after a long layoff (some say he was last seen in mexico with a donkey, a midget & bottle of tequila) Jordo has returned to us with his words of wisdom.
Gaz's NBA PLAYOFF's PREVIEW
Duke won a National Title, Major League Baseball started, Kentucky’s entire basketball team declared for the draft, and Tiger played the Master’s are all events that took place since I last blogged. As you can see only minor events, so we are going to look at a major event that is about to take place in the sports world: NBA playoffs!
Now I know most of you would rather read Canterbury Tales from cover to cover than sit down and watch an entire NBA game. My question to you is...why? The NBA features THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD (shoot me for thinking 6’8 guys that can run just as fast and jump twice as high as NFL players aren’t better athletes), believe it or not they do play defense (and if they don’t who cares...more points = more entertainment), and lastly...(couldn’t think of another reason).
With that, NBA playoffs start this weekend! I am going to break down each and every first round match up and maybe I’ll even give you my take on who will win each series (that’s only if you’re lucky).
Being an East Coaster myself, let’s begin with the Eastern Conference:
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavilers
The Bulls held off the Toronto Raptors for the eighth and final playoff spot and with that they get the award of playing the Cavs in the first round. Cleveland has a few question marks surrounding them. How will Shaq bounce back from a lengthy injury? Who will step up and make big shots (obviously besides LeBron)? Can Mike Brown prove that he actually coaches? These are three major questions. The Cavs need Shaq to give solid minutes, they need Moe Williams and Antwain Jamison to step up and hit big shots, and they need Mike Brown to draw up an actual play and not just play tic-tak-toe on the dry erase board. Luckily for the Cavs they won’t have to worry about any of these questions against the Bulls. Look Chicago is a solid, youthful team, but they just don’t have what it takes. (Maybe next year if they can sign both Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh).
Prediction: Cleveland in 5
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are done. This team is old and washed up (rumors are their locker room is starting to smell of diapers and tapioca pudding) and Doc Rivers coaching flaws are glaring. Let’s be honest Homer-Center coaching legend Dan Antonacci could have led the Celtics to a title two years ago. All season long I waited for Boston to turn it on, but the switch was never hit. This series is the Heat’s to lose. Miami won 18 of 22 games to end the season and seem to have finally found their stride. Look for Wade and company to deliver Boston one last knockout punch.
Prediction: Miami in 6
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Orlando Magic
The Bobcats suck. Michael Jordan becomes owner. The Bobcats make the playoffs. Looks like MJ is making just as big of an impact off the court as he did on (okay, so that’s a lie). Charlotte will look to win their first ever playoff series against the reigning Eastern Conference champs, the Orlando Magic. Ron Jeremy has his team playing well entering the playoffs (Did I say Ron Jeremy? I’m sorry I meant Stan Van Gundy). The Magic might be the most complete team in the NBA. Any time you have a group of five to six players that can straight stroke the three-ball and the best big man in basketball (Dwight Howard) you have to like your chances. Look for Orlando to slip up a time or two on the road (being that Charlotte is one of the best teams in the NBA when playing at home), but when it is all said and done the Magic will be one step closer to playing in the NBA Finals for the second straight year.
Prediction: Orlando in 5
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
This could possibly be the most boring first round match up. The Bucks, led by rookie Brandon Jennings (who looks as though he should have stared in the 90’s hit move House Party), overachieved all season long. In fact they even looked like a team that could be a sleeper come playoff time. However, that was all before Andrew Bogut laid on the court with his elbow looking very similar to spaghetti (he dislocated his elbow for those who didn’t get it). The Hawks bring the youngest and most athletic team in the NBA into this game. It’s almost a shame that Atlanta won’t be able to resign their entire team or they could be a powerhouse in a few years. Atlanta will cruise through this series only to lose to Orlando in the next round and then eventually lose Joe Johnson to free agency. (The future isn’t looking so bright for the Hawks).
Prediction: Atlanta in 5
Let’s now take this time to move on to the Western Conference playoffs (which will be a lot more entertaining than the East:
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers
What has happened to Kobe and the Lakers? The only answer that I can come up with is that the entire team has joined Ron Artest by sippin on some booze before and during the games. I can just picture Ron and the boyz (z makes it seem more gangsta) brown-baggin it and listening to some Screwston rap music, while Adam Morrison and Luke Walton run around the locker room in their whitey-tighties after splitting a six-pack of wine coolers. Okay, okay enough with the jokes. We all know the Lakers have the ability to just turn the switch on and become a great team and they will do just that to get past the Thunder. The future is bright for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but they will have to wait another year. This Oklahoma City team could be scary good two to three years down the road and as much as I would like to pick them to pull the shocking upset of the Lakers, I just don’t have the balls to do it. Look for an extremely entertaining first round series between LA and Oklahoma City.
Prediction: LA in 6
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
I think I speak for everyone when I wish George Karl a quick and speedy recovery. For those of you who don’t know, Karl was diagnosed with throat cancer during the season. Something this serious and tragic is not easy for a team to cope with. The Nuggets have really struggled since Karl diagnosis. This was a team I thought could win the West, but after all this I don’t see how they will win this series. Not having your head coach on the bench and knowing that he isn’t there because of cancer is just too hard to overcome. Deron Williams and the Jazz are way too good at home to not win this series. Expect a highly entertaining series with a lot of close games.
Prediction: Utah in 7
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Spurs are old. They’re injured. They’re beat up. People have ridden them off. That is exactly why they will win this series.
Prediction: San Antonio in 7
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns
The Suns finally put it all together. Steve Nash and company have been playing better basketball since the All Star break than any other team in the NBA. They have become more consistent offensively and have been able to buckle down on defense in clutch situations. I honestly believe heading into the playoffs that the Phoenix Suns will represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Yes, I just said that! Phoenix will have no problem with Portland in this first round match up, especially if Brandon Roy is unable to play.
Prediction: Phoenix in 5
If that wasn’t the best NBA first round playoff breakdown you ever read then you’re obviously reading ESPN or Sports Illustrated. In all honestly I hope you all get a chance to watch a couple of the games. I’ll be the first to say that I hate the NHL, but at times I found myself excited and into the Pens’ playoff run last season. If you watch the NBA playoffs this year, I can almost guarantee that you will feel the same way.
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