The NBA Playoffs are finally around the corner. It sucks that my Warriors are not in the playoffs, but life goes on.
I felt like offering my thoughts and opinions, so without further delay, here is my breakdown:
Western Conference
(1) LA Lakers vs (8) Denver Nuggets: I like the Lakers big in this series. The Nuggets play absolutely NO defense, and Kobe and company will expose that lack and score in huge numbers. The Nuggets have two superstars in Melo and AI, but the Lakers are deeper, better balanced, and better coached. The Nuggets still have great superstars, and have enough talent to take two games in this series. Pick: Lakers in 6
(2) New Orleans Hornets vs (7) Dallas Mavericks: On paper, both teams have a lot of talent, but I still like the Hornets. Chris Paul is playing out of his mind and raising the level of his teammates. Dallas, to me at least, lacks some intangibles. It might be Avery's over-coaching, past playoff failures fresh in their minds, or just lacking toughness. New Orleans is starting to provide great support to the Hornets, and the Hornets should come out on top barring a Maverick revival.
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(3) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Phoenix Suns: In many years, you might look at a 3 against 6 matchup and say the 3 is much better than the 6. But in this tight Western Conference, 3 and 6 are only ONE game apart. Both teams are very evenly matched. I actually like Phoenix here. I know the Spurs have Duncan and Finals experience, but they are getting old and fading, while Amare Stoudamire is an absolute beast. Combine that with Nash distributing the ball and Shaq's previous playoff success, and I think Phoenix avenges last year's defeat. Pick: Phoenix in 7
(4) Utah Jazz vs (5) Houston Rockets: I like Utah in this series. The Jazz are unbeatable at home, and probably will have home court advantage. Utah is really clicking right now. Houston had a nice run earlier, but they'll have to face the harsh reality that the Jazz are just better right now talent-wise. Expect Deron Williams to pick up where he left off in last year's playoffs as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Pick: Utah in 6
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston Celtics vs (8) Atlanta Hawks: This is a mere formality. Self-explanatory. I would be insulting your intelligence explaining the pick. Pick: Celtics in 4
(2) Detroit Pistons vs (7) Philadelphia: Detroit is obviously much better, but Philadelphia has played well at times this season, and gets one game in the series. Philly has young talent and a bright future, but Detroit is much more experienced in big time games. Pick: Pistons in 5
(3) Orlando Magic vs (6) Toronto Raptors: Orlando has Dwight Howard and a good supporting cast. Toronto is unimpressive and has underachieved, not to mention they lack a clutch playoff scorer. Orlando rolls through the series. Pick: Magic in 5
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Washington Wizards: Neither team is very deep or has a good overall group of players. The difference is LeBron. LeBron will carry the Cavs to victory in a tight series between two evenly matched, but crappy, teams. Pick: Cleveland in 6
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4 months ago
hornets over mavs? lol that's funny for couple of reasons. First hornets are a good team no doubt, but they haven't been in a war yet. Yes Mavs have had two of the worse playoff colapses in years but they've been to war together and they know how to win. I say Mavs in 6
from 4 months ago
They know how to win? Thats why the Hornets are the 2 seed and the Mavericks are the 7 seed. Dallas is 17-24 on the road. The Hornets are 26-14 on the road and 29-11 at home. The whole season is a war, and the Hornets proved they can survive the battles in the Western Conference.
from 4 months ago
They know how to win? Thats why the Hornets are the 2 seed and the Mavericks are the 7 seed. Dallas is 17-24 on the road. The Hornets are 26-14 on the road and 29-11 at home. The whole season is a war, and the Hornets proved they can survive the battles in the Western Conference.
from 4 months ago
Divya,
It's impossible to make an argument (such as the one in your rebuttal to Armin) for a Western Conference team based on its seeding in the playoffs this year. Quite honestly, the Golden State Warriors are out of the playoffs but could beat any one of these top eight teams.
However, I think you've hit the nail on the head with the road game statistics. Plus the real issue here is Avery Johnson's reluctance to allow Jason Kidd, the leauge's most intelligent and tested point guard, to run the game as he sees fit. Not to mention the fact that everyone knows with the game on the line, Avery's plan is to drive to the hoop, dish the ball to Dirk so he can purposefully avoid contact and take an off-kilter shot while triple-teamed.
Coaching is the story of this matchup. One of the largest let downs in NBA coaching (Avery Johnson) versus one of the hottest coaches in the league (Byron Scott, who I have as the runner-up for Coach of the Year behind Mo Cheeks).
