NBA Playoff Preview

I had to enlist the services of Clipper Brian again to compose a preview/prediction for the 2010 playoffs because his MLB one is looking real nice so far (granted it's still early).

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder

A few things I feel are going to happen are the emergence of Russell Westbrook as a premier PG, the end of Derek Fisher, and the continued development of Kevin Durant into a new class of player that doesn’t just elevate his game in the regular season but the playoffs also (I’m calling a 40 point game in LA.) Other key to mention is the Lakers might be forced to step on the gas just a little earlier than usual, which is usually the end of the semis or somewhere in the conference finals. The Thunder, while a great young team defensively, are not in the Laker’s class. PICK- LAKERS (6)

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs

I want to call an upset special here but the only real thing I can see happening for the Spurs is Manu Ginobili playing really well. Richard Jefferson is terry cloth...that means he’s very soft [/Cam]. Timmy is old and Tony Parker is coming off of an injury. They are clicking, but not on all cylinders. If they were, I’d give them the nod in a 6 or 7 game series. However, Dirk and the boys have been flying under the radar all year and the acquisition of Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler ARE CRUCIAL! Dallas is significantly improved offensively and defensively and are too deep for this spurs team. PICK- MAVERICKS (5)

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland TrailBlazers

Nothing to see here. I mean you commend the Blazers for traveling as far as they have with all the injuries but the most recent injury to B-Roy makes this impossible. I’m interested to see how Martel Webster performs in this series, though. PICK- SUNS (5)

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Utah Jazz

This sucks because after the Clippers I pull for the Jazz tough because D-Double is my favorite player but with the trade of Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko out and Boozer battling injury, they can't win this series, especially without the home court advantage. However, the Nuggets are really lost and are not as consistent on the defensive end as they were last year. How do you like this? PICK- Nuggets (7)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls

I wonder if Cleveland is going to burn up the playoffs to get to the conference finals like last year or if their approach is going to be more laid back and focused on the big fish. Either way 23 is coming out of Cleveland’s locker room and not the other. Just not seeing how the trades of Tyrus and John Salmons are going to help the Bulls in this series. PICK- CAVALIERS (4)

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

Nothing to see here. People love the Bobcats and Skip Bayless kept saying they’d take out Cleveland in round one. Well, the Magic are the hottest team since the all star break and VC has found his rhythm in their offense. Too deep, too many shooters and too much defense for Gerald and Co. PICK- MAGIC (5)

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Seriously disappointed Andrew Bogut hurt his damn arm because the acquisition of Salmons has been crack rock. While I don’t think they could have won, they could have really annoyed the Hawks into a 6 or 7 game series. PICK- HAWKS (5)

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat

7 games series, that simple. Not because Miami is good but because Boston is old, tired and garbage. I really feel bad for D. Wade because to me, he is a Caron Butler (another scorer) away from toppling a team like Boston who has had its struggles defensively. If you know anything about Boston, their championship run in '08 centered around defense. For Boston to win Rondo has to play spectacular basketball. Ray Allen will continue to be Ray Allen, but Paul Pierce pulling 2008 heroics is out of the question. I still think the fire power coming off the bench is too much for a Miami team that only features Dwayne Wade and inconsistent play from Beasley and J.O. PICK- CELTICS (7)

WESTERN SEMIS

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Denver Nuggets

Sucks because everybody wanted this to be a conference finals rematch. I don’t see Denver putting out defensively like they did last year, but they still match up well defensively with the Lakers. Let’s talk eyeball test here – not stats. Aaron Afflalo gets into Kobe’s ass when he guards him and forces him into some funky situations. Two keys to this series and why the Lakers will win it...one, they either will have found a way to supplement Derek Fisher by last series or they will in this series and two, Andrew Bynum will be in the lineup at some point. What this does is give Lamar minutes with the bench which make the Lakers bench more deadly because it has been less than stellar in Andrew’s absence. There is no answer for Pau on the block and I think this series will force the Lakers to click defensively and execute. PICK- LAKERS (6)

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (3) Phoenix Suns

Phoenix doesn’t have the fire power, and before someone says they do, running an uptempo offense does not mean you have fire power. Just ask Nelly out in Golden State. What I appreciate is that they are more versatile than in years past and will attempt to defend you. However, I think Dallas just has too much on the offensive end for Phoenix to handle and they are going to present problems for them in the paint. I’m not really expecting big things from Amare. Strike me down lord please if he does anything really spectacular stats wise. It boils down to the fact that the Suns don’t really matchup well with Dallas as there are mismatches all over the floor. Can't forget Shawn Marion who has an axe to grind…yea…not good for Phoenix. MAVERICKS (5)

