No, I didn't get hacked by a male escort service. Larry O'Brien is the namesake of the NBA Championship trophy, and this piece is going to dissect who I believe will be hoisting him up, kissing and hugging on him at the end of the season. We'll work it from least to most likely, and "Here We Go!" (Did you see that Bud Light? Worked the slogan right in there... how about a sponsorship?... Hello?... Don't you hang up on me!)
16) Orlando Magic: Without D-Howard, the Magic protect the rim about as well as that security guard that got the rocking chair from Costanza. Barring some 3 point barrage from the Magic, this series will likely end quickly and painfully. I have said this before and I will say it again. What Dwight did to Orlando was worse than what LeBron did to Cleveland. Cleveland got shot in the head on national TV. Dwight held the victim hostage and repeatedly stabbed them. Shouldn't Orlando say yes to Howard to the Lakers for Bynum and a #1 pick just to get rid of the drama?
15) Utah Jazz: I appreciate the pick for my T-Wolves, but I just don't see them making it past San Antonio. I know people are mentioning Memphis of last year, but Parker is going to destroy Devin Harris, and Utah isn't as good on perimeter defense as Memphis was last year. They make take a game, maybe two, but that's about it. It was fun watching Big Shot Al give the Wolves a sorely needed 1st rounder though. I was Da Da Da Da Da, Loving It (McDonald's - see Bud Light above)
14) Philadelphia 76ers: Sorry, not enough here. They need to move Iggy for a big to make waves in the playoffs. Also, they are kind of boring. Unless Doug Collins brings back the tighty whitey fro from the 1980's Bulls teams, I'm just not watching.
13) Atlanta Hawks: This is not a team built for a ring, especially without Horford. They will give Boston fits, but they can't contain Rondo, and that will be their downfall. Even if they snuck by Boston, which these guys are the first team that I feel could win their first round matchup, Joe J and Josh Smith aren't taking you to the promiseland alone.
12) LA Clippers: They don't have it between the ears. Sorry, Blake Griffin isn't in Kevin Love's class right now. If it is a highlight reel I am looking for, I call Blake. If I want to win basketball games in the NBA, I call for Love (1-976-LOVE to be specific). 55% from the stripe and no real discernable post moves for your second best player will be a problem. Hack a Griffin will be popular and will work because it will affect him mentally. I really like Chris Paul's game, but he has to do way too much for them to win. Kind of like D. Rose last year.
11) Dallas Mavericks: Too many changes for them to make a title run. They will make it tough on OKC in what should be a good first round series. Dirk has looked high on a ring for most of the year - he doesn't seem to have the same "Germanation" (short for German Determination) as last year. Deron Williams will make this a much tougher team to play in 2012-2013. It is done, sign off and move on.
10) NY Knicks: Don't let them fool you. Miami needs to end this early. They can't afford to get this to 6 or 7 games. Game 6 at MSG will be INSANE and if it goes to 7, Miami's fans will have too much poop in their pants to stand up and cheer. Kill 'em quick, or see the end of the Big Two and Predator (I liked when Bosh had the dreads because he looked just like Predator - even with the short hair, he looks like Predator going for a job interview)
9) Denver Nuggets: I really think if they had the home court advantage, they could take the Lake. Too bad they don't, because this team is actually fun to watch. Ty Lawson would have looked great as an energy guy in a T-Wolves uniform, and I think he can pick apart the Lakers (more on this later). Javale's not ready for prime time yet, but watch out for the sneaky Nuggets - they are building something interesting here. This series gets my vote for most fun to watch.
8) Indiana Pacers: When they signed D. West, they set themselves up as a playoff scare. Couldn't be a better situation for them that the Magic are in without Dwight, but unless the Knicks do pull the upset of all upsets, I don't see much for them in the 2nd round. Not as fun to watch as Denver, and PG not as trustworthy, but a solid, hustling team that is a tough out and has some similarities to Memphis last year.
7) Boston Celtics: I am one of the guys that would love to see a last ditch run, but after this season, the legs can't be what they once were. 66 games in what felt like 67 days is just too much. Playoffs need deep rosters, Boston has Stiemsma in a prominent role. Sorry, I don't see it. On the bright side, the Wolves have plenty of cap space to get Ray Ray on a 2 year deal and KG on a midlevel exception! As crazy and psycho as KG's Championship speech was, don't you want to see him end it with another one for the 'Sota??? Come on, that would be some great TV right there.
6) San Antonio Spurs: Slightly better than the Celts, but the same problems. Parker can do more than Rondo in the playoffs because he can score and hit free throws, but they are facing the same foe - Father Time. I really like Popovich, I think he should win coach of the year in a landslide, but I just don't know if they have the gas to finish off some of these tough West teams.
5) LA Lakers: Kobe, Bynum, Gasol. That's it, but that is a really good "it". It will get them past Denver, but I think these guys are looking at a 2nd round out. The trade deadline was so funny to me. Ramon Sessions, a guy the WOLVES DIDN'T WANT ANYMORE, is the playoff savior for the Lakers because he isn't as bad as the corpse that used to be Derek Fisher? Please. Ty Lawson is going to eat him alive.
4) Chicago Bulls: Sorry, what is different than last year? These guys play great defense, play extremely hard, and will be a tough out for anyone. However, Rose still needs to play great for them to win and he is more banged up this year than last. I like Thibodeau a lot, and the Bulls are a model for how you should play defense and play together, but they still can't create their own shot. Rip isn't enough, I don't see them making the Finals.
3) Memphis Grizzlies: One of the best perimeter defense teams out there with athletic wings and they can protect the middle as well. You need to guard 3 guys on offense at all times which leaves open shots for others and the bench is pretty deep. The wildcard is crazy Zach Randolph. If he plays like last year, I believe this team makes the finals. However, he played out of his insane little mind last year - I can't predict that happening again.
2) Oklahoma City Thunder: They slipped late, which has people worried, and the coach is overmatched in most chess games (with the exception of Vinny Del Negro, who plays checkers), but this team is built to win this year. If Harden is full strength, there are 3 guys who can go for big offense and Ibaka protects the rim about as well as anyone. Westbrook still plays a little too crazy, but when you have 3 guys that can win games for you, along with a better supporting cast than the Lake Show, I don't see what derails them. They are beatable, but I think they have to be the favorite out of the West.
1) Miami Heat: Sorry to be so boring and I know this is not a deep team. However, James and Wade are just too tough, they are a smidgen better at working together, and James is not shooting dumb outside shots as frequently. When LeBron posts, with the way he passes, it makes it so difficult for any team to match up. I know the chokes, I know the interior defense is bad, and I said the Knicks have a shot at taking them. However, they faced a buzzsaw team last year that was playing with a ton of confidence (Jason Terry - are you kidding me?) or else they would have won the title. They are better this year and I think they finish it off this time.
Brackets:
SA over Utah in 5 Chicago over Philly in 4
Memphis over Clips in 6 Boston over Atlanta in 6
Lakers over Denver in 7 Indiana over Orlando in 4
OKC over Dallas in 6 Miami over NYK in 5
Memphis over SA in 6 Chicago over Boston in 6
OKC over Lakers in 6 Miami over Indiana in 4
OKC over Memphis in 7 Miami over Chicago in 6
Miami over OKC in 6
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