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Surprised I beat Gears to the punch.

But, it's that time of year again when all the kids in college take the backseat to the professional ballers to see who's cream of the crop in the NBA. This year has matchups, or potential matchups, that may be some of the best we've seen in a couple years.
And I can't be the only one blown away at the T-Wolves, who had an amazing run to the Western Conference Finals last year, completely missing the playoffs this year. What happened to that team chemistry? They just didn't compete on the same level as they did last year. Also, I knew the Cavs were going to drop out of the playoffs even when they were high seeded. There team fell apart like a graham cracker right after the new ownership and firing of Paul Silas. Worst firing ever. Or, best firing ever if you're like me and dislike the Cavs and LeBron. It's been a great year so far and should be a great round of playoffs.

Standard operating procedure. Post predictions and whatnot.

East:

(1) Miami def. (8) New Jersey

No chance whatsoever for the Nets. Scalibrene and Collins guarding Shaq? Are you kidding? I'd be surprised if the Nets aren't swept.

(4) Chicago def. (5) Washington

Whoa, since when did this happen? The Bulls legit playoff contenders. It's no joke, they'll take their first playoff round since the MJ Era. Washington has had a great year with Arenas, Hughes, and Dixon, but they're no match for the magic surrounding the Baby Bulls.

(3) Boston def. (6) Indiana

This mathcup is difficult to watch for me because I like the Pacers, but I LOVE the Celtics. I might've given the edge to Indiana before last night's game, but they played hideously, getting thrashed by 20. I love Reggie Miller, but not even his sweet jumpshot can save the Pacers in this round. I've watched the Celtics all season so I pretty much know their entire roster, and they have a very deep bench, despite naysaying by the ESPN media. If 'Toine, Pierce, Davis, and Payton can light up, I'd even say "Watch out, Detroit!".

(2) Detroit def. (7) Philadelphia

(Yeah, I'm lame and didn't pick a first round upset). Philly has an excellent lineup in AI, C-Webb, Igudola, and Ashton Kutcher- er, Korver. But as we saw in game 1, they can't play a lick of defense. The Brothers Wallace tore apart the Philly interior, and Tayshaun, Chauncey, and Rip tore the Sixers a new one with their precision shooting. And I think I speak for everyone when I say "WE WANT DARKO!"

West:

(1) Phoenix def. (8) Memphis

Not an upset, but this round will go 7 if Pau Gasol lights it up. The Suns will end up winning this though. Contrary to popular belief, Steve Nash IS the MVP of the league this year in his ability to make everyone around him much better (case in point: Stoudamire, Marion, and Joe Johnson all having career years statistically). Nash has stepped right up in his first year returning to Phoenix and has assumed the leadership role. And that's something the Grizzlies are lacking. Gasol has to assume that spot as leader if the Grizz want to win at all any time in the future.

(5) Houston def. (4) Dallas

Oho! An upset! I actually even had this pick even before watching the Rockets blast off (pun intended) on the Mavs on their own court on Saturday. Game 1 only gives me confidence this was the right pick. While all the attention gets drawn to T Mac and Yao, it's the impressive backcourt of Houston that's giving them results. Jon Barry, David Wesley, Bobby Sura, Jim Jackson. Oh, Dallas will win about 2 games and you can thank Dirk Nowitzki for that. You can't expect the Rockets to be able to frustrate Dirk the entire series. But there aren't enough role players on the Mavs to get to the second round, in my opinion.

(6) Sacramento def. (3) Seattle

Oho! Another upset! Yes, Seattle has had a great year. But I'm looking at their games down the stretch, and they haven't looked very impressive. I think the x-factor for Seattle to try to beat the Kings lies with Danny Fortson. Can he show up to help Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and the rest of the elite players for the Sonics? I don't think so, that's why I pick the Kings. True, I don't like the idea of the Kings already down 1-0 by blowing a big 21 point lead. But Peja, Miller, and Bibby will take over this series (assuming they all don't get injured, geez). If Songaila can get 20-and-10 in one of the games, I'll say the series is over in 6, otherwise it'll take 7.

(7) Denver def. (2) San Antonio

Oho! Yes, I went there! ... It really is a tough call, especially having to put my bias toward the Spurs behind me. I looked at the record. An unbelievable record under George Karl, the entire team playing as a cohesive unit. Carmelo hasn't stepped into the leadership role, but they'll try to ride the impressive team chemistry as long as they can in these playoffs. I predict it'll take two overtimes in Game 7 to decide this one. I can be easily wrong on this one, and it depends on Tim Duncan.


So my Second Round Matchups look like:


Miami vs. Chicago / Detroit vs. Boston
Phoenix vs. Houston / Sacramento vs. Denver

I love basketball

--------------------

"When I turn the page
The corner bends into the perfect dog ear
As if the words knew I'd need them again
But at the time, I didn't see it."

