Post by J on May 4, 2009 14:27:28 GMT -5
Eastern Conference
#1 Orlando Magic (57-25) Vs. #8 Washington Bullets (43-39)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Magic
The Magic come into the playoffs after overtaking the Hornets for the top spot in the league, and should continue their success against the Bullets. Washington violates one of my playoff laws, which is giving up more points per game than they score. They are 27th in the league in scoring going up against a team in the top 10 (#10). Their star, Chris Webber, will match-up against an overachieving Alejandro Camby in what should make the intriguing match-up of the series. But Washington has absolutely no answer for Scottie Pippen, who will definitely be the star of this series. The Bullets will be lucky to win a game.
Prediction: Magic in 4
#2 Charlotte Hornets (55-27) Vs. #7 New York Knicks (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 2-1 Hornets
Though having cooled off from their fast start, the Hornets still feature arguably the best front court in the league. The Knicks are no slouches either, with tandem of Reggie Miller and Ron Harper on the wings. Such a star studded series will provide some great match-ups, such as Malone v. Rodman and Grandmama v. Harper. Other star players, Alonzo Mourning and Reggie Miller have a distinct advantage in their match-ups and could be the key to the series. If Miller can keep pouring on the points and Rodman does a good job at least containing Malone, they will have a good shot to pull the upset. But both of these teams put up points, a big reason why the home team won each game in the season series. I think the strength of the Hornets' frontcourt combined with the homecourt advantage will prove to be the deciding factor, but don't count out the Knicks just yet.
Prediction: Hornets in 6
#3 Detroit Pistons (51-31) Vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 76ers
This series is one of those rare clash of style match-ups that usually doesn't take place until later in the playoffs. The underdog 76ers boast the league's best defense in terms of points allowed per contest, while the Pistons are the league's most high powered offense. That offense is lead by the Motor City's own Glen Rice, the 1st Team All-UOSLR SF and only 2nd to Michael Jordan in scoring. Rice, much like in their regular season series, will absolutely dominate the poor Reggie Williams. I mean there is absolutely no contest there. But the problem arises for the Pistons, besides Magic Johnson deteriorating before our eyes, lies in the 76ers twin towers. The Admiral and Benoit Benjamin absolutely dominate the paint and combine for over 52 points and 23 rebounds a game. Defense travels much better than offense, setting the Pistons up for a probable upset. To put my own spin on the popular saying, Defense wins first round series'.
Prediction: 76ers in 6
#4 Toronto Raptors (50-32) Vs. #5 Boston Celtics (47-35)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 Raptors
The media hype around this series would be about the amazing match-up between Michael Jordan and Vernon Maxwell, but that's not what this series is about. Jordan and Maxwell are undoubtedly great players, they will essentially neutralize each other. Horny/Pooh will be an excellent match-up, if for no other reason but their nicknames. The Raptors just do a better job controlling the ball and put up more points while having the better player, and that will probably carry them to the series victory. Plus, Chuck Person is crazy. And you don't stop crazy.
Prediction: Raptors in 7
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Grizzlies (54-28) Vs. #8 Utah Jazz (42-40)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Grizzlies
This is a perfect time to be a homer. Shaq vs Sabonis is such a lopsided match-up. Sabonis averages more points and steals, and can hit three pointers. Like see Shaq do that. And who is going to stop Danny Manning? Pervis Ellison? He's worthless fellas. He ain't no athlete, he's Shawn Bradley. (Props if you know what rapper I just paraphrased). Plus, there is Otis Thorpe. He's just Thorpe-tacular. Thorpe-ilating. Thorpe-alicious. Kenny "The Jet" Smith versus Allan Houston, come on now. Who cares if one is taller and much more talented, the other guy is named "The Jet". Plus we have Sherman Douglas. Everyone likes a little Sherm here or there. And I didn't even mention Penny....
Oh hell, we are going to get destroyed.
