NBA Playoffs - As Good As Advertised (Arenas not Included)

The NBA Playoffs start this weekend and although it looks like a two-horse race between Cleveland and LA, I think we are going to see a lot of upsets along the way. As usual, the West is full of parity with the exception of LA, with only 6 games separating seeds 2-7. This means there really are no upsets and every first round match-up could go to 7 games. If I am forced to pick, I think the most likely upset here is New Orleans over Denver. Denver hasn't made it out of the first round since 1994, the Hornets had a deep run last year and were picked by many as a dark horse title contender this year. If Tyson Chandler is healthy, this team could make it to the conference finals and take LA to 7, but probably lose. Last year's lineup is pretty much still in tact, with Chris Paul leading the way. The kid is an assist machine, averaging 11 per game (only one more than Gilbert's avg of 10 apg). David West has been quietly dominant all season putting up Jamison-esque numbers yet rarely getting any media attention. I like this team a lot and Denver usually chokes in the playoffs so look for the Hornets to move on.

Another team I really like out of the West is Portland. Their front office has done a remarkable job over the best few seasons drafting a core of guys who have future championship written all over them. Look at the guys on their roster that they have actually drafted: Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez. Also Travis outlaw has really stepped it up this season. Coming off the bench, he is averaging 12 ppg and has reach double figures in 9 straight. He will definitely bring a Horry like element to this squad. They are deadly behind the arc and have more than enough size in the paint to intimidate opposing teams. Portland are masters at building a team and I love how everyone contributes equally. If anyone can beat LA and move on to the finals, its these guys. Western Conference Teams without a chance: Utah, and Huston.

Let's switch gears for a second and get into the Eastern Conference Playoff picture. For the last couple of seasons, the East has been noticeably worse than the West, usually delivering only 1 or 2 actual contenders in an always top-heavy conference. Although, this year is not much different (Cleveland, Boston and Orlando pretty much have outplayed the rest of the conference all season long) I do think this is an overall up year for the East. Atlanta has improved vastly from last year, increasing their win total by 10 and getting home court advantage in the first round. Much like Portland, Atlanta built their team from the ground up, drafted well and now has a young core who will be contending for years to come. Unfortunately for the Hawks, I think Miami will get the best of them in what looks to be the best series of the 1st round. Dwayne Wade and a young supporting cast will not lose in the first round. In my opinion Wade should win the MVP. He won't, but he should. He is a statistical anomaly. He leads the league in scoring @ 30.2 ppg and is the only player to record over 100 blocks and 100 steals in the same season (While also leading my fantasy team to the finals). There is no way this guy is going to lose in the 1st round. Miami is actually my dark horse out of the East, and I don't think anyone would mind seeing DWade v Lebron in the Conference Finals.

Did you hear? KG may miss the entire playoffs?! (now we wont get to hear his ridiculous battle cry at the beginning of each Cs home game) This is a huge story, and one that has been kept under raps for the past 2 months. I can't believe that the Celtics were able to keep this so low key, but kudos to them for doing so. This does not bode well for the defending champs. They still have a very talented team and a good coach. A lot of young guys have stepped up in KGs absence and will be relied heavily upon in this years playoffs (Big Baby, Rondo, Perkins...Starbuy?) I still think they'll make it out of the first round, but I see them getting upset by the Orlando-we-play-like-Billy-Donovan-actually-is-our-coach- Magic in the semis (Where's Matt Walsh at?). Orlando is pretty one D-(Howard)-mentional and will probably lose to the Cavs in the conference finals in 6 games. Eastern Conference Teams without a chance: Chicago, Detroit and Philly

So barring the unthinkable, it's pretty safe to say that we are looking at a Lakers-Cavs finals in what is slated to be the next Magic v Bird match up with Kobe and Lebron going head to head. This match up is almost too close to call and should make for a fantastic series. I give the edge to Cleveland because they have home court advantage and have been utterly dominant at home (an astonishing 39-2). However, they were swept by the Lakers during the regular season and suffered their only Lebron-included home loss to them. LA also gets back a much needed Andrew Bynum adding to their already deep front court (Sorry, Lebron no bitchy drives or crab dribbles are gonna work in this series). Both of these guys have a chip on their shoulder, both feed off each other and both want to take home the crown more than anything. Both have led otherwise mediocre teams to cruise through their respective conferences, and the stage is set for a showdown for the ages. In fact, if this finals doesn't happen it will be terrible for basketball and for sports as a whole. Please gods of basketball, the people have spoken and want this matchup more than America wants to buy Susan Boyle's debut LP. My prediction: Cavs in 7.

All this playoff talk has got me thinking about one more thing: The MVP race. Never in my day have we had a three-horse race like this with all 3 candidates more than deserving of the reward. If only they could split it 3 ways, i wouldn't mind one bit. I (along with the rest of the world) think its going to go to Lebron hands down (probably because of his great Crab Dribbling skills). And as much as I cant stand the guy, he does deserve it. Look at his supporting cast. Aside from Mo Williams, this team would be destined for the lottery without King James instead of the runaway favorites to win it all. Not since MJ have we seen such dominance out of one player, the man is a triple double machine and does whatever is needed of him. Kobe is a born leader, he makes everyone around him better and although this hasn't been his most impressive season, his numbers as still right up there with his MVP campaign last year. He has a little more to work with in his teammates than Lebron which is probably why he doesn't need to do as much. You might as well call this guy Mr. Consistency, because that's exactly what hes been over the past 10+ years. The man virtually puts up the same numbers every season, its amazing. That being said, I still think Wade had a better season individually. He's so good and also has a team that would be nowhere without him. Its hard to sympathize however, because Lebron has been deserving of the MVP numbers-wise for the last 2 seasons, but failed to get it because his team was still middle of the pack. Get your team to a 2-seed in the East, and maybe you'll get it Dwayne, sorry and early congrats to Lebron, you've earned it man.

*Some statistics courtesy of espn.com

Thats it, everyone make sure to watch the O's - Redsox 4 game series this weekend and game 2 of the 1st round series between the Caps and Rangers. Maybe Sean Avery will lose a tooth or two if we're lucky. Until next time...