~"This Ain't a Surfin' Movie" - Minus the Bear

Yeah baby, Ben Gordon me all day. The Baby Bulls are back!


East:

(1) Miami vs (8) New Jersey

I think with Vinsanity's resurgence, the Nets will make it last 6. Because Shaq will mess up his ankle some more (which would be great news for their next series).

(4) Chicago vs (5) Washington

I don't care what Barkley and every other analyst says, because they haven't watched the Bulls this year. I hate Tony Meija from Sportsline with a passion, talk about an anti-chicago bias. Anyways, everyone is writing them off because they don't have Curry and Deng. Don't they realize that they still won 15 of their last 18 without them? Their 3 losses were to Miami, Detroit, and to their series rival Wizards (they were also without Nocioni and Chandler that game). Nocioni was OUTSTANDING today, yet he's already gotten a bad rap by the mainstream media. Gordon is so good by the way. Please watch him, he's comically explosive. He gets double teamed and he still drains 3's in their eyes. Come on, Emeka Okafor? Stop looking at stats, and judge a player by his merit. (Same goes for Nash)

(3) Boston vs (6) Indiana

Wow, Miller needs to go down hard. Though Carlisle did a great job turning them around, I really don't think they can compete with the Celtics. Toine and Pierce will be too much, Ricky Davis.

(2) Detroit vs (7) Philadelphia

I love Iverson so much. He was my favorite player the past 5 years. He can't do it alone though, and if Chris Webber isn't overrated, I don't know who is.
West:

(1) Phoenix vs. (8) Memphis

Why are people saying this is going to be a good matchup? I don't see it. At all. The Suns will make VERY short work of Memphis, they might win a game if Gasol goes all out. I doubt it, Suns sweep.

(5) Houston vs. (4) Dallas

Dallas will come back and win it. I'm not a Dallas bandwagon guy or anything (I'm still not sure where that's coming from anyways), I like the Rockets, but I think Nowitski can pull it off.

(6) Sacramento vs (3) Seattle

I love the Kings, and I love Mike Bibby. I have seen very little of the Sonics this year so I can't really make much of an argument for them. I'll let the Kings bias take it. Though I really don't think they'll do anything beyond this.

(7) Denver vs. (2) San Antonio

I hope Denver wins this. I just can't stand all these "experts" STILL handing San Antonio the title since mid-season. Argh...it's just so irratating. Why not the Suns? Why not Heat? I hate the same old, same old.


I like how even my descriptions were.



--------------------

The clouds ran away, opened up the sky
And one by one I watched every constellation die
And there I was frozen, standing in my backyard
Face to face, eye to eye, staring at the last star
I should've known, walked all the way home
To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone

-Atmosphere "Always Coming Back Home to You"

1) Miami vs (8) New Jersey

Easily give this one to Miami, New Jersey has no business being there, Vince Carter or not. I think this is going to be the only sweep in the first round. Miami in four.

(4) Chicago vs (5) Washington

This will be a great matchup. I really like this new group of Bulls that has turned the franchise around. With Ben Gordon playing the way he is off the bench (why is he not starting over Duhon yet?!) they should make short work of the Bullets. Bulls in five.

(3) Boston vs (6) Indiana

Don't understand why everyone is so readily handing this one to Boston. Sure, Pacers lost the first one, but they won the season series 2-1, finished only one game behind the Celtics in regular season standing, and one of those wins was two days after Artest, O'Neal, and Jackson were all suspended. Guess who else didn't play? Reggie Miller, who will be the x-factor in this series. Pacers in 7.

(2) Detroit vs (7) Philadelphia

Philly, like New Jersey, has no business being here. Detroit in five, and I don't really want to talk much more.

West:

(1) Phoenix vs. (8) Memphis

Phoenix is way too good. Memphis is also good but they faded down the stretch, and unless Nash gets injured this won't even be close. Phoenix in five.

(5) Houston vs. (4) Dallas

This will be a good series. I think Steve Francis is going to get what he deserves here, though, and Dallas will pull it off to meet the Suns in the semis. Dallas in six.

(6) Sacramento vs (3) Seattle

Sacramento finally took my (silent) advice and got rid of Webber, focusing on big man Brad Miller. They're a couple years away, but the Kings will be back and better than before. For now, Sonics in six.

(7) Denver vs. (2) San Antonio

It's upset time! No team has been hotter than Denver as of late, winning 28 of 32 down the stretch (now 29 of 33). San Antonio? Overrated. Duncan is coming off of an injury and the team hasn't looked solid lately, with or without him. Nuggets in..dare I say it? Five.

--------------------

Hey, put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey, put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me

Quote (Sabin @ 24th April 2005 22:28)

Surprised I beat Gears to the punch.

I was just getting ready to do it, too.