Prediction: Grizzlies in 4
#2 Seattle Supersonics (49-33) Vs. #7 Phoenix Suns (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 2-2 Tied
While the Sonics may be the 2 seed, they are really the 4th best team in the West. That's one of the reasons this is such an even match-up. The Sonics are lead by Gary Payton's lock-down defense combined with Roy Tarpley's domination (24/11 in only 30 mins a game) and Petro's versatility. The Suns are a little more balanced, sporting a line-up I am now naming "Hersey & The Highways". The Highways include double-double machine Derrick Coleman, the balanced scoring of Christian Laettner, and the silky smooth Kendall Gill. In a series this close, every little possession matters and the Suns are 3rd in the league in turnovers. That doesn't bode well when your playing against The Glove. No Glove, no love. Sonics win.
Prediction: Seattle in 7
#3 Houston Rockets (53-29) Vs. #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (48-34)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Rockets
I had a dream...But the Rockets really do have "The Dream", and they will win the series because of him. He is the best big man in this league, and the Timberwolves have no one who can stop him. The Wolves do have a very balanced scoring attack lead by Barkley, with key contributions by Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway, and Steve Smith. Those 4 players are good enough to get the Timberwolves a win in this series, but nothing else. The Dream is just too much, and the Rockets have an aging Dominique Wilkins who is looking for a championship. The Rockets are much closer to a #1 seed than a #3 seed. The Wolves just get screwed by the bracket here.
Prediction: Rockets in 5
#4 Denver Nuggets (49-33) Vs. #5 San Antonio Spurs (48-34)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 Nuggets
The Nuggets go into the playoffs as the hottest team in the league, and one of the deepest. Denver has no 20 point scorers (although Jim Jackson ended the season at 19.9ppg), but they do have 7 players scoring over 10ppg. Their "star" player is Terrell Brandon, the "best point guard in the league", or so I'm told. The Spurs are a little more traditional, featuring a dominant big man (Patrick Ewing) and a high scoring wing (Reggie Lewis). Mark Jackson and his lead leading 10.4 assists per game also cannot be over looked. Jackson and Brandon will certainly be at odds all series trying to lead their teams to victory. Though I believe depth is an important key to winning a series, the Spurs star power might just be enough to give them this series. The Nuggets have a very real shot at winning this one though.
Prediction: Spurs in 7
#1 Orlando Magic (57-25) Vs. #8 Washington Bullets (43-39)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Magic
The Magic come into the playoffs after overtaking the Hornets for the top spot in the league, and should continue their success against the Bullets. Washington violates one of my playoff laws, which is giving up more points per game than they score. They are 27th in the league in scoring going up against a team in the top 10 (#10). Their star, Chris Webber, will match-up against an overachieving Alejandro Camby in what should make the intriguing match-up of the series. But Washington has absolutely no answer for Scottie Pippen, who will definitely be the star of this series. The Bullets will be lucky to win a game.
Prediction: Magic in 4
#2 Charlotte Hornets (55-27) Vs. #7 New York Knicks (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 2-1 Hornets
Though having cooled off from their fast start, the Hornets still feature arguably the best front court in the league. The Knicks are no slouches either, with tandem of Reggie Miller and Ron Harper on the wings. Such a star studded series will provide some great match-ups, such as Malone v. Rodman and Grandmama v. Harper. Other star players, Alonzo Mourning and Reggie Miller have a distinct advantage in their match-ups and could be the key to the series. If Miller can keep pouring on the points and Rodman does a good job at least containing Malone, they will have a good shot to pull the upset. But both of these teams put up points, a big reason why the home team won each game in the season series. I think the strength of the Hornets' frontcourt combined with the homecourt advantage will prove to be the deciding factor, but don't count out the Knicks just yet.
Prediction: Hornets in 6
#3 Detroit Pistons (51-31) Vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 76ers
This series is one of those rare clash of style match-ups that usually doesn't take place until later in the playoffs. The underdog 76ers boast the league's best defense in terms of points allowed per contest, while the Pistons are the league's most high powered offense. That offense is lead by the Motor City's own Glen Rice, the 1st Team All-UOSLR SF and only 2nd to Michael Jordan in scoring. Rice, much like in their regular season series, will absolutely dominate the poor Reggie Williams. I mean there is absolutely no contest there. But the problem arises for the Pistons, besides Magic Johnson deteriorating before our eyes, lies in the 76ers twin towers. The Admiral and Benoit Benjamin absolutely dominate the paint and combine for over 52 points and 23 rebounds a game. Defense travels much better than offense, setting the Pistons up for a probable upset. To put my own spin on the popular saying, Defense wins first round series'.
