So a funny thing happened between me saying that I am not interested in the NBA and me suddenly doing this article: this NBA season got very interesting. As a matter of fact, it got quite crazy and quite intense. After years of just a couple teams rising up and overthrowing everyone else, we have one of the most even playing fields in the history of the NBA. In all honesty, of the 16 teams in the playoffs, only a dirty few have no shot at entering the Finals. Everyone else however has a decent shot given the right amount of effort, luck, and dedication. And because of this potentially incredible playoff season in the NBA, I have decided to build my bracket, discuss each team, and make my predictions as to whom will win it all. I will start with the Eastern Conference, work my way through the Western Conference, and then discuss the Finals.
The Eastern Conference
#8: Indiana Pacers
This scrappy little basketball team pushed through heavy mediocre competition to nab this final seed. And just like the #7 team on this list, they are a young team with plenty of room to grow. Nobody in the Pacers have been in the league more than five years, which makes them just like the Chicago Bulls of the previous two years—small, young, inexperienced, but hungry for growth and improvement. This will not be their year, but keep an eye on them in the future.
Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Bulls in 5
#7: Philadelphia 76ers
Just like the Pacers, this is a young team that can grow into a heavy contender in the future. Just like the Pacers, they don’t really have a major star to rely on. And, just like the Pacers, they will face a quick exit as they take on a team that’s just too much better for words. Let’s give Doug Collins the Coach of the Year award though.
Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Heat in 5
#6: Atlanta Hawks
Year in and year out they constantly give a good effort before hitting the playoffs. But, whether they like or not, the Magic have their number. Surely the Hawks won 3 of 4 in the season against the Magic, but they had been swept by Orlando quite viciously in the playoffs last year, and the Magic of now is much better than recent times. Let’s not forget the Magic have way too many weapons for Atlanta to contain. Even if they can sneak by Orlando, their chance of surviving Chicago is minimal to absolutely none. Just like the lower teams, I have no fear of the Hawks.
Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Magic in 5.
#5: Boston Celtics
The Celtics were the toughest, nastiest, roughest team in the East. They had the experience, power, agility, defense, and abilities to overpower any major powerhouse competitor in the Eastern Conference. They were wiping away Miami and defeating Orlando with ease. Everyone was afraid of Boston, and wanted to avoid them like the dickens come playoff time. And then came the Perkins trade. The second the Perkins trade happened, the Celtics lost their willpower, identity, and fear factor. All of a sudden, the Heat and Bulls were overpowering this team on offense and defense, while looking like superior junkyard dog teams. The Celtics relied on hard knocks intensity to beat their opponents. That tough dog persona has been killed off. After the Perkins trade, they are suddenly much weaker against the Heat, the Magic, and now, the Knicks. If there is an upset waiting to happen, it’s their sudden round one departure. I might be crazy for saying this, but I have trouble seeing Boston getting out of the first round alive. And even if they do, they have Miami waiting for them. Boston’s seemingly good odds of going all the way have pretty much disappeared.
Playoff Run Prediction: Upset in first round—losing to Knicks in 6
#4: New York Knicks
While at first they seemed doomed after that nasty losing streak, the Knicks were able to mesh together and built an impressive streak towards the end of the season. They have the underrated leader with Carmelo Anthony, the powerful inside presence with Stoudemire, and a good head coach to weave it all together. While they are a Chris Paul away from being a pure threat (hint-hint), they have the momentum and the talent to pull off the upset against the lifeless Celtics. A couple years ago, they would have been nearly Finals-bound. But with the talent pool being quite deep, it will take more than just Melo and Amare to go the distance.
Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Celtics 4-2. Lose to Heat 4-2
#3: Chicago Bulls
Here is where things become interesting. Yes, the Bulls have the best record. Yes, they have the MVP in Derrick Rose. Yes, they have proven to play well against the Elite. But, I do not fear them. I do not care what their record says, I still don’t think they can go all the way. This is why: Rose has no backup plan. Remember this: Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all-time, needed 7 years and eventually a spectacular backup player (Scottie Pippen) to finally win a championship. Let’s say Derrick Rose has a bad day or is handled well by the opposing defense. What now? What do you do? Who will become the person to take over? The Heat’s backup is Wade and Bosh. Magic have Nelson and Turkoglu. The Celtics even have some extra support. Who do the Bulls have? They are an excellent team, but unlike other sports, if one player falls, it becomes a bad case of jenga and the chances of the pieces falling apart improve drastically. The Bulls have a legitimate shot of reaching the NBA Finals—but I still don’t fear this team if they come into my town.
Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Pacers 4-1. Upset by Magic 4-2.
#2: Orlando Magic
Now, the complaints are flying. How can this ho-hum team suddenly rise to the #2 slot? Why am I picking this team to nearly make the Finals? Because of all the teams that have the potential to enter the Finals and wreck some havoc, the Orlando Magic are the best built. Check this: the best defensive player in the NBA (Dwight Howard led his team in rebounds, points, blocks, AND steals----STEALS!!), two tall and tough forwards that can actually shoot the three (Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu), at least seven players that can shoot threes and also score 15-20+ right under your nose (J.J. Reddick being the best example—keep an eye on him), one of the best coaches in the NBA (Stan Van Gundy doesn’t get enough respect) and best of all a very deep bench that can really put up some numbers when necessary. The Magic have no true enemy except themselves (Why they don’t adapt the Suns-style of fast-paced basketball we shall never ever know)---especially now that the Celtics are not the thorn that they used to be. So keep an eye on this Magic team, the second they become consistent is the second that everyone else should be afraid.
Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Hawks 4-1. Beat Bulls 4-2. Lose to Heat 4-2
#1: Miami Heat
I hate to say it. I honestly do. I really don't like this team so I am gritting my teeth as I type this. But, one thing rings true: the Miami Heat are in for an easy ride. Look who they have to deal with: the 76ers, and then whether the lifeless Boston Celtics or the not-yet-ready New York Knicks. The Miami Heat have the experienced Dwayne Wade, the quite talented LeBron James, a deep bench matched only by Orlando, and then add the very hungry Chris Bosh and Ilgauskas. The only team that can possibly stop the evil and sinister Miami Heat is the Orlando Magic, and as long as they can overpower the frontcourt, they should have no trouble getting to the NBA Finals. Are they the top team in the Eastern Conference? It’s hard to say yes without cringing. But one thing is certain, with the way the chips are falling; I see little reason to give the Heat anything less than an NBA Finals appearance. The Miami Heat have finally molded into a complete team towards the end and despite our hatred towards them, its hard to see an eastern conference team that can actually put up a good fight.
Playoff Run Prediction: Beat 76ers 4-1. Beat Knicks 4-2. Beat Magic 4-3.
Next Up:
Western Conference and the NBA Finals
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