1. Miami over New Jersey in 5

Miami isn't as good as everyone says they are, they're better. If anything was ever to prove the overratedness of one Kobe Bryant it's Dwyane Wade and Damon Jones' ability to score in bunches while simultaneously running an offense that keeps Shaq involved. It's really not that hard as long as your ego isn't the size of the stadium. I don't think Miami will have any trouble with the east, healthy Shaq or not, and that includes the Pistons.

Chicago over Washington in 6

As me, Tidu, and Michael Wilbon have been saying all year, the Baby Bulls are back! I actually think I like watching the new Bulls more than the MJ era, just because there's drama every game now, and more and more you can count on Gordon to pull it off at the end. Every player down the line is stepping up and playing well, from Gordon and Hinrich to Adrian Griffin and Jannero Pargo (where can I get a Pargo jersey?!?) I'm not going to get carried away and pick the Bulls to contend with the Heat, especially without Curry to slow Shaq down, but I think they want it more than the Wizards.
Also, I like Duhon starting over Gordon. Skiles has been using Gordon enough anyway (he's 4th in the league in shots attempted) and Duhon brings much needed stability to the offense. Duhon might be the Bulls MVP at the end of the year.

Boston over Indiana in 7

The Pacers are good, but the Celtics are a new team the second half of the year. Walker, Pierce, and the young guys are just too talented to let the Pacers beat them in this series. The only reason I have it going to seven games is the Pacers experience, but the Celtics talent will overcome it.

Detroit over Philadelphia in 4

I'm one of those people that think the addition of Chris Webber actually hurt the 76ers a little bit. AI needs another superstar to succeed, but it' s not Webber, he needs someone that can hit some shots for him. If the 76ers can sign a Ray Allen or a Michael Redd in the offseason, then look out, but I think the Sixers are better off without too many big men in AIs way when he creates in the paint.

Pheonix over Memphis in 5

You know who the Suns remind me of? The '99 St. Louis Rams. When an innovative offense comes along, it usually takes defenses a year to figure out how to effectively stop it. That's why I think the Suns are the most dangerous team in the playoffs this year. Defense USUALLY wins championships, but we've seen there are exceptions to the rule, and this Suns team might be that NBA exception.

Dallas over Houston in 7

I think this will be the best series of the first round. Houston has the weopons now to make a run, but Dallas has found a new identity under Avery Johnson that I happen to like. Every game is going to be close, though, but I think Dallas is just a little bit deeper, so they'll pull it out. (Side Prediction: At one point Houston will go up 3-1, and T-Mac will announce how relieved he is to finally, FINALLY be in the second round of the playoffs.)

Seattle over Sacramento in 6

I know Seattle's been sliding lately, and the Kings have the playoff experience, but these are not the same Kings we've seen the last few years. They haven't really transitioned into Peja's team yet. You have to give McMillan the benefit of the doubt here, and the Sonics will find a way to take 4 games from the Kings.

Denver over San Antonio in 6

I finally pick an upset. I might not have picked this had I not seen last night's game, but that didn't look like the same Tim Duncan to me. I think the rest of the Spurs will come around, bad shooting nights happen, but without Tim Duncan at 100%, they won't be beating the hottest team in the NBA. Had the Nuggets not underachieved for so long, they would probably be the 2 seed themselves, so this really shouldn't even count as that much of an upset.

--------------------

Hip-Hop QOTW:

"Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac"

"Game Theory"
The Roots

The first round wasn't lacking in excitment, that's for sure...

(1) Miami def. (4) Washington

I actually think Chicago would've given Miami more of a challenge. But that's not to say that I don't think Washington is a suitable opponent. Arenas, Hughes, and Jamison are clutch. But I think they're no match for Shaq, Wade, and all the role players on Miami. I'll be generous and say that the Wizards win 1 on the road and the first game at home. Miami in 6.

(2) Detroit def. (6) Indiana

This will go down to 7 games, I think. I really want the Pacers to win this. But the Pacers had to take it to 7 to get rid of Boston (and damn them for it), I don't think they'll have enough muscle to run with the Pistons. The Pistons manhandled the Sixers and had a bunch of time off, something the Pacers don't have. I think the 7 game series with the Celtics may cause some fatigue that Detroit will exploit. And the question becomes will there be another incident between these two teams (and their fans)? I'm almost 100% sure there won't be.

-

(1) Phoenix def. (4) Dallas

This was an extremely tough pick. The Suns tore apart the Grizzlies, but the Mavs are far better than the Grizz. They showed a lot of toughness in the series against the Rockets. The key to the Suns winning is keeping a high FG%. If Nash, Stoudamire, Marion, and Johnson are all on their A-Game, then the Suns will take it. But I can easily see the Mavs taking this series if Dirk and the gang can stop the run-n-gun offense the Suns like to run. Phoenix in 7.

