NBA Playoffs Preview

We're going to take it series by series and give predictions for who will win the NBA Championship this season.

EAST-

Atlanta (1) vs Brooklyn (8)
This series is pretty much a joke. Brooklyn is a pathetic team who got into the playoffs with a losing record. With no leadership and an aging core of players who, according to "THE TRUTH" Paul Pierce, don't have that burning desire to win, Atlanta will completely dominate the Nets to a sweep.

Toronto(4) vs Washington(5)
To me, Washington has far too much talent to go out in the first round. They haven't shown it all season, but I figure they can string a run together now that the postseason is here. I love Toronto's guards in Lowry and DeRozen, but I think that Wall and Beal are going to come to play this series. Even though Drake will probably be courtside for all the games, he's not enough of a deciding factor for me to pick the Raptors. Washington wins a good hard series in 6.

Chicago (3) vs Milwaukee (6)
For whatever reason, the Bulls front office isn't happy with Thibs as a coach and he could be looking for work elsewhere next year. I don't get it either. This team just keeps finding ways to win, even with key players in and out of the lineup. JKidd has done a great job with the Bucks and they have some length and athleticism to compete with the Bulls, but Chicago has proven vets that know how to get it done, and they are getting healthy. I'd say Chicago wins this series in 5 games, but Milwaukee is a team that is on the rise for years to come!

Cleveland(2) vs Boston (7)
Again, not a fair fight here. I commend Boston for everything they've done this year. Trading their 2 best players in Rondo and Jeff Green and still making the playoffs, job well done Brad Stevens and crew! Unfortunately, they are running into the best player in the world. Boston MAY sneak one win out of this series, but I wouldn't be surprised if its a sweep either. I'll say Cleveland in 5 since I love Brad Stevens.

Atlanta (1) vs Washington (5)
I just love the way Atlanta plays. 100% unselfish and team oriented. Washington will be a little battered from their previous series while Atlanta will be fully refreshed after a clean sweep of an embarrassment of a playoff team in Brooklyn. The Hawks have the "it" factor this year and play the game the right way. Atlanta takes this series in 6 games.

Cleveland (2) vs Chicago (3)
This is FINALLY where it gets interesting. These teams don't like each other, these players don't like each other and ya know what...THAT'S HOW PLAYOFF BASKETBALL SHOULD BE! This is going to go the distance. Cleveland obviously has the advantage with Lebron James ability to guard 5 positions, but Jimmy Butler is no slouch either. The Cavs don't have the big men to really contend with Noah, Gasol,Gibson and Mirotic,  If DRose plays to the level he's capable of, I think Chicago wins this series in 7 games.

Easter Conference Finals
Atlanta(1) vs Chicago (3)
This is a real toss up. Two teams that are similar in play and both well coached. Either way with this one could be argued for and against. As much as I like Atlanta, I might have to lean towards ChiTown. They have been in the playoffs for the past few years and have been beaten up. They are finally much healthier and deeper. The dark horse in the whole run for Chicago is going to be Mirotic. With so many lineups to play with, Thibs and the Bulls will at last make their Championship run and win the East!

WEST...(Where you actually have to WIN games to get into the playoffs unlike the East where 3 teams are not even above .500)

Golden State (1) vs Pelicans (8)
GS is just too good. Bottom line. The Pels have some fantastic pieces in AD, Holiday, Eric Gordon and Evans, but they don't have Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. I can't remember a better back court in my lifetime...maybe Thomas and Dumars for the Pistons, but I don't know if they could check the splash brothers. The Pels give it a good run and sneak one game, but GS wins in 5.

Portland (4) vs Memphis (5)
A tough draw for both teams. Two contrasting styles of play. Unfortunately, The TBlazers are a little beat up right now and that could prove costly. Memphis is solid all the way around and in a 7 game series, they usually find ways to grind out wins. They don't, however, have Mr Clutch in Damion Lillard. I can see him going OFF this series and carrying Portland to the next round, but I think the Grind House will prevail and Memphis will take this series in 6 games.

Clippers(3) vs Spurs (6)
This sucks for the Clips! They could have avoided the Spurs all together if SAS would have won their last game. Alas, they are stuck with the best 6 seed I've seen in a long time! I still believe that the Clippers are the most overrated team in the NBA and I fully expect the Spurs to show that vulnerability. Leonard and Co. are going to come to play now that everyone is at the big-boy table and the Spurs will win this series in 5 games...MAYBE 6.



Houston (2) vs Dallas (7)

The Battle of Texas! This series is going to come down to one player...Not Harden, not Dirk, not Dwight...Chandler...Chandler Parsons! Going against his former squad who didn't think he was good enough to be the third member of "The Big Three," I can guarantee you that Parsons is thinking about that right now. He isn't 100% healthy right now so if he can bet there and be ready to play come Saturday, he is going to give the Rockets reason to second guess why they didn't lock him up. I still don't think Houston is at the level to compete for championships, but I could be wrong. Dallas, with its experience and excellent head coach, win this series in 6 games.

GS(1) vs Memphis (5)
This will be a great series! The greatness of Curry will prevail over the grit-n-grind of the Grizz. Yes the Warriors have the chance to hit a cold streak and lose a few games, but their defense is way better than people think and they have so many different guys that can hurt you. D.Green plays with heart and I love that. Warriors will prevail in this series in 7 games.

Spurs (6) vs Dallas (7)
The Battle of Texas pt 2! At least Dallas doesn't have to travel far to go from first round to second. 2 veteran teams who have both won championships and both have fantastic coaches. It is going to be fun to watch the chess match of who guards Monte Ellis, C.Parsons, Rondo and who guards Leonard, Timmy and Parker. This will be a great series but Pop proves too much for Carlisle. Spurs in 6.

Western Conference Finals
GS(1) vs Spurs (6)
Youth vs Experience. Steve Kerr actually won a championship with the Spurs as a player in 2003. Such an intriguing story line to watch him now coaching in the Western Conference finals AGAINST his former team. Kerr is going to be a fantastic coach for a long time, but Pop still has it under control for at least a few more years. Pop and the Spurs win a good series and advance to another Championship. Spurs in 6


FINALS
Spurs (6) vs Bulls (3)

Add one more big fella!

There really isn't much more to say there that isn't already known about both of these teams. Duncan continues to find reserve in the tank to keep winning and with this Championship, He'll have 6! He is by far the best PF of all time and I don't know of anyone who doesn't like and appreciate his greatness. Spurs win this series and Duncan is your Finals MVP.
Spurs in 6