Sports: 2011 NBA Playoffs

Sports: 2011 NBA Playoffs

It's my favorite time of the year for sports: the beginning of the NBA Playoffs!!! This year is full of promise, and one of my favorite sports writers Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy") believes it could be the best playoffs in over a decade. The primary storylines seem to be the big guns in the East (Chicago, Miami, Boston, possibly even Orlando) and the unpredictable West (with Denver, OKC and Portland all looking very dangerous). You also have the Knicks finally back in the playoffs, every real sports fan rooting against the Heat, and the Lakers going for another three-peat (which would be Phil Jackson's fourth - simply astounding). Without further ado, here are my picks for the whole thing, round-by-round, with some commentary:

Round 1: East

Chicago Bulls over Indiana Pacers (4-0)

The Pacers have an interesting roster, with a number of young players (led by Danny Granger, Darren Collison - who filled in so well for Chris Paul last here on New Orleans, Roy Hibbert, and even Tyler Hansbrough) who could form a nice nucleus for the future. But the Bulls are just plain superior in every way. Chicago's defense should suffocate Indiana to the extent that there's no hope at all for an upset.

Orlando Magic over Atlanta Hawks (4-0)

I hate the Atlanta Hawks. They resigned their best player to a ridiculous 6-yr contract, and the guy averaged 18 ppg this year. They have had loads of talent for several years now, and always get swept in either the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs. I hope they get destroyed so badly that the ownership finally realizes "hey! this isn't working!" The good news is, Atlanta lost their last six games of the season, while Orlando has quietly been looking pretty strong. The Hawks won 3 of 4 between the two teams this year, but Atlanta is great at shrinking in the playoffs.

Boston Celtics over New York Knicks (4-2)

This is the matchup everyone in the northeast is looking forward to. A lot of people are whispering of a possible upset here, but I don't think the Knicks have a shot at more than 2 wins here. Carmelo, Amare, and Chauncey give them a great start - but the rest of their team is pretty weak. Boston has not been the same without Kendrick Perkins; most significantly, Rondo has fallen apart. But their playoff experience and pride, not too mention chemistry, is way too much for this new Knicks group.

Miami Heat over Philadelphia 76ers (4-1)

Philadelphia has been quite a surprise this season. Led by the unspectacular duo of Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala, they have overachieved under new coach Collins. But you need at least one potent weapon, either on offense or defense, to beat Miami. The Heat have really started to click in the 2nd half of the year, most notably giving the Celtics quite a drubbing. I think Philly could get a game here, but mostly because Miami will realize how much better they are and will take their foot off the gas for a moment.

Round 1: West

San Antonio Spurs over Memphis Grizzlies (4-2)

Now things get interesting. Both these teams were a LOT better this year than expected. Both are also dealing with injuries to key players; however, the Spurs will have theirs back soon, while the Grizzlies will not. If Manu were fully healthy, I wouldn't have the Grizzlies getting 2 wins, but I can see Memphis stealing another one while Ginobili gets back to full strength. I have not seen Memphis play at all this year, so I'm looking forward to watching what they can do in an actual game.

Oklahoma City Thunder over Denver Nuggets (4-2)

This could be the most exciting series in the 1st round of the playoffs. Both teams are very young and athletic, and the games will likely be pretty high-scoring. Unfortunately for Denver, they probably just don't have quite enough firepower, and aren't as good all-around as OKC. Durant and Westbrook are a scary combo. The Nuggets will make the Thunder earn their first postseason series victory, but earn it they will.

Portland Trailblazers over Dallas Mavericks (4-2)

The Blazers' bandwagon is getting so full it's probably about to fall off its axel. However, it's not hard to see why: they have a load of talent, and they've shown they can beat the league's best teams. The frontcourt combo of Aldridge and Wallace is scary, and while Brandon Roy is no longer a consistent star, he has his moments. Dallas was the team all the lower West seeds wanted to face; this is because they're basically just Dirk. Chandler has been playing pretty well, as has Terry, but it just seems like Portland has superior talent. We'll see.