I'm with you and believe that the Hornets win this series, but I think it only takes 5 games despite what I believe will be Dirk's best playoffs yet. There won't be blowout games in this series either way (until the final, elimination game for Dallas because they have got to be one of the worst pressure/clutch teams in the NBA).
4 months ago
I agree with Armin. I also suggest that you read my latest article, as these matchups (for the West) are very far from set-in-stone. In fact, every single seed could still change!
from 4 months ago
wow, Divya is a little naive when it comes to...well, everything. Sorry man, but Mavs are a bettr team, did you watch the regular seaeson? And compared to the playoffs, it's not even close to a WAR dude, really. Mavs are sneaking under the radar for once, and that's when they are most dangerous. Mavs WILL win it. All?
from 4 months ago
Over 82 games who had the better record? The Hornets.
Who has the legitamite MVP candidate: The Hornets. (Not the joke that MVP Nowitzki was)
The Mavericks are 3-11 against teams vs winning records after the Kidd trade. Is that a dangerous team? Is that a championship contender? Is Avery a championship level coach?
No. Hell no. And no. The Mavericks just reek pretender all the way.
from 4 months ago
teams *with* winning records.
Sorry for the typo. But my point is the name.
New Orleans beats Dallas. Book it. Lock it. Take it to the bank.
4 months ago
Hornets? Yea right! ALL TEXAS teams will make it to the second round. Suns over Spurs? R U CRAZY? Until someone beats the Spurs in a 7 game series, they r still THE team to beat. Horry will pull another tackle on Nash if he has to. And the Rockets will win a best of 7 too. Boo Parmar and his predictions. He's only right about the overrated Lakers. C-YA!!!
from 4 months ago
How about the Rockets? Utah is 37-4. Thats right. You read it correctly. THIRTY SEVEN AND FOUR. There is absolutely no far the Rockets win in Utah.
from 4 months ago
And Tracy McGrady. How many playoffs series has he won? How many teams has he led past the first round?
ZERO. Zilch. Nada. None.
He's won as many first round series as me. He's won as many series in the playoffs as my grandma.
4 months ago
Drew might be a texas fan lol. i think the hornets will beat the mavs. actually i think they will steal one from dallas and beat them in 5. paul is amazing this year and the mavs are having difficulties beating teams over .500 so i doubt that they will mesh in time. on the other hand if you dont have yao ming u wont get past the first round. T-Mac has proven over the years that he cant put the team on his shoulders and get past the first round so he wont do it this year. spurs and suns can go either way and lakers will have there way with the nuggets
4 months ago
Sorry, but Washington WILL beat the "crappy" Cavs in 6... THIS YEAR!
from 4 months ago
If LeBron puts up 31 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, good luck to you.
If there is a clutch time in the game, who've you got Wizards fans? I'd take LeBron in clutch time over Gilbert Arenas every day of the week.
from 4 months ago
The only way Washington wins is if they keep Gilbert on his blog, where he belongs, and off of the court.
He ruins the chemistry of an otherwise young, intelligent team. Gilbert's never seen an ugly shot he didn't like. Look for him to be in a Knicks uniform if Isiah somehow maintains any input in the free agency.
4 months ago
IT'S LBJ ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 months ago
a couple of things, I still think that Phoenix can't stop Manu or parker and Duncan can play stoudamire at least decently, every other player's contributions are pretty much set in stone barring an unforeseen playoff slump on either side (not likely with 2 veteran teams), the X-factor here is Shaq, the Spurs are kinda thin down low other than Duncan so if Shaq establishes himself Phoenix has a shot, but San Antonio is more experienced and will win in crunch time in my view, it will be a 7 game series like you said. Second, I can see orlando sweeping the Raptors, the dropoff from the first 3 seeds to the rest of the eastern conference is palpable. Arenas is limping into the playoffs this year so Washington doesn't have the lockdown defender needed to stay with Lebron, he will put up 50 at least once and the Cavs take it in 5, and than proceed to getting routed at the garden in round 2.
from 4 months ago
The Suns DO have an answer for Parker. His name is Grant Hill. Grant has done a phenomenal job on Parker and it shows in his numbers when playing the Suns. With Shaq handling TD straight up, Stoudamire left to roam the paint, Grant smothering Parker, that leaves Bell, a tough defender left to handle Manu. As a Suns fan, we own this one.
4 months ago
Orlando might win but not in 5. Bosh usually plays to a statistical tie with Howard. Raptors also has Calderon and ford as pg which will be an advantage. Also they have as many good shooters as Orlando.
