The NBA Playoffs
NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs ( seeds in parentheses)
(1) Detroit versus (8) Chicago- Detroit will win this one easily, but the Bulls should be viewed as a threat for the next decade in the Eastern Conference. Detroit will have to put in more than a token effort to beat the Bulls, but Ben and Rasheed Wallace should be enough to shut down the young interior game of the Bulls.
(2) Miami versus (7) Indiana- Miami will put it together versus the Indiana Pacers and it will be done on the back of Dwayne Wade. While Shaq and others are strong enough to take out a weaker Pacers team, Wade will put them over the top easily and make them a formidable opponent to Detroit in the playoffs.
(3) New Jersey versus (6) Washington- In the upset special of the playoffs, the Washington Wizards will take out a hot New Jersey Nets team. Even though the Nets have been hot in the second half of the NBA season, I feel that the Wizards will be able to shock New Jersey in an early series where the enthusiasm will be high. This may be the best first round series in the entire NBA.
(4) Cleveland versus (5) Milwaukee- Cleveland should have no trouble with the struggling Bucks. LeBron James will step up as a big time performer against Milwaukee and the Bucks will have difficulty responding to the stronger front court of the Cavaliers. Andrew Bogut and Jamaal Magloire are not ready for prime time and the James era in Cleveland will move to a new level.
NBA Eastern Conference Champions- Detroit Pistons
NBA Western Conference Playoffs (seeds in parentheses)
(1) San Antonio versus (8) Utah- San Antonio will cruise through the Utah Jazz and the most ho-hum superstar team in the last two decades will make a strong push for the NBA Finals. Look for role players like Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen to step up as they normally due in the National Basketball Association playoffs, easing the pressure on Tim Duncan to lead them to the promised land.
(2) Phoenix versus (7) Los Angeles Lakers- While Kobe Bryant has the ability to blow out the scoreboard lights, the Phoenix Suns are a tremendous team. Even with injuries this season to Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, they have been able to mix last season’s offensive explosion to a new commitment to defense. The Lakers have too young a team to support Bryant and the Suns seem to have it going on this year.
(3) Denver versus (6) Los Angeles Clippers- The Clippers’ traditional struggles seem to be behind them and Mike Dunleavy’s coaching ability will be enough to push this talented and overachieving (an unlikely combo but the Clippers are an unlikely team) over the top. While Denver is probably more talented than the Clippers, the Nuggets still aren’t at the point where they will be able to wipe out a team they should beat in the playoffs. The Nuggets, however, are a National Basketball Association season away from being the new hot team in the West.
(4) Dallas versus (5) Memphis- The Mavericks are incredibly strong under the leadership of coach Avery Johnson and the MVP caliber year of Dirk Nowitski. But they will be challenged by a surging Memphis team that is rallying around Pau Gasol’s strong play. This will be a tougher NBA series for the Mavericks than it would appear on paper, but Johnson’s commitment to strong defense and a deep bench will get them to the second round.
NBA Western Conference Champions- Phoenix Suns.
NBA Finals- Detroit Pistons versus Phoenix Suns- While Detroit is the more polished of the two teams (and polish matters), I can’t help but feel that the Suns will have enough offense to beat the Pistons. It will be a series that is close whether Detroit or Phoenix wins, so if Mark D’Antoni can scrap together enough defense to stop Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, then they will win the close games.
