They are finally here. After months of riveting basketball and a Western Conference race that went down to the last night of the season, they are here. Of course, I would be talking about the 2008 NBA Playoffs. The playoffs that have a chance to be the best in a long time. When was the last time a 50-win team is an 8 seed and has basically no chance of winning their first round season? When was the last time 2 of the best teams in the lead and 2 of the 5 teams that have a chance at winning it all, met in the first round? Forget all of that, when was the last time people were excited to begin the 2 month stretch for the title? Before any of this can begin we must take a look at each series and make some (gulp!!!) predictions.
East
Celtics-Hawks: Honestly, this is the only sentence I am writing about this series because it’s going to be an easy sweep. Celtics in 4.
Cavs-Wizards: By far the most intriguing first round series in the East. These two teams have met in the last two years and the Cavs have won both times. LeBron owns this team but this year could be different. The Wizards are finally healthy and have more confidence then they have had in the past. They truly believe they can beat the Cavs, as evident by their comments last week stating they wanted to play Cleveland. The LeBron’s are not as good this year as they were last year so this could definitely be the Wizards time. With that said, I don’t see LeBron out in the first round. Cavs in 7.
Magic-Raptors: This series has the potential to be really good but the Raptors will have to get a huge series from Bosh and I don’t trust him right now. He has been slowed by injuries and is going against Dwight Howard here. I also love the shooting of the Magic and think in the end they will be able to shoot their way to the second round. Except Toronto to give them a decent fight though. Magic in 6
Pistons-76ers: I know the 76ers have beaten them this year and have looked really good in the second half. I understand they play up-tempo and the “new” AI has become a very good offensive player. I get the fact that Philly is coming in free and loose with nothing to lose. And I can even see the argument that the Pistons aren’t as good as a few years ago and seem to be getting to the point where they can’t just turn the switch on and off. But come on, the 76ers cannot and I repeat, cannot win this series. Pistons in 5.
Celtics-Cavs: Earlier this season I really thought this could be upset city. I thought LeBron could go out and win the series like he did against Detroit last year. But not any more. The Celtics are better then I thought and play the best defense in the league and the Cavs are not as good as I thought. If the role players for Cleveland step up and play out of their minds I could see this getting back to Boston for game 7 but I don’t think that will happen. The Celtics have the best record in the league for a reason. Celtics in 6.
Pistons-Magic: Again, if you’re a Pistons hater you can make all your arguments about why the Magic will win this series and there is not doubt, that’s a possibility. The Magic have a dominant big man and great outside shooters. Their 3-point shooting will single handily win them 2 games. But listen to this. Do you think the Magic can win in 6? That means they win 4 out of 6 games against a Pistons team that they split with this year. I don’t think they can do that and I am not about to pick a young Orlando team on the road in game 7 against a veteran team like Detroit. Pistons in 7.
Celtics-Pistons: The match-up we have all been waiting for. There is no way that this series doesn’t go 7 and I don’t care who the home team is, the Celtics do not have an advantage because they will play game 7 in Boston. This is going to be an old school heavy weight fight. The games will be ugly, fierce, chippy and low scoring. The defense will be what prevails in all 7 games. They will be close and the games will come down to the final minutes every night. Which Big 3 do you like, Allen, Pierce and KG or Billups, RIP and ‘Sheed? Would you rather have Mr. Big Shot or The Truth with a chance to win the game? Flip Saunders or Doc Rivers? The old, boring veterans who have done this before or the new threesome that’s doing this together for the first time? Pistons or Celtics, battle of the powerhouses. I know, the Celtics look great and the Pistons look older but I think the Celtics will be a little worn down at this point after the energy they played with night in and night out all season. This series will live up to the hype though, that’s for sure. Give me the boring veterans. Pistons in 7.
Until next time, I'm gone, like Kevin Love from UCLA.
