Keys to the Playoffs Round 1.
This years playoffs are very enticing as both the east and west have 16 great teams fighting for one championship.  Unlike last year, all the teams in the playoffs this year are at least .500.  The last team to obtain their playoff berth was Chicago, who used all 82 games for positioning.  The last win of the season resulted in their playoff berth, knocking out Toronto.  Since this is the first year in awhile where all teams in both conferences finished above .500, it will be a great first round…  On top of that, the western conference was such a close race with 2^nd through 8^th being within 5 games.  

Eastern Conference

1 Cleveland vs 8 Chicago
This is the best team in the NBA vs the worst team in the playoffs.  Cleveland is one of the deepest teams in the playoffs, with a starting lineup that includes Shaquille O’neal, Lebron James, Mo Williams, Anothony Parker, and Antawn Jamison.  To back them up, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Illgauskas, Jamario Moon, Daniel Gibson, J.J Hickson, Leon Powe, and Delonte West.  Who are they up against?  I’d say, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Derrick Rose.  What’s interesting to see is the Bulls make the playoffs despite losing 10 games in a row in the second half of the season.  Keys for the Cavs to win, containing Derrick Rose.  If D. Rose gets the entire team involved, it’ll be a problem.  But of course, every problem has a solution, and that’s Lebron James.  If anything happens for D. Rose, LBJ will stop him. Haha
Cleveland will win this series.  I think the Bulls might have a chance to steal one at home in game three, but I expect the Cavs to re-evaluate that loss and come back to take the series in 5.  Derrick  Rose is on the same team as D-Wade for the Heat, their team will go as far as their star carries them.  Lebron James honestly, does not even need to play for the Cavs to take this first round.
Wild Cards:  Cleveland Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Chicago Bulls: Their Bench
Result: Cavs in 5
Actual: Cavs in 5
2. Orlando Magic vs 7 Charlotte Bobcats
Looking at the Orlando Magic roster, I think they are as stacked as the Cleveland Cavs.  I’m a huge fan of Matt Barnes and Jason Williams.  Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter need to have a huge series to push for the wins.  Dwight Howard should be decent since Tyson Chandler and Tyrus Thomas are great on the defensive side.  In order for the Magic to win, they’ll need great team play and knock down threes.  In order for the Bobcats to win, Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson need to have monster games.  The Bobcats are a well-defensive minded team, so they’ll have a chance to try and hold the Magic’s fire power. 

