Playoff Time

After months of radio silence resulting in most part from being so befuddled by the poor play of the Celtics, I am moved to post by the great drama that is about to unfold. The first 82 is fun for highlights, big nights and Moonball stats. Now the games all count.

Lakers vs OKC: The Lake Show stumbled across the finish due in large part to an injured Kobster. Though by all right they are favorites, the Thunder are a tough draw for several reasons. L.A.s greatest weakness is at the point, where Fisher is some five years removed from being able to stay in front quick point guards; Russell Westbrook is as quick as they come. Jeff Green is going to mess with Lamar Odom. The Thunder have many ways to score in the half court. Zen master Phil overplayed his hand when he started talking about Durant. In an NBA playoff series where the teams are relatively equal, the team with the best player wins. Kobster is still hurt, and Durant is now angry.

Dallas vs San Antonio: Looks like wrong place at the wrong time for a surging Dallas team. The Spurs are no longer a contender in my mind, but something tells me in the quest for one more shot at the gusto, Timmy’s team will beat Dirk’s. Dallas has no one to check Ginobili. I am sure that Dirk and Kidd will go nuts. Popavich’s team always seems to take away looks from the Jason Terry’s and Caron Butler’s of the world, and Duncan will clown the otherwise formidable duo of Haywood and Dampier. Truth is, I would be happy to see both these teams lose.

Phoenix vs Portland: Nice match-up. The Suns have been playing as well as anyone. The back to back blowouts road wins over Denver and Utah were scary. Amare! The Suns bench is hitting on all cylinders, and those suckers D. Then there is P-Town. Of course, I am very sad that super hero Brandon Roy will be watching from the sidelines. But Portland don’t quit. Old friend Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge is an ill front line. Andre Miller will pick up Roy’s scoring, and with Batum, Webster, and Fernandez, Portland has the perimeter covered I Roy’s absence. I see Phoenix advancing in a highly contested, highlight extravaganza.

Denver vs Utah: If Boozer is not 100%, Denver in a walk. Maybe it was the hot Suns, but Utah’s showing in a home game that would have given them the 3 seed, but Utah looked listless against the Phoenix attack. Utah is great at home, and mediocre on the road. That was a must win they lost. As good as Deron Williams is, Utah is a soft defensive team that will lose without the Booze-hound’s offensive punch. Bad formula vs the high scoring Nugs. Denver has stumbled since KMart’s injury and coach Karl’s absence. Martin is back, and when he leads the defensive charge, Denver is tough to beat. Melo is going to go crazy. So is Billups, Nene and the mercurial JR Smith. Over in 5.

Cleveland vs. Chicago: LeBron is not losing in the first round. That said, this might not be easy for the Cavs. Derrick Rose is a problem for everybody. Deng has tools to “guard” LeBron at least until he fouls out. Joakim Noah is an emerging force. Chicago has enough depth. Cleveland will certainly win the first two handily. Even with a nicked up Jamison and without Shaq, Cleveland has a tight squad built for a Finals run. LeBron is playing the game at its highest level with one goal in mind. His intensity alone could mean 4 and done. But if Chicago can win Game 3, we might have a dog fight. . . which, of course would be incredible because LeBron is not losing in the first round.

Orlando vs. Charlotte: The Magic are steam rolling right now, and the Bobcats are going to get flattened. I love what Stephen Jackson has brought to this team. Gerald Wallace is a freak of nature. Larry Brown has got his team over-achieving. Thing is that Dwight Howard is a titan, and the Bobcats are all mortals. Simply no contest. And I ain’t saying other Magic won’t go banan. I think this one is a blow out fest in Mickey’s House, and two grinders in North Carolina. End result: 4 and done.

Atlanta vs Milwaukee: This would have been a hell of a series with Bogut healthy. Of course, if Bogut had not gotten hurt, the Bucks would be upsetting Boston in the First Round. Without the big Aussie, Hotlanta’s brilliant front line will overwhelm the gritty crew from Foam Town. Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are as good as the League has to offer. Rebounders, defenders, shot blockers, all with the ability to score the basketball. Ill. Then we get to Joe Johnson and sixth man of the year Jamal Crawford, a duo that can post 50 on any given night. Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, Carlos Delfino and all of Skile’s crew are going to battle til the end, but that could be 4 or 5 games.

Boston vs Miami: I shudder to think what will transpire. The best player rule gives Miami the unquestioned edge. Boston’s shitty (I mean super shitty) home play could easily send the series back to Miami with the Heat in charge. Nothing that has happened in the past 3 months suggests that Boston is up for the down stroke. Luckily, Miami is not that good. Rondo will be able to run wild on the Heat, and despite Wade’s overall advantage, Ray Allen has bene playing great basketball since the All-Star break. The questions for Boston involve KG and Pauly P: Are they still game changers? Can they will a win? Can they will four wins?