NBA Playoff Preview

Every team in the NBA has two games or fewer left in their regular seasons. The field is set and the playoffs get underway in about a week (and will probably finish just in time to open training camp.)

Let me start off by saying that to me, the NBA playoffs are the premier basketball playoffs. Sorry college basketball guy, but the NBA has a better product and bigger stars. Colin Cowherd said it best when he said college basketball is like a Christmas decoration. You hang it up, give it attention for five or six weeks, and then pack it away for the next ten and a half months. I couldn't agree more. Give me Lebron, Kobe, D-Wade, and Dwight Howard over Tyler Hansborough, Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, and a bunch of 6'6" "big men."

So let's look at the West first because, well, it's pretty simple.

The Lakers will represent the West in the NBA Finals. L.A. scores more points than any team in the playoffs. Their oppponents score less than 100 points per game against them. Let's not forget that they always have the best player on the court too.

The only legitimate threat to the Lakers went down when Manu Giniobili hurt his ankle. The Spurs may be able to pull it off, but it is a long shot. They have loads of experience. They also have Bruce Bowen, the most tenacious defender not named Ron Artest. Bowen has a history of giving Kobe fits, but if there is anyone who can elevate his game, it's Kobe. The Spurs would have to play four of their best games to beat L.A.

The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trailblazers are all either a game up or tied with San Antonio in the standings right now. The Blazers are too young and inexperienced. They need a few more years. Houston is also not playoff tested. Tracy McGrady has famously never been past the first round. The Nuggets are good, but Carmelo hasn't led a team deep into the playoffs since he left Syracuse. They haven't made it to the second round of the playoffs since 1994.

Remember, success in the NBA is built on stars and experience. Each team will only go as far as their biggest star can lead them. Every team has to pay their dues and be tested before they can win.

(Blog intermission, Norman Chad style - Did you see that Al Franken was declared the winner in the Senate race in Minnesota? Let's look deeper into the fact that voters in Minnesota have voted a pro wrestler into the governor's mansion and a comic to the Senate. Both times the person who lost the race was Norm Coleman.
Uhhh, Norm? How do I say this? Maybe politics ain't your game dog. It's probably time to open a bakery.)

Now let's look at the Eastern Conference. This situation is a little more complicated, but not by much. This is a three team race. Everyone from Atlanta (locked in at the 4 seed) down; thanks for playing. Better luck next year.

Boston is playing well right now, winning eight of their last ten, but they will eventually lose because Kevin Garnett is not 100%. He may return for the last game before the playoffs, but he will be rusty. Without Garnett at full strength they can't win. Orlando is too young. They will cut their teeth this year and be a legit threat in the future.

In my mind the Cleveland Cavaliers will meet the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Cavs are playing lights out right now. They also have home court advantage throughout the playoffs (Finals included provided they don't lose their last two games and L.A. wins theirs). This is huge because they are currently 39-1 at home and one game away from tying an NBA record by going 40-1.

So, Lakers and Cavs in the Finals. I know I just got done arguing for Cleveland and their home dominance, but the 1 in their 39-1? A ten point loss to the Lakers in February. All the Lakers have to do is win one in Cleveland and the take care of business at home. Also, the Lakers have an easier road to the Finals. Theoretically, the Cavs will have to battle through either Boston or Orlando just to get to the Finals. They'll be tired.

Give me the Lakers in seven.

- Gabe