THE STATE OF THE NBA is climbing. For the past several years the popularity of the NBA has been consistently rising after it hit rock bottom with the championships of the boring Spurs and the number 1 overall pick of Kwame Brown. I cannot remember a regular season being this hyped in a while. This hype will hopefully lead to a postseason that will jolt the NBA back into complete mainstream.
With about 9 games left in the regular season the playoffs are mostly set with the exception being the 8 seed in the East, which Indiana and Charlotte are fighting for. If the seeding stays as it is, there are a few interesting first round matchups. 2 vs. 7 in the East would be New York vs. Boston and although the Celtics and Knicks don’t consider each other rivals, their fans certainly do. New York fans don’t like Boston fans and vice versa. It will also be interesting to see the Heatles play in their first playoff series together because OBVIOUSLY the regular season doesn’t matter. Just ask VCU. Play close attention to the battle for the 6 seed in the West. Currently the Hornets hold the advantage over the Blazers, if the Blazers can find a way to edge over the Hornets for the 6 seed I think they can give the Mavericks a lot more trouble than the injury ridden Hornets.
With the seeding for the playoffs basically set with the exception of the Pacers and the Bobcats (which quite frankly is irrelevant) and the 6 seed in the West, which I think the Blazers will eventually take, I’ll make my first round picks:
East:
Bulls over Pacers in 5 (Indiana gets one at home, but D. Rose is way too much). Celtics over Knicks in 7 (Celtics never make it easy for themselves in the first round, which they’ve proved against the Hawks and Bulls in previous years. In addition I doubt they want to go against the 2 and a half headed monster that is New York. The Knicks have 3 guys that are capable of taking over a 7 game series, but in the end the veteran Celtics edge the less-experienced Knicks team). Heat over 76ers in 6 (76ers give them a small run, but the Heatles will show up ready to go in the playoffs). Magic over Hawks in 6 (Dwight Howard is too much and look for Hedo to get back to his old Magic ways).
West:
Spurs over Grizzles in 5 (A Rudy Gay buzzer beater will give the Griz one game, but too much experience on the Spurs). Lakers over Hornets in 4 (Kobe Time.). Blazers over Mavericks in 6 (Mavs go to Portland in a must win game 6, but Portland shows up and steals the series). Thunder over Nuggets in 5 (Durant and Westbrook are dangerous for anyone and certainly too much for the Nuggets).
End of Season Award predictions:
MVP: D. Rose
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Most Improved Player: LaMarcus Aldridge
Coach of the Year: Tom Tibido
-Legend
P.S. Kobe is getting his 6th. Believe it.