4 months ago
its hard to do the Western Conference yet because the seeds have not been officially set
4 months ago
Ian is right. If Utah wins in San Antonio tomorrow and Houston and Phoenix win their home games, the seeding will be Jazz#3, Phoenix#4, Houston#5 and Spurs at #6. I would like to see that scenario. Only problem is Utah haven't won in SA since Feb 1999, 20 consecutive losses!
4 months ago
Duncan is going to have to contend with Shaq's size, and Stoudemire's quickness. That is too much for one player, even if you are as good as Duncan is. He does not have enough help on the frontline to contend with Amare and Shaq. Suns in 6 with that series.
4 months ago
Not to mention the series aren't set yet, so we'll see what happens in the next two days.
4 months ago
I predict all the Texas teams will be out by the first round. Also, i predict Bruce Bowen will make another few dirty plays on Nash, only this time he will get a one game suspension for it.
I'm with you, the W's should've made the playoffs. but it's like everyone was saying- losing to $hite teams like minnesota and the bulls came back to haunt them later.
from 4 months ago
I also think what hurt the Warriors is they started like what this year, 0-8 I think right?? It was something bad I know that
4 months ago
I predict you'll see more than one Western series go 7 games. Too close a race not to battle out to the final game.
4 months ago
magic in 5 over raptors??? are you crazy.. delfino, parker, kapono, caulderon are all shooting good percentages lately.. the magic are going to double team bosh, all its going to take is for him to kick it out for an open shot. also rasho's play has been incredible.. he's going to be tough for howard. raptors in 6...
from 4 months ago
The Raptors are 40-41 in the EASTERN CONFERENCE. If you're under .500 in the East, how can I take you seriously?
They haven't performed well this season, and Orlando has had a good season.
Plus, won't the Raptors have to double team Dwight Howard? Then Howard can kick it out to Hedo Turkolu (spelling?), Rashard Lewis (excellent shooter), and Jameer Nelson.
4 months ago
The raprors arent 40-41 they are 41-40, but anyway, I expect Washington to beat the Cavs, if Arenas would have been healthy this season, they would have been the team in 4th.
from 4 months ago
LeBron can carry a bunch of D-Leaguers to win if he has to. LeBron is achieving greatness never seen before except for Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and other Hall of Fame quality players.
In a tight game, LeBron steps up in a Jordan-esque way to lead this team to victory. The Wizards may be a better team, but the NBA is a superstar league. Superstars lead teams to championships. LeBron is that superstar.
from 4 months ago
**sarcasm** They are 41-40 instead of 40-41?? They have total earned my respect now! They're great!!!!!
4 months ago
Gilbert Arenas is also a superstar, not in the same calibar as james, but when you also have to other stars in jamison and butler, they will win
4 months ago
also you said that the raptors havent played well vs orlando? since dwight howard has been a magic player, when cb4 is in the lineup, they are 8-3 vs orlano
from 4 months ago
I didn't say head to head, I was trying to say overall team performance over 82 games, a full season. Orlando has played better, period.
4 months ago
WHOEVER THE Nuggets play better watch out!!! With NENE back, Martin, and Camby all together we will beat up the LAKERS, OR the Hornets. Denver is STRONG up front, won 50 games, and gets back a brutal BIG(NENE) and is getting zero credit. Go ahead write AI off:)
from 4 months ago
You guys give up 106 points a game. Absolutely no defense. Defense wins championships. You guys gave up 132 points to Phoenix and 151 points to Seattle. That is inexcusable. The defense is a joke. Kobe could score a 100 on Denver. Gasol could score 40. Odom could score 35.
4 months ago
first off divya i want to say you know your stuff. and i know mine. im an incredibly huge dallas fan however i dont see them winning it all. but if (kidd, terry, dirk,& howard) get there act together its over. byron has tons of experience as COACHING with his old nets team but we have his old nets star jason. denver and lakers dont know lakers r playing great but i dont like pau he left my memphis grizzlies team. i like chris bosh a lot but i see orlando winning.until gilbert turns into habatchi or agent zero im saying go cavs.phx and spurs hmmm that shouldnt be in the first round its going to come down to who wants it more i cant see duncan and oberto out scoring shaq and stoudermire spelling grants going to get his, so is parker put it like this. this series is going 7 games and it going to come down to the forth quarter 0.23 left then youll know. your wrong divya avery has learned what it feels like to lose the mavs as a team know what it feels like to make it all the way to the big dance and come up short theyll be prepared. you can bet. come to think of it since you know your stuff so much when is the last time the hornets made it there? give credit were its due bro or gal. boston crushes atl. i like joe johnson though. detroit over philly in fact detroit v.s boston e.c.f mavs v.s suns either mavs or suns win championship over boston. or boston win championship over mavs or suns im happy the golden state warriors didnt make the the playoff i for one agree with charles"chuckster"barkley there munchkins score/pound them down low shame on dallas last year. oh well i see were still in the playoffs and they arent hahahahaha that counts for something.