Los Angeles Lakers over New Orleans Hornets (4-1)

My Lakers could not have asked for a better 1st round matchup. They dominate New Orleans even when David West is healthy, which he is not. Hopefully, this series will allow L.A. to get into the kind of rhythm that has won them two straight championships. Bynum's health is the most critical concern, but I also want to see Artest get back to his playoff form from a year ago and make sure Kobe can still take over the end of a game like he always has. They'll probably drop a game here because, well, they're the Lakers.

Round 2: East

Chicago Bulls over Orlando Magic (4-2)

Both teams may have a bit of a shock in the increase in competition over their 1st round foes. Orlando has played Chicago well this year, and Howard, as he does for just about every team, poses a matchup problem for the Bulls. But Chicago has such a disciplined defense that they will be able to shut down Orlando's perimeter shooting most of the time. For Orlando to have a chance, Jameer Nelson needs to make Rose work hard on defense, and also provide some scrappy defense of his own.

Miami Heat over Boston Celtics (4-3)

This is a matchup so many fans (including myself) are salivating over. Boston seemed to be in firm control of this matchup for the first 3 games, and then at the end of the season Miami just whalloped them. Rondo must must MUST make Miami pay for not having a decent point guard, and create offense for his entire team. It's quite clear that LeBron and Wade have significant advantages over their aging counterparts, Pierce and Allen. Still, Boston will not go down until every last drop of blood (er, sweat) has been spilt.

Round 2: West

Oklahoma City Thunder over San Antonio Spurs (4-2)

This is quite a tough one. The old guard, San Antonio, has done everything they can to stay not only competitive but in the upper echelon, despite their age. But I think that with the added toughness of Perkins, the Thunder now have more than the Spurs can take. San Antonio's defense is not what it used to be, and now they are facing two elite scorers, not to mention a very solid supporting cast in Ibaka, Harden, etc. I wanted to talk myself into the Spurs here, one of my favorite teams, but I just couldn't do it.

Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Trailblazers (4-3)

A LOT tougher matchup for the Lakers here. L.A. has had a lot of trouble playing in Portland, as far back as the Shaq era. That means they must make sure to hold serve at Staples Center, and there will be some very tense moments I predict; they may even have to steal a game back in Portland. Ultimately, I think the Lakers' experience, with Gasol and Bynum having fought so many wars against the Celtics and Kobe not facing any elite defenders, will get them by in a tough series.

Round 3:

Chicago Bulls over Miami Heat (4-3)

Another great series in the East. This is where (I hope) the Bulls will show that the superior team will overcome superior star power. Plus, Chicago may be able to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, after Wade and LeBron turned them down last summer. I think LeBron and Wade's teammates (especially the cowardly Bosh Spice) will shrink against the Chicago defense, and leave them in a Butch Cassidy situation. Fortunately, what I hope for and what I believe will happen are aligned here.

Oklahoma City Thunder over Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)

Unfortunately, my hopes and what my brain is telling me are not the same for this series. Once again, I think it will be the Perkins addition that will get the Thunder over the top. He will be able to disrupt the Lakers' big men enough so that the Thunder can simply outscore them. And that they can do, because the Lakers have no answer for Westbrook, and I'm doubtful that Artest can guard Durant again this year the way he did last year. Here's to hoping I'm wrong.

Championship:

Chicago Bulls over Oklahoma City Thunder (4-3)

This should be an awesome championship series. I think it comes down to the Bulls' defense once again, and just being able to do all the gritty things required for victory. Derrick Rose will show his ferocious determination to win, one that will take even an inspired Durant by surprise. One hunch that I have, even if this series goes the other way, is that unexpected players on both teams are going to be thrust into more important roles than they're used to. But regardless, my prediction is that the Chicago Bulls will be the 2011 NBA Champions.