Writteb by Matthew Zaretsky
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Chicago Bulls
2. Miami Heat
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Boston Celtics
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. Orlando Magic
7. New York Knicks
8. Philadelphia 76ers
1. Chicago Bulls
The obvious in-your-face x factor for the Bulls’ success this postseason is the health of their MVP, former rookie of the year, and 2-time NBA All-Star- Derek Rose. He has missed over 20 games this season, but the Bulls have managed to maintain their prestige as the first seed, despite the poor health of their captain. Although Rose is not a traditional point guard, he is one of the most efficient scorers in the league in just his 3rd season and he is only going to get better. With Rose, the Bulls are very dominant and are likely candidates to make the Eastern Conference Finals. Other important players include Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
Boozer and Noah are the Bulls’ rollercoaster players in that sometimes, when Boozer has his mid-range jump shot and Noah is hitting his inside takes, they are dominant however they are also, when Boozer fails to be reliable on offense and off the glass and when Noah misses in the paint, they can be labeled as "soft". The potential of Noah and Boozer on top of their game is deadly, not soft, and the Bulls need their combination and reliability to succeed.. Also, Rip Hamilton, a very beneficial addition to the squad this season, needs to bring his postseason experience and leadership to the court every game. He knows what it takes to win a ring, through his success with the once scrappy and defensive Detroit Pistons. Role players like Korver, and Asik must execute when relied upon. If the starters are in sync and Korver’s 3-point shot is on the mark, the Bulls will be a tough team to beat.
2. Miami Heat
The most important player on the Heat is without a doubt, Lebron James who may win his 3rd MVP award this season. James has been consistent year-round and will be determined to hush the doubters and the nay-sayers who mocked and jeered him after the Heat lost in the NBA Finals last year to the Dallas Mavericks.
Although it’d be wrong to say Lebron is getting ready to prove the basketball world wrong, steering his legacy away from the "not showing up in the 4th quarter" jokes and being inferior to Kobe, and Bron’s stigma of not being a winner, one would think the pressure could get to his head. But this is not 2011. Lebron is going to play basketball in the playoffs like he has this season; unfocused on the scrutiny and zeroed in on the game he loves. Dwyane Wade is one of the most clutch scorers in the NBA. Although he is not clutch in the sense that Kobe Bryant defines the very word, Wade is working his way up, as far as consistency goes. If Wade, who often gets injured, can stay healthy or play through his injuries proficiently like he did in last year’s playoffs, Miami will have a great chance to win it all.
The point guards, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, have significant roles. They must give the Heat scorers the opportunity to do what they make the big bucks for. This means not relying on Lebron as a passer. Although he is a talented passer, he is most effective as a scorer. If the point guards give guys like Lebron, Wade, and Bosh good looks, their offense will be scorching.
3. Indiana Pacers
What’s happening in Indy? Forget the races. Forget the Manningless Colts. The Pacers are the new Mecca of sports in Indiana. They have earned their respect in the league, a league whose fan-base is mainly drawn to top priced players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, and Blake Griffin. Only David West, Leandro Barbosa, and Danny Granger are making more than $3 million.
Only one of their players, Roy Hibbert, was an all star this season and he was a reserve. This isn’t to rag on the Pacers, but rather, to applaud them. Through the strong chemistry between Granger, George, West, Hibbert, and Hill as well as their nicely stocked bench with Hansbrough, Barbosa, and Collison, the Pacers could surprise the basketball world and take the whole thing home. It is guaranteed that whichever team has to play them in the first round will have their work cut out for them.
4. Boston Celtics
There is only one way the Celtics will win the NBA Finals and its not taking a dip in the fountain of youth. (The Mavericks won last year with a team whose majority of their roster was 30 years old plus) This may be the final season for the original big 3, consisting of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. If the Celtics have any brains they will keep Rondo, but it is very likely that at least one of the 3 will either join a different team or retire.
To summarize, this is their final go at a title. They need to approach the playoffs like they did when they became champions in 2008. Play with teamwork. The commercial for the NBA doesn’t lie. Teamwork works, especially for the way in which the Celtics are built. They don’t have one superiorly dominant player, but when they execute together like a machine, they can be unstoppable. No beating around the bush, the Celtics have to let Rondo do what he does best: give his teammates great looks. Pierce and Allen need to be dynamite with their shots, especially their threes if they are going to survive against other teams with a faster game flow. Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass and Keyon Dooling can be big difference makers as well. Everyone on the bench needs to step up because the big 3 will tire if they go deeper into the playoffs.
5. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have frequently been that team that makes you stop and think, "Why can’t they win the east?" They have Josh Smith, one of the most powerful players in the league who can also shoot and play some mean defense.
They have Joe Johnson who is a veteran in every sense of the word, a great combo guard and leader. Then at center, they have Al Horford, one of the most underrated centers in the league. The Hawks have a big three and nobody seems to care but when you think about it, why should they care? They never make an impact. The Hawks have an opportunity to shed their stigma of being a soft playoff team. The Hawks’ players, coaches, and fans are all x-factors and should all start playing, coaching, and cheering to their true deserved potential.
