Yesterday I chose the Detroit Pistons to come out of the East. It was a very difficult call between then and the Boston Celtics and I do believe the Celtics are the better team but as I said I think their energy will run out. The Celtics played every game like it was the NBA Finals this season and like the Mavericks last year it will cost them in the playoffs. Today I discuss the other side of the bracket and tell you how the West will be won and who will win it.
WEST
Lakers-Nuggets: Can an 8 seed upset a 1 seed out west again this year? I don’t think so but I do believe they will give them a better series then most people think. I think the Nuggets will be able to score with the Lakers and win a few games. The Nuggets have stars in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to counter Kobe Bryant and the depth of the Lakers. In the end, the Lakers are the better team and will find a way to win this series. Lakers in 6.
Jazz-Rockets: This was the best first round series last year and no, it won’t be the best again this year but it will be very good. Most people have the Jazz in 5 or 6 with the Rockets lucking into a couple wins. Not me. I think the Rockets are better then most people think and Luis Scola is improving every game. T-Mac wants more then anything to get out of the first round and the Jazz cannot win on the road (though they don’t ever lose at home either). But let’s remember, the Rockets may be the 5 seed but they have home court advantage. Rockets in 7.
Spurs-Suns: I am not sure if the NBA loves this or hates this. Two of the best teams in the league meeting in the first round. One of the 5 teams that can win it all is going home without seeing round 2. I personally love it. We get these two teams best because they meet now and won’t be as worn down. The Spurs are looking to repeat, something they have never done and the Suns are putting Steve Kerr on the hot seat. The Suns made the Shaq trade to beat the Spurs, can they do it? Shaq has done as good a job on Duncan as anyone ever and that is what gets them over the hump. Suns in 6.
Hornets-Mavs: Again this is a series where most people seem to be jumping on one team. And it’s not the higher seed. The Mavs are everyone’s sexy pick of the playoffs. Two weeks ago people were pronouncing this team dead and saying they might miss the playoffs, now they’re the hottest team alive. They are hot and I know they beat the Hornets on the last night of the season but I’m not buying in. Hornets in 7.
Lakers-Rockets: The Rockets run ends right here. The Lakers are too deep and too good for the Rockets. T-Mac gets his first series win and that’s all. Kobe dominates and Gasol owns the inside. The Lakers just too good here and the Rockets seem content with just one series win. Lakers in 5.
Hornets-Suns: The Shaq legacy continues to grow as he helps the Suns march by the two seed. The Hornets Cinderella run comes to an end in round two. Shaq and Amare dominate the inside and the Suns defense finds a way to contain Chris Paul. The Suns move on and yes, Kobe and Shaq meet once again. Suns in 6.
Lakers-Suns: Kobe rode Shaq’s back to three titles and now he has the chance to beat him and get back to the finals. The Lakers have the depth and the easier road to the Western Conference Finals but the Suns have Nash and Amare. Can Gasol contain STAT? If he does, who guards Shaq? I love the Lakers this year but without Bynum I don’t think they can beat the Suns. The Lakers are hoping the Suns don’t get here because I don’t think it’s a good match-up for them. Suns in 7.
NBA Finals
Suns-Pistons: This is definitely not the match-up the NBA wants but in my mind it’s what they get. It is better then Spurs-Pistons though. I think the Pistons pose some problems for the Suns. If Bell guards Billups who guards Rip and vice versa? Amare can’t stop Rasheed and either can Shaq. On the other end though, ‘Sheed can’t guard Amare or Shaq. Billups and Hamilton are not quick enough to stay with Nash. The Pistons best defender, Prince, is useless in this series because he can’t cover Nash or STAT. He will be matched up with Grant Hill or Raja Bell and if he helps off of them they will kill him with open jumpers. In the end I feel Shaq gets the Suns over the top while Nash and Hill finally get their rings. Shaquille O’Neal stamps his legacy as one of the five best players ever! You read that right; if he gets number five there is no longer an argument against Shaq being one of the best. Suns in 6.
Until next time, I’m gone, like the fans from Petco during the 22-inning marathon.
