NBA Playoff Breakdown

I am in the minority because I love the NBA. The league is full of talent young and old. From Kobe and Steve Nash to Lebron and Kevin Durant, the stars are in full gear heading to the postseason. I enjoy watching every series even if the upsets are few and far between. The 82 game regular season is over and the fun begins now. The Eastern Conference is looked at as the weaker of the two conferences so we will start there.

(1) Cleveland Cavs vs (8) Chicago Bulls
The only mismatch I see in this series for the Cavs is Derrick Rose. Cleveland doesn't have a true point guard who can guard Rose. He's quick, penetrates the lane and can find open men. I see the same players when I look at Joakim Noah and Anderson Varejao. As much as I think no one can defend Rose, who can guard the league MVP Lebron James? The trade for Jamison is suppose to get Cleveland over the hump. The Cavs won't go down in the first round with a healthy James. He's the best player in the league and we are all witnessing his evolution. Cavs win in five games.

(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat
Boston has so many questions heading into the postseason. Can this veteran team flip the switch? Will the big three stay healthy and lift the Celtics again? Who will stop Dwayne Wade? The x-factor in this series is Rajon Rondo. He is a tough young point guard whose fresh legs will help Boston. I like D-Wade because he makes everyone around him so much better. I could see Wade stepping up and carrying the Heat to a series victory. I think Boston is on their last legs and they don't have a shot at the Finals. I do believe Boston has one more tough series win in them. Boston holds off and wins in 7.

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks
The series switched gears when Andrew Bogut went down on that sick fall a few weeks ago. He was having his best year and it's unfortunate it had to end that way. Atlanta has taken their lumps in the past playoff series. The only story line that keeps popping up is Joe Johnson's expiring contract. Without Bogut, the Bucks can't keep up with Al Horford. The Bucks were one of the few surprises in the regular season. Their luck will run out. Atlanta in 6.

(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats
The defending Eastern Conference champs start their road with the Bobcats. The Bobcats may not have a whole lot of experience in the post season as a franchise. Their coach, Larry Brown is all to familiar with the post season. He has the wisdom to overcome the reality that this is the first time the Bobcats have ever been in the playoffs. I don't think they have the talent though. Dwight Howard is a beast and Okafor can't keep him out of the lane. Rashard Lewis is the key to the Magic's success. He hasn't played well and needs to step it up in order to get back to the Finals. The Magic have more talent and will take care of the Bobcats in 6 games.

Western Conference:

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending World Champs didn't end their season like they wanted. I guess every team thinks they can flip the switch and they will magically play better. The truth about the Lakers is they need to give the ball to Gasol more. He should receive get a few more touches since no one on the Thunder that can stop him. The young stallion in the NBA Kevin Durant makes the post season for the first time. Much like MJ, Kobe and Lebron, Durant has to find out how brutal it is to lose a few series before he makes the complete leap. The Thunder will get one game against the Lakers and that's it. Lakers in 5.

(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz
I would have loved this series much more for the Jazz had they had home court advantage. I think fans believe the coach isn't that relevant. The Nuggets are weaker without George Karl. He is a great coach and has proved it over his long career. The inside game is the most intriguing with K Mart and Boozer along with the back ups Chris "Birdman" Anderson and Paul Milsap. The series will be one of the best series because these two teams are very similar. The point guards are also two of the most important players to watch. Big Shot Billups and Deron Williams have to play well to give their teams a chance to win. I like Billups for his leadership skills while Coach Karl is out. Denver in 7.

(3) Phoenix Suns vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers chances comes down to one person Brandon Roy. If he isn't one hundred percent, forget about it. The Suns are one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. Steve Nash is still going strong even at his ripe old age of 36. I will agree with Grant Hill, Phoenix is starting to win games with their defense, which is something they haven't done in years. The Suns may have lost the season series with Portland, the playoffs are a whole other ball game. I like the Suns in 6.

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (7) San Antonio Spurs
A lot was made of Popovich resting Duncan and Manu on the final day of the regular season. I understand why people made it a big deal and think Pop was sending a message. The Spurs have matched up several times with the Mavs in the playoffs and I think Pop wanted to play them again. The Mavs started to play well and had 13 game winning streak, then had a letdown after the winning streak. Dallas matches up very well with the Spurs. I liked the way the Spurs have finally come together in the past month. I love the experience of the Spurs and I think they can stay in this series with a health dose of Ginobli and Duncan. In the end, they fall short in Dallas. Dallas in 7.

J Call