Playoffs Preview

1 Cavs vs 8 Pistons  

Fred's Pick: Cavs in 5

The Cavs are really good.  I mean really, really good.  Lebron is finally reaching his potential and he is surrounded by the best role players he has ever had.  The one troubling thing about the Cavs is that they really only have one elite player.  Mo Williams is not elite as he cannot create for himself or his teammates.  This means that if a team figures out how to effectively contain Lebron, the Cavs are beatable.  This, however, will not happen when they face Detroit.  The Pistons have been in a tailspin ever since they traded Chauncey "Team Glue" Billups away for Allen "Me First" Iverson.  The only reason I gave the Pistons a game is because Detroit is a tough place to win at, especially in the playoffs.

2 Celtics vs 7 Bulls  

Fred's Pick: Celts in 5

The Bulls have acquired "cool pick" status, somehow.  Everyone seems to think they will give the Celtics a run for their money since the Garnet news came out.  The Bulls are a young team and if a young team is going to make a splash in the playoffs they need a great coach.  Last time I checked, Vinny Del Negro was coaching the Bulls.  Sorry Chicago, not going to happen. 

3 Magic vs 76ers  

Fred's Pick: Magic in 5

Yuck.  This is exactly why the East sucks.  What a horrible series.  I am a basketball junkie and if this came on I'm flipping the channel to watch a King of Queens rerun.  If Rashard and Hedo were both healthy, it's definitely a sweep.  As it is, it's going to be a sloppy win for the Magic.

4 Hawks vs 5 Heat  

Fred's Pick: Hawks in 6

This series has also become an analyst favorite.  Why?  I still do not know what the Hawks are trying to do.  Are they going to outrun you?  Will they out-execute you?  Will they control the pace of the game?  What are they good at?  And as far as the Heat are concerned, it's one fabulous player surrounded by some of the worst talent ever assembled.  This team will be alright in two years because they are so young, but the fact they are a 5 seed this year illustrates just how much the East sucks.

1 Lakers vs 8 Jazz

Fred's Pick: Lakers in 6

The Jazz are not your typical 8 seed.  They would be a 3 or 4 seed if they had not suffered so many injuries during the course of the season.  They have one of the best point guards in the league and two great low post presences in Boozer and Millsap.  The Lakers should not take this team lightly, or it could go to 7 games.  However, the Lakers are the most complete team in the league.  They have two elite players in Kobe and Gasol.  They have elite role players in Odom and Bynum.  And they have veteran experience.  Their only weak spot is at the point guard position.  Fisher has been awful this year and Farmar did not improve from last year.  The fact that Utah has a great point guard and the Lakers are below average at that position is another reason to like the Jazz in this series.  I still am picking the Lakers, but I will definitely keep my eye on this series.  

2 Nuggets vs 7 Hornets

Fred's Pick: Hornets in 6

What do Carmelo, Kenyon, and JR Smith all have in common?  They are crazy.  Billups has done a masterful job of keeping this team together, greatly without the help of George Karl.  This is a front running team.  Things are great when they are winning, but as soon as they are losing they all start pointing fingers at each other.  I get the feeling that if the Hornets can deliver one good stomach punch, the wheels will fall off for Denver.  

3 Spurs vs 6 Mavs

Fred's Pick: Spurs in 6

Here is the thing about the Spurs.  At this point, they only have two elite players and a bunch of mediocre role players.  Therefore the Spurs will need their two elite players to have great games.  Dallas cannot defend Tim or Tony.  Tony scored 37 in the last two games they played, the second of which Tim and Manu did not play and the Spurs still won by 18.  On the flip side, the Spurs have trouble guarding Dirk.  However, the Spurs have a plethora of defenders to throw at him, while the Mavs have no one that can stay in front of Tony.  The edge goes to San Antonio.

4 Blazers vs 5 Rockets

Fred's Pick: Blazers in 5

Do the Rockets have an elite player?  Yao is alright, but how can you be 7'6" 310 pounds and not average more than 10 rebounds a game?  Shouldn't he get around 10 boards a game by accident?  Is he even trying?  Artest is well past his prime, although he is still effective.  Teams that win in the playoffs have to have a go-to guy.  The Rockets are a great team, but lack a star.  The Blazers have Brandon Roy.  I really think this guy is great.  He reminds me of Tim in that he never loses control of his emotions, but still has that undeniable passion to win.  The Blazers are more athletic and have an elite player.  I do not think they will have a problem taking out the Rockets.