“Where Amazing Happens”

“Where Amazing Happens” – that is what the NBA wants fans and viewers to believe about the upcoming NBA Playoffs.

I’ll tell you what is amazing…that the best record of the bottom three seeds in the Eastern Conference is .500. Yes that means the 7th and 8th seeds both had losing records and yet they still managed to make the postseason – AMAZING ….. that a professional league blatantly promotes that teams ratchet up their level of play for the postseason. It is a different game being played than the 82-game regular season, but shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh – don’t tell the season ticket holders – AMAZING ….. I bet if you combined all the cannibis about to be smoked in and around the league during the postseason, you would have one heckuva brick! But relax, “It’s medicinal.” – AMAZING …..

Now that I have that out of the way, let’s take a look at the 1st round matchups. Despite the above, I do enjoy the playoffs and there will be some compelling basketball played throughout the next ten days. Besides, what am I going to do, watch “Real Housewives”? Yeah, right.

EASTERN CONFERERNCE

The Matchup: No. 1 Boston Celtics versus No. 8 Atlanta Hawks

My Prediction: Celtics in four.

Why watch it: The Hawks bumbled their way to a 37-45 regular season record and still managed to make the playoffs. The addition of Mike Bibby to the Hawks’ roster has not yielded the level of results hoped for by management and fans. At the other end of the spectrum, Boston added Kevin Garnett during the offseason and the move delivered a #1 seed in the East and a dominating team throughout the season. The Hawks have solid talent in their starting five, but will serve as nothing more than a tune-up for the Celtics.

The Matchup: No. 2 Detroit Pistons versus No. 7 Philadelphia 76′ers

My Prediction: Detroit in four.

Why watch it: If you do not know the name Andre Iguodala, you will soon. Iguodala is just about the only talent that the 76′ers (another sub-.500 team) have got. He’ll keep Philly in games for a half, but the Pistons are too well rounded for such a one dimensional team. This will be a slowed tempo series and that plays too well to Detroit’s strengths.

The Matchup: No. 3 Orlando Magic versus No. 6 Toronto Raptors

My Prediction: Magic in five.

Why watch it: Folks underestimated the Raptors entering the 2007 playoffs…and I am going to do it again. Orlando center Dwight Howard is one of the emerging stars in the leage. When you add Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu to Howard’s presence, the Raptors are seriously overmatched offensively. TJ Ford is going to have to create easy scoring chances for Chris Bosh just to keep Toronto competitive in these games.

The Matchup: No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers versus No. 5 Washington Wizards

My Prediction: Cavaliers in six.

Why watch it: Lebron. Seriously, the guy has delivered against other-worldly hype and has willed a totally revamped roster to the fourth seed. The Cavs are still finding their balance since the trade deadline, but the Wizards are not in much better shape. Their star trio of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have not had the luxury of playing many games together due to injury. The ‘Lebrons’ have the perfect first round opponent in the Wizards – just good enough to help them prepare for a run at the Eastern Conference crown.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Matchup: No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers versus No. 8 Denver Nuggets

My Prediction: Lakers in seven.

Why watch it: I am sorely tempted to pick the Nuggets, mostly due to my sentimental favorite NBA star, Allen Iverson (don’t ask…), playing for Denver. I just cannot do it though. There will be some justice however, as this season will be LA’s finest in the post-Shaq era and they owe it all to Pau Gasol. Forget Kobe ‘MVP’ Bryant. If you want to know what the difference is this year, you tell me which piece is new? In the end, the Nuggets just do not play enough defense to win this series.

The Matchup: No. 2 New Orleans Hornets versus No. 7 Dallas Mavericks

My Prediction: New Orleans in six.

Why watch it: I am officially off the Mavs bandwagon. Too many playoff disappointments and a matchup against ’should-be’ League MVP Chris Paul equals another year of disappointment for Dallas fans. I can guarantee you at least four camera shots per game of team owner Mark Cuban and he will be looking as goofy as ever. Cuban does have loads of money and a owns a pro sports team, but he will also be watching most of the playoffs from home…but I bet it’s a nice home, so he does have that going for him.

The Matchup: No. 3 San Antonio Spurs versus No. 6 Phoenix Suns

My Prediction: Suns in seven.

Why watch it: This is a conference finals caliber matchup and you get it in the first round – welcome to the West! The Spurs are the defending champs, but they can’t repeat can they? Not this year. I know that San Antonio has packed the Suns’ playoff bags in recent history. I know the Spurs play suffocating defense. Did you know that Phoenix traded for Shaquille O’Neal on my birthday? There you have it – the key to the series! The Big Aristotle makes a big difference and the Suns finally get over the hump. “Can you dig it?”

The Matchup: No. 4 Utah Jazz versus No. 5 Houston Rockets

My Prediction: Utah in five.

Why watch it: I would like to believe that T-Mac will shake off the career postseason funk, but I heard he chills with Rip Van Winkle, so it’s not to be. I will be honest, I dislike Carlos Boozer. I also think he will abuse Luis Scola, the Rockets’ rookie that will probably draw the assignment of guarding him. When it comes down to it, Houston peaked too early. The Jazz have continued to improve and the addition of Kyle Korver gives them too much offensively for the Rockets.