Breaking Down the East

Not too long ago, it appeared there was three title contender in the East. That's no longer the case.

Boston is without KG, playing bad basketball, and appears tired from last year. It seemed so long ago when Boston was going into that big Christmas day game in LA against the Lakers. Celtics were riding a 19 game win streak. They had played 29 games. The best 29 game start in the history of the NBA, no one even tied with them. A ridiculous 27-2. But it seems it has been all downhill from that dominating start.

Orlando was looking pretty good, too. They were up near the top of the NBA. Howard was the by far the best center in the NBA. Their point guard Jameer Nelson was having an all star season. (He did make the all star team). Then Nelson got injured. Out for the season. Getting Rafer Alston helped, but he wasn't an all star. The Magic slowly faded. They were below .500 in the last month of the season, April.

And so the East now begins and ends with the Cavs. They should have a cakewalk. LeBron is on a mission and is really closing the gap on Kobe. They are unbeatable at home. They are the best defensive team in the NBA. It's early in the playoffs, but it appears they are the class of the East. Boston and Orlando both lost at home in game one.

Outside of an Atlanta team getting hot or Wade turning into MJ, there isn't any real competition for Cleveland other than Orlando and Boston. And those teams won't be much of a challenge, either.

This Cavs team is for real. If there's a chink in their armor, I'm not aware of it. LeBron is in a great place mentally right now. They will lose 2 or 3 games on the way to the Finals to play Kobe and the mighty Lakers in a showdown for the ages. This could be the best Finals matchup in a long time. Kobe vs LeBron is enough to sell me, but these two teams are clearly on a different level than the rest of the league too.

Breaking Down the West

Even though the Lakers haven't been dominate, it is clear that they are the class of the West. Before the postseason, most Lakers fans worried more about Portland than any other team, mostly because of the Laker's lack of success in Portland. Luckily, for them, I doubt they will make a trip up to the Northwest. The Rockets appear to be a terible matchup for the young Blazers. Houston hasn't had any success against LA, so the Lakers should cruise.

The team that may be the most dangerous is the Nuggets. They have played lights out and Billups has been nothing short of incredible. Chauncey seems to give the Nuggets what they have lacked. Maturity, a steady player, and a leader. Billups has a ton of playoff experience and the Finals MVP he got was a thorough pounding of Kobe and the Lakers.

Spurs appear too old. Parker just has to do too much without Ginobli and an unhealthy Duncan. They will get past the Mavs because Mavs aren't tough enough and don't play good defense. But I just don't see them getting past Chauncey and the Nuggets.

I say Lakers will face the Nuggets in the West Finals. Just like last year, they will raise their game in the conference finals. Denver won't be able to hang. Lakers will win in 5.

Playoff Predictions

First Round
(1)Cavs over (8)Pistons in 5
(2)Celtics over (7)Bulls in 6
(3)Magic over (6)Sixers in 5
(4)Hawks over (5)Heat in 7

(1)Lakers over (8)Jazz in 5
(2)Nuggets over (7)Hornets in 6
(3)Spurs over (6)Mavericks in 7
(4)Blazers over (5)Rockets in 7

Conference Semi-Finals
(1)Cavs over (4)Hawks in 5
(2)Celtics over (3)Magic in 7

(1)Lakers over (4)Blazers in 7
(3)Spurs over (2)Nuggets in 6

Conference Finals
(1)Lakers over (3)Spurs in 5

(1)Cavs over (2)Celtics in 5

NBA Finals
(1)Cavs over (1)Lakers in 7