An NBA Playoffs Preview so Long and so Late by the Time You’re Done Reading it will be Irrelevant
Posted on April 30, 2012 by Coh in NBA
Mike Smalls and I took on the arduous task of emailing each other our takes on the NBA playoffs first round matchups so you didn’t have to. Note-Most of these were written before this weekend’s games took place so that’s the reason we either look really smart or really stupid. Most likely stupid
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
Coh- Smalls you’ll probably have to take the lead on this one. I’ve watched this Sixers team all year. From the highs of predicting an Atlantic division crown and winning 20 of their first 29 games to ending the season 15-22 and losing close game after close game to the Heat, Bulls, Thunder, and Magic. At least the team is smart enough to fly under the radar and quietly prepare for a Bulls team who also have trouble scoring, and can’t totally expect what they will get from Derrick Rose. Oh that’s right Evan Turner ruined that. Glad he’s here. Anyway just don’t see how the Sixers can win more than 2 games. Gone is the advantage of catching teams on back to back nights. Their best ability is being able to score in transition and on the fast break. Tough to win in the playoffs that way especially against a Bulls team that will lock them down in the half court. Bulls in 6
Smalls-20-9… Philly was 20-9. Doug Collins was Usain Bolting away with coach of the year and the Sixers were the looking like a top 4 eastern team. Then 20 games later they are reportedly quitting on ole Doug. I really don’t know what happened to them but I feel like they ended up in their best possible scenario. Had they got the 7th seed, they likely would have gotten the proverbial broom from D-Wade and Co. Playing the Bulls gives them a chance. I look at Philly as a poor man’s Chicago. They both commit at the defensive end and are great rebounding the ball. The difference is the Bulls have Derrick Rose. Healthy, Rose probably puts this series away in 5. But injuries have been all over him this year and I don’t think Carlos Boozer and Rip Hamilton are exactly the Batman and Robin needed without Rose. Philly’s collapse and lack of a go to scorer in the clutch has me thinking this is a quick series still. But don’t be surprised to see this go the distance. Bulls in 5
Coh- My bad for not getting this preview up before the playoffs actually began. I’m glad I texted you saying it would probably be ok if it didn’t go up til Monday because how much could change? Whoops Rose out for the rest of the playoffs…Unfortunately for the Sixers faithful (all 46 of us) this doesn’t change anything in this series. Saturday’s game was a microcosm of what the entire series will be. The Sixers didn’t play terrible yet they were never really in the game and ended up losing by 12.
(2) Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Coh- Best first round series hands down. What would you say is number 2? I’ll go Clips Griz but more on that later. Don’t see how this series doesn’t go at least 6. Melo wanted this matchup. And that’s what has been awesome about him in NY. He has fully embraced the role of being the guy in NYC. Something that we’ll always wish Lebron wanted to do. Iman Shumpert plays like he is a 5 year veteran, will love to watch him on Wade all series. And if the Knicks steal game 1 or game 2 and that series comes back to MSG tied. Maaaan what word is there to describe that environment? Will we be able to see urine just flowing down Lebron’s leg? I hope this series meets my expectations…Heat in 7
Smalls- No doubt there’s been a steady urine flow down LBJ’s leg all year. This is it. No more excuses, no more “not 5, not 6”. This is now or never for LeBron. The man has to get it done. And unfortunately for him, they got a terrible first round draw…potentially. Tyson Chandler (who apparently got the flu conveniently the day before) is DPOY hands down. Carmelo’s been on an absolute tear and you’re right he is embracing this pressure and spotlight wholeheartedly. He wanted this, we wanted this, the world wanted this. This is definitely the marquee matchup of round 1, but I think LA-Denver could end up being equally great. But as for this, you know what Miami is. They want to force turnovers, get out in transition, and throw Globetrotter highlights all over you. I think there are two major keys in this series, one for each team. For New York its Steve Novak and JR Smith. Miami is not great at defending the long ball and those two guys can shoot the lights out…when they’re on. You know Melo is bringing his guns to the show, and you know Shumpert is giving 110% on whoever his assignment is. It’s up to the cast to help out. For Miami it comes down to one man, Sir LeBron James. Is he finally ready to get his ring? Or are we going to watch another disaster unfold. Miami could easily sweep this thing but if New York steals one in Miami early, especially game 1, it gets dicey for Miami. If they go to the Garden 1-1, I think these guys fold like a house of cards. Man this pick might be coming from the heart but…Knicks in 7
