NBA Playoff Preview

OH YES!!!!! I'm a football guy but there's nothing like the NBA Playoffs. The format of the NBA Playoffs is the closest you can get to a "perfect sports world" including NCAA March Madness. As much as I like one game settings they don't always give you the best teams on the biggest stage. The winner of every seven game series ever played has and always will be the better team and I firmly believe that.

My wishes for a NBA Finals Match up is the same as most others outside of Orlando, Boston, Denver, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Kobe vs. Lebron; The Lake Show vs The Kings Court! This match up HAS TO happen! What would be a bigger spectacle in the history or pro sports than Kobe vs Lebron?

As for what will actually happen............

Eastern Conference Preview: Here's where the beauty of a seven game series rears it's pretty head. I will eliminate teams like Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte from the bulk of the preview because they have zero chance of winning the east, let alone the NBA Championship. To any fans of these teams it's nothing personal so I'm not bashing but just being realistic. So with that we will skip to the 2ND round match ups

Cleveland vs. Boston: I wanted to include Boston on the list of zero chance to win a ring list but I will give them the benefit of the doubt for this conversation. With that said they don't have a chance to beat Boston with Lebron flying all over the court (sorry I meant air). Kevin Garnett has the Chris Webber knee and Rasheed Wallace is about as bad as I knew he was gonna be as a member of The Celtics. Shaq's size neutralizes Kendrick Perkins presence and Cleveland chases Boston off of the three point line with excellent perimeter defense. Then Lebron leaps tall buildings in a single bound leading to Celtics players on pictures with Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley "gone fishin" during TNT's Inside The NBA.

Extra Point: The best way to beat the Cavs is make Lebron a complete scorer and nothing else on the offensive end. The Cavs are at their best when Lebron is driving and kicking and making plays at the basket. You know going into the game nobody on your team can stay in front of Lebron. Help defense won't even keep him from the basket. So how about scraping the help D and stay on the 3-point shooters. Live with the 40 or 50 he's gonna score and limit those spot up 3's and the rest of the team to 40 points. It's easier said than done but this is the best shot you have.


Orlando vs. Atlanta: The Hawks are a young, flashy, and entertaining team but that's what they will always be with this particular group. Nothing against them but they just don't have a chance against Orlando other than to push the series to 6 games. Dwight Howard is the other alien besides Lebron in the NBA athletically and Jameer Nelson is healthy unlike last year. Orlando is just better than Atlanta.

Eastern Conference Finals:
Cleveland vs. Orlando; Much as I want to see Cleveland in the Finals I don't know if it's gonna happen. As much flack as Stan Van Gundy takes as Orlando's coach he understood that to beat the Clevland Lebron's make The King score first and pass second. Combine that with the fact that they upgraded their team by having Vince Carter instead of Hedu Turkoglou with a healthy Jameer Nelson and I'm worried it will be a Finals rematch from last year. Not to mention Dwight Howard doesn't allow teams any offensive rebounds or easy buckets and I smell doom for my wish of Kobe vs. Lebron. However, I'm a Laker fan so as long as we win I really don't care-LOL.

Western Conference Preview: Just like the east I will eliminate Oklahoma City, Utah, Portland, and Phoenix from the discussion.

L.A. vs. Utah/Denver winner: Utah vs Denver will be the best matchup of the first round. The winner of this series can push the Lakers to 6 or possibly 7 games. But the length of LA will just be too much. Ron Artest will show exactly why they brought him in. Going into the season I knew LA wouldn't be a better regular season team with Ron Artest. Artest is for lack of a better word an ugly basketball player. His game isn't really a fit for any offense he's just skilled. But when the playoffs get nitty gritty and the games get slowed down and ugly Ron-Ron will shine bright. Mark my words and bet your money on LA.

Phoenix vs. San Antonio: If you notice I didn't put the Dallas/San Antonio winner. In other words I think Dallas is going down as the 2ND seed. Greg Popovich understands the grind of an NBA season and his team. He knows his team is older and he sacrifices regular season wins to rest players to be fresh for the playoffs. He knows that if you're a better team you'll win without home court advantage as well. The Spurs are clicking and primed to take down Dallas. With that said I also think we are in store for a an old school rivalry renewed. I have the Spurs taking down Phoenix in 5 or 6 games and playing LA for the West Crown

Western Conference Finals:

L.A. vs. San Antonio: Lakers in 5 or 6 games. The west is set up perfect for the Lakers to make another title run. All the teams besides LA are real good but not great. So they have many 50+ win teams to push them all year long but nobody to take them down. Besides injury that almost assures them a trip to the Finals. While the east is set up the exact opposite. It's very weak outside of the top 3-4 teams but those top teams all have the potential to be great.

NBA FINALS:

L.A. vs. Orlando; Ditto from last year. Lakers win in 5 or 6 due to superior length, athleticism, and too much Kobe Bryant.

Do you now see why I love 7 game series? Look how easy those 7 games make my job!

I eliminated half the field before the playoffs even started and you can be assured I won't be wrong about a single team on that list of playoff castaways. Making the pot at the end of the rainbow 24kt gold and not fools gold. The best vs best for the world to see. The games can't start soon enough!

This was written by Bob Billow AKA "The Book on Sports"