I expect the Orlando Magic to win.  I think they have too much offensive firepower for the Bobcats to stop them.  I like the Bobcats defense, but Tyrus Thomas is sporadic and Tyson Chandler hasn’t healed from his injuries.  The trade in the offseason was an excellent trade…last season.. but Chandler’s aging and his health is diminishing.  If Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson can contribute half of the teams offense and defense, they’ll get a game or two.  But overall, I expect the Magic in 5.
Wild Cards: Orlando Magic : Michael Pietrus and Vince Carter Charlotte Bobcats: Tyrus Thomas and Stephen Jackson
Result: Orlando in 5
Actual:Orlando in 4
3. Atlanta Hawks vs 6. Milwaukee Bucks
The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly made a late-season push to enter the playoffs at the three seed.  Luckily for them, they don’t have to face the Miami Heat like last year.  I think their chances of passing the first round are higher playing the injured Bucks rather than a Dwyane Wade.  The Bucks have made  a surprising playoff run behind Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings. But the season-injury to Bogut, lessens the chances of the Bucks winning.  This would have been a great match up if Bogut was in tact, but since there’s no Bogut, Mbah Moute must be the difference maker.  The Bucks need to fill the void of Bogut with Moute and veteran Kurt Thomas.  If the Hawks are going to win, they will have Joe Johnson and Josh Smith carry them.  Al Horford will be great against non-Bogut players.  If the Bucks want to win, they’ll need consistency from John Salmons and Brandon Jennings.  Brandon Jennings must carry his team during the rookie season, like he did in the beginning of the season.
I expect the Hawks to win and advance since they have more experience than the Bucks. The Bucks aren’t that great of a team without Bogut and they’ll need players like Delfino and Stackhouse to step up their game.  Oh I might add the Hawks have 6^th man to be,  Jamal Crawford.
Wild Cards : Atlanta Hawks: Mike Bibby (where have you been all season?) Milwaukee Bucks: Mbah a Moute and Kurt Thomas.  Brandon Jennings consistency..will he show up as the 30 point scorer or the 2 point scorer.
Result: Atlanta hasn’t won on the road according to ESPN in the last 10 years except for once last year.  I expect them to change that, and win in the injured Bucks.   Atlanta in 5.
Actual:Atlanta in 7
4. Boston Celtics vs 5. Miami Heat
Ah yes, my boy D Wade vs the senior citizens of the NBA.  I would’ve preferred the Heat playing the Hawks just because it’s more of an even match.  But Boston lost its last several games to fall back to the fourth seed.  Miami is still helpless beyond Wade, and this season has seen Mario Chalmers fall to the Bench.  Beasley had a better season than his rookie season, but still is inconsistent.  Boston has struggled, but is 3-0 against the Heat this season.  All of the games were close, including an –almost game winning shot by Wade (only for Boston to tie on a .7 shot to send the game to O.T).  For the Boston Celtics to win will depend on Rondo’s game play.  Rondo gets the team involved, and will find Paul Pierce and Ray Allen for shots.  Honestly, Rondo can run in circles and win the series for the Celtics.  I might add that Boston has the deepest veterans bench beside the Cavs.  In order for the Heat to win, the Heat must have , according to my cousin“40 points from Wade, 20 from O’neal, 20 from Beasley every game.” Even though that’s dramatic and extensive, it’s true.. At least the Wade and Beasley part.  The Heat will need more help besides Dwyane Wade…meaning Chalmers, Beasley, O’neal, Richardson need double digits in every game.  I like Udonis Haslem and I like Joel Anthony as the only other consistent Heat players.
I wanted to say the Heat in 7 just because I can’t oppose D-Wade.  But beside being a D Wade fan, I’ll say the truth since I’m a realist.  Celtics will win this series due to their bench and experience…This is a championship team who struggled this season, only because they didn’t care.  Now that the post season is here, they should look like their championship form minus K.G’s knee.
Wildcard: Boston Celtics: Big Baby Davis  Miami Heat: Their team minus Wade, Haslem, and Anthony
Result: Boston in 6.  I don’t see anyone besides Wade and Haslem for scoring. Q might have a game , O’neal might have one too.. Beasley might have one.. but they need 4. Not likely.
Actual:Celtics in 5


