The NBA Playoffs begin in a few minutes. Here are a few quick comments regarding the upcoming first round.
-Spurs VS. Suns: Everyone knows the obvious stars (Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker; Nash, Shaq, and Stoudemire). At the same time, much was said about the Suns losing Shawn Marion in the Shaq trade. Marion was said to be the best defender on the team before leaving. Keep an eye on Boris Diaw. Just 2 years ago, such a big deal was made about the development of Diaw as an all-around defender and team player. Diaw just may be the player that can turn the tide in this matchup, as he will be one of the Suns guarding Ginobili.
-Celtics VS. Hawks: It would be nice to see the Hawks steal Game 1. While it is pretty much a given that the Celtics will win the series, an Atlanta win would serve as a nice wake-up call/reality check. Simply making the playoffs has been a feel-good story for the Hawks. Then again, just a year ago the talk in Boston was about the football, baseball, and hockey, so the overcoming of losing the draft lottery is also a pretty nice feel-good story for the Celtics.
-Cavaliers VS. Wizards: The Cavaliers are often criticized for not making perimeter shots consistently. The bigger problem is that the shots that they take are too often ill-advised. Yes, the Cavaliers can win games when LeBron James does most of the driving and everyone else spots up, but they are much, much better when people cut and drive as well. Daniel Gibson exemplified this last year against the Pistons. Meanwhile, the Wizards are also guilty of taking too many ill-advised shots. The Wizards are playing well heading into this series, but they still do not seem to be any better than they were 2 years ago. Then again, having the same roster may help them overcome a Cavs team that is still trying to develop chemistry.
-Lakers VS. Nuggets: The Lakers will probably win this series, but their postseason success will depend on how healthy they can stay. The Lakers are much less experienced than their last championship teams, meaning that a lot of pressure will fall on players that have little to no playoff experience. Fortunately for the Lakers, the Nuggets seem to have reached a ceiling in what their current roster can accomplish. Allen Iverson is a winner, but he does not win when his team is overmatched.
-Hornets VS. Mavericks: The Hornets got a tough draw for being as good as they have been this year. The Hornets are inexperienced, but the Mavericks are aging--something might give to sway the momentum either way. The Mavericks have more depth, but the Hornets potentially have the emotional backing of a still rebuilding city. With this in mind, the key for the Hornets will be to win at home.
-Magic VS. Raptors: For a #3 VS. #6 matchup, these teams are quite even. Their matchup is like 3 of the 4 series in the West--it can go either way. Both teams have younger rosters with limited playoff experience. The Magic are the favorites, but the Raptors are quite capable of taking control of the tempo and the series. Foul trouble on either side could also be a big factor in this series.
-Jazz VS. Rockets: The Jazz are the higher seed by virtue of winning their division, but the Rockets have home-court advantage. On the other hand, while the Jazz return to the playoffs with continuity, the Rockets have changed coaches and role players while still facing injuries. The Jazz should win this series, and Tracy McGrady will have to wait one more year to get out of the first round.
-Pistons VS. 76ers: With their core group still producing consistently, Detroit is one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship. Their window of opportunity is closing soon, and they know it (whether or not they admit this). At the same time, the Pistons are vulnerable. A matchup with the Sixers will be rough, because the Sixers are playing well right now, and they do have some young, hungry players. The Pistons are in trouble if they take the Sixers lightly.
*This may sound indecisive, but my pick to win the NBA title is the winner of the Spurs/Suns series. I like the Spurs better, but I think the Shaq trade helped diversify the team, while the potential of guys like Barbosa and Diaw make the Suns' bench dangerous.
-Spurs VS. Suns: Everyone knows the obvious stars (Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker; Nash, Shaq, and Stoudemire). At the same time, much was said about the Suns losing Shawn Marion in the Shaq trade. Marion was said to be the best defender on the team before leaving. Keep an eye on Boris Diaw. Just 2 years ago, such a big deal was made about the development of Diaw as an all-around defender and team player. Diaw just may be the player that can turn the tide in this matchup, as he will be one of the Suns guarding Ginobili.
-Celtics VS. Hawks: It would be nice to see the Hawks steal Game 1. While it is pretty much a given that the Celtics will win the series, an Atlanta win would serve as a nice wake-up call/reality check. Simply making the playoffs has been a feel-good story for the Hawks. Then again, just a year ago the talk in Boston was about the football, baseball, and hockey, so the overcoming of losing the draft lottery is also a pretty nice feel-good story for the Celtics.
-Cavaliers VS. Wizards: The Cavaliers are often criticized for not making perimeter shots consistently. The bigger problem is that the shots that they take are too often ill-advised. Yes, the Cavaliers can win games when LeBron James does most of the driving and everyone else spots up, but they are much, much better when people cut and drive as well. Daniel Gibson exemplified this last year against the Pistons. Meanwhile, the Wizards are also guilty of taking too many ill-advised shots. The Wizards are playing well heading into this series, but they still do not seem to be any better than they were 2 years ago. Then again, having the same roster may help them overcome a Cavs team that is still trying to develop chemistry.
-Lakers VS. Nuggets: The Lakers will probably win this series, but their postseason success will depend on how healthy they can stay. The Lakers are much less experienced than their last championship teams, meaning that a lot of pressure will fall on players that have little to no playoff experience. Fortunately for the Lakers, the Nuggets seem to have reached a ceiling in what their current roster can accomplish. Allen Iverson is a winner, but he does not win when his team is overmatched.
-Hornets VS. Mavericks: The Hornets got a tough draw for being as good as they have been this year. The Hornets are inexperienced, but the Mavericks are aging--something might give to sway the momentum either way. The Mavericks have more depth, but the Hornets potentially have the emotional backing of a still rebuilding city. With this in mind, the key for the Hornets will be to win at home.
-Magic VS. Raptors: For a #3 VS. #6 matchup, these teams are quite even. Their matchup is like 3 of the 4 series in the West--it can go either way. Both teams have younger rosters with limited playoff experience. The Magic are the favorites, but the Raptors are quite capable of taking control of the tempo and the series. Foul trouble on either side could also be a big factor in this series.
-Jazz VS. Rockets: The Jazz are the higher seed by virtue of winning their division, but the Rockets have home-court advantage. On the other hand, while the Jazz return to the playoffs with continuity, the Rockets have changed coaches and role players while still facing injuries. The Jazz should win this series, and Tracy McGrady will have to wait one more year to get out of the first round.
-Pistons VS. 76ers: With their core group still producing consistently, Detroit is one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship. Their window of opportunity is closing soon, and they know it (whether or not they admit this). At the same time, the Pistons are vulnerable. A matchup with the Sixers will be rough, because the Sixers are playing well right now, and they do have some young, hungry players. The Pistons are in trouble if they take the Sixers lightly.
*This may sound indecisive, but my pick to win the NBA title is the winner of the Spurs/Suns series. I like the Spurs better, but I think the Shaq trade helped diversify the team, while the potential of guys like Barbosa and Diaw make the Suns' bench dangerous.