UPDATE Coh- Iman Shumpert tears his ACL. The refs were wearing Heat jerseys for some reason. Lebron crushed Melo. Only 1 game but man tough to see this going the distance…
(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic
Coh- Probably won’t see any of these games since this series will be banished to NBAtv. I mean is anyone rooting for the Magic in this series? Clearly no one is picking them. I like Indiana. Paul George, Roy Hibbert, David West. Does any player represent their home city more than Tyler Hansbrough? Can’t we just use this space to talk about how much of a scumbag Dwight Howard is? Magic have to trade him this offseason right? They can’t possibly have him hold them hostage again next season. At least he’ll get Ron Jeremy err I mean Stan Van Gundy fired and then Stan can fulfill his destiny of hosting a show on ESPN2 with Jeff. Coming up after SportsNation an all new episode of Van Gundy 2 Van Gundy. Pacers in 6
Smalls-If VG2VG comes to life, I can only hope it replaces Dan Le Batard’s miserable attempt at comedy with his handicapped father. I mean, has anyone actually endured a full episode yet? But as for the series, no way this thing goes more than 5. Danny Granger, Paul George, Hibbert, they’ve got some talent in Indiana. And let’s face it, even with D-12, Orlando scored 56 points in a game. This team isn’t that good. They have shooters, so they could shoot their way to a win at home, but only one. Indiana is actually a really good team and Orlando’s Titanic season is on life support. SVG and Dwight are both leaving town and we can all watch the Magic fall into oblivion. At least they had Little Penny though, right? I mean, what other franchise can say that? Pacers in 5
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz
Smalls- This series has to be the most lopsided in Vegas,and not because Utah is terrible, but because the Spurs are just really hot and really good.Honestly, I love the Jazz. They have a ton of young talent and have really come on lately. I never thought I would ever see Gordon Hayward playing significant minutes let alone start a playoff game, but man he is actually really good.They have nice frontcourt play with Millsap and Jefferson, and the length of Derrick Favors could bother the likes of Tim Duncan and the undersized DaJuan Blair. I think Tony Parker is playing at a borderline MVP level and they have some new faces emerging like Patty Mills, Steven Jackson, and Gary Neal. San Antonio is not going to lose this series, they’re just better. But I’m going to go against the grain a little here and ride some Utah Jazz here. I say Gordon Hayward emerges even more and it goes the distance. Spurs in 7
Coh- I love the Spurs. Tim Duncan greatest power forward of all time. Tony Parker top 5 MVP candidate this year and top 3 most hated NBA player by women for cheating on Eva Longoria. (Number 1 is Kris Humphries) This myth that the Spurs are boring is so old and so untrue I legitimately get angry when people say it. They were the 2nd highest scoring team in the NBA this year! Manu is always awesome to watch. Spurs are going to play the Thunder in the Western Conference finals. And they will…cliffhanger for future columns. As far as this series. Jazz are good, they’re young. Al Jefferson is finally healthy. They just have a tough draw here. Spurs in 5
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
Smalls- Last year this was the Western Conference Final, now we get it in the first round. Dallas took down OKC in 5 last year, but you and I both know this is a completely different series. Dirk just hasn’t been Dirk, and is Jason Kidd really still playing man? Wasn’t he in the original NBA Jam? At least Hang Time right? This team just isn’t as good as they once were but their experience and leadership has to make OKC uncomfortable. The Thunder are definitely the most talented team in the West, but I’m not putting too many eggs in the“Russell-and-Kevin-take-
Coh-I feel like I can hear Jerry “The King” Lawler giving his classic speech about the young lion finally trying to upend the old lion with this Dallas OKC series. Everyone knows OKC is more talented and on paper should win this series in a walk. But does that mean they will? I can easily see Dallas stealing one of the games in Oklahoma and then winning game 3 at home thus beginning a stampede of people rushing off the Thunder bandwagon and Skip Bayless building himself a throne to sit on as Jay Crawford gives him a blowjob. Still I think the Thunder’s ability to score, defend when they want to, and ultimately their talent wins out. But it’ll take them 7 games to oust the champs.