Western Conference


1. Los Angeles Lakers vs 8. Oklahoma City Thunder
Like I said in the intro, the 2-8 seeds are misleading.  The Thunder lost to the Trailblazers to fall to number 8.  This matchup will be one of the better ones outside the Heat and Celtics.  I say this because Kevin Durant is one of the best up and coming players who just won his first (youngest) scoring champion.  But then there’s LA and their defender, Ron Artest.  And if he fails, there’s Kobe Bryant.  If the Lakers want to win, they’ll need Artest to shut down Durant, and their big’s to play consistently.  I’m not a fan of Andrew Bynum, but Pau will support the both of em.  Lamar Odom needs to be the 6^th man he used to be.  In order for the OKC Thunder to win, the Lakers will need to break down. Haha just kidding. The Thunder will need to push it, and who else does that better then Russell Westbrook..one of my favorite new players this year.  K.D and Kobe cancel each other out,  so Westbrook needs to carry the load.  Also the Thunder’s big men need to suppress Pau and Bynum. 
The Lakers should win this series.  They are the returning champions, and not only do they have offense, but defense as well. Their frontcourt is huge minus D.Fisher (which can be replaced by Lamar Odom).  The Thunder can only win if they use their speed (age) cause the Lakers can’t hang.  I also heard Kobe’s injured..
Wildcards: Los Angeles Lakers: Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, OKC as well
Result: Lakers in 6
Actual: Lakers in 6
2. Dallas Mavericks vs 7 San Antonio Spurs
Well, last year the Mavs knocked out the injured Spurs.  This year, the Spurs are back and better with less injuries than last.  Spurs bring experience and poise, where Mavs have too much talent.  The trade that brought Haywood, Butler, and Stevenson mid-season, makes them deeper.  But overall, does it make em better? There’s only one ball.. I say, no. But I’ve never been a Mavs fan.  I’ve always been a Spurs fan.  If the Mavs want to win they’ll need consistency from Butler and Terry.  They are the keys to the wins.  Dirk and Kidd will get theirs, and Haywood and Dampier are defensive centers.  If the Spurs want to win, they’ll need their big three to have huge games.  I also like George Hill , and Dejuan Blair,a lot, both who will be Parker and Ginobli, Duncan and Mcdyess back up.  Tony Parker’s health will also have an impact.  I almost forgot, Richard Jefferson needs to be great, that’s why they got him last summer.
I will stick with my Spurs to win this series.  Mavs are good, but can they win on the road? I know the Spurs can, consistently too.  It’ll depend on the play of Richard Jefferson  and Tim Duncan.  The Mavs have defensive centers to stop the paint play from Parker and Duncan. 
Wildcards: Dallas Mavericks : Caron Butler San Antonio Spurs: Richard Jefferson
Result: Spurs in 6..or 7.
Actual: Spurs in 6

3. Phoenix Suns vs 6. Portland Trailblazers
Funny how the 6^th seeds in both conference are missing key players.. Bogut was a huge injury to the Bucks, but non bigger than the Trailblazers missing Brandon Roy.  Brandon Roy is the 4^th best shooting guard behind Wade, James, and Bryant.  Actually, he might be five, thinking about K.D.  Not only is Roy injured, but so is Greg Oden.  The Suns have played defense this year to the number three seed.  I don’t think the Trailblazers can win against the Suns if they don’t have Brandon Roy.  If the Trailblazers want to win, they’ll need to play defense against the high-scoring Suns.  If the Suns want to win, they’ll need to make shots, and have big games from Richardson and Barbosa.
I will stick with the Suns.  No Brandon Roy means they’re not a 6^th seed team. Steve Nash has had a stellar season and Amare’s playing with anger. 
Wildcards: Phoenix Suns- their CENTERs Portlant Trailblazer: Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless
Result: Suns in 6.
Actual: Suns in 6
4. Denver Nuggets vs 5. Utah Jazz
This is an interesting matchup.  Actually, it’s the same as the Spurs and Mavs.  I like the Jazz.  Denver made its surprise last year, and yes that was last year.  This year, they’re without George Karl, and their X factor J.R Smith is still inconsistent.  In order for the Nuggets to win, they’ll need J.R Smith to have monster games.  Carmelo is one of the purest scorers in the league and Billups is Mr. Bigshot.  But that’s all the Nuggets have. And they’re against Boozer and Williams.  If the Nuggets want to win, Nene and J.R must have monster games.  If the Jazz want to win , Mehmet Okur needs to come out and take advantage of Nene and Martin.  Boozer’s health is also in consideration.
The Jazz will put up a fight, and I think Deron Williams will take advantage of whoever guards him.  He is the second best point guard in the league..maybe first since CP3 can’t shoot as well as Williams.  The Nuggets don’t have a pure leader like George Karl, so it’ll be a tough series.  I expect the Jazz to win behind their experienced and respected coach.
Wildcards: Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin and J.R Smith Utah Jazz: Mehmet Okur
Result: Jazz in 6.. Nuggets in 7.
Actual: Jazz in 6