2011 NBA Playoffs - Western Conference, First Round

The Western Conference saw the old guard reclaim their top spot. The San Antonio Spurs were left for dead at the end of last season. They were considered too old to compete for another championship. However, they surged their way to a 61-21 record, and earned home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. The 2-time defending champion, Los Angeles Lakers, finished second in the West, and come into the playoffs losers of five of their last seven games. Both the Spurs and Lakers have question marks about key players going into the playoffs. Manu Ginobli may miss Game 1 of their series against Memphis, while Andrew Bynum is questionable for the start of the Lakers series against the New Orleans Hornets.

First Round

#1 San Antonio Spurs (61-21) vs. #8 Memphis Grizzlies (46-36)

Unlike the Eastern Conference, their are no cake walks in the Western Conference playoffs. Memphis would have been a 5 seed in the East, but instead had to settle for an 8 seed in the West. They are searching for their first playoff win in franchise history. The good news, I think they will get it. The bad news, they will only beat the Spurs once.

It was surprising to see that the Spurs were just 14th in points per game allowed. Obviously age is starting to catch up to them and their defense has suffered. Tony Parker and Ginobli are their scoring leaders, and the wear and tear is starting to show on Tim Duncan, who averaged a career low 13.4 ppg. However, Duncan still fights hard on the glass and is complemented by DeJuan Blair.

They will be doing battle with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Randolph averaged a double double in points and rebounds. The Grizzlies have missed the scoring of Rudy Gay, but their defense has improved behind Tony Allen, and mid-season pickup Shane Battier.

The Grizzlies are an up and coming team but like any team that is building, they have to take some lumps first. I think getting a playoff win would be a huge step for this franchise and get that monkey off their back. Despite not winning the series, if the Grizzlies can at least win a game they should be pleased.

Prediction: Spurs over Grizzlies, 4-1

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27) vs. #5 Denver Nuggets (50-32)

This is the unquestioned best First Round series in the West. Both of these teams score in bunches and play average to poor defense, so expect many high scoring games. The Thunder continue to improve behind their young nucleus, led by Kevin Durant. They added Kendrick Perkins at the trade deadline, hoping to give themselves the inside presence to match up with the Lakers or Spurs. They have a dynamic point guard, Russell Westbrook, and a towering defensive presence in Serge Ibaka.

The Nuggets changed their identity when they traded Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the Knicks. Getting rid of the distraction seemed to do wonders for the team's chemistry, and they have played excellent since the trade. Ty Lawson has taken the reigns at point guard and is half of a nice 1-2 punch with fellow Tar Heel Raymond Felton. Aaron Afflalo and J.R. Smith give the Nuggets depth at shooting guard, while Nene is their bruiser inside.

Nuggets coach George Karl admitted that the Thunder would be a bad matchup for his Nuggets. It could be construed as a psychological ploy but I think Karl was shooting from the hip. The Thunder are ready to continue their steps to being elite and will hold off a game Nuggets team.

Prediction: Thunder over Nuggets, 4-2

#2 Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets (46-36)

Despite their stumbles throughout the season, and continued questions about Andrew Bynum's durability, the Lakers are still considered the favorites to come out of the West. The Hornets, led by Chris Paul, should be only a minor speed bump on the Lakers run to the Finals.

Kobe Bryant isn't as prolific as he once was, but he still averaged 25.3 ppg and played in all 82 games this season. Pau Gasol averaged 18 and 10, while Lamar Odom, despite being a sixth man, was third on the team with 14.4 ppg. When Bynum plays, he gives the Lakers a ridiculous inside presence with Gasol and Odom, but he is constantly injured and can't be counted on. The Lakers seemingly upgraded their bench in the off-season, but Steve Blake has been a disappointment, and Matt Barnes missed large stretches of the season. Ron Artest isn't quite the defensive player he used to be, and makes mind boggling decisions on the offensive end. Derek Fisher is barely alive at this point.

All that being said, the Hornets have Chris Paul and that's about it. The Hornets don't score or rebound much, and mostly get by on playing excellent defense. The loss of David West to a torn ACL crippled this team. Former Laker Trevor Ariza has proven to be a nice role player, but that's about all. The Hornets have another former Laker in DJ Mbenga, maybe he can get some playing time against his old teammates.

