By Craig Kwasniewski
Just wanted to get my picks in before the games start tomorrow (also so I can blockquote myself in the "I told you so" post in a few weeks). Let's start with the Varsity League, the Western Conference:
LA Lakers (1) vs. Denver Nuggets (8): "The experts" are predicting an easy series for the Lakers... I don't think so. The Nuggets have trouble against physical teams like San Antonio and Boston and the Bynum-less Lakers are far from the bruising days of the Shaq-Kobe era. The Melo "incident" (when is there not one with that guy?) will give Denver the much-needed us-against-the-world attitude and will give them even more focus. These games will be very entertaining and a throwback to the late 80's Lakers vs. the Doug Moe-led Nuggets with high scoring and very little defense. The Lakers will win this series in 6, but it won't be easy.
New Orleans Hornets (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7): Quick question... if Chris Paul is such an MVP and better than Isiah Thomas (as the Boston Sports Guy so irresponsibly wrote), then why are a lot of people predicting a Dallas win here? Isn't the MVP supposed to find a way to win the close games? Isn't the MVP supposed to lead a team through the playoffs in the early rounds? Shouldn't this be a relatively easy series for the Hornets because Chris Paul is just that good? Hey, give CP3 his damn MVP and let's get another awesome MVP press conference like Dirk's from last season because New Orleans ain't beating Dallas. Dallas wins in 6.
San Antonio Spurs (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6): What a series! With so much history and bad blood between these teams it's a damn shame it's happening in the first round. (Actually, no it's not! The Lakers only have to face one of them... so fight it out to 7 guys!) The Suns made the Shaq deal solely for the Spurs and so far it's been a success with two easy W's. Interesting fact: since 1999 either Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan have made it to the Finals. Will 2007-08 be the first season without either big? Who knows... San Antonio has too many nagging injuries and not enough time to rally to save the season. I see is a motivated and quickly gelling Suns beating the Spurs in 7.
Utah Jazz (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5): Are the Rockets the worst team to ever win 22 straight? 10-years from now when we see the top 5 winning streaks in NBA history will we drop a collective WTF when we see "2007-08 Rockets?" Isn't that finger waving thing by Mutombo annoying considering that it's taunting and it should be a technical and that he brings nothing else to the table? Will Tracy McGrady miss the second round again? Is the Yao Ming era one of the most overrated eras in NBA history? Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and YES!!!!!!! Utah wins in 6.
wow! shocking predictions, craig. one problem, though. a seven game series between the spurs and the suns would actually favor the spurs. do you actually think the spurs would let the suns take a game seven on their home court. not gonna happen. if the suns are going to win they will have to do it in six, which makes the task that more difficult.
the suns haven't seen the real spurs in the regular season. it's playoff time and the spurs are sharpening their knives.
Posted by: dave | April 18, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Really dave? You don't think the Sun's could take a game seven on the Spur's home court? If I remember correctly I believe Dallas achieved the very same thing not to long ago, so don't rule it out. Especially since the Spurs are older now and the Suns are more motivated than ever.
And by the way Craig, Chris Paul was that good as he played like an MVP in game one. I don't know if he can do that consistently but if he can than it looks like you dropped the ball with that particular prediction.
Posted by: Phyrus | April 20, 2008 at 08:20 AM
I agree with all your picks save for the Suns over the Spurs in seven (or in any number of games). Aside from the addition of Shaq -- which I don't think will have too much of an effect on the Suns' success -- the Suns really haven't changed in the last few years. The Spurs, on the other hand, are as stellar as they have been in the last few years. I don't see this year as the year for the Suns to finally overtake the Spurs. It's rather unfortunate for two-time MVP winner Steve Nash, but I don't see the Suns getting anywhere close to the Finals this year.
Posted by: Ben | April 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM
just a question man.. where did you get the picture for your post? hehehe.. :D
Posted by: fouledout | April 21, 2008 at 12:39 AM
CP3 = 35 pts, 10 assists, 4 steals on 15-23 from the field. MVP.
Posted by: Will | April 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Yall better not sleep on the Hive.
Posted by: Uncle Al | April 22, 2008 at 09:52 PM
why break from a system if he believe it's the best system for easy offense? He makes excellent in game adjustments and like Craig said, his teams almost never commit dumb mental errors during important playoff games and his teams are generally only beaten by teams with superior talent and mental fortitude (think pistons
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