Prediction: 76ers in 6
#4 Toronto Raptors (50-32) Vs. #5 Boston Celtics (47-35)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 Raptors
The media hype around this series would be about the amazing match-up between Michael Jordan and Vernon Maxwell, but that's not what this series is about. Jordan and Maxwell are undoubtedly great players, they will essentially neutralize each other. Horny/Pooh will be an excellent match-up, if for no other reason but their nicknames. The Raptors just do a better job controlling the ball and put up more points while having the better player, and that will probably carry them to the series victory. Plus, Chuck Person is crazy. And you don't stop crazy.
Prediction: Raptors in 7
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver Grizzlies (54-28) Vs. #8 Utah Jazz (42-40)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Grizzlies
This is a perfect time to be a homer. Shaq vs Sabonis is such a lopsided match-up. Sabonis averages more points and steals, and can hit three pointers. Like see Shaq do that. And who is going to stop Danny Manning? Pervis Ellison? He's worthless fellas. He ain't no athlete, he's Shawn Bradley. (Props if you know what rapper I just paraphrased). Plus, there is Otis Thorpe. He's just Thorpe-tacular. Thorpe-ilating. Thorpe-alicious. Kenny "The Jet" Smith versus Allan Houston, come on now. Who cares if one is taller and much more talented, the other guy is named "The Jet". Plus we have Sherman Douglas. Everyone likes a little Sherm here or there. And I didn't even mention Penny....
Oh hell, we are going to get destroyed.
Prediction: Grizzlies in 4
#2 Seattle Supersonics (49-33) Vs. #7 Phoenix Suns (44-38)
Regular Season Series: 2-2 Tied
While the Sonics may be the 2 seed, they are really the 4th best team in the West. That's one of the reasons this is such an even match-up. The Sonics are lead by Gary Payton's lock-down defense combined with Roy Tarpley's domination (24/11 in only 30 mins a game) and Petro's versatility. The Suns are a little more balanced, sporting a line-up I am now naming "Hersey & The Highways". The Highways include double-double machine Derrick Coleman, the balanced scoring of Christian Laettner, and the silky smooth Kendall Gill. In a series this close, every little possession matters and the Suns are 3rd in the league in turnovers. That doesn't bode well when your playing against The Glove. No Glove, no love. Sonics win.
Prediction: Seattle in 7
#3 Houston Rockets (53-29) Vs. #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (48-34)
Regular Season Series: 4-0 Rockets
I had a dream...But the Rockets really do have "The Dream", and they will win the series because of him. He is the best big man in this league, and the Timberwolves have no one who can stop him. The Wolves do have a very balanced scoring attack lead by Barkley, with key contributions by Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway, and Steve Smith. Those 4 players are good enough to get the Timberwolves a win in this series, but nothing else. The Dream is just too much, and the Rockets have an aging Dominique Wilkins who is looking for a championship. The Rockets are much closer to a #1 seed than a #3 seed. The Wolves just get screwed by the bracket here.
Prediction: Rockets in 5
#4 Denver Nuggets (49-33) Vs. #5 San Antonio Spurs (48-34)
Regular Season Series: 3-1 Nuggets
The Nuggets go into the playoffs as the hottest team in the league, and one of the deepest. Denver has no 20 point scorers (although Jim Jackson ended the season at 19.9ppg), but they do have 7 players scoring over 10ppg. Their "star" player is Terrell Brandon, the "best point guard in the league", or so I'm told. The Spurs are a little more traditional, featuring a dominant big man (Patrick Ewing) and a high scoring wing (Reggie Lewis). Mark Jackson and his lead leading 10.4 assists per game also cannot be over looked. Jackson and Brandon will certainly be at odds all series trying to lead their teams to victory. Though I believe depth is an important key to winning a series, the Spurs star power might just be enough to give them this series. The Nuggets have a very real shot at winning this one though.
Prediction: Spurs in 7
