Western Conference NBA Playoff Picks

I am a bit late but still that doesn't matter.  Honestly, pretty exciting times for me because I really have got myself into the NBA this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the 16 teams in there, and I think the playoffs are WIIIIIDE OOOPENN.  I think this will as unpredictable as ever. 
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Oklahoma City Thunder- Other than the Bucks, I am pretty pumped for this series because of the Durant-Kobe matchup and the youth of the Thunder could be a preview of things to come.  I think the Thunder could push this series to the sixth or seventh game of this series but I do think they need to get one win in L.A. to really believe they can actually do it.  The difference maker will be Russell Westbrook because he will be facing a washed-up Derek Fisher therefore he could run him all over the court throughout the series. I think the Lakers win but this will be a bloodbath for sure.  LA in 7 

4. Denver vs. 5. Utah- A series that could have been a lot better if the Jazz had Andrei Kirinlinko and you have to worry about Carlos Boozer's rib injury.  The Jazz do have Deron Williams who has been playing out of this world lately and they have a mismatch with Chauncey Billups which they could expose.  I hate to bet against Carmelo Anthony because I think he is one of the best late-game closer and continues to not get enough love by the national media.  I think this will be a dogfight but the injuries of Utah pull me towards the Nugs.  DEN in 7

3. Phoenix vs. 6.Portland- Once again, a better series if Brandon Roy was healthy. The Suns have arguably been the best team since the All-Star Break.  I hate to bring it up like everyone else but Amar'e Stoudamire decided to play basketball again.  He looks like a tyrant out there and will create problems for the Trailblazers.  I will give Portland a game at home due to their rabid homecourt advantage but Steve Nash will take control of this one.  PHX in 5 

2. Dallas vs. 7. San Antonio- Two teams that have had some epic series in the past couple of years and I think this will be the proving point that the Spurs are indeed washed-up.  I haven't seen anything from them that makes me think they can beat a much-improved Maverick team with the additions of Caron Butler and Brenden Haywood. BUT remember when I wrote how Butler/Haywood have not delivered results in the playoffs?  Just keep that in mind if the Spurs find a way to win on in the Big D.  I think both teams win at home then the Mavs get knocked out in the final two.  DAL in 6

-Charlie.

NBA Southwest Division Preview

Keep it going, I am not really that tired so you are getting more of the preview....

1. San Antonio Spurs: KEY PLAYERS: PF Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili OUTLOOK: I think the Spurs have a chance to win the NBA Finals with the additions of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and DeJuan Blair. They have to stay healthy though to have a chance. PREDICTION: 2nd in the Western Conference.

2. Dallas Mavericks: KEY PLAYERS: PF Dirk Notwitzki, SG Josh Howard, SF Shawn Marion OUTLOOK: I wasn't as excited as everybody else about the Marion deal but it should improve them in many ways especially on the defensive end. The Mavs will have a good year from Dirk who isn't dealing with that crazy bitch. PREDICTION: 5th in the Western Conference.

3. Houston Rockets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Aaron Brooks, PF Luis Scola, SF Chuck Hayes OUTLOOK: This seems to be the definition of a scrappy team with a bunch of maybe players and they will be dominated by bigger teams. It will be interesting to see what happens when T-Mac comes back in November. PREDICTION: 9th in the Western Conference.

4. New Orleans Hornets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Chris Paul, C Emeka Okafor, PF David West OUTLOOK: Could create some problems inside with the West-Okafor combination but they have no real mid-range player that makes a difference, please don't say Peja because he is over the hill. PREDICTION: 10th in Western Conference

5. Memphis Grizzlies: KEY PLAYERS: SF Rudy Gay, SG OJ Mayo, PF Zach Randolph OUTLOOK: This has more an And-1 Mixtape team, big time offense with no defensive concepts whatsoever. If they could somehow find a way to play defense then maybe they could do some things. I highly doubt it though. PREDICTION: 12th in the Western Conference.

-Charlie.

Manu Done for the Year; Spurs Too?

I think its fair to say that the Spurs go as far as Manu Ginobili goes. He is the catalyst of their team and now he is done for the season with a stress fracture in his fibula. As I usually say rut roh.

The Spurs have won the NBA Championship in every off-year since 1999 but that looks very glum now that Ginobili will no longer be playing for the Spurs this year. They are 17-15 this year without Manu and while Roger Mason Jr. is a great energy guy for them; he doesnt do the same things that Ginobili does when he is in the game.

The other thing the Spurs have to worry about is not having home-court for the playoffs with the Western Conference being so tight, they could easily fall to the fifth or sixth position if they struggle. They lost tonight to the Portland Trailblazers, a team chasing the Spurs right now 95-83. They do get some easy games with the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings although both are on the road. Those two are sandwiched between two tough as nails home games against the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets.

Just as an FYI, I will try to get more NBA stuff as the playoffs approach.

-Charlie.