The Lakers are going to murder the Hornets inside, and I expect Gasol, Odom, and Bynum if he plays to have a monster series. Kobe will be Kobe. I think Paul can lead the Hornets to a win in New Orleans, but other than that, this series will be total annihilation by the Lakers.

Prediction: Lakers over Hornets, 4-1

#3 Dallas Mavericks (57-25) vs. #6 Portland Trail Blazers (48-34)

I can't stand Mark Cuban so by extension I can't stand the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks will have their hands full with Portland. The face of the Blazers is no longer Brandon Roy, it has become LeMarcus Aldridge. Their guard Wesley Matthews out of Marquette has been quite a find for the team, averaging 15.9 ppg. Despite being 88 years old, Andre Miller still gets it done, averaging 12.7 ppg and 7 assists per game. SF Gerald Wallace added some scoring punch when he was traded for before the deadline. The Blazers aren't a prolific scoring team but play tremendous defense, with Aldridge and Marcus Camby making life hell for anyone that decides to go to the hole.

I think the Blazers physical, tough presence will be the undoing for the Charmin soft Mavs. Their coach, Rick Carlisle even called them soft this season. Dirk Nowitzki makes Pau Gasol look tough, and their other big body Tyson Chandler doesn't intimidate anyone. Jason Kidd makes Andre Miller look young by comparison, and Shawn Marion's best years are behind him. Of course, the Mavs aren't as terrible as I making them seem, they won 57 games. But they have struggled down the stretch against the good teams, and mostly feasted on cupcakes.

All that being said this will be a very competitive series, and I think the only First Round series that will go seven games.

Prediction: Blazers over Mavericks, 4-3

2011 NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference, First Round

Doing things a little differently this year for the NBA playoffs. Instead of just focusing on the Bulls and Lakers, I will preview each First Round series in the NBA Playoffs. I don't think the playoffs truly get interesting until the Conference Semi-Finals, but that doesn't mean the First Round isn't worth talking about. Today, I start off with the Eastern Conference. Four teams are seen as having a legitimate chance of representing the East in the NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls are the favorites, followed by the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and probably only in Orlando, the Magic. However, the four of them will have to handle their business in the First Round.

First Round

#1 Chicago Bulls (62-20) vs. #8 Indiana Pacers (37-45)

In my preview of the Bulls/Cavs series from last year's playoffs, I wrote this. "It helps that they play in the decidedly weak Eastern Conference but hopefully when they get the right coach in place next season they can finally make some noise." Well, the Bulls landed that coach in the off-season, bringing in Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau. The team bought into his defensive philosophy and went from the 8 seed and 41 wins, to the 1 seed and 62 wins. Soon to be MVP Derrick Rose was steady for the Bulls all season, as they overcame injuries to Carlos Boozer, and Joakim Noah.

The Pacers are led by Danny Granger, who thinks the Pacers have a shot if they can stop Rose. Sorry Danny boy, but the Pacers have no shot in this series, mostly because they can't match the Bulls defensive intensity. At just 37 wins, the Pacers are just fortunate to even be in the playoffs and will be lucky if they can steal a game.

Prediction: Bulls over Pacers, 4-0

#4 Orlando (52-30) vs. #5 Atlanta (44-38)

This is a rematch from last year's playoffs, when the Magic decimated the Hawks in the Conference Semi-Finals. The Hawks come into this year's playoffs reeling, losers of six in a row. The Magic have been up and down all season, completing a gigantic trade in December that brought them Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, and Hedo Turkoglu.

The Magic are hoping that JJ Redick will return for the playoffs, after missing the end of the regular season with a lower abdominal strain. Their is a misconception that the Magic don't play defense, but they finished fourth in points allowed per game. Dwight Howard continues to improve and become more and more dominant.

The Hawks have a starting five that can compete with most teams but have a very thin bench. Although all talented, I don't think Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, or Al Horford really scare any teams. The Hawks are stuck in that good enough to compete but not good to win anything zone. They can have some confidence in the fact they beat the Magic three out of four times this season, but it's a whole different animal in the postseason. I think they will play the Magic much harder this year, but ultimately it won't be enough.

