Saturday, April 18th will mark the beginning of the NBA's second and most important season. The one that determines who gets the trophy with the golden ball and all the shiny rings. The one that every player wants to get to....well, almost every player. Players from the Clippers, Thunder, Grizzlies and Kings probably knew from the beginning of training camp they were playing just eighty two games this season.Without any further delay and any more silly attempts of witty quips from yours truly. I present to you my complete first round predictions for the 2009 NBA Playoffs:
Note: I decided to do just the first round for the sole purpose of not being too shamed when half of my predictions don't pan out for the second round!!!
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Cleveland vs 8.Detroit
Lebron James and his band of merry men are on a mission this season. Their showcasing antics have drawn the ire of many of their opponents but it has not affected their spectacular level of play. I personally think that the "loosey goosey" attitude is the reason why they have played their way to the best record in the league. They know they are good and are simply having fun while kicking butts. Especially at home where the are 39 - 2.
Detroit in my opinion is a team that is simply trying to convince themselves that they have the experience to get past the Cavaliers. The blunt truth is they know deep down that they blew it when Mr. Big Shot Billups was traded for Allen Iverson.
Prediction: Cleveland win series 4-1
2. Boston vs 7. Chicago
News came out today that Kevin Garnett might not be healthy enough to play any games during this playoffs. To an untrained eye, it might seem like a big advantage for the very young and inexperienced Bulls. I think you can predict where I am going with is. Lindsay Hunter, Brad Miller and Tim Thomas are the only players with ten or more years of league experience. Aside from the three aforementioned vets, this team is very wet behind the ears. The Celtics will win this series without KG because they are a much better defensive squad than the Bulls...but I think that this will be a closer battle than most people realize. These guys are young, athletic with something or maybe nothing to prove. It depends on your perspective. I think they will be this years Atlanta Hawks that shocked the Celtics by pushing them to seven games.
Prediction: Celtics win series 4-2
3. Orlando vs 6. Philadelphia
Orlando might have a shot blocking phenom in Dwight Howard but they are not a strong defensive team. Although the 76ers limped into the playoffs by losing six out of their last seven games, they are still very much a dangerous team for the Magic to face. With that said, the difference maker in this series will be three point field goals. Orlando is one of the best teams in takes and makes this season. Philly has good transition defense but will definitely struggle in the half court sets. A team like the Magic will use this to their advantage by swinging the ball around for open threes. Too much threes and too much Howard. The only way the 76ers win a game is when...not if but when, the Magic give a game away by playing poorly. Coach Stan Van Gundy knows this about his team and should be prepared for them to lose a game they should have won.
Prediction: Orlando win series 4-1
4. Atlanta vs 5. Miami
This series is hands down the most exciting series for me. Dwayne Wade is playing like a Martian. Yes, I'm about to get corny with this. He is playing out of this world. He is the league MVP in my eyes. Only player in NBA history to have recorded at least 2,000 points, 500 assists, 150 steals and 100 blocks in a season. This series is not just about Wade though because he is surrounded by players that are simply overachieving right now. Players Like Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers were not expected to be playing this well at this level. With Wade causing havoc to any and almost all defenses, guys like Udonis Haslem and Michael Beasley will have to keep playing just as well as they have been all season. Maybe even more because the Hawks have proven that they're a tough out in the playoffs. The Hawks will be going into this series as the team favored to win. It will be ironic if the Heat become the reincarnate version of the Hawks from last years playoffs. This series is a coin toss to me because I think it will go to seven games.
Prediction: Miami win series 4-3
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Los Angeles vs 8. Utah
Two hall of fame coaches. Check! Two perennial all star power forwards/centers. Check! Two often underachieving forwards but sometimes stellar performers. Check! Two supporting casts that know their role and play it well. Check! The point I am trying to make here is to separate the x-factors in this series. Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum for the Lakers. Deron Williams for the Jazz. These players stand out because their is no player on either teams that can guard them. Kobe all by himself is enough to put the Lakers over most teams but he does not need to perform any heroics in this series. Gasol will play well and so will Odom and the rest of the supporting cast. Deron will not be able to impose his will enough to squeeze out an upset but he will post some spectacular numbers in this series.
Prediction: Lakers win series 4-0
2. Denver vs 7. New Orleans
More than any other series in this playoffs, this two teams will have to find a way to win on the opponents home court in order to move on to the next round. The Hornets have more fight in them because of Chris Paul and I can see them stealing a win in Denver. Even though the Nuggets have Chauncey Billups to provide a calming and steady influence for this erratic team, they will lose this series because of lack of defense. I guess I should call them "_enver".
Prediction: New Orleans win series 4-2
3. San Antonio vs 6. Dallas
Jason Kidd is still a very good point guard in this league but just not as good a defensive guard as he used to be. With that said, how is he going to stop Tony Parker from running all over the court; scoring at will. Jason Terry is the ex-factor for the Mavericks. Dirk is their best player but crunch time belongs to the kid they call J.E.T. Tim Duncan is a little hobbled but he will still destroy and out play Erick Dampier. The addition of Drew Gooden gives the Spurs a definite advantage. If Dallas coach Rick Carlisle is smart, he will give Jose Barea more minutes so that he can return the favor to Parker. Jose can run all over the court while putting pressure on Tony and possibly get him in foul trouble. This will give Dallas a better chance of winning. I said better chance though! Even without Manu Ginobili, I think the Spurs have enough of everything else to get it done.
Prediction: San Antonio win series 4-3
4. Portland vs 5. Houston
For biased reasons only, I'd want Houston to make it to the NBA Finals. They were my favorite team before Toronto gave birth to the Raptors. Realistically though, I think it will be very difficult for the Rockets to get past a team with the talent makeup that the Trailblazers possess. Houston is hands down the better defensive team but Portland is the type of team that can explode with their athleticism and run their opponents off the court. Houston will prefer to play a game with scoring in the eighties and Portland would like the score to be in the nineties and above. Yao Ming will keep the foul prone Greg Oden in foul trouble. After Oden, it's the tough and underrated Joel Przybilla that will be guarding Yao. Same results. Enthusiasm and the City of Portland will give the Blazers a good boost on the court but that will probably only last for the second quarter of the first game.
Prediction: Houston win series 4-2
So there you have it. If I come out of this with a close to perfect prediction record, then I can confidently call myself a pundit!!!
Sportacularly yours,
The Vicarious Athlete
