It's All Hype And It's Bad For You. (Playoff Preview 2/2)
East (In order)- Philly, Chicago, ATL and Detroit...followed by Miami and Orlando.
Philly's hands down, the worst of the bunch to me. Seriously. I like Iggy, but beyond him, this team is just rudderless in this series with the Magic. There was no "good draw" to be had here for Philly. Iggy doesn't have what it takes to lead Philly past Orlando, would've been worse if it were Orlando even without Boston. I like Chicago, but I'm not as sold on them as everyone else seems to be. Especially without Garnett...rather, in spite of the loss of Garnett. (Which I will get to in a bit.) I'm not sure what the huge to-do is with the Hawks, but eh. I digress. I think they'll get a good one from Miami, but the WMD that is Wade, will do them in. I honestly had Detroit lower, but I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt. I think they will dig down deep to give the Cavs a serious push, but fall short in the end. I don't think an upset is out of the question, I seriously don't. But if the Pistons truly are finished, they're gonna be four and out. I think Miami's got a formidable shot with Wade playing out of his mind and O'Neal being healthier than we thought, won't beat Cleveland. ($200 of my money says something else, but I'll get to that too, in a bit.) Orlando is really good. Will be for the next few years in the East and will be legitimately scary next season. Unfortunately, I think they won't edge past Boston who's going to be on a serious mission to win it for KG.
Out West...
West- Dallas, Utah, NO, H-Town, Portland, San Ann-Tone
Dallas is the weakest link and lucked up with their draw, or not. Spurs will put them out and really, Cubes screwed em' over with that trade. Kidd's not capable of keeping up with the young guards out West (and most of the great teams have guards 30 and under, sans Nash and Fisher obviously). Utah just screwed themselves by losing late when it counted and are NOT ready for the Lakers. They had a hard time dealing with the Lakers without Bynum, he really looks healthy this year and I think the Lake Show will be on overdrive. New Orleans has a very real shot of beating Denver, but I just don't think they'll do it without taking two in Denver. I think Melo's too much for the Hornets to handle. Houston/Portland will be the best first round series, or should IF they show up. Unfortunately for the Rockets, I'm not sure if they can run with the young guns that are in Portland. Conversely, the Blazers aren't experienced enough to bang with the Lakers. In a year though, trust and believe, they will be. The Spurs have only ONE HOPE of getting another crack at their archnemesises. Roger Mason has to be an American version of Ginobili with a little Robert Horry blended in. They went through the first part of the year without Ginobili and did fine, got their depth set without him and I think they'll be fine. But without him against the Nugs, I don't see how they beat the Nuggets. So let's get to it, shall we?
#4- The Rich And Creamys. Melo throughout his career, has been plagued by the first round he can never get past. Much like that college coach who can't get out of the first weekend of the tourney, or is unable to win that big bowl game, Melo's got that albatross. In Melo's defense however, this is hands down the best shot he has had to get out of the first round. Hell, this is the best shot he has to get Denver DEEP into the postseason. Unfortunately for the Rich & Creamys, the Lakers have Bynum and they no longer have Camby. They lost their best shotblocking presence to get one of the best floor generals there may ever be. (Note, this is Chauncey's second tour of duty in Denver I might add and this is probably going to be his best yet.) Either way, I think a Conference Finals appearance will fuel Melo and Billups into next season.
#3- The LeBrons. Understand me when I say this...they are the most overhyped 60 win team EVER. They are NOT as great as everyone's making them out to be. No question, LeBron's year was beyond belief. KG's injury, has all but given every talking head further fuel to further ignite the LBJ/KB Finals showdown all want to see. Unfortunately, I don't see this happening. I think Doc's a better coach than people say he is. (See below momentarily for why this is...) I think the lack of a true #2 option on offense is going to seriously hamper LeBron and the Cavs. On top of the fact that I've got $200 riding on the Cavs not winning it all, I'm just not seeing it happen this year. It's all hype, people and my favorite rap group told me 20 years ago or so, DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!! Speaking of "hype"...
#2- The Facts Remain. KG may or may NOT be done for the postseason. The Celts were NOT supposed to get the #2 seed in the East, but they did after KG went down and Orlando forgot how to win. Boston's supporting cast stepped up admirably in the absence of the Big Championship Ticket and Doc Rivers appears to have new life now that he's coaching like he is Da Man. Titles can do that to ya, I think. In any event, I look at the C's and think they can still win the East. Even IF KG does not return, which I believe he will in a Willis Reed circa 1970 in the Finals against the Lakers. Unfortunately this time out, it won't work. It will get them by the Cavaliers, I believe. With a healthy Bynum back, the Lakers won't have it.
So this gives us #1...
#1- Wellllllll...It's The Lake Show. Before I go forward, allow me to quote myself before I explain myself...
As far as the Lake Show goes, look, give them next year's silver ball and save folks the time of getting embarrassed. The Lakers barring an injury to a key part, WILL win 60 plus games. The Lake Show WILL have homecourt throughout next year and Kobe will bottle up MVP #2 while chasing after title #5.
If the Lakers and Celts meet again, with a healthy Bynum, you can write off next year too.
I'm a man of my word and well, Bynum's healthy. The Lakers won 60 plus games, IN SPITE OF INJURIES (including the most notable to Bynum) and appear to be poised to retain the Western Conference Championship. Gasol is firmly set as Kobe's sidekick, with Bynum as the enforcer in the middle. Odom found a way to reinvent himself when Bynum went down and will be a handful off the bench. Fact is, Kobe's pushing a third straight Finals appearance with no title. Big Chief Triangle is pushing another year, without a ring. Both of them are used to getting trophies, wine showers and parades down Santa Monica as it were. The Lakers were shell shocked after blowing that 24 point lead in the second half, then were beaten to a bloody pulp in Game 6. Boston won their 17th title, Los Angeles lost to its traditionally hated rival. The Lakers haven't forgotten this, not by a longshot. Kobe is ready to roll, ready for his 4th ring. He gets it this year.
Lakers win it all.
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