Predictions
for the 2008 Playoffs
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I ended up
a decent 10-5, and a team I rooted for won the championship to
boot. I'll take it!
I guess I'm glad that the Spurs and especially Pistons are out.
I'm a mediocre 9-5 heading to the finals.
The
Finals
Celtics (E1) vs. Lakers (W1): Well, this is what David Stern has
been salivating over all year long. And as much as I like the
new look Celtics and admit this should be fun, it's hard to disregard
the shadow of Stern over the whole thing. I think he's got the
"fix" in for Kobe and Phil to win for LA. But I have
to go with Boston. Pierce should be close enough to Kobe's output,
I think KG will completely outplay Gasol, Allen is a lot better
than gamer Fisher, and Boston's other big guys (Perkins, PJ Brown)
should hold their own against the soft Laker middle, and bench
guys Posey and House are huge, not to mention one of my all time
favorites, Sam I Am Cassell (who should be in a rocking chair
by now). Also, let's not forget that after dealing with Lebron
(who just wears down defenders) and the grabbing and holding Pistons,
this should be a much less physical series for Boston. Let's make
it:
Celtics in 7. A thorough manhandling
in 6!
The second round was a 3-1 affair for me, and yet it doesn't gain
me any ground in our standings, where I'm 8-4. Now we're on to
the conference finals:
East
Celtics (1) vs. Pistons (2): This was the matchup everyone expected
months ago. The Celtics have struggled against the upstart Hawks
and the one man team of the Cleveland Lebrons, and I don't expect
the Pistons to go down without a fight. But I think KG will have
his way in this series, Pierce should have to work less hard here
than against Lebron, and sooner or later Allen has to show up.
I expect the Pistons to win one in Boston, but likewise Boston
will take one in Detroit, bringing it down to game 7 in Boston.
The Celtics will win it on their home court.
Celtics in 7. Sweet in 6!
West
Lakers (1) vs. Spurs (3): I was surprised how much trouble Duncan
had against Chandler, especially in New Orleans. I don't see the
Lakers matching up well with Duncan or Parker. Of course Kobe
will run wild, but his supporting cast is still a little unproven
for the most part.
Spurs in 6. Old man Duncan looked gassed.
I only went 5-3 in Round 1, making the mistake of sticking with
teams that have lost their identity (the Suns and Mavs) and going
yet again for the Wiz vs. the Lebron James led Cavs.
East
Celtics (1) vs. Cavaliers (4): As long as Stern doesn't allow
the Jordan Rules to apply to Lebron, the Celtics should win this
series. However, they were very disappointing and lackluster against
the lowly Hawks. I expect them to pick it up here, but for it
to be a tough takedown.
Celtics in 7. Still no road wins. Hmm.
Pistons (2) vs. Magic (3): The Magic are more than game, but the
ugly playoff style basketball will prevail.
Pistons in 6. The Pistons had it on cruise
control.
West
Lakers (1) vs. Jazz (4): Conventional wisdom says the Lakers with
MVP Kobe Bryant will take this series. But I still stubbornly
believe that playing the team style will win, and the Jazz have
their own superstars. I like the Boozer - Williams combo a little
better than Kobe - Gasol, and after that it's a clear advantage
for the Jazz. Plus, they've already lost one playoff game at home,
and I don't see them losing another one here.
Jazz in 6. I hate to cry "stolen",
but the officiating stinks.
Hornets (2) vs. Spurs (3): Are the Hornets really this good? They've
been near the top of the standings all year, and they just spanked
the Mavs. They may be, and while Paul should edge out Parker,
New Orleans has no answer for Duncan.
Spurs in 5. Hornets were a very tough
out in 7.
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We're back for another exciting season of NBA playoff basketball!
Here are my picks for the first round:
East
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8): I'm not sure there's much to say here,
except that the Hawks have had a very nice year to finally make
it back to the playoffs in I don't know how many years. The Celtics
too, are back in, but they have more on their agenda than just
making it to the dance. They will make quick work of the scrappy
Hawks.
Celtics in 4. Much, much harder than
expected!
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7): The surprising Sixers draw the veteran
(and aging) Pistons. I expect this to be a fairly entertaining
series, and the Sixers will treat it as a learning experience.
Pistons in 6. Exactly!
Magic (3) vs. Raptors (6): These two teams are very hard to read.
Just when I think the Raptors are getting better, they pull a
slow fade this year. And when I think the Magic are fading, they
come back with Turkoglu's breakout year. It should go seven, with
home court advantage the difference.
Magic in 7. Toronto not tough enough.
Cavaliers (4) vs. Wizards (5): The past two years I've picked
the Wiz to upset the overrated Cavs, and both years I've been
wrong. I'm going for the trifecta here. Washington has more depth
and more scorers than Cleveland. How can the referees keep allowing
a one man team to just run down anybody in its way? It's gotta
stop already!
Wizards in 6. Again I lose this series!
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West
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8): I've labeled this series "Ball
Hog vs. Ball Hog", but in reality Kobe has blended his skills
this year to fit in with his teammates, and he's had his best
year. The Nuggets are still such a mess. This won't be pretty.
Lakers in 5. A sweep!
Hornets (2) vs. Mavericks (7): The question here is, can the wobbly
Mavericks, with a great player who's not quite clutch (Nowitzki)
and an aging great point guard who hasn't quite blended in (Kidd)
hold off the surging but young Hornets? I say they can.
Mavericks in 6. Ouch. Shakeup coming
in Texas.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6): This is a first round matchup? Yup! The
Suns, who struggled just enough to fit in with Shaq, then righted
the ship in time to move up to the 6th seed, draw the champion
Spurs for their efforts. With last year's bad blood still nagging
them, and with Shaq as Tim Duncan's personal kryptonite, I expect
the Suns to finally get over the hump.
Suns in 6. And a shakeup in Phoenix.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5): Last year, this was a very entertaining
series, where I uncharacteristically picked against the Jazz (who
I always like), and of course I was wrong. This year, it's the
same 4/5 set up with the fifth seeded Rockets once again having
home court advantage. But this year, Houston's task is harder
without Yao, and Boozer and company are hitting on all cylinders.
Jazz in 6. Right on target!
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— The Commissioner
