The NBA playoffs are finally getting VERY interesting. Almost every single series with the exception of Detroit-Orlando is all tied up at 2-2. The Detroit-Orlando series was probably the least sexy match-up to begin with anyways. The other 3 are all locked and loaded for a fun ride over the next few days. They are all a 3-game series now and anything can happen. I feel like the more experienced, more veteran teams that have been there and done that will have an edge. The short 3-game series is going to be tough on the Hornets, Lakers and even the Celtics for that reason.
Of course the Spurs are a wily, veteran team that has seen all kinds of playoff scenarios and game sixes and game sevens. So I would have to give them the edge over the Hornets. The Jazz and the Cavs are not quite the seasoned champs the Spurs are, but they were exactly at this same situation last year. They went deep into the playoffs and they know how to get to the next round from here. The Lakers and Celtics on the other hand are probably better teams, but they don't look comfortable when the pressure is on. The "other" Lakers are too quick to throw the ball into Kobe and crawl back into their shells. Thats not going to work especially if Kobe's back continues to act up. AK 47 probably can't guard Kobe at 100% (who can?), but he sure can bother him at 75%. Again, it's the young guys like Jordan Farmar and the new guys like Pau Gasol not being comfortable with these situations or with each other yet thats going to hurt the Lakers.
Similar story with the Celtics. The big-3 are not that young, but they are inexperienced playing with each other and with this group of players. They look like they are still figuring out how to play in the clutch. They are horrible on the road and it's inexplicable. The Cavs may be one-dimensional, but they have ridden this LeBron horse all the way to the finals last year and they definitely plan on doing the same this year. Thats why it's not a big deal that they have a new set of players since the trade deadline. Unlike the Lakers and Pau Gasol, all of the new Cavs are just role players. Mike Brown's only offense is still the same - throw the ball to LeBron 30 feet away from the basket and watch what unfolds along with the rest of us watching in the stands and on TV. Horrible to watch unless the King throws it down with authority like he did tonight in the waning minutes to seal the game. What a dunk that was! Anyways, the Cavs will go as far as LeBron takes them on offense and they at least play good defense. Mike Brown seems to have learnt something from coach Pop in San antonio. Boston on the other hand looks lost right now. Lets see if Boston can seal the deal.
Thats my analysis, but they play the actual games for a reason. Anything can happen and strange things probably will happen. Lets strap on the seat-belt and enjoy this ride. The playoffs are finally interesting after a disappointing first round in the West where the match-ups were not quite as good as advertised. Suns gave us all the drama in game 1 against the Spurs, but had nothing left the rest of the way. Now things are heating up for real. Nobody can win on the road and does that mean all the 3 series will go to 7 games? That would be fun to say the least.
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