2008 NBA Playoff Picks

The NBA has developed over the last 5 years into a watchable product again! It has been incredibly exciting to watch a sport—on the verge of alienating their fans—become revitalized by some great draft classes. These drafts have produced guys who not only are incredible skilled, but are incredibly classy in juxtaposition to those NBA stars in the forefront of the league’s image in the very late 90s. Teams like the New Orleans Hornets and Boston Celtics still have the flashy plays that make highlight reels and guess what…they still play great defensively! It’s been great to watch the battles in the West, which will only intensify this weekend with the beginning of postseason play. And you will hear a nauseating amount of superlatives while I describe these matchups, because I think these 2008 playoffs will be that good. And what better way to kick off the playoffs than inking out a bracket. Ladies and Gents, your NBA postseason picks!

Eastern Conference

Quarterfinals

1) Boston vs. 8) Atlanta

Boston enters the postseason with the big 3 (KG, Pierce, Allen) healthy and a better-than-expected supporting cast ready to play important roles as well. Atlanta had a nice run this year, clearly making strides in the right direction, while clearly only making the playoffs because of a weak Eastern Conference. In short, this series is a mismatch for Atlanta in every facet of the game. If they steal one game in this series, it will be a success.

Celtics in 4

2) Detroit vs. 7) Philadelphia

As usual, the Pistons were one of the best teams in the NBA this year, with no legitimate MVP candidate. Just typical Motown hoops, featuring great defense and ball movement and—as overused as the saying is—fundamentally sound play. A different guy shoulders the offensive load each night. Philly bulled its way into the playoffs after a slow start to the season. Point guard Andre Miller has played out of his mind, elevating the games of everyone around him on a team that loves to run the floor. The Sixers, like the Hawks, are headed in the right direction, but the top 2 seeds in the East are far superior to anyone else in the conference.

Pistons in 5

3) Orlando vs. 6) Toronto

Big man Dwight Howard’s breakout year coincided with the Magic’s to no ones surprise. His team snagged the 3-spot in the post season with major contributions from Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu as well. The young team faces the Raptors, who also had extra help from unexpected places. Point guard Jose Calderon (who had a career year stepping in for injured PG T.J. Ford) and rookie forward Jamario Moon complemented All-Star Power forward Chris Bosh, and the Raptors are in the playoffs again this year. I like Dwight Howard to have a good series, but he’s still a kid, and I think that Toronto is a smart team that can exploit the defensively liable Magic and hold Howard and forward Rashard Lewis’ scoring in check. Orlando is still a year or two from being a major threat in the East, and I think the Raptors may be a bit better than their record suggests.

Raptors in 6

4) Cleveland vs. 5) Washington

Cleveland has taken it to the Wiz two years running in the playoffs and we’re dealing with the same stars in this game as in those years. The difference is the supporting cast. The Cavs made a move to land Ben Wallace and Delonte West, shipping out trigger-happy guard Larry Hughes in the process. Lebron is still the guy who has the load on his shoulders, as no fantastic chemistry has developed with he and the others, not enough at least to be as good as last year. Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison have another year together, and though they struggled with injuries, both teams stars are banged up going into this series. I love Lebron to win 3 games by himself, but with a bad back already, I don’t see him being able to carry the team to round 2. The Wizards have a good deal of offensive weapons, and I think they will be able to go the distance with Cleveland and send Lebron to an early summer on his own court. I just can’t wait to hear Skip Bayless after this series.

Wizards in 7

Semifinals

1) Boston vs. 5) Washington

This series will not be too exciting, barring a ridiculous (and extremely unlikely) performance from the Wizards. The Celtics team defense is too good for the Wizards to score on as consistently as they will against the Cavs in round 1. On the offensive side of the ball the Celtics will completely manhandle the Wizards, who are really a weak man’s Denver Nuggets (Lots of points, no defense). The Wizards will be so high after beating Lebron on his home floor that they will lose sight of KG and the Celts, who will sucker punch them in games 1 and 2, and by the time Agent Zero and company realize they’re in a hole it will be too late. It’s incredible the separation that Boston and Detroit have from even the 3^rd best team, let alone any team past that.

