After more than 6 months of intense competition, the NBA Playoff seeds have been set - and it is now crunch time. This is the stage where great players are elevated into legends before our very eyes, and dynasties and rivalries are established into another chapter of basketball history. The 2010 playoffs for the NBA will begin tomorrow, April 17th, setting sail for a 40 day adventure filled with drama and intrigue. Let’s take a quick look into each opening round series and check out the BBM's choice of who will come out on top - and move forward on their journey to the Larry O Brien trophy.
Eastern Conference:
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Chicago Bulls
4/17 - @CLE 12p, 4/19 - @CLE 5p, 4/22 - @CHI 4p
Many have already looked beyond this series and are giving the sweep to King James and the Cavs, but people with short term memory may forget the fight the Bulls put up against the Celtics in last year's playoff series. With Derrick Rose making good on his promise to make the playoffs, and a passionate Joakim Noah peaking at the right time, the NBA may be in for another series to remember. However, these Cavaliers have upgraded this year for their run to the title, adding the big Diesel Shaquille O' Neal and sharpshooter Antawn Jamison. They should make short work of Chicago's undersized frontcourt.
JM's BBM – Cavs in 5
(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat
4/17 - @BOS 5p, 4/20 – @BOS 5p
On paper, all signs point to the Celtics to win this one. With a starting lineup featuring Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, few would question their abilities on the hardwood and their experience in the postseason. But, since this past December, they have been performing very average, going 27-27, all while losing to teams with sub-par talent. The Heat, on the other hand, have been rising to the occasion, going 18-4 in their last 22 games. Future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade leads the charge with Michael Beasley and Jermaine O' Neal getting into their groove at just the right time. Age will be the double edged sword that will determine the winner in this series.
JM's BBM – Heat in 6
(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats
4/18 - @ORL 2:30p, 4/21 - @ORL 4p
This isn't as much of a cakewalk as the majority of the NBA faithful makes this series out to be. Although this would mark the first time the Bobcat franchise is in the playoffs, they have a couple scrappy veterans in Gerald Wallace and playoff tested Stephen Jackson, who will give Orlando all they have and then some. The Magic come armed with Jameer Nelson at full strength for the playoffs this year, new age Superman Dwight Howard, and a revitalized Vince Carter. Also noteworthy, the Magic have had the League’s best record since the All-Star break. The Magic will try to make short work for the playoffs babies in the Bobcats en route to a repeat appearance in the NBA Finals.
JM's BBM – Magic in 4
(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks
4/17 - @ATL 2:30p, 4/20 - @ATL – 4p
Atlanta is finally making a name for themselves as a reputable team in the league, after years of frustration and futility . Their offensive style of BJJ [Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, and Josh Smith] have been leaving their opponents in submission with a full court attack that is hard to keep up with. On the other hand, despite having no superstar in their lineup and having Andrew Bogut out with injury, the Bucks have comfortably plodded along with steady play from players like John Salmons, Luke Ridnour, and Kurt Thomas. Rookie of the year candidate Brandon Jennings will take the reins for the Bucks, and attempt to lead an upset over their more talented competition.
JM's BBM – Hawks in 4
Western Conference:
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
4/18 - @LAL 12p, 4/20 @LAL 7:30p, 4/22 - @OKC 6:30p
This series is full of questions. Will the Lakers’ end-of-the-season slump continue into the playoffs? Will another historic 8th seed upset take place this year? Can the Lakers play effective defense and make clutch shots? Will the tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook be too much to handle? Will the verbal battle between Durant and head Phil Jackson have any effect on the series? Only time will tell; but the reigning NBA champions have a huge task in front of them early on with boom of the Thunder. Kobe and company cannot look past this group of guys and rely on making last-second, game-winning shots. This season's scoring champion, Kevin Durant, will do all he can to make history, while his team tries to become only the 4th #8 seed ever to beat a #1 seed in the opening round of the playoffs.
JM's BBM – Lakers in 6
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz
4/17 – @DEN 7:30p, 4/19 - @DEN 7:30p
With their season-ending loss causing them to drop 2 places and to lose home court advantage in the opening round, the Jazz are on their heels as they enter the playoffs. With a balanced presence with Deron Williams in the backcourt and Paul Milsap and Carlos Boozer in the front, Utah will try and get it back together and win on the road if they want to make it to the next round. Outspoken 6th man J.R. Smith and All-Star mainstay Carmelo Anthony have other plans in mind, as they try to get the Jazz off-tune with interim head coach Adrian Dantley calling the shots while head coach George Karl is battling cancer. The Nuggets will be playing inspired basketball to make sure their head coach comes back to lead them through another series. You can count on exciting high scoring games with these teams, as they both finished in the top 5 for scoring this season.
JM's BBM – Jazz in 7
(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (7) San Antonion Spurs
4/18 - @DAL 5p, 4/21 - @DAL 6:30p
Only a couple wins separated the 2nd through 8th seed in the West, which indirectly means there is a small difference in talent between the 7 teams. The Mavericks always seem to perform well in the regular season but under perform in the playoffs. A renewed Jason Kidd and German sensation Dirk Nowitzki try to change that trend this year, utilizing their psychological advantage over the Spurs (they clinched the 2nd seed with a win over the Spurs), and their new weapon in their holster in Caron Butler. No one can ever count out the Spurs though. With a quartet of NBA championships in the past decade, the Spurs are always the dark horse contender to take home the title. San Antonio has their own version of Snoop Dogg's DPG in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, and that talented trio will try to take over Texas and send the Mavericks off into the sunset
JM's BBM – Spurs in 6
(3) Phoenix Suns vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers
4/18 - @PHO 7:30p, 4/20 - @PHO 7p, 4/22 - @POR 7p
One word clearly defines the Phoenix Suns, offense. Leading the league in scoring for another season, the Suns will take their run and gun style and simply attempt to outscore the Blazers every game. Canadian strategist Steve Nash spearheads a squad that includes three-point terror Channing Frye, cagey vet Grant Hill, and explosive Amar'e Stoudemire. The Blazers will have to win without their top player Brandon Roy, who was injured late in the season and out for the 1st round. Big men Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Alridge will be the wall that will try and withstand the shooting barrage the Suns will throw at them.
JM's BBM – Suns in 4
In 24 hours, it all begins; all the hard word and determination comes to fruition. 16 teams, 1 title. Who do you think will take it this year? Let us know in the comments section! Where do you think the upsets are, and who will be in the finals? Let the BakitWhy.com community know where you stand.
*all times are in PST [Pacific Standard Time]
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Comments
Gotta support my Texas teams, even though I'm sad they're meeting each other in the first round :(
No hockey love? It's nuts here in Chicago...Bulls tonight, Hawks tomorrow!
Nocturnal Hotdog Legion?