I don't get to watch as much of the NBA playoffs as I'd like - working the second shift will do that to you - but here are a few of my thoughts thus far.
- Phoenix is a great team, and one that is really fun to watch. But the Suns can't beat San Antonio. They just can't. The Spurs are too good, too savvy and too physical. Most in the media, and NBA fans in general, were winding up the seasons with talks of Phoenix or Dallas winning the title. That's not too surprising, because the Spurs are the least-appreciated great team in the league.
- The All NBA teams came out last week. First team was Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant? My ballot? About the same, just replace Stoudemire with Carmelo Anthony. Anthony had a great year in Denver, but his role in a brawl against the Knicks and the acquisition of Allen Iverson may have caused some to forget his importance.
- Where have you gone, Chicago Bulls? Biggest disapointment of the second round by far.
- I know it's the Leastern Conference, but don't sleep on Detroit. Since the addition of Chris Webber, the Pistons have been on fire. They've completely decimated the aforementioned Bulls, who everyone fell in love with after beating Miami in four games. Detroit will win in five games - maybe six - and matches up well with San Antonio.
- Finally, it's still scary to think how good LeBron James can be. Everyone pretty much agreed that he was going through the motions for most of the year. Yet, an absolutely below average team without James, won 50 games and is 6-1 in the playoffs. If Cleveland can ever find the Scottie Pippen to LeBron's MJ - and it ain't Larry Hughes - James might actually stay in Cleveland for the long haul.
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2 comments:
What do you think of the Bulls chances now that they have forced a Game 6, in such an impressive fashion? Really seems like a new team now between Hinrich and Gordon hitting their shots and with guys like Thomas and PJ contributing big time.
Since they are so young, they seem like the type of team that could pull off the impossible and come back from 3-0 down, as they don't know any better that they should lose. I still think Detroit will probably take them in 7, but what do you think?
I'm pretty stunned. I figured Chicago would win Game 4, but really didn't see that Game 5 beatdown coming.
I didn't watch Game 5 (I was at work, but saw the highlights), and I think Scott Skiles - after getting completely outcoached by Saunders early in the series - is finding combinations and players that work.
P.J. Brown, the ageless wonder, had an awesome game. And if Tyrus Thomas can hit his jumpers, Detroit doesn't have anyone that can match up with him (but he'll have to stay out of foul trouble).
I'm in the same boat as you, in that I think Detroit will win Game 7. You make a really good point about the Bulls being so young. I think they could honestly be given a 50-50 chance in this series if they were playing anyone but Detroit.
The Pistons, with Billups, Hamilton, Prince and all of those other guys, are TOUGH. I think they'll pull out Game 7 at home, but I love watching Chicago play. Could you imagine if the Bulls, who have New York's first-round pick, gets in the top three of the lottery? Adding a top-three prospect to that nucleus of Deng, Gordon, Thomas, Hinrich, Nocioni ... wow.
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