NBA Playoffs Preview

Tomorrow at Noon, the NBA Playoffs get underway for the next month and a half. I want to give you my thoughts and picks for the upcoming playoffs.

If you need a copy of the first round match-ups and the series schedule, you can click here to see the entire first round schedule.

In the East:
Boston vs. Atlanta - I'm taking the Celtics to win this series in 4 games. I think the Celtics will be on a mission to make an early statement in the playoffs so other's know they are here and are legit. The young Hawks made it to the playoffs for the first time in almost 10 years, but their inexperience will show against the veteran Celtics.
Detroit vs. Philadelphia - I'm taking the Pistons to win in 5 games. This series could possibly be close just about every game, but Detroit's experience will kick in in the clutch and they will fight off a hot 76ers team who will be a tough out.
Orlando vs. Toronto - This series has the potential to go 7 games, but I'll take the Magic in 6 games. Each of these teams are pretty well matched, but Orlando is a good defensive team when they actually try at it. Howard/Bosh will be a fun match up to watch this series. Magic move on.
Cleveland vs. Washington - As most of you know, this is the first year in a row that the Cavs and Wiz have faced off in the first round. And already Arenas is talking trash. He thinks he is an "assassin" and will surprise the Cavs by coming off the bench. This series will most likely go 7 games and can be won by their side, but I'm taking Lebron and company to win in game 7. The Wiz have been playing good as of late, but their poor record away from home will catch up with them in game 7 in Cleveland. Arenas will talk all series long, until the end when his team goes home for the third straight year losing to Cleveland.

In the West:
LA Lakers vs. Denver - This could be a good offensive series to watch, but the Lakers will win in 6 games. Denver didn't fair well against the Lakers well during the regular season but will surely bring their A game this year.
New Orleans vs. Dallas - Here is my first upset pick! I'm taking the Mavs to win this series in 7 games. Dallas will be out for a vengeance after being knocked out in the first round last year as the 1 seed. New Orleans has had a great season, but their lack of playoff experience will catch up to them in this long series.
San Antonio vs. Phoenix - Many would think of this match up as a conference finals series. This will certainly be the best series in the west and will surely go 7 games with either team being able to win. The Suns have played well against the Spurs this season and have added that playoff center they have lacked in years past. I was originally going to pick these two teams to make it to the conference finals, but since they are facing each other in the first round that is tough. I'm going to have to pick the Spurs in game 7, because that team lives for the playoffs and will surely be ready for this tough series.
Utah vs. Houston - This series could go 7 games as well, but with Houston being without Yao Ming, it will hurt them this series. I'm taking the Jazz to win in 6 games.

Those are my first round thoughts and picks and when it comes down to it, I'm thinking it will be Boston and Detroit in the East Finals and the Lakers and Spurs in the West Finals. I know one thing, it will be an exciting playoff season this year.

Just another story I thought was interesting. Steve "Air" Mcnair retired from the NFL yesterday after 13 tough seasons. What I thought was interesting was why he said he was retiring. He said he was calling it a career because he physically couldn't handle it anymore, but he was still mentally there, just not physically.

Why I thought that was interesting because when Bret Favre retired, he said he was mentally tired, but still felt physically like he could play. Favre retired after 17 seasons compared to Mcnair's 13. But I can see why Mcnair said he was physically tired due to the fact that he was a scrambler earlier in his career compiling over 3,500 rushing yards as a QB. Favre just used his rocket launcher arm his whole career.

So we have now lost two good veteran quarterbacks who have set the standard over the past 15 years in the league. I think we might be seeing Mcnair commentating in the near future.

Enjoy the playoffs tomorrow!