I don't like watching basketball, but I LOVE talking and reading about it. I'm not totally sure why I dislike to watch it, but it probably has something to do with the fact that it fails my "Piss Test." That is to say, if I take a piss, is there a chance that I miss the entire game? And no matter how nice a play LBJ makes, beating 3 guys off the dribble and jumping over two like they're Knicks draft busts, it's still 2 of 90-110 points that are going to be scored all game.
And I still love talking about it. Why? Probably because after reading a few Simmons NBA columns (it's trendy to bash him for selling out, but he's still as good a writer as anyone else out there) I've got enough knowledge to be able to hold my own in an NBA conversation. So these may not be the most educated picks, but spend some time in a DC public school and tell me what exactly "educated" means. Let's do it!
Series #1 San Antonio (3) vs. Phoenix (6)
Because the city of Boston shed its loveable losers title and fathers still don't completely trust Kobe with their daughter, Phoenix has to be America's team this postseason right? Well, either way, I'm rooting for Phoenix the whole way through, even though I have the utmost respect for San Antonio, who employs a Devils-like efficiency in winning NBA titles without dazzling anyone with style.
But the issue here is karma: Does it exist? We all remember last year's series, how the Suns probably would've won in 6 or 7 until they lost Amare Stoudamire and others for coming ever so slightly off the bench to go after Robert "Douchebag" Horry, who elbowed/shoved Nash into the scorer's table last year. Had the Suns won, they probably would've won the whole thing, defeating the Jazz and then the Cavs in 4 easy games.
I could give you an analysis of why Amare's new and improved game will be too much for the Spurs to handle, or why the Spurs still have the advantage inside with Duncan over a 50 y/o Shaq and Stoudamire, who almost plays defense. But the truth is that karma has to be on the Suns' side. So let's go Suns in 6.
Cleveland (4) vs. Washington (5)
Weird year for the Wizards. They lost their best and most extroverted player in Arenas for most of the year, and they improved. Way to kick ass on a contract year, Gilbert. In spite of it all, however, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have proven themselves to be pretty damn close to franchise players.
But then you have the ultimate franchise player, Lebron James, all of 23 years of age. One thing I've learned is that with some exceptions, the NBA team with the best player, especially when he's a superstar like now, doesn't usually in the first round, regardless of how much Sczerbiak sucks. This is no exception. Cavs in 5.
Detroit (2) vs. Philly (7)
Between White Boy, BH, and I, guess who got the last pick of series previews? Detroit is basically where the Nets were in 2004; sure, they're good, and they're going to win a few series, but the Celtics are standing in their way. And Detroit should make it a solid series vs. the C's, but they're not going to beat 'em. And as for this series? Philly is much improved with Iggy (does anyone else call him that? If not, they should.) and Seton Hall's own Sam Dalembert. But Detroit still has too much Chauncey, 'Sheed, and Rip to win this handily. Detroit in 5.
My quick picks for the rest of the playoffs:
1st round: C's over Hawks in 4. Orlando over Raptors in 6. Lakers over Nuggets in 6. Hornets over Mavs in 7. Jazz over Rockets in 7.
2nd round: C's over Cavs in 6. Pistons over Magic in 5. Lakers over Jazz in 6. Suns over Hornets in 7.
Semifinals: C's over the Pistons in 5. Suns over Lakers in 6
Finals: Suns over C's in 6.
MVP:Stoudamire
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