NBA Playoffs 2012: Prognosis for Teams Facing Major Obstacles

Heading into the fourth day of NBA playoff action, we have already seen tons of drama and plenty of hardship. A good number of teams find themselves between a rock and a hard place, as they attempt to move on in their first round playoff series.

Some of the issues are self-inflicted, others are happenstance. Here is a breakdown of the issue and the outlook on the problem.

How Far Can the Chicago Bulls Go Without Derrick Rose?

Watching Rose go down in Game 1 was one of the worst sights I've seen in over 30 years of watching basketball. I say that not just from the heart of a Bulls' fan, but from the mind of a basketball fan. 

It is terrible to see a truly great, young player denied an opportunity to lead his team in an attempt to win a NBA championship.

Is this the end for the Bulls?

No, it isn't. They will still defeat the Philadelphia 76ers. I predict they will knock them off in five games. I can even see them defeating the Atlanta Hawks or the Boston Celtics in the next round.

But the dream ends there.

Unless something happens to the Miami Heat along the way, the Bulls have no chance to beat the Heat in a series without the MVP. If you believe a regular season victory without Rose will hold up in the postseason, you're sadly mistaken.

I didn't believe the Bulls would beat the Heat with Rose—but they did have a shot, especially with the way Richard Hamilton has been coming on.

Now, it won't happen. But if the Bulls advance that deep in the playoffs without Rose, they should be very proud of themselves; for whatever that's worth.

A New York Mess

The Knicks are in desperate and deep trouble. They are undermanned, over-matched and down 2-0 against the Miami Heat. If Iman Shumpert's terrible knee injury and Jeremy Lin's injury weren't enough, Amar'e Stoudemire added to the misery by injuring himself.

The Knicks' forward punched a glass near a fire extinguisher after Game 2, lacerating his hand. He'll be out for Game 3 due to the cut.

I completely understand emotion, I'm quite fiery myself. We all do stupid things, it just so happened Stoudemire's actions will cost him.

If we were all made to pay for every dumb action, there would be a lot of lacerated hands in the world.

That said—it only digs a deeper hole for the Knicks, and it's one they can not get out of.

They will get swept, although Game 4 will likely be a classic—but they will still be swept.

Rondo Bumped Up

Rajon Rondo is lucky he wasn't suspended more than one game. He violated NBA rules and man-law by invading NBA official Marc Davis' personal space, with his over-the-top contest of a foul call. Then he took it to another level by bumping him. Plus he was suspended earlier in the season for throwing the ball at an official.

I applaud Davis for his restraint and understanding. I would not have blamed him for reciprocating some of that fire back at the Celtics' guard.

I've seen guys get angry and animated about a call, but Rondo's aggression was way too much in my opinion. He ruined a great performance and the momentum his team was set to carry into Game 2.

The Celtics were thoroughly outplayed for most of the game, but in the second half they buckled down and nearly stole Game 1.

Now their chances of winning Game 2 are severely handicapped without Rondo. Luckily for him, he has a veteran team, and the Hawks still have a basketball IQ the size of a mustard seed.

The C's could lose Game 2, win Games 3-6, and take this series in six games. I'm not positive things will go down just like that, but I will say the Celtics will win this series—despite Rondo's tantrum and suspension.

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