6. Orlando Magic
Record means nothing in the playoffs. This is why I refuse to delve into the playoff hopes of Orlando. With their star player injured for the remainder the season, Dwight Howard, who is the best center, best defender, and one of the best rebounders in the league, the Magic will be the softest team in the playoffs. Dwight will watch the playoffs from a chair, soon followed by his teammates. They are not getting past the first round.
7. New York Knicks
It is a good time to be a New Yorker. Although their season was dismal, heartbreaking, and depressing at times the Knicks persevered and clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs. In a very dramatic season, the Knicks have lost their head coach, discovered the best kept secret in the NBA via Linsanity, dealt with struggles from their superstars, lost both of their superstars to injury, acquired J.R Smith, played alongside the favorite candidate for defensive player of the year Tyson Chandler, got Amare and Melo back, lost Amare again, rode a more confident and familiar Melo’s hot hand, and enjoyed the strong play of Amare upon his return and clinching of a playoff berth.
The former assistant coach, now turned head coach, Mike Woodson has surprised many in the basketball world and disregarded the thought that he couldn’t save the crumbling on-court chemistry of the Knicks. Unfortunately, a Jeremy Lin comeback is unlikely due to injury but if the Knicks go deep into the playoffs, then a Linsane return can’t be ruled out. They have Iman Shumpert at point guard, a rookie capable of defending superstars like Lebron and Wade, whom they will likely face in their quest to the finals. If Carmelo stays hot and he and Amare continue to gel like they did against the Hawks, the Heat or the Pacers, whomever they play, are due for a rude welcome to the concrete jungle of New York. Also, contenders must deal with the aforementioned Tyson Chandler, defensive player of the year. Like I said before, record means nothing in the playoffs.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers’ most notable attribute is that they are 2nd best in the league in points allowed per game. They have a dominant defense and a young squad that can run the court, with talents such as Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, and Andre Iguodala and big men Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes cleaning up the glass. Its impressive that the 76ers made the playoffs but its unlikely for them to go deep since they will have to go through the best in the east coast. Their offense is not potent enough to outmatch that of the top tier teams like Chicago and Miami. It is an accomplishment that they made the playoffs with their young pool of players.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Los Angeles Lakers
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Dallas Mavericks
8. Utah Jazz
1. San Antonio Spurs
You have to respect what the Spurs have done this year. Tony Parker has had a career year and Tim Duncan has displayed the gamesmanship and level of competitiveness he has maintained since he entered the NBA in 1996. They have a dominant center to rely on in Dejuan Blair and one of the sweetest benches of all the playoff teams. If Manu Ginobli stays healthy, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to maintain their prosperous run in the playoffs. A lot of people are sleeping on the Spurs this year. They are far too focused to get knocked out again by an 8th seed team. The Spurs could very well lock up a 5th championship under Gregg Popovich. Don’t sleep on the Spurs!
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
What was once a small market team fresh out of Seattle, OKC has become a big-market fan favorite team, with the blossoming of talents in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Westbrook and Harden have had very consistent years and Kevin Durant is definitely a runner up for MVP, battling Kobe Bryant for the scoring crown. When Perkins is focused, the Thunder posses the ability to torture teams on defense. With the leadership of Derek Fisher (5 rings) and talented young players like Reggie Jackson, Thabo Sefolosha, and Eric Maynor, the Thunder are undeniably deep. Oklahoma City has an interesting shooting guard combo between Sefolosha and Harden. If they mesh like they have been all year, the Thunder will take the west by storm.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
It has been a not to shabby year for first year Lakers coach Mike Brown, who had to fill the void of arguably the best NBA coach of all time, Phil Jackson. Despite losing a favorite Laker, Derek Fisher, who had been on the team for all of their most recent 5 championships playing a pivotal role, the Lakers changed up the dynamic by adding a much younger and quicker Ramon Sessions to the squad as well as Jordan Hill. They still have their core group of starters in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Metta World Peace. The biggest advantage the Lakers have is that they are a team with postseason experience and finals experience. Most of their starting five is familiar with the atmosphere in the NBA finals, having gone deep into their series with the Celtics in 2010 and taking it in game 7, beating the Orlando Magic in 2009, and losing to the Boston Celtics in 2008. The Lakers have experience and the biggest winner in the NBA, Kobe Bryant, to lead them. If Kobe continues his legacy of stellar play in the playoffs, the Lakers will do some damage.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
The biggest surprise of last years playoffs were the eighth seeded Grizzlies who took out the number one seeded Spurs in a series that shocked San Antonio and the NBA. This year, the Grizzlies are stronger, deeper, and more experienced than last year and their record translates that notion. Rudy Gay has become one of the premiere small forwards in the west and the pairing of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol defending the basket and cleaning the glass has worked well this season. They also acquired Gilbert Arenas, who was once a top ten point guard in the NBA and still has a lot of juice left in him to continue playing competitively. I don’t think the Grizzlies will win the west, but I can definitely see them contending for it and making it, at least, past the first round.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
Despite coaching issues and the quest of finding their identity with all stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers have made a statement to Los Angeles and the league. They are no longer the other team that plays in the same city as the Lakers. Having Chris Paul at point guard already puts the Clippers’ scorers in a comfortable spot with his ability to not only pass but set his teammates up as well. They have a strong center in Deandre Jordan too, but this is not enough for the Clippers to get past the superiority of the other western conference playoff teams. They lack the depth to compete against teams like the Thunder, Spurs, or even the Grizzlies who are returning to the playoffs for just their 2nd time in recent years. The Clippers will continue improving as they establish chemistry on the court with their star powers and role players. But they will fall short this year.
