The Playoffs Are Here Baby

We're back. The 1.5 month oddyssey that is the nba playoffs has officially begun. I apologize for being a day late, but to be honest the first day action didn't affect my picks at all. Without further ado...

(L)Eastern Conference
Nets-Raptors- I really want to root against Vince Carter. My associate El Miz has finally convinced me of his complete cowardice. Anyone who quits on a team to be moved to another is a punk. That being said, he's still a fantastic player. Maybe top-10 in the league. I do like the running style the Nets play in spurts too. There's no one better on the break than J-Kidd (yes, on the fast break, he's better than Nash).
Thing to Watch: will Chris Bosh move from star to super star with an unreal series, or will he remain at his very solid regular season numbers?
The Pick: Nets in 6

Magic-Pistons- Not much to this one. The Pistons are too talented and experienced for these young Magic. At every position they have at least a slight edge (I'm counting Webber and Rasheed as one vs. Dwight). Chauncey will start to step it up slowly as there is no one who can even try and guard him. Jameer Nelson? no thanks.
Thing to Watch: will the Pistons take care of business in 4 games, and help themselves out in the future? Or will they struggle and lose a game or two in Orlando?
The Pick: Pistons in 4

Cavs-the artists formely known as the Wizards- This one is a bit tough for AO to talk about. Imagine your favorite team who hasn't made the playoffs much in your life. They are having their finest season, poised to make a run deep into the playoffs. And then Boom, your second best player gets hurt. Whatever, at least you still have your #1 stud, anything can happen. Boom, again. Your 2 best players on the shelves for the playoffs. I will love it if my boys just compete and play hard. Next year Wizkids, next year. And one more thing, FUCK Lebron James.
Thing to Watch: Will the Wizards be pesky and maybe even steal a game in DC. Also, will Lebron continue to play through all his injuries and soreness, or maybe take a game off if the Cavs are up 2-0 or 3-0.
The Pick: Cavs in 5

Bulls-Heat- Maybe the best series in either conference. You have the defending champs who are just regaining their health vs. a young upstart trendy pick for the finals, The Bulls. The key matchup in this series is going to be D-Wade vs. Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich is the man. He runs this team that feeds of his ballhandling and dishing, but more importantly he takes the assignment of D-Wade. He guards him better than anyone else in the league. Also, look out for Luol Deng having a huge series. His mid range J is flawless.
Thing to Watch: Can D-Wade regain his Flash superhuman ability in the clutch and carry the Heat to steal a game in Chicago. Because if he can't, this could get ugly for the overrated Heat.
The Pick: Bulls in 6

Western Conference
Mavericks-Warriors- It's out in the open. The Warriors want the highly touted Mavs. They went 3-0 against them in the regular season and are confident they can contend at a high level over a 7 game series with one of the best teams since Air Jordan descended from his throne. I personally hope the Warriors aren't all talk, because I do see some vulnerability in the Mavs. They can get very passive on offense, just feeding it off to Dirk at the post, and standing around. Devin Harris and Stackhouse are the key for this team, if they want to go one step further than they did last year, and be the ones pouring Cristal on the last day.
Thing to Watch: Will Stephen Jackson stay out of trouble for this whole series (on and off the court). AO says no, he's due for a blowup.
The Pick: Mavs in 6

Suns-Lakers- It's really too bad. This year just aint the same. The Mamba is still firing at an absurd level (another scoring title). But, his team just sucks. Lamar is really slacking, and I don't blame him with all the shit he went through in the offseason. I'm really disappointed in Bynum. I figured with a whole season of playing time under his belt, the kid would progress. As for the Suns, they are my pick to win the whole shabangabang. Their starting 5: nash, bell, diaw, marion, and amare is the most fearsome 5 in the association. Too much here for the Lakers. Sorry, Kobe, you aint even getting 1 this year.
Thing to Watch: The Prince of Pints vs. Raja Bell. Raja has openly admitted his hatred for Kobe, and has "no respect" for him. Kobe will net at least 55 in one of these games.
The Pick: Suns in 4

Nuggets-Spurs- Here it is baby. With the demise of the Wizards, almost all of my attention and support is with AI and his squad. Very exciting time. This series has no ceiling. It's gonna be a battle between a slow it down boring as shit Tim Duncan fundamental style and the run and gun thug badass Nuggies. I don't want to sound too confident, but I like our style vs. theirs. The NBA is evolving. Up and down play is the way to go. I know the Spurs play great defense and all, but if they want to the Nuggets can ball on that end of the court as well. Marcus Camby is not gonna have to guard Duncan (Nene will) so he can just roam the rim and swat and weasely French floaters that Parker throws up.
Thing to Watch: Look our for "The Lineup". I have been scouting this team out for the playoffs the day AI was traded. And when they played their best, and their most confident basketball they had this team on the floor: AI, JR Smith, Melo, Nene, and Camby. This 5 scares people. The question is, will Karl ditch his white losers Blake and Kleiza and let these 5 scare the Spurs?
The Pick: Nuggets in 7

Rockets-Yazz- This one for me is pretty clear cut. If the Rockets were healthy all year long, they would have contended with Phoenix for the 2 seed. Any team with 2 top 10 players has got to be a title-contender, and thats exactly what I think the Rockets are. Yao has been a beast all year and has totally lived up to the hype of a #1 pick. And T-Mac is just the man, definitely one of my favorite ballers. The Yazz don't have enough firepower to win this one. Boozer just has a really bad matchup. His game is being a bull around the rim and fading away for little fallaway jumpers and sometimes taking it strong to the rim (ala Elton Brand), but when there's a 7 foot 5 freakshow in the middle, it makes that extremely tough.
Thing to Watch: Can T-Mac and Yao stay healthy. These guys are scary to watch play, for two reasons. One, their so good. Two, they can get hurt at any minute it seems.
The Pick: Rockets in 5

Yooooooooooooooust. There it is kiddies. NBA Playoffs- round 1-- where dreams begin to come true.

I'll be back for the second round.

And when the games are over, get the fuck outside, its finally nice out.

AO