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets
Smalls- I’m sticking with Miami-New York as the headliner series in round 1, but this Lakers-Nuggets series could be really good. LA is the biggest team around with two 7 footers, and Kobe is still Kobe. They’re clearly the favorites. But Denver provides a tough matchup for them. They’re big too. With JaVale McGee and rookie-on-the-rise Kenneth Faried down low, they could give LA some problems. Danillo Gallinari and Aaron Afflalo are underrated as scorers and Ty Lawson is going to give LA fits. No way Steve Blake or Sessions can stop his penetration so good thing Bynum is in the middle to give him the JJ Barea treatment… and then tear his jersey off again. I think Denver is a really tough team but Kobe wants number 6 too much. He’ll win the series alone if he has too. Lakers in 7
Coh-Man Denver put on a clinic on the “how to handle a superstar who wants out” problem that clearly any team with a superstar gets to look forward to every few years. They have Melo last year who was pretty close/already had become a tumor for them and just 14 months later they’re a 6 seed with an entertaining young team. Ty Lawson is just awesome to watch dude. He’s so fast it’s incredible. It’s rare when the level of talent is as high as it is in the NBA to just watch someone who is faster than everyone else. Like the Nugs to push this series to 6
(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
Coh-I’m telling you man don’t sleep on this Memphis LA series as the sneaky best matchup in the first round. Tough not to like the Griz and they get a great matchup with a non-playoff savvy Clippers team. Tony Allen and Mike Conley can definitely give Chris Paul problems defensively. Zach Randolf and Marc Gasol should be able to handle Blake and the offensively inept DeAndre Jordan. Memphis is just deep. OJ Mayo. Even Speights is good in the role he has there. Things that I can see swinging this series the Clips way- Chris Paul completely putting the team on his back and having a series that will re-establish him as the league’s best point guard (UPDATE-he did exactly this in game 1) and the Clippers fans being completely insane as they’ve been ravenous for an exciting playoff contender since…uh well since ever. (note yes i’m aware they made the playoffs in 05-06. they weren’t a title contender that year.) Think this series goes the distance. Grizzlies in 7.
Smalls- I’m definitely liking the Grizzlies Clippers series more and more by the day. You’ve swayed me man, now I’m just as excited to watch this as anything else. I love the Grizzlies. They have alot of scoring and alot I chemistry. They made a great run last year so count on some experience and poise too. Rudy Gay is now healthy, and little Gasol is en route to surpass his big bro. This guy can play. Mike Conley is a really underrated player (go buckeyes) and I love the bench. Agent Zero, I mean I guess he’s Agent Ten now, but I love this guy off the pine at this point in his career. When he’s hot he can shoot the lights out. I think home court and experience pushes them over the Clip Show this year. As much as I respect CP3, he can’t do it alone. With a healthy leader in Chauncey Billups, I’d like their chances, but aside from Paul and Caron, they don’t have any experience. I don’t count Mo Williams because spectating the LeBron show doesn’t count as playoff experience. I think LA is one year away from being a real contender. Memphis is ready to make a real run and I would LOVE a rematch with the Spurs next round. Grizzlies in 6
So just to recap for those of you still awake
Eastern Conference
Coh- Bulls in 6, Heat in 7, Pacers in 6, Celtics in 6
Smalls- Bulls in 5, Knicks in 7, Pacers in 5, Celtics in 7
Western Conference
Coh- Spurs in 5, Thunder in 7, Lakers in 6, Grizzlies in 7
Smalls- Spurs in 7, Thunder in 6, Lakers in 7, Grizzlies in 6
