I’m a big Spurs fan, but I knew going into the playoffs without Manu was going to be really tough. He brings so much to the table and the Spurs lose a lot without him. I hated to do it, but I went and picked against my team and I unfortunately was right. They played a great series and Tony Parker showed why he needs to be considered in the great-point-guards-of-the-West talk. The Mavs had too many weapons for the Spurs so they were able to take the battle of Texas. Dallas has started getting younger in ways so the Spurs need to act accordingly and soon. I don’t think they’ll be resting on their laurels and this was a good wakeup call for them. They have to reload quickly because the Trailblazers aren’t going away, the Thunder are starting to creep into playoff talk (if they get the post player they need in the draft), and the Suns are wanting back in too. One, if not both of these teams might not even be back in the playoffs next year.
Speaking of the Trailblazers, I guess I was wrong about them. Playoff experience DOES mean something. The Rockets showed how stingy of a defense they have and what they can do with Yao Ming. The Trailblazers will be back though, just watch.
The Hawks had a back and forth series with Wade and the Heat, but came out victorious in the end since they had more than one scorer. The thing that was odd about this series is that whoever won a game, they won by double digits. Wade showed he is back to his old self, but he needs a better supporting cast. Beasley and Chalmers should develop over the next couple years. If they can add a better force in the post, they’ll be back in the playoffs soon enough. They’ve just gotta make sure they can keep Wade.
The Sixers surprised me against the Magic, but were lucky they didn’t get swept due to two last-sec game winners. The Sixers added Elton Brand last offseason and if he comes back healthy, they’ll be a team to reckon with in the East.
Three of the four top seeds breezed thru their first round matchups. The Cavs swept the Pistons pretty handily. I figured they could win one game in that series, but the seemed lifeless for most of it. They need a major overhaul and soon. I wouldn’t be surprised to not see them in the playoffs next year. The Nuggets and Lakers had to go to 5 games to win their series. The Lakers are having trouble guarding point guards as Deron Williams could do whatever he pleased. This could prove to be difficult for them as they go into the playoffs…good thing they have home-court. The Nuggets’ defense was nice surprise too. The Birdman coming off the bench is a huge plus for them as they have Nene and Kenyon Martin already starting.
One thing I’ve noticed in the East this year is that the teams seem better. Yes, the records don’t indicate this, but there are a lot of competitive teams in the East and for the next few years, seeds 4-8 in the East will change a lot.
Second round recap
In the second round, we saw the Lakers surprisingly struggle, the Magic knock off the defending champs, the Cavs not-so-surprising win over the Hawks (lots of rest for Lebron [whom I refuse to call King James] is not a good thing if you ask me) and the Nuggets powered their way thru the old men of Dallas. I’m not sure what to think of the Lakers. Home-court advantage, a deep team, and, oh yeah, a guy named Kobe. They seem to be slacking off or not playing 100% all the time. Phil Jackson has to be getting annoyed with them, though you do have to give credit to the Rockets. They have a tenacious defense and once they were able to play as a smaller team without Yao, they gave the Lakers fits. The key for the Lakers is to get off to a hot start and for the role players to step up…they’ve got plenty. Kobe can close the game if necessary. If it’s a fight to the end, there’s almost no one better than Kobe. They team they’ll face in Denver used their strong defense to roll past the Mavs. Denver once again showed their defense is one to reckon with…but Dallas isn’t the youngest team around either. In the East, the Cavs lulled people to sleep as the swept up the Hawks, who had just come off of a tough series against the Heat. The Magic however faced the defending champs and fought hard the whole series to eventually dethrone the champs. I predicted the Magic moving on before the playoffs began, but after the Celtics clawed their way past the Bulls, I figured they could get past the Magic too. But missing KG was the biggest thing for the C’s. They couldn’t come up with a defensive stop at all. And in game 7, the C’s just fizzled. They couldn’t get much going at all except for a few sparks here and there. The Magic showed a lot of guts and heart at the same time, while starting to shed their moniker as a team with Howard down low surrounded by a lot of perimeter shooters. Of all four teams, all should be back in the playoffs next season. Its just expected. Now that we’re down to the last four, here’s my predictions…
Eastern Conference Prediction
Cavs over Magic in 6 – LeBron can’t be denied a trip to the Finals this year. He is playing so well right now….and has a great supporting cast that he has always needed. The Cavs have to actually play this series too, and they’ll be ready. I would like to say 5, but I think the Magic can somehow steal two games in this series. But, in the end, its just one more tuneup for Lebron and his boys.
Western Conference Prediction
Lakers over Nuggets in 7 – There’s a big part of me that wants to pick the Nuggets right here. Why? It’s because how they are playing defense in the playoffs. If the Lake crew struggled with the Rockets, why wouldn’t they struggle with the Nuggets whom actually have a bigger frontline and the athleticism to matchup with the Lakers. Advantages for the Lakers: just a guy named Kobe and game 7 in the Staples Center. Kobe and Carmelo will be an interesting matchup. Best guys on each team going at it. (After Game 1 Edit: What a battle between these two guys! 40 by Kobe and 39 by ‘Melo. And physical too. Can’t wait for the rest of the series!) The supporting casts will be key for each team. And defending Billups will be key for the Lakers. They had trouble with Deron Williams (kind of expected) and Aaron Brooks (not really expected). It will be interesting who Phil Jackson puts on Billups, likely a combo of two or three different games. This will be an epic series and it will be another reason why this year’s playoffs will just be simply amazing. This should set up a Kobe vs. Lebron final…on which I’ll predict winner after both series’ are over.
