The 2008 NBA Playoffs Review

The 2008 NBA Playoffs Review

THE EAST – Perhaps this season is one of the most lopsided conferences in NBA history. Clearly, the top two teams could virtually make the conference playoffs with relative ease.

However, it’s hard to predict since most top-seeded teams in this conference often choke as the season progress.

For Celtic fans, I hope I am wrong.

(1) Boston Celtics 66-16 vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks 37-45

The Celtics’ triumphant return to the top could be traced to three things: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. But the support raised this team’s game completely. Kudos to Danny Ainge for the acquisitions of James Posey (Miami), Eddie House (NJ), PJ Brown (Chicago) and Sam Cassell (LA Clippers). The emergence of Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Leon Powe also contributed for their excellent record this season.

Atlanta on the other hand broke their successive playoff absences with the entry of Al Holford and prep guard Mike Bibby. Joe Johnson will continue to pace the team in points but Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Josh Childress are proper backups for their star guard.

That though won’t change the fact that Atlanta would be extremely lucky if they win twice against the Celts.

Advantage: BOSTON

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Perhaps the weakest group assembled after their recent championship, the Pistons will again lean on the heroics of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tate Prince, and Rasheed Wallace to backstop their chances to beat out the Celtics.
The team’s lack of charisma, star power, and merchandising sales are one of the non-reasons why the Sixers is back in the playoffs. Considering the struggles they encountered which opted Allen Iverson to pack, Atlanta and Philly’s entry booted out erstwhile favorites New Jersey, MIAMI, and Chicago from the race. Blame this to the excellent quarterbacking of Andre Miller and their young guns in Andre Igoudala, Samuel Dalembert and Lou Williams. With an almost-invisible salary cap and a high top pick in next season’s draft, the Sixers seem to be heading in a good path.

Will the Flip Saunders jinx again catapult the Pistons to playoff hell? My answer is yes, but not unless he owns a better trump card compared to former ward Kevin Garnett.

They will not lose in the first round though.

Advantage: DETROIT

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors

Orlando’s rise could be reminiscent to Toronto’s rise last season. Toronto faced injuries from their top dogs and Orlando managed to get rid of Grant Hill. While the Magic rely on Dwight Howard’s strength, I believe Hedo Turkoglu is the person they need to guard, since Chris Bosh and Howard would likely even out. Jameer Nelson’s inconsistency should also be a predicament for Stan Van Gundy since Sam Mitchell would likely depend on their awesome twosome TJ Ford and Jose Calderon to lead Team Canada.

If there is one team that could take out one of the top seeds, then you must look in this matchup closely. There is no chance in hell that this would become a sweep. Orlando is a severely scrappy squad ever since Van Gundy took over whilst the international game the Raptors bring puzzles teams depending on one-on-one plays. The matchup that pits Rashard Lewis and Andrea Bargnani though could prove Orlando’s saving grace. Lewis since taken from Seattle has been instrumental backstopping Turk and Howard. Bargnani gained some mileage after two seasons but inconsistencies hamper his growth.

While Orlando is the top seed I am pitting my hopes on Toronto. Pound-for-pound, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Carlos Delfino, and Jason Kapono could prove victorious against Maurice Evans, Keith Bogans, Brian Cook, Keyon Dooling, and Carlos Arroyo. It should surprise people if this series wouldn’t go to a decisive Game 7.

Advantage: TORONTO

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards

The Cavs barely got the homecourt advantage. However, they could likely take out one of the bigger seeds with their improved lineup. Judging from their dream campaign last season, the blockbuster trade which helped them get Joe Smith, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak (I can’t spell his name without looking at the website) and Ben Wallace is vital. Drew Gooden struggled against the Spurs, while Larry Hughes barely played in that series (which was happily taken over by Daniel Gibson). Alongside Big Z Ilgauskas, Cleveland could easily tear up this series to their favor.

Oh, I forgot… some guy named LeBron James is out to dominate the league.

He’s also an object to Washington’s “sacred” mission.
Untold by the local broadsheets, it seems that there is fire amongst Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and the Washington Organization. It all started when the self-proclaimed locksmith DeShawn Stevenson told reporters that LBJ is overrated. Gilbert Arenas also stated that Cleveland cannot beat Washington in three straight seasons. With their words, Barkley blurted to the point of calling the Wizards “the dumbest team in the history of civilization”. For one thing, the Wizards are picking a fight against one of the NBA’s elite and if they cannot stop James, he can definitely eat up Washington’s defense. If the Wiz can’t get to back up their words, then Washington is toast. But if Arenas, Stevenson, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler can actually make this riling work, then Cleveland is in for a surprise.

Either way though, Cleveland and Washington would work out their energies which will make them easy pickings for Boston. While Cleveland would fade with a fight, I doubt if Washington can put up some resistance.

I’m betting on Bron and the Cavs though.

Advantage: CLEVELAND

Up next, we zero in on the West. In the meantime…

SURF PORN!