NBA '08 Playoff Thread

After one of the greatest regular seasons in history and a couple of very inticing first-round matchup, it should be an incredible postseason. I included a poll so you can vote for who you think will emerge from the pack with the title this season.

Here are the first-round playoff matchups and my predictions:

1. Boston vs. 8. Atlanta (Boston in 4)
2. Detroit vs. 7. Philadelphia (Detroit in 6)
3. Orlando vs. 6. Toronto (Orlando in 5)
4. Cleveland vs. 5. Washington (Cleveland in 6)

WEST
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Denver (LA in 5)
2. New Orleans vs. 7. Dallas (Dallas in 7)
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Phoenix (Suns in 6)
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston (Utah in 6)

There are four series that have the potential to be excellent. LeBron and the Cavs against Washington for the third straight year in the playoffs. Becoming a good rivalry. Gilbert's already talking trash. LeBron is too good and has somehow improved his game even more this year.

In the West, New Orleans-Dallas should be very entertaining with Paul and Kidd facing off. I think Dallas will barely edge NO due to experience and Nowitzki playing inspired, confident basketball. But I could easily see the Hornets winning it and they should not be taken lightly. Spurs-Suns is a rematch from last year's WC Finals...I say Suns take this one. This Spurs team plays pretty uninspired and Tim Duncan just doesn't look right. Then again, San Antonio always turns it on in the playoffs, but I see the Suns finally getting some payback from last season. Utah-Houston is also a rematch from last year's playoffs which went 7 games. Williams and Boozer will be too much for Houston, but these are probably the two most underrated teams in the league.

MVP Ballot:
1. Chris Paul
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Kobe Bryant
4. LeBron James
5. Dwight Howard

Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Most Improved Player of the Year: Hedo Turkoglu
Sixth Player of the Year: Manu Ginobili

 

Garnett ahead of Kobe for MVP?

That's funny.

 

My first-round playoff predictions:

1. Boston vs. 8. Atlanta (Boston in 4)
2. Detroit vs. 7. Philadelphia (Detroit in 5)
3. Orlando vs. 6. Toronto (Orlando in 6)
4. Cleveland vs. 5. Washington (Washington in 6)

WEST
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Denver (LA in 5)
2. New Orleans vs. 7. Dallas (New Orleans in 6)
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Phoenix (Suns in 6)
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston (Utah in 4)

MVP Ballot:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Chris Paul
3. Kevin Garnett
4. LeBron James
5. Dwight Howard

Coach of the Year: Byron Scott
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett (nice way to honor his season with reaching by giving him the MVP)
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Most Improved Player of the Year: Hedo Turkoglu
Sixth Player of the Year: Manu Ginobili

 

I'll play:

1. Boston vs. 8. Atlanta (Boston in 4)
2. Detroit vs. 7. Philadelphia (Detroit in 5)
3. Orlando vs. 6. Toronto (Orlando in 5)
4. Cleveland vs. 5. Washington (Cleveland in 5)

WEST
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Denver (LA in 4)
2. New Orleans vs. 7. Dallas (Dallas in 6)
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Phoenix (San Antonio in 6)
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston (Houston in 6)

MVP Ballot:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Chris Paul
3. LeBron James
4. Kevin Garnett
5. Chris Bosh

Coach of the Year: Byron Scott
Defensive Player of the Year: Garnett
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Most Improved Player of the Year: Hedo Turkoglu
Sixth Player of the Year: Manu Ginobili

 

Who's the dipshit who voted for the Hawks?

 

8)

 

1. Boston vs. 8. Atlanta (Boston in 4)
2. Detroit vs. 7. Philadelphia (Detroit in 5)
3. Orlando vs. 6. Toronto (Toronto in 7)
4. Cleveland vs. 5. Washington (Cleveland in 5)

WEST
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Denver (LA in 7)
2. New Orleans vs. 7. Dallas (New Orleans in 5)
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Phoenix (Phoenix in 6)
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston (Utah in 6)

First step to the dream final of yesteryears: Boston vs. LA.