Celtics in 5

2) Detroit vs. 6) Toronto

The big matchup in this series will be Chris Bosh trying to manufacture some offense while being guarded by Rasheed Wallace. If he can’t score, the Raptors have no shot in the series. I think best case scenario, Bosh has two solid games against Detroit, but they are too good of a team defensively to give up a series to any single scoring threat not named Lebron James. The Pistons have been here before plenty of times, and the Raptors are merely a blip on their radar. I think Jose Calderon and T.J. Ford’s playing time will be an issue also, and though it may cause friction within the team when they are down big in the series, it really won’t matter who is in. Chauncey Billups, although aging, is far superior to either guard that Toronto will have in, on both sides of the floor. Too much Pistons D. Not enough legitimate scoring threats for Toronto. A ton of experience versus a little experience. Bottom line, Pistons roll.

Pistons in 5

Conference Finals

1) Boston vs. 4) Detroit

This is the NBA at its finest, a series between 2 powerhouses in the East that will, hopefully, continue the league’s revival process. You’ve got the Celtics, whose core group has been together only this year, against the Pistons, whose core has been through hell and back. I think that KG vs. Sheed is going to be an unbelievable match within the match bout that will ultimately determine the series. And I hate to say that I’m drinking the Garnett Green Kool-Aid, but he’s just looked ferocious this year. I truly feel like he will have a postseason for the ages. Sheed will give him a hard time, but KG will prevail, and Ray Allen will have a big series as well for the Celts. I see him making a few clutch threes in this series, and the role players will do their part as well do overcome a really good Pistons team.

Celtics in 7

Western Conference

Quarterfinals

1) Los Angeles vs. 8) Denver

Things are looking good for Kobe and company, as the Lakers wrapped up the top seed in the red hot West. After they stole Pau Gasol from Memphis, L.A. gelled and fought past a big injury to Andrew Bynum to claim home-court advantage as Kobe Bryant continued to make a case for himself as MVP of the league. On Denver’s side, things weren’t nearly as positive. While the team scored points at an inane rate with Melo and the Answer leading the charge, they also were a little too preoccupied to play any defense along the ride. And their coach is George Karl. And Melo picked up a DUI too. Back to basketball…The Nugs shouldn’t win more than 2 in this series, as they will not put up 120 points a game against L.A. As far as the West goes, this is one of the best draws for the best player in the game to get warmed up on what should be a memorable playoff run.

Lakers in 6

2) New Orleans vs. 7) Dallas

New Orleans is putting together a phenomenal season led by the best point guard in the NBA. As Steve Nash and Jason Kidd’s primes begin to come to a close, Chris Paul’s best years are ahead of him. And that’s scary, considering his utter domination of the position in just his 3^rd year. Forwards David West and Peja Stojakovic have played vital roles as well in the team’s huge leap forward. Still, it’s their first year, and although they look really sharp I just think the Mavs will surprise people in this series. Back to Jason Kidd: while he is close to the end of his prime, he’s still better than the vast majority of PGs in the league, and in the playoffs, the man simply knows how to win. Add in Dirk, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and a strong bench, and you’ve got a really tough matchup for a young team’s first playoff series. I think the Mavs finally have some post-JKidd trade chemisty, and will sneak in and take this series.

Mavericks in 6

3) San Antonio vs. 6) Phoenix

People go pretty worked up over the Shaq trade to Phoenix, and understandably so. It was a huge deal which simultaneously elevated Amare Stoudemire’s game to a new level and got Shawn Marion’s bad blood out of town. The Suns did look good against the Spurs and will certainly challenge them, more than any other team they face in the West in my opinion. The fact remains, Tim Duncan always finds a way to get it done. While he is getting older, it’s not like the Diesel and Nash are young themselves. Once again everyone is dreading the idea of the Spurs making the Finals, and they’re pointing out flaws that do exist. I just don’t think it matters because they look flawed to some degree every year…till the postseason. Spurs take this in the most entertaining first round series of the playoffs. It will live up to the hype.

Spurs in 7

4) Utah vs. 5) Houston.

On to probably the least interesting first round series of the playoffs, at least in my opinion. The Jazz look indestructible at home, but they look sharp generally speaking as well. All their parts are synchronized so well you have to give credit to GM Kevin O’Connor for putting the pieces together. Houston went on an unbelievable 22-game winning streak, most of which was without Yao Ming. But here comes the real test, one that they’ve failed yearly while captained by All-Star Tracy McGrady. Point guard Rafer Alston is hurt going into the postseason as well, which will really hurt going into a series against one of the top PGs in the league, Deron Williams. This year I think the Rockets will lose in round 1, but it will not fall (or should not fall) on McGrady’s shoulders. Jazz are too good, and the Rockets are too banged up going in. Houston’s season will unfortunately only be remembered for the streak, not for the playoffs.