6. Denver Nuggets
The former Knicks’ role players maintained their chemistry cross-country, when they were sent away from New York to play for the Denver Nuggets. In addition, or subtraction rather, Denver gave up center Nene, a top 5 NBA center, for the Washington Wizards’ JaVale McGee. To summarize, the Nuggets are in the "okay" tier of NBA teams and although they have strong chemistry on court, this won’t be enough to battle the stronger, faster, better western conference teams.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Sadly, the defending champions will not back up their remarkable championship run of 2011 this year. Dirk is not playing the way he was last year and Kidd, though he is still sharp, isn’t getting younger which didn’t hinder him last year but this year, Kidd has shown his age. They are not a force on defense like they once were, lacking a dominant center. Their key role players are also gone. Jason Terry and Vince Carter won’t have enough of a significant impact to push them deep. Dallas fans should look forward to the upcoming free agency and next season but also appreciate that they even made it this far without their key players from last year.
8. Utah Jazz
The Jazz barely made it into the playoffs this year and they will be exiting early. Their frontcourt is strong with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, and Derrick Favors to back them up off the bench. Their bench as a whole is decent but just satisfactory when compared to the higher seeded western conference teams. Shooting guard C.J Miles and point guard Devin Harris will not be enough offensively. They are also playing a first seeded western conference team, the better conference in the NBA, while barely squeezing into the playoffs.
My Prediction of the NBA Playoffs of 2012
Eastern Conference
First Round
1. Chicago Bulls Vs. 8. Philadelphia 76ers
Verdict: Bulls take series
(Bulls) 4-1(76ers)
2. Miami Heat Vs. 7. New York Knicks
Verdict: Heat pull of the win but barely avoid an upset
(Heat) 4-3 (Knicks)
3. Indiana Pacers Vs. 6. Orlando Magic
Verdict: Pacers win dull series
(Pacers) 4-2 (Magic)
4. Boston Celtics Vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks
Verdict: Celtics experience wins the series
(Celtics) 4-2 (Hawks)
Conference Semifinals
1. Chicago Bulls Vs. 4. Boston Celtics
Verdict: Bulls win and Rose shows why he won MVP last year
(Bulls) 4-2 (Celtics)
2. Miami Heat Vs. 3. Indiana Pacers
Verdict: Heat win but Pacers show what they are capable of in the future
(Heat) 4-2 (Pacers)
Conference Finals
1. Chicago Bulls Vs. 2. Miami Heat
Verdict: Heat win series and Lebron shows why he is this year’s MVP
(Heat) 4-3 (Bulls)
Miami Heat Repeat as Eastern Conference Champions
Western Conference
First Round
1. San Antonio Spurs Vs. 8. Utah Jazz
Verdict: Popovich’s gameplan and Spurs experience wins it
(Spurs) 4-0 (Jazz)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. 7. Dallas Mavericks
Verdict : Thunder get revenge upon Mavs by dishing early exit
(Thunder) 4-1 (Mavericks)
3. Los Angeles Lakers Vs. 6. Denver Nuggets
Verdict: Lakers move on in dull series
(Lakers) 4-1 (Nuggets)
4. Memphis Grizzlies Vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers
Verdict: Grizzlies win and Blake Griffin exits first playoff appearance early
(Grizzlies) 4-2 (Clippers)
Conference Semifinals
1. San Antonio Spurs Vs. 4. Memphis Grizzlies
Verdict: Spurs depth pulls off in nail biter
(Spurs) 4-3 (Grizzlies)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. 3. Los Angeles Lakers
Verdict: Lakers pull off win and Thunder still have room to mature
(Thunder) 2-4 (Lakers)
Conference Finals
1. San Antonio Spurs Vs. 3. Los Angeles Lakers
Verdict: Lakers prevail over their past postseason rival
(Spurs) 3-4 (Lakers)
Los Angeles Lakers Become Western Conference Champions
NBA Finals 2012
2. Miami Heat Vs. 3. Los Angeles Lakers
Verdict: Through Wade’s clutch factor and Lebron establishing himself as one of the greatest with legendary stats, the Heat conquer Kobe and Company
(Heat) 4-2 (Lakers)
Miami Heat are the NBA Champions of 2012
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