Prediction: Magic over Hawks, 4-2

#2 Miami Heat (58-24) vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers (41-41)

For a three man team, it would be hating to say the Heat's 58-24 record this season wasn't impressive. They went through a few trials and tribulations but to win that many games after a complete overhaul of a team is quite the accomplishment. Do I think they will win a title this season? No, but they have shown that given a couple more seasons they should be the best team in the league. The three headed monster of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are the only Heat players that averaged double figures in scoring. Their point guard play has been unsteady all season, and is what I think will eventually be their undoing against the Celtics or Bulls.

The Sixers are a very balanced team. Elton Brand returned from the dead and played a full season, leading Philadelphia in scoring with 15 points per game. Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and the point guard 1-2 punch of Jrue Holliday and Lou Williams are all capable of putting up points.

The Sixers have some good pieces in place and could be a team to watch as long as coach Doug Collins doesn't lose the team. However, they aren't ready to take down a team as talented as the Heat.

Prediction: Heat over 76ers, 4-1

#3 Boston Celtics (56-26) vs. #6 New York Knicks (42-40)

This is by far the most intriguing First Round series in the East. The Knicks are finally back in the playoffs and have two of the best scorers in the league, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. They also have a veteran point guard in Chauncey Billups. Unfortunately for them, you can't just win outscoring teams, and the Knicks defense is atrocious. They will be facing the Celtics, who were the best defensive team in the league in the regular season.

The Celtics have seemed out of sorts since the Kendrick Perkins trade and the ultimate success or failure of that trade will be judged on whether the Celtics bring home a championship. Their big four of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett are the least of their concerns. The big questions are, how will Jeff Green play? Will Nenad Kristic add anything? Can Glen Davis remain steady off the bench? Will Shaq suit up?

I think the atmosphere will be great in this series, especially Madison Square Garden in Games 3 and 4. The Celtics are too good defensively and will be able to slow down Anthony and Stoudemire. The Knicks won't be able to get the stops they need, but they will definitely make this series interesting.

Prediction: Celtics over Knicks, 4-2

NCAA Basketball Championship Game - Houston, Texas

#8 Butler (28-9) vs. #3 Connecticut (31-9)

Once again Butler is back in the National Title game, and once again they are facing a traditional power. 34-year old Brad Stevens will try to hand 68-year old Jim Calhoun his first loss in a NCAA Championship game.

In the battle of mid-majors, Butler outlasted VCU, 70-62. In typical Butler fashion, it wasn't pretty, the Bulldogs shot just 36%, but they got a great game from G Shelvin Mack, and dominated the Rams on the boards.

Connecticut took down Kentucky, 55-54. Outstanding G Kemba Walker, did just enough, overcoming 4 turnovers and a poor shooting night, scoring 18 points to pace the Huskies. UCONN couldn't buy a basket from three point range, but hit their free throws, unlike Kentucky who was awful from the line.

I won't channel Digger Phelps and tell you that one of these teams will win because they are on a mission. I will tell you that Connecticut is going to win simply because they are better. How can I pick against a team that has not lost a tournament game all season? They won the Maui Invitational, the Big East Tournament and now just stand one win from the NCAA Championship. It is an incredible run, and one that would not be possible without Walker. However, Walker has received some help from fellow guard Jeremy Lamb, and Roscoe Smith and Alex Oriakhi have given the Huskies a needed presence down low.

I don't think Butler has the bodies to match up with Connecticut. They will attempt to slow the pace and make the game ugly but I think Walker's ability to dribble and drive can negate that. I think Matt Howard will be in foul trouble early, and I also think that Shelvin Mack will not dominate the game like he did against VCU. Plus, Butler was really aided by their ability to dominate VCU on the glass. It is hard to lose when your guards, such as Mack and Nored each are pulling down 6 rebounds. No way that the Huskies allow that to happen.

Despite all I have said above, I still anticipate a close game that will be exciting down to the final minutes. The Huskies will once again come out of the West region as National Champions, and Jim Calhoun may finally ride off into the sunset.

Prediction: Connecticut 63, Butler 58