LOL @ Cakewalk in the Playoffs. I'll break down the whole damn playoffs... based on today's standings.
EAST:
1.) Cleveland
8.) Detroit
This is no cakewalk for the Cavs, though they're better in all aspects right now, it's still Detroit and this is still a Rivalry, Detroit will probably win a game at home, Cavs in 5.
2.) Boston
7.) Chicago
If things were to play out for Boston like they did last season, struggling on the road, and what have you, this series could go easily to game 7, this is a new year however and saying things like "had it gone this way" is dumb logic according to Len, so I'll do you a favor and say that Chicago puts up a fight, however, Boston squishes them. Boston in 6.
3.) Orlando
6.) Philadelphia
This is the biggest mis-match of the playoffs. Philly has no inside threat to contain dwight, expect 20 and 15 from Dwight the entire series. Orlando could easily sweep Philly, I say Philly wins a game and Orlando takes it in 5.
4.) Atlanta
5.) Miami
No one plays ball like Dwayne Wade come playoff time. In '06 Wade was an unstoppable force, difference being he had Shaq. This isn't going to be the same for Wade even if he starts dropping 40 points a game like he did all season. Wade has carried his team all season, it's harder to do it in the playoffs. And remember, like others he's been playing basketball since the Olympics, he'll start to tire out. Hawks on the other hand a year removed from pulling off another 8/1 upset, won't want to fall short. Knock out, drag down fight. Hawks in 7.
1.) Cleveland
4.) Atlanta
Cavs have too much talent for the Hawks. Though they don't travel well there isn't enough juice for the Hawks to stop LeBron and the Cavs from walking away. Cavs in six.
2.) Boston
3.) Orlando
KG hurt, you seen what the Cavs can do with no post presence, I really think Boston is in trouble when they meet Orlando and won't be able to last against the Magic. Orlando in six.
1.) Cleveland
3.) Orlando
Possibility of an "upset" here. J.J. Hicks did about the best job against Dwight when these teams met. Hicks being hurt though the past month and a half might not be able to contain Dwight. Let us not forget that this Magic team defeated the Cavs and gave them the beat down of the season only a week ago. Orlando has all the pieces to make a run at the finals, I think they get exhausted through their series. LeBron wills his team to victory, Cavs in 7. (Note: Of all the match ups and being a Cleveland fan, this series scares me the most. If I'm wrong with the Hawks/Heat match up. Miami scares me as a Cleveland fan as well and you could see an All-Florida ECF.)
TO THE WEST!
1.) L.A.
8.) Utah.
Lakers having the home court advantage in this one is key, Utah has fallen off since their surge all the way to fourth place in the West, with as tight as the standings are they draw the short stick and have to play the Lakers first round. No one plays like Utah does at home and pushes the Lakers to game 7, Kobe is too much for the Jazz, Lakers in 7.
2.) Denver
7.) Dallas
Right now, Dallas looks good. Problem is, Dallas looks good against week teams. Denver is no weak team but Dallas makes a decent run at them winning a couple at home but Denver proves to be too much and riding too much momentum, sorry Mark, Denver in 6.
3.) San Antonio
6.) New Orleans
No Ginobili, no run, it's that simple when it comes to the Spurs. Yeah there will be a couple of good games but Chris Paul will not falter against the men in black. Timmy D hasn't looked good, Parker is the saving grace but Paul is a great all around player and is a defender to shut down TP. The "upset" in the West will fall upon the Hornets. New Orleans in 6.
4.) Houston
5.) Portland
Tough series too call, defensive teams meeting. I like Portland a lot and I might be going for the wrong team in this one. Houston has defense and defense wins championships right? right. Well this isn't a championship and it's the first round. I'll probably regret saying this but Portland steps up and the Rose garden erupts. Portland in 7.
1.) L.A.
5.) Portland
Lakers can't win in the Rose Garden? Kobe doesn't want to not go to the WCF, Kobe will carry this team through Portland. While I believe that Portland has a lot of talent and could possibly go with an upset should they make it to the second round, I gotta go with the chalk pick and say L.A. Lakers in 6.
2.) Denver
6.) New Orleans
Great match-up here, one that might be hard for the "ESPN" experts to pick. Denver with the home court advantage is of course the team to pick in this one right? Wrong. Chris Paul and the Hornets will show up with a lot of heart in this series, more so than Denver. Again I'm going out on a limb here but as close as the standings are in the west, aside from L.A. New Orleans has the talent to make it to the WCF. Hornets in 6.
1.) L.A.
6.) New Orleans
Hornets will make it interesting, for two games at least. Too much depth and talent on the Lakers squad and in the match-up too much Pau down low, too much Kobe for Butler. Lakers take it in 6.
The Finals:
1.) Lakers.
1.) Cavaliers.
The homer pick is Cleveland, I know. However, the Lakers being the only team to win in Cleveland this season (aside from if Philly can do it later this week) means that Cleveland is in trouble. Kobe doesn't want to make two straight finals and fail, LeBron doesn't want to make two finals and fail. These guys will go at one another. While I want to say that the King blows up and destroys Kobe for the throne. The Lakers have too much talent and depth. This will be a series of bench points TBH. I hate to say it, Lakers in 7.
