We are officially deep into the playoffs now, the challengers have been whittled down to just four (really just one, teams that don’t have Lebron can’t realistically be considered championship challengers). Enough with the pleasantries, let’s make like Chris Paul and dive on in.
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
That sure was fun. This series was one that seemed closer than it actually ever was. The Bulls have a ton of heart (excluding Derrick Rose) and play true team basketball. It’s unfortunate that we may never see this team at full strength as there are sure to be changes in the offseason. Boozer will most likely be gone as has been rumored for years and Nate Robinson is sure to depart for greener pastures, it is not coincidental that green is the color of cash. Miami is going strong, sure Wade is injured and not producing at his normal level but at least he’s looking really stupid doing it! This is Lebron’s team and no one is going to stop him from winning a championship.
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
Good series, but more or less played out as expected. The Pacers have a ton of size and are a very balanced team, the Knicks conversely are a textbook example of a top heavy team. Carmelo is a monster offensively, but once you get past Baltimore’s native son there is a huge drop off. JR Smith is and always has been a streak player, when he’s on you’re in trouble, when he’s off he will lose you games. The Knicks are in trouble moving forward, they are well over the cap for a couple more years with a team that just isn’t a legitimate contender. Even if they are able to somehow deal Stoudemire they won’t get close to fair value in a trade. Unfortunately for ATLANTA native Shelton Lee (some people know him as “Spike”), this season was the peak of this iteration of the Knickerbockers.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Grizzlies agree with R. Kelly in reverse order, they don’t see anything wrong with grindin’ you and bumpin’ you out of the playoffs. If the Grizzlies were a player at your local court they would be the guy that no one wants to play against because win or lose he is going to put you through the ringer. They also happen to be good at basketball. The belief that Kevin Durant is the second best player in the NBA is shared by many an NBA fan, however, in this series we saw just how large the gulf is between numbers one and two. Try as he might Durant was incapable of putting his team on his back and carrying them into the promised land of the Western Conference Finals. Something tells me this series may have played out differently if Mr. Harden was still playing in OKC, but alas we will never know what could have been. As for the future of the Thunder, they’ll be fine… As long as Westbrook is able to return sooner rather than later and playing at his superlative level. They’d better perform, I hear Seattle is looking for a team…
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
It got interesting there for a minute, then the Spurs remembered who they are and what they are capable of. This is a team that will not be caught off guard, they will not be tricked into playing a style of basketball that is not up to their usual level of execution. The clock is officially turned back and the Spurs are here for the Playoff long haul. Golden State has to now be everyone’s second favorite team. They are a ridiculously fun team to watch with the best crowd in the NBA. If you’re a Warriors fan, there isn’t much to worry about. If David Lee comes back early and healthy, the Warriors are going to be a force very soon. The backcourt is strong as is the front court, young players on good contracts who just got some playoff experience. Look out after next season when all their bad contracts come off the books and they will have a ton of money to spend on free agents. Golden State is going to be a title contender in the coming years.
Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
I want this to be a good series. It could be a good series. It won’t be. Everything is there on paper as to why the Pacers will be a competitive opponent for the Big 1 (yep, I’m subtracting Wade and Bosh, they’re no longer the Big 3), but they won’t be, Lebron is that much of a force. Sure the Pacers are going to kill the Heat on the boards but in the end the crab dribbler will just be too much for them. I’ll come out and say it, nothing would be more interesting for these Playoffs than for the Heat to lose, I just don’t see it happening. Lebron will carry the bulk of the offensive load and the perimeter shooters will do their job. If Norris Cole is able to continue his hot shooting, it’ll be over that much sooner. If Indiana had a true number one option I might feel differently, faith in Paul George’s ability to take over the Eastern Conference Finals, I do not have.
Miami in 6
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m a game late, shoot me (unless you’re Gilbert Arenas). This is going to be one great series. These are two very evenly matched teams that play terrific team defense and have loads of players to throw at each other. When it’s all over though, Tony, Tim, Manu and Gregg will stand victorious, they just have that championship pedigree. Memphis will push them to the brink but the Spurs will not be denied their return to the Finals. I love what both of these teams do and it’s unfortunate that they both can’t advance, both teams have size, great point guards and grind out styles, this is a Finals worthy series. There is no one particular reason why the Spurs will win, but hey one team has to win four out of seven.
San Antonio in 7
It’s been a bumpy road but we’re almost there, the Finals are in sight. Check back and see what happens as the games unfold.
