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Founder
Ah, the NBA Playoffs are finally here. After a shortened, 66-game regular season, 16 NBA teams are given a shot to win the NBA Finals.
Last year, the Dallas Mavericks proved everyone wrong when they beat the Miami Heat in six games to become NBA champions.
Can a team this year pull off the same thing? Can LeBron James finally win a ring?
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| Facebook.com/ChicagoBulls |
The Chicago Bulls look to prove Evan Turner and the Philadelphia 76ers wrong in Round One. Turner was quoted saying that the Sixers match-up better against Chicago than the Miami Heat, which may cause conflict entering Saturday.
Although the Sixers do have a good match-up, having the third-best efficiency against them this season, I don't think they can be able to pull off the upset.
Derrick Rose is back and with their deep depth of players on their roster, who's going to stop them? However, I do think Philly can give them a challenge.
All-in-all, this is Chicago's victory.
Pick: Bulls in 6
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| Facebook.com/MiamiHeat |
This is going to be one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting, match-ups in the first round. As John Hollinger of ESPN notes, this series will feature four of the top-five picks from the 2003 NBA Draft in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony.
Judging from how the Knicks have played since Mike Woodson took over as interim head coach, they have been one hot team in the playoffs. However, another team that comes up hot is the Miami Heat (no pun intended, but it fits well).
The Heat got, let's say, lazy towards the end of the regular season last year. However, they were probably the most dangerous team, other than the Dallas Mavericks, once they were in the post-season. And with that, that's why I have them winning this series.
However, it's going to be really exciting seeing LeBron and Melo trying to ball head-to-head against each other. Plus, you got Wade getting aggressive versus J.R. Smith, who looks to punk it on him (before D-Wade goes Rip Hamilton on him). And then there's Bosh vs. Amare Stoudemire.
However, it comes down to the Heat and they end up winning behind James' effort.
Pick: Heat in 6
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| Facebook.com/Pacers |
As a Pacers fan, I'm so proud to see this team back as one of the top teams. It's been a while, like since the Reggie Miller era.
Led by a strong core with huge depth, Indiana looks to easily get past the Orlando Magic.
With Dwight Howard out, they have no chance. They will have to hope for the best with Jameer Nelson, Glen Davis, and company.
However, I don't think it'll be enough to stop the likes of George Hill, Paul George, Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert, Darren Collison, and Tyler Hansbrough.
Quoting Hollinger again: if the Magic win this series, Stan Van Gundy should be allowed to fire Howard himself.
Pick: Pacers in 4
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| Facebook.com/BostonCeltics |
The Boston Celtics started off the season very questionable, having a poor start. Many wondered because the team was too old and assumed they would break the team up at the trade deadline.
Nope.
Danny Ainge stuck through it with the squad, and it turned out for the best with the Celtics now riding with the fourth seed.
Boston is still dangerous and I wouldn't be surprised if the can make a run to the Finals like they did back in 2010.
They still have the strong core of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. However, Rajon Rondo has proven he's the man of this team and he will be the difference of what makes or breaks this squad. Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley will also play a key role as X-factors.
However, we can't rule out the Atlanta Hawks so easily. Although they've been known as that first-round-playoff-exit team, they damaged that statement last season when they got past the tough Orlando Magic, who had Howard at the time.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Hawks can win the series as well as they still have their core of guys like Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jeff Teague, Marvin Williams, and Zaza Pachulia. Plus, with the return of Al Horford, anything is possible.
This is why I see this series going into seven games. This looks to be a good, equal match-up.
Pick: Celtics in 7.
Divisional Round
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| Facebook.com/ChicagoBulls |
This will be an interesting match-up. Seeing Rondo and Rose face off will be a fun thing to watch, showing who is the better point guard.
Three years ago, we saw one of the best first-round series between these two and we could see much of the same in this second-round match-up.
The Bulls shouldn't take this team lightly at all. They are no 76ers right here. I think Boston will be tough to beat, but you can't deny Chi-Town's depth.
With guys like Luol Deng, Rip Hamilton, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, C.J. Watson, and Kyle Korver helping out, who can stop them?
Pick: Bulls in 6
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| Facebook.com/MiamiHeat |
This will be the most competitive match-up, in my opinion, for the second round of the playoffs.
Many have underestimated the Pacers since they have no superstar, but you can't underestimate a scorer like Granger, who has improved significantly for the second half of the season.
The Heat and Pacers had a very even match-up this regular season, and I expect them to have one like it in the playoffs.
Indiana will play tough and it will be just like a Pacers-Bulls series from the 90's. However, it all comes down to LeBron James and seeing what he can do.
And I believe he will carry them in this match-up as well.
Pick: Heat in 7
Conference Finals
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| Facebook.com/MiamiHeat |
Deja-vu, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
LeBron single-handedly carried the Heat last year to beat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.
While I do believe he will do much of the same, I see Chris Bosh being a big X-factor for this match-up.
It'll be Rose and LeBron going at it, with the help of Dwyane Wade. It's going to be one hell of a match-up, but the Heat will win in six in this one.
Pick: Heat in 6
Western Conference
First Round
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| Facebook.com/Spurs |
The Utah Jazz have been the surprise team of the NBA Playoffs. Tyrone Corbin has really turned the team around from a low Western Conference team last season to now a playoff-contender.
No one really had them making the post-season at all. However, with a group featuring Devin Harris, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, and Derrick Favors, Utah was able to make it.
Now they have a tough challenge ahead of them as they go face-to-face with the No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. I expect Utah to make some noise, but with the experience of San Antonio, I think they will have an easy time beating them.