(2) San Antonio def. (3) Seattle

The Spurs dominated the Nuggets with the exception of game 1. Seattle merely dismantled an already dismantled Sacramento team (that hurts me to say). Tim Duncan is going to run rampant on Vladamir Radmonovich. Spurs in 5.

No upsets, true. But these are the matchups everyone's been talking about all year.

Miami vs. Detroit
Phoenix vs. San Antonio

--------------------

"When I turn the page
The corner bends into the perfect dog ear
As if the words knew I'd need them again
But at the time, I didn't see it."

~"This Ain't a Surfin' Movie" - Minus the Bear

I was waiting for someone to get to the second round so I didn't double post.

Quick note: I was at Chicago-Washington Game 5, in the very last row of the upper deck behind the basket Arenas hit his stupid ******* shot in. For a minute that was the best sporting event I've been to in my life...then I knew how every fan of every team that's ever had to play MJ felt.

Miami over Washington in 4.

I didn't think the Bulls would give Miami much of a contest either, but the fact that Washington had printed up "round 2" T-shirts and acted like they just won the finals means to me that they are ready to fold fast against the Heat.

Detroit over Indiana in 5.

I don't see this Indiana team putting up as much of a fight against the Pistons this year. The Pistons are getting better and better, and the Pacers, while showing flashes of being a really good team, are inconsistent with it, which is not good when facing the defending champions.

Pheonix over Dallas in 5.

Pretty much just see my analysis of Pheonix's first series. Dallas is a much better team than Memphis, but it's still just flies buzzing around Steve Nash's greasy hair. I don't expect the Mavs to pull out more than one in this series.

San Antonio over Seattle in 4.

The only way the Sonics were to have a chance would be to have Ray Allen have 6-7 games of his life. If he doesn't have two good ankles, the Spurs should sleepwalk through this series.

Well, it looks like Barkley was right, time to go watch some baseball and wait for the conference finals, which should be epic.

--------------------

Hip-Hop QOTW:

"Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac"

"Game Theory"
The Roots

i believe tonite the pacers and pistons are playing in game 6. anyone think detriot is gonna end it now? i personally think that reggie will have a great game and the pacers will pull it out, even tho theyre gonna get destroyed in game 7.

sonics and spurs....i had this going 7 with san antonio on top, but they have the chance to close it next time i think.

--------------------

"The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved."
- Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

Alright:

I think Miami will beat Washington in 4.

Detroit over Indiana in 6.

San Antonio over Seattle in 6.

Edit

Hey, I was right!

Seriously, I was too depressed from that Bulls series to make any predictions. Now that I've seen a good dose of pain from other fans I'll be ready for next round. (Phoenix will win btw).

This post has been edited by Tidu-who on 20th May 2005 05:50

--------------------

The clouds ran away, opened up the sky
And one by one I watched every constellation die
And there I was frozen, standing in my backyard
Face to face, eye to eye, staring at the last star
I should've known, walked all the way home
To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone

-Atmosphere "Always Coming Back Home to You"

Miami (with Shaq 100%) over Detroit in 5
Miami (with Shaq 75-99%) over Detroit in 6
Miami (with Shaq <74%) over Detroit in 7

I'm not going with the experts on this one, who liken this series to Pistons-Lakers last year. This Heat team is NOTHING like last year's Lakers. They all know their role, and they play together like an actual team. D-Wade is just as good with the big man as without him, and is the reason I think they'll win the series no matter what shape Shaq's in. It might just take a little longer.

Pheonix over San Antonio in 7 (with JJ)
San Antonio over Pheonix in 6 (without JJ)

Despite game one, I still think Pheonix's offense is way too good to be held down, and they'll find a way to stop San Antonio. This is dependant on Joe Johnson coming back in good shape later in the series, though. Without Joe, though, I think Pheonix is too thin to get past the Spurs.

--------------------

Hip-Hop QOTW:

"Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac"

"Game Theory"
The Roots

I'm reeeally hoping for a Miami-Phoenix final. I will be really upset if it's the opposite. The matches are really close, though, and I think we could see two series go to 7 games.

--------------------

Hey, put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey, put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me

I'm actually opposite Neal's opinion. I really hope for a Pistons/Spurs finals showdown. I think it'll be the most evenly matched finals in a long time. I want to see how Tim Duncan plays with the Wallace brothers smothering him, how Ginobli and Parker play against Chauncey and Rip.
But even if it's any one other than Spurs/Pistons, this will be a great rest of the playoffs. You can make a legitimate case for all 4 remaining teams to win it all. That's something the NBA has lacked in years past.

--------------------

"When I turn the page
The corner bends into the perfect dog ear
As if the words knew I'd need them again
But at the time, I didn't see it."

~"This Ain't a Surfin' Movie" - Minus the Bear