From our West Coast correspondent, Michael Prodanovich...
As one of the few real NBA fans left, and as one who has seen almost every good Western Conference game, I feel a duty to give a preview, especially since this years West playoffs will be some of the best basketball ever played. All 8 teams in the West playoffs won at least 50 games, and the 48-34 Warriors were left out in the cold. I’ll give an overview of the East as well, but my expertise is mainly with the West. Despite when the TV coverage says the games will start, most of these Western games will actually tip-off around 10:50pm EDT, but for those insomniacs and fans of great basketball, this truly is must-see, and worth staying up to watch.
West 1-8: Lakers vs Nuggets
Analysis: This will be one of the fastest paced and highest scoring series you are likely to see, as these are two of the four highest scoring teams in the league. The Nuggets have star power, but the Lakers have THE star, and won all three games during the regular season by an average of 16 points, and all three of those were before Pau Gasol came into the fold and turned the Lakers into contenders. Count one up for the fast-paced Nuggets in the altitude, but this will be an easy series for L.A.
Prediction: Lakers 4-1
West 2-7: Hornets vs Mavericks
Analysis: Two opposite teams in roster compilation, but the same in style. The Hornets are young and athletic and the Mavericks are a group of aging veterans, despite both teams preferring a slow, half-court style. The Mavs actually regressed after getting J-Kidd (partially due to their aforementioned style of play), but his veteran leadership will keep them in this series. I think Chris Paul is just too good, and with Game 7 in NOLA, the (surprisingly good) crowd will carry them to victory.
Prediction: Hornets 4-3
West 3-6: Spurs vs Suns
Analysis: Although this is the 3-6 series, there is only one game difference between the teams (54 wins vs 55), in a matchup you would normally expect in late May, rather than late April. The Suns got Shaq solely to deal with Duncan, and his rejuvenated health combined with Amare Stoudemire being an absolute beast (30-10 down the stretch), gives them a good chance to finally beat their aging nemesis. The Spurs will be headed for their first opening-round exit in many years.
Prediction: Suns 4-2
West 4-5: Jazz vs Rockets
Analysis: The 5-seed Rockets actually have the home court in this series, thanks to the divisional seeding rule, but it won’t help them much. The Jazz are on fire since acquiring Kyle Korver and are nearly unbeatable at home. McGrady’s bunch have cooled down significantly and have looked downright mediocre since winning 22 straight. This is their worst possible first round matchup, as the Jazz have the advantage at 4 of the 5 positions, head coach, and style of play. It Utah takes one game in Houston, this series is over.
Prediction: Jazz 4-2
Second Round: Lakers over Jazz 4-1, Suns over Hornets 4-3
Conference Finals: Lakers over Suns 4-3. If this series happens, it will be worth staying up to watch. Not just with the high quality of play, but with the Kobe vs Shaq for a trip to the finals drama.
In the East, I would be shocked if the first round didn’t go to form. Starting in the second round this will get interesting. Second round predictions in the East:
Eastern Semis
Boston 4, Cleveland 2: The Cavs took a step back from last year, I just don’t think LeBron can beat Boston four times by himself.
Detroit 4, Orlando 3: The Magic are one year away from contending, and the Pistons are one year away from falling out of contention…but Detroit takes this one in their last chance to take another title before needing to look to rebuild.
Eastern Finals - Boston 4, Detroit 1. This will not be nearly as tough a series as people may think it will be. The Celtics seem to be the team of destiny, and Detroit probably has their fourth best team of the last five years. I don’t even know if it will be this close.
42 Responses:
"I can’t pick it though due to my blatant homerism."
Your homerism for the Lakers...
I see now why you kept ignoring all my questions before about whether or not you were a fan of the Wizards and if you were even an NBA fan.
You front-running hypocrite.
Front running hypocrite? Did you forget where I said I went to my first Lakers game in 1986? A fan of a team for 22 years does not make a front-runner, good sir, but rather quite the opposite.
Who am I talking to, Michael, or J-Red? If it's someone named Michael, I don't know why I'm talking to you.
If it's J-Red, I understand it's not the classic definition of front-runner. But did you adopt the Lakers as your team because you saw them play, or because they were good? Presumably, the Lakers were playing somebody else, so you must have seen someone else play, yet you did not suddenly become a fan of that team.
And considering that the Lakers were and once again are royalty of the NBA, it's not like you had a lifetime of suffering.
Since your previously stated criteria for getting to be a fan of a team is that you are within a short driving distance of the venue, I'm surprised to learn you are a diehard Lakers fan. After all, you are a fan of the Caps and not the Montreal Canadiens.
Oh, forget it. Now I see it's a guest post from Michael. All I saw is it was contributed by J-Red.
Well, that was fun, for nothing.
Michael, nice work and I generally concur with your prognosis.
As a West Coast homer and Laker fan myself, I am definetely NOT looking forward to a Laker/Celtic matchup. The joy of beating the Celtics in '85 and '87 did not overcome the emotional despondency of choking-away a 4-0 sweep and losing to the Celts in '84. Yes, its a sickness.
Damn you, Gerald Henderson!
Ben,
I have no NBA ties. I would like good things to happen to the Wizards and Hornets, but I'm certainly not shedding tears when they don't.
Anyone see Game 1 of the Suns/Spurs series today? 117-115 in double OT. Like I said...these playoffs are definitely gonna be worth watching.
This is actually the Pistons best team since they won the championship in 2004. The emergence of Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey have given them the depth they so desparately needed. I think they will get by Boston but would not be suprised if Boston won. Either way, it will be a long series.
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