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Boston Celtics

If there is one thing these teams showed me the last time they played it was that Cleveland can turn it up on Boston whenever they feel like it. The season series was split, but remember Boston beat them in the 1st game of the year when Cleveland hadn’t gelled yet and just 2 weeks ago without Shaq and with the game being more important to Boston (AND IN BOSTON!). What might go unsaid is how the Cavs dominated them in the middle two games and in the 4th of their last loss. They don’t stand an ice cube’s chance in hell against Cleveland. Not one favorable matchup on the floor. CAVALIERS (5)

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (3) Atlanta Hawks

Easily a 7 game series. All this Magic talk about how they made it to the finals etc. etc. Let me explain something fundamentally to you F-words. The Magic beat a Boston team last year in 7 games that didn’t have Kevin Garnett and when they got to the conference finals, they weren’t the 2nd best team in the league, not the best in their conference, not elite…they simply matched up perfectly with Cleveland. Do you get it?...It means if you have two 6’10” guys being guarded by 6’3” and 6’6” guys and a beast in the MIDDLE…you really just matchup well. The addition of Vince Carter takes that away a little bit but adds another element…unadulterated scoring. The Hawks are athletic and solid defensively at the wing position so while I see Carter going off, I don’t see Matt Barnes or Mikael Pietrus having a field day, especially with no real creator like Turkoglu. PICK- MAGIC (7)

Western Conference Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Dallas Mavericks

I don’t think you can talk about these two teams, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and believe you are going to come to a concrete decision about who is going to win this series. So here is something I see going in the Lakers' favor this series: the fact that they have Ron Artest and Lamar Odom. If Phil is smart he takes a page out of Nelly’s book and gives the Mavs a different defensive look every so often – Ron is a bully and Lamar has the length. I think the effort we are going to see defensively from the Lakers is going to be exciting and I’m really excited to see if Shannon and Farmar can agitate Jason Kidd. Lastly, well its a funny thing the other key to this series, and its funny because I didn’t mention it in the 1st two series because I didn’t think I had to and personally because I don’t think it’ll dominate those two series. But the Lakers they got this dude…ummm…forgot his name…yea…used to be number 8…now its 24…he’s on a mission…and I think he’s really enjoying the LeBron and Durant talk...just when you think he’s not there. PICK- LAKERS (6/7)

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (2) Orlando Magic

I’ve said it from the beginning and I’ll say it again…HEDO TURKOGLU…he was the pg, the heart and the glue and he would have taken the last shot for that Magic team last year if Stan didn’t have a million plays. My point is Hedo Turkoglu brings the matchup problems for Cleveland and helps set the Magic up. The offense last year was simple - drive and kick. Carter brings an unstoppable scorer to the lineup but what you were hoping for as the Magic was that Jameer Nelson could recognize the tools he has, settle down, read the floor better and get everybody going – Barnes, Pietrus, Reddick. This plays into Cleveland’s hands. The Magic have a bench and outside shooters but they don’t have the type of team that will make Cleveland have to respect the drive and have Barnes, Pietrus and Reddick killing them. On top of that, Dwight was a terror on the inside last year without a single offensive move. The addition of Candace’s brother is instrumental. Parker is a pro’s pro, a knock down shooter who defends well. Let’s not forget LeBron is coming for blood. PICK- CAVALIERS (6)

NBA FINALS!

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

This is what I see happening here and just to be honest this happened in the regular season. The Lakers are going to get 08 Celtic'd. The Cavs will dominate the paint on the defensive end and the offensive rebounds that Lamar and Pau love to eat on will be non- existent. Trust me, with big daddy dirt pile (Shaq) down there and Hickson banging like the Gs that they are this will happen. The game is going to really slow down in the finals and will probably be more boring than we think. Kobe’s scoring can’t compensate for how well Cleveland matches up with them defensively. This avenue of defense, low scoring, grinding out games built the Cavs. I see Mo Williams and Delonte having a big finals, I see a paint too congested for the Lakers with no outside shooting, I see a tired Kobe needing stellar play from Pau that he wont get. We'll see Lamar, Kobe, Ron, Luke and the whole 9 thrown at LeBron but I don't see him being stopped. PICK- Cavaliers (6)/FINALS MVP- LeBron

JaffeJu/Clipper Brian