The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: NBA Playoff Preview

2011 MVP?...

Oh yeah. I mean it only has to be about 73 degrees before women just say to hell with clothing. It's not too hot yet, but it's not cold. The best thing about vacation is that night right before it starts, when you know you don't have to wake up in the morning. Just like with summer, there is the part where you are living it, but there is that part where it's pure elated anticipation. You know it's coming. You hit the gym even harder. Everyone becomes obsessed with working on their abs not knowing the two keys to abs are genetics and shaving off all the fat. The plans start to form. We know NFL training camp is around the...oh wait...The summer blockbusters are on their way. Ahhhh, summer nights.

To carry us to summer, we have the NBA playoffs, the part of the season I actually take serious. Everyone is at 0-0. Everyone will get an equal amount of rest, unlike the regular season. Everyone will be giving it their all, including the Lakers and Celtics who are notorious for coasting through the season. It's only too bad the refs still suck by and large. This has the potential to be the most entertaining playoffs I've ever seen, especially once we get to the last 8 teams. There are 6 teams in which I wouldn't be surprised if they won it all, San Antonio, Los Angles, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Miami, and Boston. There are also dangerous teams in the West such as Dallas, Portland, and Denver. After the top 3 in the East, meh. Perhaps New York will have some gravitas due to having 2.5 stars and being relevant again, but they aren't serious threats. It will be fun. To start it off, here are my predictions for round 1.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago vs. Indiana

Snoozefest! Chicago is too much for a team with no serious offensive threats. Chicago in 4.

Orlando vs. Atlanta

There is some buzz about Jason Collins (one of the Collins Twins) being some kind of Dwight Howard elixir. He's known to give Howard some issues. These are two teams I just don't like. Howard disappoints me because he can be so much better than what he is. Rather, he lets his team down with silly fouls and silly technical fouls, which has led to suspensions. I get he gets pounded every game and it's not fair. It's also not fair he's been given an ultimate genetic gift that will allow him to earn hundreds of millions of dollar for playing a game that hundreds of millions play just for fun. Get over it. The Hawks' two top players have no business being a team's top two players. Josh Smith has always been one dimensional to me and seems to have not gotten better over the years. Joe Johnson is not a franchise guy, but would be much better as a third option on a championship caliber team. Meh...Orlando in 5 because the Hawks can play lackluster even in high stakes situations.

Boston vs. New York

Man, Boston has lost some juice. They were deadly at the start of the season. We all wonder about Perkins being traded killing the team, but it's beyond that. They relied on Shaq being capable, but he's not close to being ready. Jeff Green just seems lost and may not even be as good as we think (perhaps he's suffering from Looks-Good-in-the-Lobby Syndrome like Kwame Brown and Stromile Swift). New York isn't ready, but Boston will cough up some games due to just...just whatever. Melo can go off at any moment and they could just out blitz Boston for a couple games. Boston in 6 (would not be surprised if it went 7).

Miami vs. Philadelphia

Another snoozefest. Miami will do whatever it wants with Philadelphia who does not possess the things needed to combat Miami. Miami does what Philadelphia does but does it much better. A bad match up for the Sixers. Miami in a sweep.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Antonio vs. Memphis

My surprise team! No not San Antonio, but Memphis. I did not see this coming after they doled out all that money to Rudy Gay. This team is feisty, but it won't matter. Too much experience and moxy from Popovich and the Spurs. San Antonio in 5.

***Oklahoma City vs. Denver***

The New West Dynasty?...

Thee must watch series of the first round!!! I cannot wait for this. Even as a life long Laker fan, I will be watching this series the most. The Thunder are scary. I mean scary, as in maybe the best team in the league right now (throw out the records). Think about this line up for OKC, Westbrook (1), Sefolosha/Harden (Sefolosha for defense and Harden for offense) (2), Durant (3 and natural position), Ibaka (4), and Perkins (5). Scary! Ask the Lakers. They are able to keep Durant in his natural position. Their interior defense is now scary with Perkins as a thug in the paint and Ibaka roaming around giving great weakside help. They have flexibility at the 2 position with Sefolosha being a defensive specialist/spot up shooter and more scoring with Harden. They can run a 1-3 pick and roll with Westbook and Durant. My goodness. They are poised to take over the West starting maybe next year and will hold on to it for the next 5 years at the very least. Then Denver is playing so inspired and carefree post Melo. They are a joy to watch as a team of all B players, but B players that play hard and together for one another. This should be fun as hell with scores being, on average, 113 to 110, with Oklahoma City having the edge. Thunder in 6 (though I'm hoping for 7).

Dallas vs. Portland

Nearly all the experts are jumping on Portland as their upset pick, which kind of no longer makes Portland winning an upset. The addition of Wallace had done wonders. This is a team of scrappers, basically a carbon copy of Denver except with LaMarcus Aldridge being the only player above a B (maybe B+ to A-). I will not count out Rick Carlisle as a coach, who is underrated. Dallas really should not be this good with no perimeter defense and no serious post threats on offense. I like them to get past Portland just on Carlisle and Dirk alone. However, they will get killed by the Lakers in round two. Dallas in 6.

Los Angeles vs. New Orleans

Snoozefest, yet again. New Orleans is without their second best player for the rest of the year in David West. That's like the Lakers losing Gasol for the year. Paul will be fun to watch and will probably carve up the Lakers, but it won't be enough to overcome everything LA has to offer. Lakers in 5.