EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 Cavaliers
8 Bulls
4 Celtics
5 Heat
2 Magic
7 Bobcats
3 Hawks
6 Bucks
Cavaliers vs. Bulls
It has been a roller coaster ride for the Bulls this season. They looked strong early this season but had a 10 game losing skid after the all star break. Nevertheless, they bounced back and fought hard to claim the final slot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With the departure of John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls lacked depth. But the emergence of all star Derrick Rose and the strong play of Joakim Noah showed the whole world that the Bulls team deserves to be in the playoffs. Yes they are young but their never-say-die attitude will give their opponents some scare. Remember last year’s playoffs where they grind it out against the defending champions Celtics in a very tough seven game series? This young Bulls team is capable and ready to roll. The bad news is, they are to face LeBron James and the mighty Cavaliers. LeBron will be a sure winner of the Most Valuable Player award, Shaq is back, Mo Williams is catching fire with his shots, and the role players are more than ready to prevent a repeat of last year’s upset. Look out below, here comes the Cavaliers, stronger than ever.
Fearless forecast: Cavaliers in 5
Celtics vs. Heat
This Celtics team was not the same team we know two years ago. All KG can do now is to talk thrash, Pierce seems a bit slower and not sharp with his jumpers, Allen defines inconsistency, Rondo is confused with his role, and look at its bench, old and lacking chemistry. Not convinced? Look, the Celtics are even being booed on their own floor. That is something, man. But, yes, this team has still an upside, that is, other teams should never underestimate them. They still have the heart of a champion. Dangerous they are come playoffs time. On the other hand, the Heat team is all about Dwyane Wade and his big heart. He is carrying the load for this franchise for the past seven years. The Heat need a perfect game from Wade to win some games, but the Heat need more than that, that is, a lot of help from Wade’s teammates if they aspire for an upset.
Fearless forecast: Heat in 6
Magic vs. Bobcats
When the Magic traded away Turkoglu, I considered such move as a bad one. It was also appalling that the Magic had a lot of new faces this season despite having an excellent run last year with their old roster. But it paid off well. The Magic team is the hottest team in the NBA after the all star break. Threes are raining, bench players are contributing big time, Carter rediscovered his game, and Howard locking up the defense. This Magic team is better and tougher than the Magic team last year. Now it is interesting to see a Magic-Cavalier rematch this year. But don’t count the Bobcats out too soon. I consider the ‘Cats the most versatile team in the NBA and the one most capable of scoring an upset. With Coach Larry Brown mentoring the young and stingy Bobcats, their opponents should execute excellently if they want to win over the ‘Cats.
Fearless forecast: Magic in 6
Hawks vs. Bucks
Now that Bucks center Andrew Bogut is out, the Bucks are now the easy target team in this year’s playoffs. But even if Bogut is out, the Bucks can still play some lock down defense and can own their opponent with their pesky midrange game. Yes, the bucks are the most underrated team in this year’s playoffs and so overconfidence could kill their opponents. Meanwhile, the Hawks team is getting better each and every year, thanks to Joe Johnson’s consistent leadership. But this year, someone else has to be credited for the Hawks success. Playing for his first playoffs series in his career, Jamal Crawford is the backbone of this team. Together with the all around game of Josh Smith, this Hawks team could be the dark horse in the East.
Fearless forecast: Hawks in 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 Lakers
8 Thunder
4 Nuggets
5 Jazz
2 Mavericks
7 Spurs
3 Suns
6 Blazers
Lakers vs. Thunder
It’s the 3rd best player Kobe battling it out against the 2nd best player Durant, as the Rolling Stone Magazine claims. But let’s review this series as a team. Yes, the ever-intimidating team Lakers are the defending champions but it cannot be denied that they showed a lot of imperfections and vulnerability this season. Teams know now that this Lakers team can be beaten. Chants of ‘Beat L.A.’ echo louder than ever. The Lakers desperately need tough Gasol and Odom plays, and a healthy Bynum. It’s obvious, Kobe can’t do it alone anymore, but beware, Kobe is still a great player more so come playoffs time, and he is admittedly the best closer this season. The Thunder are young and inexperienced but they had proven over and over again that they can play and beat legitimate contenders. With Westbrook running the show and Durant scoring at will, Thunder can make this series an interesting one.
Fearless forecast: Lakers in 7
Nuggets vs. Jazz
Lucky are the Nuggets they get to enjoy a home court advantage in the first round despite a very poor showing towards the end of the regular season. The team looks so unorganized, the defense looks sluggish, and more importantly, Coach Karl is ruled out throughout the first round. Disappointment will continue to haunt this Nuggets team. But if the tough Nuggets team last season will show up this year’s playoffs, they can repeat their feat last year, or even exceed it. Otherwise, it would be an early vacation for this team and a bitter farewell to Melo. On the other hand, the Jazz rallied after the all star break and re-established themselves as one of the better teams in the tough Western Conference. Deron Williams, arguably the best point guard this season, will run the show and would try to score an upset together with the ever-effective Boozer. With a healthy line up, the Jazz can light it up this year.
Fearless forecast: Nuggets in 5
Mavericks vs. Spurs
It would be an all Texas battle yet again between the Mavericks and the Spurs. But the story is different this time. We now have the once mighty Spurs as an aging team. But this Spurs team showed some good signs towards the end of the season with the strong plays of Ginobili and George Hill. But some concerns are Parker’s injury and Duncan’s age. Will the tough Spurs team show up or will their aging roster hurt their hopes again? That would depend on how the Mavericks will come out with this series. All throughout the season, the Mavericks played hard to get the second seed. And thanks to their newly acquired players, Butler and Haywood, the Mavericks are once again legitimate contenders. The Mavericks can be the soft team that was man handled last year’s playoffs or they can be a great team that can beat any team out in the wild wild West. Nowitzki needs to fill up the tank and get ready for wild and tough battles ahead.
Fearless forecast: Mavericks in 7
Suns vs. Blazers
After missing the playoffs last year, here come the Suns runnin’ and gunnin’ at will. They look like the Suns team under D’Antoni again. Nash is playing like a two-time MVP at the age of 36, Amare is standing tall and talented, living up to his moniker, the role players are contributing big time, and the bench is showing depth. Now, how can you beat a team like this? On the other hand, luck has never been on Blazers’ side all throughout this season. They lose Oden and Przybilla to a season ending injuries, and now their franchise player Brandon Roy is bothered with another injury. The Blazers need to play their plan B and play it perfectly if they want to give a decent fight.
Fearless forecast: Suns in 5
