Hoops

NBA Playoffs Predictions 2009

TC, I agree the Celts have finished the season strong, but let me ask you this:
1) do you believe KG is going to be anywhere near 100%?
2) if he is not, do you still like the Celtics over the Cavs?

I'm hoping otherwise, but I don't think KG will get healthy in time, and the Celts become a much poorer defensive team with him out. They only scraped over the line against the Cavs last year, so its a tough ask with Mo Williams on board, and Delonte and Varejao playing so well.

Oden08, as I said above, I'm not picking the Heat to knock off Atlanta. I actually don't think any of the teams seeded 5-8 in the east will get out of the first round. But if I had to pick one team that will, its Miami.

I admit I have only seen 3-4 games of Miami this season, so you could be right about Chalmers gambling too much. But like you, from what I have seen I think he has a bright future. And I disagree that Bibby will do what he wants - the guy is strictly a jump shooter these days. Stay on him and he's got nothing.

In the end, I think Atlanta's frontline will probably be too much for a hobbled O'Neal, but there is some hope for the Heat, because both teams rely massively on their premier SGs to make plays, and I think Wade will win his matchup with Johnson.

Not saying Miami will beat Atlanta, I just think they are the most likely of the east teams with no shot to surprise everyone. Wade has just been so good this year, and I would take him over LBJ in an end game situation because he can actually shoot. And with Wade carrying all the pressure, Beasley could really surprise the Hawks with his sweet shooting too.

I watched Miami a couple of times late in the season and their defence was actually pretty good. Chalmers and Wade are the best backcourt in the league for steals and Wade's defence in general is very good.

Also Haslem, Chalmers, Cook and Moon are all solid players. The big question mark is definitely O'Neal. He's not the mobile all-star he was, but he can still rebound and block shots. As long as he and Haslem can keep the Hawks from dominating the glass, they have got a shot at a first round win.

Oh yeah, and take Joe Johnson out of Atlanta, how many do you think they'd win? Good athletes, but none of them have any idea how to create for themselves.

KG is effectively done for the season, and Celtics aren't getting past the Cavs without him.

Cavs to play the Lakers in the finals.

My first thought was that the Lakers defence is not good enough to stop Lebron, but had a look at his numbers against them this season and he has shot a very poor percentage in both games. Big Z was out for one of them and the Lakers killed the Cavs with 17 offensive rebounds! I think Delonte was out for both. Bynum missed one of the games as well.

I'm hoping the Cavs can turn it around and go all the way with LBJ. But judging by Lebrick's poor shooting percentage v the Lakers this year, they are stopping him from getting to the basket. Cavs will do the same with Kobe, but if both guys are forced to be jumpshooters would ANYONE take Lebrick?

I think Gasol will be another big factor for the Lakers too. Odom and Bynum both have potential to go off for one game. On the Cavs side, they really don't have anyone other than Mo Williams who is capable of going nuts offensively - and he doesn't seem to do much of that these days anyway.

So reluctantly, I think I'm going to have to pick the Fakers.

Oh yeah, and my dark horses are Miami (Wade's play has been exceptional and could carry them further than anyone expects) and Portland, who have come home strong late in the season, have Brandon Roy's brilliance, and have been the Lakers bogey team this year. Go you Blazers!