Jazz in 5

Semifinals

1) Los Angeles vs. 4) Utah

This should be a really good series, one that I think will come down to home court advantage. I think that this is a series won by Kobe. I just get the feeling he is going to take the team on his back, ignite the home crowd, and put up a couple 50-point games. I think there are about 3 defenders in the league who can come remotely close to guarding him, and the Jazz don’t have any of those guys. Jazz Center Mehmet Okur is as soft as warm chocolate chip cookie, and actually the cookie may be able to defend the rim better. He’ll also struggle defending Pau Gasol. Carlos Boozer rebounds well but he doesn’t block many shots for a big man. Kobe will be penetrating and getting layups, or kicking out to open teammates on the perimeter. Deron Williams will have another nice series, but it won’t be enough.

Lakers in 7

3) San Antonio vs. 7) Dallas

A Spurs and Mavs series sounds a lot better this year than it actually will be. The Mavs are good for a first round “W” but only because the team they are playing is so inexperienced. The Spurs are the most playoff-ready team in the league, and they won’t have too much of a problem with the Mavs. Defensively they match up very well against Dallas. Expect to see all the Mavs big guns settling for outside shots, a process that does not bode well for winning playoff series’. Yes, they may get hot shooting and take 1 or 2 games, but strong interior play always wins in that battle. Gritty big guys like Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto will take away penetration opportunities from Dallas, and then there’s Tim Duncan. 2^nd round exits for Dirk and Mark Cuban…thank God we won’t have the camera cut to him in the stands after the Spurs take care of business.

Spurs in 6

Conference Finals

1) Los Angeles vs. 3) San Antonio

This is one of the harder series’ for me to predict, because as much as I want to take the Lakers, I don’t like picking two number 1 seeds to meet in the NBA Finals. If one of these 2 teams loses earlier than the conference championship, I think the other will cruise into the Finals. Kobe and Duncan are the 2 most dominant players of the current era. Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich are arguably the best coaches of that same time period. Both teams have the pedigree. It’s just so hard to call, because you could see it going either way. I think it just seems too crazy that a Celts-Lakers series happens, like everyone’s just got it in stone because it is too good of a story. And things that seem too good to be true usually are. I hate to bring a prediction down to such an intangible-type reason, but I feel it necessary. Also, I liked San Antonio/Boston since January, so I’ll stick to my original prediction.

Spurs in 6

The 2007-08 NBA Finals

Finally, the NBA Finals will actually be better than the Conference Finals. Rajon Rondo emerges as the star of the series, though KG will get the MVP for his dominant playoffs and regular season (he won’t win the regular season MVP). The Duncan/Garnett battles will be epic, the guard play will be intense. Both squads play great team defense, and most of the players on both teams can D up well individually as well. My one hesitation with picking the Celts is that Doc Rivers couldn’t hold Popovich’s jock as a coach, but I think the Celtics just outplay the Spurs by a hair in the series. Home court advantage will play a role, and all the game should be nail-biters (hopefully). I’ve been a KG fan for awhile, and I just think that every guy that good, who dedicates himself that much to the game gets an opportunity to be immortalized on a championship team at one point in his career, and this has been his year from day 1. As usual I will throw up the disclaimer that I’m probably going to be wrong about all these series’ but hey, I guess we’ll find out, won’t we.

The Boston Celtics OVER the San Antonio Spurs in 7 games.

Finals MVP: Kevin Garnett

Regular Season MVP: Kobe Bryant

Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman (though Maurice Cheeks deserves the award)

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant

A couple picks for Friday April 18:

I’ll take Dice-K and the BoSox over Mendoza and the Rangers at Fenway. Dice-K’s had a nice year thus far, and the Texas lineup is full of guys who’ll get mowed down on strikes.

RED SOX (-1.5) over Rangers

Ben Sheets has been stellar for the Brew Crew thus far and I don’t see that changing against the Reds. Bronson Arroyo, on the other hand, lost his mojo along the road from Boston to Cincy and just hasn’t gotten it together for any extended period of time. Prince just jacked his first dinger of the year, and you can bet he won’t stop there.

Brewers (-1.5) over REDS

Picking Record: 8-6