It won't be like last season for San Antonio, being the No. 1 seed but then getting upset by the 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. It was not a pretty scene, with Zach Randolph taking over the whole series.
San Antonio has done well this season, and this time, they can get into the second round. With aging veterans in Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, they look to continue pushing for another ring. Same goes for Tony Parker.
All-in-all, this is a Spurs' victory.
Pick: Spurs in 5
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| Facebook.com/ThunderFans |
The Dallas Mavericks surprised everyone last year when they won the NBA Finals, with all the odds against them. Now they plan to do the same this season, now ranked as the seventh seed.
Last year, they were able to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games to advance to the Finals. Can they beat them again?
I don't think so this team, but I say they will give OKC a tough time.
The Thunder need to make sure to stop Dirk Nowitzki, who turned up a notch in the playoffs. If they can stop him, they're good to go.
The Mavs will still have a tough time, anyways, even if Dirk plays well. With the Thunder's three-headed monster of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden; it'll be hard to stop them from scoring. Along with that, they have shot-blocker Serge Ibaka along with aggressive center, Kendrick Perkins.
However, it's going to be a good match-up.
I see this being a very, very even six-game series.
Pick: Thunder in 6
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| Facebook.com/LosAngelesLakers |
When you have Kobe Bryant, you can't rule the Lakers out of anything, especially in the playoffs.
This looks to be a great series, as both Los Angeles and the Denver Nuggets had a great match-up head-to-head this regular season.
The Nuggets may not have any stars, but they are very deep with guys Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, JaVale McGee, and Ty Lawson. Los Angeles will need to guard Andre Miller and Lawson well, as they have a tough time against quick point guards.
However, with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum as the big men, I can see Los Angeles getting this easily. The X-factor for this series, in my opinion, will be Jordan Hill. He played huge in the team's win over the Thunder last week, and if he keeps playing like that off the bench, this is an easy win for Los Angeles.
Pick: Lakers in 6
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| Facebook.com/LAClippers |
Chris Paul has been huge for the Clippers this season, turning them into a championship-contender after being a laughingstock of a franchise for the past decade.
With "Lob City" on board, I have them coming into Memphis with vengeance.
However, the Clips still need to be able to stop the Grizzlies, who have been hot with their core of players like Rudy Gay, Z-Bo, Mike Conley and Tony Allen. They are going to be hard to stop.
I see this being the most competitive series of the first round. I have this going into seven games, a very very even seven games.
Pick: Clippers in 7
Divisional Round
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| Facebook.com/LAClippers |
The Los Angeles Clippers are in for one of the toughest match-ups of this season as they face the top-ranked San Antonio Spurs.
Many have been underestimating about how good San Antonio really is. I know, but same for the Clippers as well.
I hear Chauncey Billups can actually return at this time. Along with that, we'll have new-school Tim Duncan versus old-school Blake Griffin in this match-up.
My X-factor this one will be DeAndre Jordan. Can he tough it up versus DeJuan Blair and Duncan? I see him playing a key role.
CP3 and Parker also looks like a good one to watch. This will be an even, competitive series overall. I have this going in seven.
Pick: Clippers in 7
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| Facebook.com/ThunderFans |
Ah, yes, we got this match-up again. Thunder and Lakers. This will also be a big match-up to watch in the second round.
Like the Clippers and Spurs, I have this going into seven games.
We'll also revisit Harden against Metta World Peace, and hopefully no one will be throwin' 'bows. Along with that, it'll be Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant going at it in the scoring department.
Hopefully Russell Westbrook doesn't ruin anything like he almost did in the last match-up between these two, as he jacked so many shots, going 3-of-21.
Overall, this will be a fun one to watch. However, the Lakers just don't have enough to beat the Thunder, with LA having some weaknesses at point guard and small forward.
Pick: Thunder in 7
Conference Finals
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| Associated Press |
Out of all the teams, who would have thought the Los Angeles Clippers could make it this far in a span of one year?
Well, I have them here, and it shouldn't be surprising. CP3 didn't come here to lose on the first day of the playoffs.
And he is going to continue to win as he faces Kevin Durant and the Thunder. It's going to be a swell match-up with Paul and Russell Westbrook going at it.
We'll also see Blake Griffin revisiting Kendrick Perkins again. That's going to be interesting. This is a pretty even match-up when you look at it. The big key for Los Angeles is to contain Durant. KD is better than any SF LA has, so they need to guard him really well.
Overall, I see the Clippers with a HUGE upset in seven games.
Pick: Clippers in 7
NBA Finals
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| Jeff Gross/Getty Images |
Ah, the NBA Finals. We're finally here.
It's going to be a team who's been here before against a team with no experience at all in the big show.
Heat and Clippers.
LeBron and Chris Paul. D-Wade and Blake Griffin. Chris Bosh and DeAndre Jordan. This is going to be a hella of a series.
James let last summer slip through his fingers when he choked against the Mavs. Now, LeBron is a totally different player. He feels like what he used to be in Cleveland. He's himself now again. No need to choke, no need to pass at the end, just 'Bron being 'Bron.
Wade really wants to help James win that first ring, get that monkey off his back. This time, I think the Heat can finally complete their journey towards winning a ring.
CP3 made it far, but his team doesn't have everything. But damn, what a run they made.
It would be a great scene seeing James holding that Larry O'Brien trophy.
Miami Heat are your 2012 champions.
Pick: Heat in 5
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| ESPN.com Illustration |
Agree/disagree? Drop a comment below and share your opinion.
