EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Cleveland Cavalier vs. #8 Chicago Bulls
Congratulations to the Baby Bulls to make it this far. Talent-wise, they do have some: reigning ROY Derrick Rose, versatile Luol Deng, MIP candidate Joakim Noah. But that's it. Too bad they need to face the best team in the league with the best player in the league with one of the deepest rosters in the league. But frankly, what do you expect for a team which had been deliberately cutting down salary to get prepared for this summers' free agent market? Getting into the playoffs is already an accomplishment for the Bulls. Imagine the team with the core three, then add an marquee superstar (Joe Johnson, Wade, Bosh, Boozer), do you dig it?
Prediction: 4-0 Cavaliers
#2 Orlando Magic vs. #7 Charlotte Bobcats
Kudos to Larry Brown, who once again proved he is still one of the best coaches alive, after the not-so-pretty brief stint in New York. Yet, it is still hard to imagine Captain Jack & Co would be able to beat the Magic, one of the best defense teams in the league. No, I don't think this year's Magic is better than last year's mainly because of, ahem, Vince Carter, but the Bobcats are just poorly undersized. And their bench is just too weak. However, I think Larry Brown and Captain Jack is gutsy enough to put up some fight and get at least 2 wins.
Prediction: 4-2 Magic
#3 Boston Celtics vs. #6 Miami Heat
Just like the Bulls, the Heat is a team waiting for the summer, so can't imagine to have such determination to beat the Celtics. The Heat is just too easy to defend. A pure one-man team. In the regular season, some supporting casts, like Beasley or JO might surprise you. But for a 7-game series, the opponents just need to clamp down Wade. Period. Let the rest shoots, do whatever they can. Worse is that Wade tends to dominate the ball more during playoffs, which makes defending him even easier. And did I mention that Wade is also their lone defender on the other end? As for the Celtics, their chemistry that won the championship two years ago was long gone. But their Big Three plus Rondo are just too much for the Heat to handle
Prediction: 4-0 Celtics
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #5 Milwaukee Bucks
The Hawks is a year matured and a year better. Yes, the addition of Jamal Crawford is huge. One intangible factor is, this is their last year. There's no way the Hawks, given their low attendance and poor revenue, are going to afford re-signing Joe Johnson. This single factor makes me put them as the dark horse to go to the Conference Finals. Oops, sorry they have to meet the Cavs in the next round. The Bucks have done a good job this season to be the team of surprise, give credits to coach Scott Skiles. And I really love Branden Jennings, though he will not win the ROY. But without Bogut and Redd, there's no way they can beat the Hawks. This year's Hawks I mean.
Prediction: 4-0
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 LA Lakers vs. #8 Oklahoma City Thunder
Yes, this year's Lakers look complacent and disinterested at times. Yes, Kobe is hurt. Yes, Bynum is not 100%. And yes, OKC is the team of surprise in this side of the continent. But let's face it, there's no way Phil Jackson nor Kobe would allow a young team led by an inexperienced coach to beat them in the first round. Durant is super-talented and one day should challenge LBJ to be the best player in the league/world. Westbrook and Green are very promising talent too. But just not this year. Not yet.
Prediction: 4-1
#2 Dallas Mavericks vs. #7 San Antonio Spurs
Once again it's Mavs vs. Spurs. Only is that this time the Mavs have the upper hand. They are the deepest team in the West, and they stole Caron Butler, and to a not-so-lesser extent, Branden Haywood, from Washington. On the other hand, the Spurs has yet to integrate the newly acquired Richard Jefferson into their system (normally it takes players at least 2 years to blend in). However, the Spurs had a real good run to finish on a high note in the regular season. Eventually Popovich's strategy works: he strictly limited the PT of the Big Three during regular season and now at least Ginobili and Duncan is healthy. One big problem is that they would miss Tony Parker. A lot. Mr. Longoria has not been his usual self all season, and he certainly won't be in the playoffs. No matter how much I love the Spurs, I just can't see them beating the deeper and more talented Mavs. But for sure it would be one of the most exciting series in the first round.
Prediction: 4-3 Mavericks
#3 Phoenix Suns vs. #6 Portland Trailblazers
The Suns once look like their old self, scoring at will, but they also have a new thing: defense. To say they are a good defense team is an overstatement, but at least they do play SOME defense. Plus, their window is closing. This year, like the Hawks, would be their last chance. Amare is all but certain to leave town (Hello, Miami!) and Nash is getting a year older. Unlike Kidd, the way Nash plays and the way the Suns play, Nash can't be as effective as Kidd at the age of 37. And the Blazers without Roy stands no chance to beat the red hot Suns, no matter how many shots Marcus Camby blocks.
Prediction: 4-1 Suns
#4 Denver Nuggets vs. #5 Utah Jazz
I have never liked the Nuggets. I hate thugs. I hate Martin, and I hate 'Melo, though I must confess that he is one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league. But without Coach Karl, they are an entirely different team. The Jazz and Jerry Sloan are no normal pedestrians. Like the Hawks and the Suns, they too know that this is the final year to have Boozer in Salt Lake City. His back up Paul Millsap is anytime ready to start, but he just ain't no Boozer. I like D-Will, much more than the overrated Chauncey “Big Shot” Billups. When was the last time he made a big shot anyway? Probably in 2004. Yeah, I can smell upset here, though arguably a #5 beating #4 could hardly classify as “upset”.
Prediction: 4-3 Jazz
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