The "Real" Playoffs Start

[Ticallion Carter]

I see all this talk about hockey playoffs, and being from down South, I find it really hard to actually care about the NHL one way or the other. But I can respect it, at least. Anyway, the REAL playoffs start tonight. I'm talking about the NBA playoffs, and just in case anyone was wondering here's what I think about those matchups (feel free to disagree if you want, but I don't know many of you that actually care about basketball):

Western Conference

We all know whoever wins the West has a paved road to the championship, and this is where all the greatest games are played. This year it's going to be a shootout.

#1 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. #8 Denver Nuggets: This isn't really fair, you can't ask the guy who should be Rookie of the Year (if you ask me), Carmelo Anthony, and the Nuggets to shut down the sure-fire MVP this year, Kevin Garnett, and the T'Wolves who are the hottest team in the NBA right now. (Minnesota sweeps in 4 games)

#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #7 Houston Rockets: Lakers Suck. I had to get that out. But they're going to win this one. Houston is inconsistent (thanks to the inconsistency of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley) and the Lake Show has momentum from that last second division title. Good shooting by Kobe Bryant or Gary Payton will get them through. If not, there's always Shaquille O'Neal, but he might have his hands full with Yao Ming. Thing to watch here is Karl Malone's health. (Lakers win in 5 games)

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Memphis Grizzlies: I'll actually be at 2 of these games. The Grizzlies have emerged as a strong team this season thanks to their starters (Jason Williams, Pau Gasol, Mike Miller, Stromile Swift and James Posey). But the defending champs are too much for them, Hedo Turkoglu is shooting well, Rasho Nesterovic is playing great and the defense can stop the quicker Grizzlies (led by Bruce Bowen and the best all-around player in the game, Tim Duncan). Keep an eye on the matchup at point guard (Williams on Tony Parker). (Spurs sweep in 4 games)

#4 Sacramento Kings vs. #5 Dallas Mavericks: Kings should have won their division, but they choked. The return of Chris Webber hasn't been too helpful (except against the Lakers). However, they lucked out here. With a little defense (which they haven't been playing lately) they can stop the offensive-minded Mavericks (who won't play D at all). This'll be fun to watch because it'll be high-scoring. (Kings win in 6 games)

Eastern Conference

I'm going to start calling the Eastern Conference the Leastern Conference again. Any team that comes out of here gets tossed around in the Finals from the Western team. Too bad.

#1 Indiana Pacers vs. #8 Boston Celtics: Did you know that the Celtics had a losing record this season and they're in the playoffs? Indiana was the best team in the Eastern Conference. Look for Jermaine O'Neal to have a field day on offense while Ron Artest has one on defense for the Pacers each game. I don't even think Boston's Paul Pierce will play well this series. (Pacers sweep in 4 games)

#2 New Jersey Nets vs. #7 New York Knicks: This is interesting because the Nets might be moving to Brooklyn soon. Knicks had a losing record too, but I think this will be the best series in the East because these are too very good teams. New Jersey has a slight edge due to the strength of guys like Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson. But New York gels well as a team. Plus, I'll take Stephon Marbury over a HEALTHY Jason Kidd. Kidd's injured, so Starbury should run him into the ground. (My heart says Knicks, but my head says Nets. Nets in 6 games)

#3 Detroit Pistons vs. #6 Milwaukee Bucks: Uhh. If you want to watch something boring, watch this series. Look for Detroit's defense, led by the Wallace Boys (Rasheed and Ben) to keep Milwaukee under 70 points in every single game. Detroit won't score much either, but Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamilton will make sure it's enough to beat the Bucks every game (Detroit sweeps in 4 games).

#4 Miami Heat vs. #5 New Orleans Hornets: It's good to see the Heat back in the playoffs. They have a strong team this year with rookie point-guard Dwyane Wade and scoring threats Lamar Odom and Eddie Jones. It'll be a tough one (all 4/5 seed games are, though). I think the Heat have a little more depth in this one than the Hornets. Baron Davis will try to keep his team in it as long as he can, though. (Heat in 6 games).

[Farek]

The Pacers need to snag the championship this year and show the world that the East cannot be forgotten!

[Elijah]

I never been much of a basketball fan. I grew up in NYC, and after living in Denver so much in my life I have slowly become more of Colorado sports teams fan. College and pro-level teams. I slowly got away from NYC teams because how they usually run their organizations. I still like the MLB Yankees and the NFL Giants of most of the NYC teams. Grew up liking the Knicks, but not into them or basketball as much anymore.

However, most people in Denver are ecastic the Nuggets ended the season over .500 at all even. They have had the best one season turnaround in the history of the league. No one expects the Nugs to get past the Timberwolves around here, even one or two games won in the series will be considered a wonderful success. Carmello Anthony deserves to be co-Rookie of the year with LeBron.

I do know enough about basketball to know as in hockey the West rules over the East. In the West I am sure the Spurs, Lakers, and Timberwolves will all win, and I think Dallas will pull it out over the Kings for the upset. In the East I think the Pacers, Nets, Bucks and Hornets can win.

[Billy]

KNICKS!

[Spiffy McBang]

The Pacers need to snag the championship this year and show the world that the East cannot be forgotten!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Sprite]

in hockey the West rules over the East

We'll see when the Flyers take the cup!!! Bwahahaha.

[Farek]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Can't a guy dream?

[G]

So sorry, but basketball is not nearly as exciting as hockey, let alone playoffs. The Real PLayoffs started at the end of the NHL season.