Nicholas Dobkowski's Blog
NBA live / Apr 18, 04:16 PM
The joy that Jordan displayed when making his picks for the Stanley Cup playoffs inspired me to take a turn at the 2007-2008 NBA playoffs. This is what came of it:
East
Regional
1 Boston vs. 8 Atlanta- It’s nice to see you back in the post-season Atlanta, but don’t expect to stay long. Anyone can make it in the East. Boston rolls. Bean town in 4.
2 Detroit vs. 7 Philadelphia- A resurgent season for Philly means little against the best bench in the conference, if not the league. Detroit in 5.
3 Orlando vs. 6 Toronto- Toronto has been unimpressive to say the least this season, but put up a good fight against the unseasoned Magic. Dwight Howard leads the way (unfortunately, because he gets too much hype). Magic in 6.
4 Cleveland vs. 5 Washington- Washington’s commitment to defense holds LeBron down. The Cav’s Give it to Lebron and watch offense stagnates. Washington’s super sub Gilbert shines and proves himself a defender as well. Washington in 6.
Conference Semis
1 Boston vs. 5 Washington- You can commit to defense all you want, Washington. Against the best defensive team in the league and the Boston Threeparty, you’re watching the rest from home, fellas. Boston in 5.
2 Detroit vs. 3 Orlando- Orlando is not the real deal. Detroit is. End of story. Pistons in 6.
Conference Finals
1 Boston vs. 2 Detroit- Saving the best for last. This is playoff basketball at its best and a knock-down, drag-out series. Ultimately, Kevin Garnett is one of the most dependable post-player of the last decade (with Timmy Duncan), and there is no answer for him. Boston in a thriller in 7.
West
Regionals
1 Lakers vs. 8 Denver- The only sure thing in the conference. The two man show of Melo and AI can’t get there, but they put up a decent fight. Lakers in 6.
2 New Orleans vs. 7 Dallas- Dallas lacks mental toughness and is still integrating J-Kidd. Their cry baby mentality doesn’t help. New Orleans has been together all season without injury. The beginning of the end for this Dallas team. NOLA in 6.
3 San Antonio vs. 6 Phoenix- Now is the time for Phoenix to break through against the Spurs. Key injuries to Brent Barry and Robert Horry take their toll in floor spacing and the biggest clutch shooter this side of Michael Jordan. The Spurs are such a monster though, it’ll take all Phoenix has. It’ll take 7.
4 Utah vs. 5 Houston- Against my better judgment and the metronome consistency of Utah, I’m banking on T-Mac and the 22-games in a row Rockets to end his decade-long playoff futility. Rockets in 7.
Semis
1 Lakers vs. 5 Houston- The Cinderella effect is finally over for Houston. The Lakers have too much firepower and Houston’s offensive lapses don’t help. Lakers in 6.
2 NOLA vs. 6 Phoenix- Nobody has been giving this NOLA team credit. My credit for them ends here. The Hornets lack of experience hurt them versus a playoff-tested Suns. Suns roll in 6.
Conference Finals
1 Lakers vs. 6 Phoenix- The road out of the west for these two teams always go through the other, it seems. The Lakers are on top this time around, though. Expect some big things from Farmar. Lakers in 6.
NBA Finals
1 Boston vs. 1 Lakers- I’m not sold on the Lakers being able to penetrate Boston’s team-first defense. Expect Kobe to come up big as he returns to the Finals, and expect a Willis Reed type come-back from a certain MIA big. But Bryant has three rings, KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have a combined zero, and they are upset about this. Boston in 6.
0 Comments
Leave a Comment...
Read more of Nicholas Dobkowski's Blogs.
