Five Predictions for the NBA Playoffs

Image courtesy of NBA.com

Five predictions for the NBA Postseason:

The Bulls will put up a fight against the Nets even without Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah

                This has been a trying season for the NBA’s winningest team between 2010-2012. The Bulls played the entire year without superstar point guard Derrick Rose after losing Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Watson and Omer Asek to free agency. During the season they struggled with injuries to Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Noah at various points. Yet Tom Thibodeau’s crew battled the entire season and ended up fifth in the conference. It didn’t matter who was playing, the Bulls were tough to beat. At different points, they relied on Jimmy Butler, Marco Bellini and Nazr Mohammad to create offense. The Nets are definitely more talented than the Bulls, but don’t expect this to be an easy series for the Nets. And don’t be surprised if the Bulls stretch it to seven games.

The Western Conference slate will be the most exciting first round of playoffs in years

                Four series and not a stinker in the bunch. Of the eight teams that qualified for the playoffs in the Western  Conference, all are capable of winning in the first round. But, not one of the teams appears to be flawless. Plus, there’s compelling storylines to nearly every matchup. In the one-eight series, James Harden will take on his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder traded Harden right before the season rather than give him a long-term deal. He’s since emerged as a top-flight scorer as the Thunder have rolled along, seemingly unharmed. At the very least, this series should be an exciting offensive display filled with three-point barrages and triple-digit scores.

 In the two-seven matchup we have the two most successful teams of the last 15 years. The Spurs will take on the Lakers in a matchup of banged-up squads. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard have all missed time recently for the Spurs and the Lakers will obviously be without Kobe for the first time in years. In the three-six series, we get another matchup of potent offenses as Golden State takes on Denver. The Nuggets were one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season but the Warriors have one of the most dangerous shooters in NBA history with Stephen Curry. It’s seems the Nuggets should be able to take this series but not without a battle from Curry, Klay Thompson and Co. The four-five matchup is a repeat of last year’s seven-game classic between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have made some noise in the postseason the past two years and seem poised for a run even after trading Rudy Gay. The Clippers have two distinct advantages in being the deepest team in basketball and having the best point guard in the world. I’m not sure how this series will turn out, but there’s few thing s in life to be more excited about than Paul being guarded by Tony (the Hungry Dog) Allen. This should be quite the first round in the West.

We’ll see at least three transcendent performances

This year’s playoffs will feature LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry and Brook Lopez all in the midst of career years. That’s not even including Chris Bosh, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Zach Randolph, Monta Ellis, Marc Gasol Brandon Jennings, Jeremy Lin, Luol Deng, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, J.R Smith, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and a litany of others too long to list. Safe to say we’ll be treated to some outstanding performances this spring.

The Lakers will lose in the first round

I know the Spurs might not be 100% healthy but does that matter? Howard , Nash and Gasol have played very well of late but what’s beyond that? Jodie Meeks, Steve Blake, the guy that used to be Antawn Jameson and the somehow recovered Metta World Peace will receive plenty of playing time. I’d have to take the Spurs in this one.

The Miami Heat will repeat as champions in a relatively easy manner

The reasons here are obvious: they have the best player in the world by far, they’re a complete team and are totally comfortable playing with each other, they won 27 games in a row earlier this season, they had no problem winning even when their best players were out and there’s not really a team good enough to challenge them.

But this won’t be your run-of-the-mill dominant championship run. The Heat have ascended to 1980’s/2000 Lakers/1990’s Bulls territory in terms of becoming more than a basketball team. By the time this run is over, everyone on the Heat will be more of a household name than they already are. The Harlem Shake video they made proved it: people care about this Miami Heat team in some form more than they care about any team in the world. I’m not just thinking they’ll finish the postseason 16-3, I’m also looking forward to Lebron’s imminent appearance on Saturday Night Live. That’s the type of dynasty that’s in the making. Enjoy, America.

Stay hungry, my friends.