4 months ago
good points Lisa but I still think Parker can't be stopped, Grant Hill may be a wily veteran and a good defender but parker is just too fast in my view. Bell is also a good defender but stopping Manu Ginobili isn't exactly a walk in the park, the Spurs are among the best if not the best clutch teams in the league and in a series between two very evenly matched teams, that is what it'll all come down to. In retrospect, Kurt Thomas can "handle" Soutdamire (and by handle i mean hold under 26 points)
4 months ago
sorry buddy but i think celtics are overrated. celtic's won't last past 2 round. there gonna self distruct sonner or later. but would i would like is for the finals to be Lakers vs. celtics it's a great thing for young lakers fans as well as celtics fan. just like the old school days. dynasty vs. dyansty, kobe vs. Garnett, Gasol vs. paul it would be a great remake of the 6o's, 70's and 80's rivalary.
from 4 months ago
Overrated? They won 67 games. They went 15-5 against the West and beat the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks all in a row in the same road trip.
The Celtics have a +20.3 point differential, best in the league. They are one of the best defensive teams in the league.
They are not overrated, and will roll into the conference finals.
from 4 months ago
Typo: **+10.3 point differential**, not 20.3
4 months ago
That sucks that your Warriors are out but here is how you can keep these playoffs interesting. (I am a Detroit Lions fan so my friends and I do this every NFL playoff.)
Get 4 or 8 of your friends together and throw 5 or 10 (or any amount of money) into a pot. Throw # 1-8 or 1-4 into a hat, everyone draw a number. Whoever gets one gets to pick the first team and last team left, two get 2nd and 2nd to last and so on. If you get 8 people in you get 2 teams to root for during the playoffs. The winner keeps the pot.
I don't do this if one of the local favorites are in it but it is a great way to stay interested and entertained when your team doesn't make it.
PS. All my buddies and I thought that whoever got the Patriots last NFL playoffs would take it, and the Giants ended up being the 2nd to last pick. Which makes it fun.
4 months ago
I find it funny that people are talking about the Nuggets defense, but the Lakers aren't exactly stellar themselves when it comes to defense either, i'm just saying. You say that Kobe could score 100 on the Nuggets, Gasol could score 40 and Odom 35 (which I seriously doubt that)...but people tend to forget that the Nuggets have four people that have scored 40 or more this season. Iverson and Carmelo, obviously, and JR Smith and Klieza (who aren't even starters). That doesn't even include Kenyon Martin that has the ability to score 30 himself. So the Lakers better just make sure they have all avenues covered because if Denver starts clicking on all cyliders, Iverson starts going off (which would be a big enough problem), Carmelo starts going off in the post and JR Smith starts raining 3's, the Lakers could find themselves in trouble. Add that to the fact that Nene (who hasn't played all season) and Kenyon have the ability to cancel out Gasol and Lamar Odem by themselves. I'm just saying, the Lakers aren't exactly the San Antonio Spurs, Celtics or Pistons when it comes to defense themselves. Infact they are probably the worst defensive team of the top four seeds. So if we are going to cover all grounds and call out the teams on defense (especially when you are a Warriors fan)...then cover all grounds. I agree that the Lakers will take the series but I just don't think that it will be as easy as people are trying to make it and hope to god for the Lakers sake that they don't go in underestimating that Nuggets team...and this is coming from a Spurs fan...and by the way, the Suns aren't beating us. LOL!
from 4 months ago
I was just looking at some stats. The Lakers are 6th in the NBA in field goal percentage against. Not bad. They are also 6th in John Hollinger's points allowed per 100 possessions with only 102 points per 100 possessions.
The Lakers allow a lot of points because they play a faster style, so in the up-and-down action, the opponent scores more as well. If the Lakers wanted to slow the game down, they could be an excellent defensive team. The reason the Spurs allow so little points is because they slow down the game to a crawl.
4 months ago
Great Article. I pretty much agree entirely with these predictions.
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