Inside the Paint

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Predictions for the 2003 Playoffs

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I finished with an ugly loss in the finals and 9-6 overall.

I'm back on track after going 2-0 in the conference finals, and 9-5 overall.

The Finals
Spurs (W-1) vs. Nets (E-2): It's come down to this: With the Lakers out of the way, the Nets have a chance to win it all. I think they wouldn't match up particularly well against a healthy Sacramento or Dallas, but those teams weren't healthy and fell by the wayside. The Spurs are vastly overrated, with one of the top players surrounded by a bunch of good but not great role players. They looked scared in the Phoenix series, were one Horry shot away from being down 3-2 to the Lakers, and struggled against Dallas, even though they were missing their best player. Meanwhile, the Nets have run roughshod over their opponents in the East, with only The Glove giving them any competition whatsoever. Jason Kidd and the boys are on a mission!
Nets in 5. Wrong!

Well, the conference semifinals were brutal for the defending champion Lakers and well as for me. I went 0-3 with the favored teams (Kings, Lakers, and Sixers), even though they weren't the home court favorites. And what was I thinking picking the Celtics? I don't know. A lockdown round for me (0-4), putting me at 7-5 overall.

So, anyway, here are my picks for the conference finals:

East
Pistons (1) vs. Nets (2): Stone cold lock: Nets over the Pistons in a walkover. There's no answer for K Mart in the East.
Nets in 6, tops. A sweep is even sweeter!

West
Spurs (1) vs. Mavericks (3): The Spurs are finally over the hump with the Lakers, and the soft Mavs had to go 7 to take out both the Blazers and the Webber-less Kings.
Spurs in 5. Even with Dirk, Spurs struggle to win in 6.

I went 7-1 in the first round, but it's easier to pick the favorite when they play best of seven. Oh well, I blame Stern. In any event, it's on to the next round!

Here is my analysis of round 2:

East
Pistons (1) vs. Sixers (4): The Pistons escaped with their lives in Round 1. The Sixers look like the strongest team in the East right now. Plus under the theory that you take the team with the biggest superstar, I'm going with Iverson and the . . .
Sixers in 6. Choked away 3 of these games!

Nets (2) vs. Celtics (6): I don't know what to make of the Jekyll and Hyde New Jersey Nets. Some games they look like world beaters, and then they struggle and look out of sync. Meanwhile, the Celtics are strutting around like they always do, but they deserve it after demolishing the Pacers. The Nets prevailed in this matchup last year for the Eastern Conference championship, but I think things are about to change.
Celtics in 6. I won't doubt the Nets again.

West
Spurs (1) vs. Lakers (5): The Spurs swept the regular season matchup with the Lakers this year, but I don't care, I don't care, I don't care! The softest team in the West struggled with the lowly Suns in round 1, and they're going down to the champs again, which will set up the classic rematch with the Kings.
Lakers in 6. As a consolation, showtime is finally over.

Kings (2) vs. Mavericks (3): Since the Mavs had the better regular season record, they get home court advantage despite being the three seed. It won't matter. The Kings are rolling toward the Showdown with Showtime, the Lakers, in the Western Conference Finals.
Kings in 6. C Webb's injury ruins the title run.

Here is my analysis of round 1:

East
Pistons (1) vs. Magic (8): The Magic are once again a one man gang, since T-Mac basically has to go it alone waiting till next year for Grant Hill. How painful it must be to be playing his old team the Pistons, who are a bunch of no-names (to the casual fan) but play team basketball "the right way".
Pistons in 5. Much, much harder than expected.

Nets (2) vs. Bucks (7): New Jersey basically limped home after the All Star break, and I'm afraid Jason Kidd already has his bags packed. It's been a big distraction no matter what everyone says. Plus Mutombo is whining about playing time — give me a break! The Bucks are hot and dangerous, with one of my favorite players, the Glove, out to prove something. It will be a war, but in the end it's the
Nets in 7. Tough games, but NJ prevails.

Pacers (3) vs. Celtics (6): Talk about dysfunctional teams! This series has two: Indiana with Artest, and Boston with softies Walker and Pierce, not to mention Vin "Out Indefinitely" Baker. Boston is worse than last year's team, and the Pacers still have Reggie.
Pacers in 6. How did I make this mistake?

Sixers (4) vs. Hornets (5): The newly relocated Hornets are abuzz down in Nawlins. They're deep and have always given the Sixers fits. But Baron Davis has been banged up most of the year, and Philly has been playing great team ball since the All Star break, except right at the end with Van Horn out. Iverson has had his best season as a pro.
Sixers in 6. Exactly!

West
Spurs (1) vs. Suns (8): The West is the varsity, with at least 6 teams who could probably beat the winner of the East. First among them is the Spurs, with top MVP candidate Tim Duncan steamrolling the competition. This first round series against the Suns won't be close.
Spurs in 4. Much harder than expected.

Kings (2) vs. Jazz (7): The stealth team this year is the Kings. Early on, the Mavericks were the talk of the town. Then the sleeping giant Lakers got some pub. In the end, the Spurs grabbed the top spot. All along, the Kings have been right there. They threw it away last year. This year, they're on a mission. Utah's future Hall of Famers Stockton and Malone are nothing more than a speed bump on the road.
Kings in 5. Exactly!

Mavericks (3) vs. Blazers (6): Dallas had it all going early, but that's not how champions are measured. Finley will finally be back, but suddenly the Mavs look vulnerable. The Blazers have been playing great ball for Mo Cheeks down the stretch. But wait, this is the Blazers! Scottie Pippen has started grumbling before the playoffs even begin, and 'Sheed could go off at any moment. It will be a battle, but in the end it's the
Mavericks in 7. Right on the money.

Timberwolves (4) vs. Lakers (5): Minnesota has never gotten out of the first round. Finally KG and the boys have secured home court advantage, grabbing the number 4 seed away from the Blazers in the final week of the season. But the Lakers moved up into the 5 spot! What bad luck for a team I've always liked since the days of Pooh Richardson and Tony Campbell.
Lakers in 4. Shaq and Kobe just warming up.

— The Commissioner