As promised, The Eastern Conference.
Keep in mind I am very West Coast Bias.
1. Chicago Bulls
Old school basketball is working as a charm would for the Bulls, I don't think there has been a point in this season where they haven't possessed the best record in the league (not a fact).
Despite the returning MVP really being absent the Bulls play hard defense, run an extremely organized offensive system, and are very well disciplined by Head Coach Tom Thibodeau.
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8. New York Knicks
Nobody wants the Bulls in any round of the playoffs. These two teams would make for a very entertaining opening round. Carmello, Amare, J.R. Smith, Baron Davis, and yes, Linsanity all make for quality scoring options if an offense is implemented to make them all happy. Buckets will not come easy, as the Bulls pride themselves on their defense. Tyson Chandler will have to motivate the rest of the team to put forth matching efforts on the defensive end in order to be competitive.
2. Miami Heat
I loath this team. We know about the "Big Three". Is Mario Chalmers going to play at the level his Jayhawks are playing? Can Shane Battier hit clutch three's and continue to play great defense? Can the streaky James Jones get hot at the right time? Popular opinion states that this is their year, we'll see if they live up to their own expectations and come away with a championship.
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7. Boston Celtics
This is the last team Boston wants. Getting older and fading away from the recent glory years, this seems to be the end of the line for the NBA's most recent dynasty. Boston will need to find a way to change the rules to make every basket double in points for them to win this series.
To the Boston Celtics and Fans,
You only won one title, you are not the best team ever as you seem to personify yourself to be. You can thank the beloved Kevin Garnett for the rings you possess. Please return KG to the Timberwolves so he may lead a young team to a championship and fade away into the sunset that is basketball royalty.
Many thanks,
Wolves Fans.
3. Orlando Magic
The Magic will be abiding by the 'Live by the three, and die by the three' policy.
Lets list shooters:
J.J. Redick and Chris Duhon both are former Duke Blue Devils who have made a living behind the ark.
Ryan Anderson is a poor mans Kevin Love with a solid ability to hit from distance.
Quentin and Jason Richardson are both players who need to hang it up soon. Both players are not hesitant to pull the trigger.
Hedu Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson will be responsible for distributing, as well as Dwight Howard. Dwight remains a presence on the defensive end to go along with his stagnant offensive skill set. Teams are finding success in letting the leagues biggest mouth get his points, rather than doubling so he may kick out to any of the listed spot up shooters.
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6. Atlanta Hawks
Can anyone tell if this team cares about winning? Josh Smith wanted out earlier in the season. Joe Johnson called out Hawks fans for not showing up to playoff games. Teague is on the rise as a scoring point guard. Atlanta will need to be in rare mental form to compete. Depth is a question with this team as well. Johnson has the talent to be a top five superstar in the league. Johnson, Smith, and Teague have heavy responsibility to put the ball in the basket. If Atlanta comes together as a team on both ends of the floor and the city shows up to support them I believe they could be a sleeping giant in the playoffs. Winners of four in a row, I place the Wildcard label here.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Very young, very talented, and very dangerous the 76ers have played great basketball all season long.
I have a man crush on Jrue Holiday's game. Jrue is a relentless point guard on both ends of the floor and has an uncanny feel for the game. We've seen Lou Williams ability to provide 6th man of the year type of scoring. If not for James Harden, Lou wins the award hands down. Andre Iguodala (University of Arizona) continues to be flashy. 'Iggy's scoring numbers aren't anything eye opening, he makes up for it with solid defensive play. Evan Turner, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, and Jodie Meeks all help make Philly a very complete squad. A noticeable flaw with the 76ers is their lack of veteran leadership. Limited post-season experience may haunt this up-and-coming Eastern Conference power.
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5. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have quietly paced their way to a very impressive season. David West is showing that he can still ball with the best of them in his eighth year. Mid-season acquisition Leandro Barbosa has a 6th man of the year award under his belt. His ability to score and run an offense will be pivotal, the team lacks depth at the floor general position. No, I do not think Darren Collison is ready to get it done at a high level, yet. Paul George has exploded and will get his buckets.
The Pacers and 76ers will both benefit greatly from going head to head in the opening round. Both teams are very young, on the rise, and will be able to take away valuable basketball lessons that cannot be taught at the college level or during the regular season.
A Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Eastern Conference Finals is expected out of almost everyone in the world that is the NBA. It may be due to my desire to really dissect the match-ups out east, which is none, but i believe that this is more of a wide open race than it would appear. Orlando may make it rain from behind the ark. A young team like the 76ers may find their place on the big stage. The Knicks could magically come together as a team and play on both ends of the floor. There seems to be a growing amount of parody surging all around the league and I expect it to show come playoff time.
I like the Heat and the Thunder meeting in the finals. The Bulls are a team likely to choke under a strenuous six or seven game series. I don't notice a killer instinct that will allow them to blow teams out and make things easier on themselves. Oklahoma City is just too talented to pick against. Since the team moved from Seattle the Thunder have been a great organization for the NBA. The Thunder are built to play the role of 'The Hero' matched up against 'The Villain' Miami Heat. I am a LeBron hater. I do not want to see the Heat celebrating at the end of what has been a fantastic season.
By the way, 3 of 4 final four teams in my bracket. Ohio State winning it all would make it look REAL good.
I Love Basketball
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