 

Garnett's impact is felt far beyond the stats. Pierce may carry the title of captain, but KG has effectively changed the culture of the hapless franchise, including making defense by all players a priority, bringing intensity and attitude, and energeticly mentoring the young guys. But Paul gets my vote for making the Hornets a relevant franchise again (no. 2 seed) and posting one of the great PG seasons. Kobe's the best player in the league, LeBron's the most talented and all four deserve some mention, but I think the first two have more of a case this season.

A player to watch in the playoffs: Leon Powe of the Celtics. Began the year as an afterthought off the bench, but is beginning to emerge as a legitimate threat off the bench. Last night he posted a 27-11 vs. the Nets and for April has averaged 14-6 on 58% shooting.

 

I'm a much bigger Garnett fan than Kobe, and I agree that Garnett should be in the mix.

But as much as it pains me to say, Kobe is the MVP.

 

First round predicitions:
East
Hawks vs. Celtics (Celtics in 5)
76ers vs. Pistons (Pistons in 6)
Raptors vs. Magic (Magic in 6)
Wizards vs. Cavs (Cavs in 6)

West
Nuggets vs. Lakers (Lakers in 5)
Mavericks vs. Hornets (Hornets in 7)
Suns vs. Spurs (Spurs in 6)
Rockets vs. Jazz (Jazz in 7)

MVP:
1. Kobe Bryant.
2. Chris Paul
3. LeBron James
4. Kevin Garnett
5. Dwight Howard

ROY: Durant, Sonics
COY: Byron Scott, Hornets
Sixth Man: Manu Ginobli, Spurs
Defensive Player of the Year: Garnett
Most Improved: LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers
Executive of the Year: Mitch Kupchak, Lakers

 

Here are my first-round predictions:

1. Boston vs. 8. Atlanta (Boston in 4)
2. Detroit vs. 7. Philadelphia (Detroit in 5)
3. Orlando vs. 6. Toronto (Orlando in 5)
4. Cleveland vs. 5. Washington (Cleveland in 7)

WEST
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Denver (LA in 4)
2. New Orleans vs. 7. Dallas (New Orleans in 6)
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Phoenix (Suns in 7)
4. Utah vs. 5. Houston (Utah in 6)


MVP:
1. Kobe Bryant -- Led a team that suffered numerous injuries (Bynum, Gasol, Radmanovic, Ariza), including a severe one to his shooting hand, and led them to the No. 1 seed in what is being called the toughest conference race in the league's history. Anyone who says Bryant winning would only be a "career achievement award" is deluding themselves.

2. Chris Paul -- An amazing individual and team player. Led the most surprising team effort in the league. If the Hornets had won the West, I'd have had a difficult time not giving it to him.

3. Kevin Garnett -- While I think Paul Pierce was the most valuable ON-COURT PLAYER for the Celtics, Garnett's intangibles were the difference in Boston. He had an MVP-type season, but also had plenty of help in Pierce and Ray Allen.


I can't even place LeBron James in the voting because of one simple reason: Kobe Bryant was hardly ever mentioned the last two seasons with the Lakers because they weren't an elite team. However, he led the Lakers to the playoffs in a much tougher conference and nearly upset the Suns two years ago. LeBron has put up amazing stats this season, but the Cavs won just 45 games against inferior competition. Kobe faced tougher competition, led his team (that had inferior talent) to similar records the last two years, and was summarily dismissed as an MVP candidate. Therefore, LeBron should be lauded for being a talent, but not for being VALUABLE.


Other awards ...
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Sonics
Coach of the Year: Byron Scott, Hornets
Sixth Man: Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Most Improved: (tie) Hedo Turkoglu, Magic and Mike Dunleavy Jr., Pacers
Exec. of the Year: Mitch Kupchak, Lakers

 

Sports Guy lite, passing for analysis.

Boston in 4
Detroit in 5
Orlando in 5
Washington in 6

LA in 5
New Orleans in 7
Phoenix in 6
Utah in 5

MVP: can't go wrong with Bryant or Paul. Would like to see Kobe get it, but won't complain if it's Paul.
Garnett missed a few games, during which they did not flounder. LeBron doesn't belong in the conversation.

Executive of the Year: Kevin Mchale. The Celtics have him to thank.
Most improved: Hell, I don't know.
Coach of the year: Byron Scott, N'awlins
Rookie: Durant.

NBA Finals: Pistons over Suns in 6.