EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs. Atlanta

Comments:

Wait a minute Atlanta is EIGHT games under .500 and they’re in the playoffs while Golden State won 48 and isn’t? What am I missing here? Why is this league rewarding a team for losing? I think we can agree that all pro leagues are all about making money. So if that’s true why wouldn’t you have the Warriors in the playoffs? Do you think anyone outside of the Boston area is going to be watching this series? Even the city of Atlanta doesn’t care about the Atlanta Hawks. They’re too busy not going to Braves and Thrashers games to care about their NBA team.

You’re telling me you wouldn’t watch Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephon Jackson & Co. take on Boston’s Big Three?

All right that’s enough questions.

Remember Golden State beat Boston in a wildly entertaining 119-177 back in February.

I hate it when leagues are so blatantly stupid and don’t even attempt to correct their mistakes.

I hope Golden State wins the draft lottery and makes complete mockery of the system.

Prediction: Boston in Four. If they could win it in three I would have taken that option.


Detroit vs. Philadelphia

Comments:

Everyone is talking about the great run that Philly finished the season on (26-18) to make the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong they’ve had a great second half and have beaten an array of top teams. But something bothers me about them losing three straight to Indiana, Washington and Cleveland when they had a shot at the 6th seed. If Philly is really a “team on the rise” you gotta win at least two of those contests.

On the other side, Detroit has the best collection of players in the league. They don’t have one true superstar but there is almost no weakness from the starters to the bench.

The only problem with Detroit is they get bored when facing an inferior opponent, they’ll allow teams that have no business hanging with the Pistons keep games close right to the end.

If Rasheed Wallace decides to commit himself to the post they will sweep the 76ers.

Prediction: Detroit in Five. Rasheed loves the three point line; no way the Pistons don’t give Philadelphia at least one game.


Orlando vs. Toronto

Comments:

No matter who you think will win I think we can all agree to you have to bet the over in every game of this series. Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard all score well above their average against Toronto.

On the flip side Bosh is averaging about 34 PPG in his last five contests against Orlando. He just owns their front court.

The Raptors will keep it close because of their advantage at the point but for them to win they’ll need that consistent second scorer. That guy who can create his own shot and get to the free throw line when the long range jumpers aren’t hitting. Unfortunately Andrea Bargnani has yet to develop into that guy and no one else on the team has the required skill set.

Prediction: Orlando in Six. Hate to say it, hope I’m wrong.


Cleveland vs. Washington

Comments:

I can’t stand this Cleveland team. They’ve been .500 since their “big trade” which brought in a whole new bunch of stiffs to replace their old stiffs. Who is any good beyond Lebron? Your in trouble when Zydrunas Ilgauskas is your next best option. Ben Wallace is an overpaid joke who has no offensive game to speak of. You really want to trust Delonte West at the point for a playoff series?

Washington on the other hand is getting healthy at the right time. I’m sure I am not the only one curious to see what kind of a show Gilbert Arenas puts on. Gilbert has to be thinking about all the money he can make by lighting up a woefully coached Cavs team.

The only way Cleveland wins this series is if the refs give Lebron 25 free throw attempts a game.

Prediction: Washington in Six. Lebron only averages 18 free throws a game.


WESTERN CONFERENCE


Los Angeles vs. Denver

Comments

Is their a more dysfunctional team in the league? They can beat any elite team on any night and then get blown out by Milwaukee the following night.

Marcus Camby is an overrated defender, no one plays any D and Carmelo has been taking driving lessons from Tony La Russa.

Kobe will simply destroy this team. He’ll score 40 a night without even trying. I’m betting he gets bored late in games and starts taking shots with his eyes closed.

Prediction: LA in Five. (Iverson will carry them to at least one win.)


New Orleans vs. Dallas

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Is it me or does Dallas remind you of the NBA’s answer to the Ottawa Senators? Both teams lost in the finals and then followed that up by losing in the opening round the following year. On the flip side Dirk Nowitzki has been playing better ball since his injury; and for once they’re going into a playoff series as the underdog.

Of course no player has more pressure on them than Jason Kidd. The Mavs gave up way too much to get him and he didn’t provide much of a spark in the regular season. If Dallas flops early the Kidd deal will go down as one of the worst trades in recent memory. Also keep in mind that Kidd just isn’t a great defender anymore. I remember two years ago Pacers PG Anthony Johnson lit him up for 40 in a critical Game Six. Call me crazy, but I don’t think Kidd has gotten any better defensively since then.

After saying all this how come it feels like the Hornets are still a year away? Beyond Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans doesn’t have much playoff experience and Peja isn’t exactly a money playoff guy. For the Hornets to win they need to hypnotize Stojakovic that he’s competing in a 3-Point Contest and not the playoffs.

Prediction: Dallas in Seven. Wildly entertaining series … The Kidd vs. Chris Paul match-up is more than enough of a reason to watch every game.


San Antonio vs. Phoenix

Comments

Next to alcohol and regret this series will be the reason I don’t sleep very much in the next couple of weeks.

So many stars, so much hate, so much on the line. The Suns Championship window is closing fast while the Spurs want to prove they can win back to back Championships.

I can’t be neutral on this series. I can’t stand the Spurs. From all their flopping to Tim Duncan bitching about every call their really isn’t much to like. The only reason to root for San Antonio is Matt “The Red Rocket” Bonner is on the team and with the impending TTC strike I’m assuming he must be miserable right now. Seriously someone send over the cops to make sure he’s okay.

Prediction: San Antonio in seven. I’m angry just writing that line.


Houston vs. Utah

Comments

This has to be the easiest series to pick. Rafer Alston is out for at least the first two games with a pulled hamstring. This means McGrady will have to log heavy minutes bringing the ball up court since the only other option is 35 year old Bobby Jackson, who isn’t a point guard to begin with.

Beyond T-Mac they have no one who can create their own shot.

I actually feel bad for Tracy on this one. Maybe he should go play for lousy teams and lead the league in scoring again so he won’t have to answer for his inability to win in the playoffs.

Prediction: Utah in five. McGrady will explode for one mythic game but aside from that Houston goes out quickly and quietly. Hey didn’t they have a 22 game winning streak at one point? I’m betting I’m not the only one who has forgotten about that.

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