X Marks The Spot : Breaking It Down Since '05!

Being one of them, I thought I'd join in on the fun! But a word of caution: the basketball channel in my household switched over to another cable provider at the start of the year, so since January I haven't been able to watch the NBA on a consistent basis. And even in the playoffs, I missed some great games, and that sucks. I've been doing my best to make up for it by scouring the net for blogs, articles and features, but it's just not the same.

Still, I think I've read and know enough about the teams playing to make, at least, some sensible predictions.

And with that, I present my thoughts on the NBA Conference Finals.

This is it. The dream match-up. The one almost everybody saw coming since the season began. The Cavs almost screwed it all up, but we finally have it.

I'm picking the Celtics in 7 games, though. Despite their obvious troubles on the road and Ray Allen's nightly flirtations with mediocrity, they have found ways to win. I think those tough tests should only prepare them better for Detroit, who is oozing experience and team chemistry. Ray Allen is too good not to get better (although he did shoot 3-10 in Game 1), and Kevin Garnett has somehow increased his role in the offense. Pierce showed the world how much he wants to win the title this year when he answered the call in Game 7, so I feel all the Celtcis will follow suit. Oh, and yeah, they will finally win a road game in the Playoffs.

The Pistons, I believe, will prove to be a tough test. Although you have to question their mindset. Let's not forget, this is the same team that claims to perform better when unappreciated. But with Celtics underachieving, mostly everybody favors the Pistons now. And that could rob them of their intensity. Especially Rasheed Wallace, who thrives on adversity. Detroit will still come out focused, though, and you can bet Chauncey will keep his boys in check all throughout.

Every obvious advantage goes to the Pistons (deeper bench, rock-solid chemistry, championship experience, and a clutch player), but somehow, I feel it's the Celtics' time. Paul Pierce wants it, Kevin Garnett also wants it, Ray Allen should want it, and they just survived two taxing match-ups. I think they're ready for the next step.

As much as I disregarded all conventional wisdom in my pick for the East Finals, I have to be more realistic with the Spurs-Lakers series.

Like the Pistons, the core of the Spurs have been together for so long now. Also, like the Pistons, they have been playing virtually the same core for years now, have won championships and always is a threat to win the title any given year.

But that's where the similarities end. Unlike the Pistons, the Spurs have no motivational issues, plays the same way whether they're the underdogs (HA!) or the favorites. They have one of the best coaches in the league, they never implode at the most inopportune times, and they seem to have mastered the black arts while getting away with it.

HOWEVER, the Lakers have the reigning MVP. But, unlike Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant can never be considered as "soft" or "un-clutch". And, as dirty as Bruce Bowen can be, he cannot contain The Black Mamba. With Kobe playing for something meaningful again, expect him to rise to the occasion like he always does.

The biggest question here is whether the bench will answer the call. This is a pretty young group of guys, with no one exceptional having been on a stage as big as this. Fortunately for them, they have an international champion in Pau Gasol, a Lamar Odom who seems to have turned the corner, and the valuable leadership and toughness that Derek Fisher provides.

This will be a great series, and with two coaching genuises at the helms, it's going to be fun seeing them one-upping each other game after game.

But in the end, I think the Lakers will take this in 7. The Spurs are tough, but the series against the Hornets showed they have somehow really slowed a little. And I just can't vouch for a team that deliberately hurts other players.

And yeah, the Spurs are allergic to consecutive titles.

Right now, I'm in Blog Mode. It's 10:47 PM over here, and I have work tomorrow... But it doesn't matter. I just had to write something tonight. It's just one of those days, I guess.

I actually posted something a few hours ago, but that was merely an introduction of sorts. Just a way of me to say that I AM BACK. Like Kanye West, I am better, faster, stronger, harder.

I was flipping through my older posts and saw my NBA Previews stuff. They were pretty cool, so I thought maybe revisiting my predictions wouldn't be so bad. I'll start off with the East, since the playoff spots are pretty much set in stone. The West is much trickier, so "ll save that edition when the playoff picture is settled.


1. Detroit Pistons - "They supposedly have some young players waiting in the wings, but I doubt they'll make that big of an impact"

Then: # 4 in the East
Now: # 2 in the East

I was wrong here, but not too wrong. First, I thought that the Bulls would take the Central Division crown, expecting a breakout year from Luol Deng. But the opposite happened, and the Pistons are just that damn consistent to slip below the 3rd spot. I also didn't expect their Zoo Crew to contribute heavily this year, but the electric play of rookie Rodney Stuckey and muscle forward Jason Maxiell were actually what they needed. This team is just too consistent, and I will never doubt them again.

2. Miami Heat - "I know they won a championship then, but I just knew that acquiring Antoine Walker and Jason Williams would blow up in their faces somewhere down the road. And this season might be that"

Then: # 7 in the East
Now: Last (!!!) in the League

Oooohhh, I love this. I (somewhat) correctly predicted that this would be a bad year for Miami, but never in my wildest dreams did I think that they would finish with the worst record in the L. I don't think anybody did, really. A team with Dwyane Wade and Shaq could result to this? Impossible! But it did, and the devil has come back to Riley to collect. I know they tell us injuries killed them, but I still believe it was the deal with the devil that did them in.

3. Boston Celtics - "I don't think they can finish atop the East because they will obviously have to go through growing pains, but by the end of the season, we shall recognize them as the best in the East"

Then: # 2 in the East
Now: # 1 in the League

You have to admit, it was pretty close. Some people were wary of saying they would be that good this soon, but I always believed they would be. I have to be honest, though... Even my prediction was a bit conservative. I expected great things, but a 60-win season in their first year together?!?! KG, now I know the Wolves' numerous exits weren't your fault.

4. Toronto Raptors - "But I am concerned about his (Chris Bosh) health"

Then: # 5 in the East
Now: # 7 in the East

If I remember correctly, Toronto's slide began when Chris Bosh went out. And despite heroic performances from Rasho Nesterovic, they currently are in 7th place in the East, battling with Washington and Philadelphia for a higher spot. I still believe this team is talented enough to grab the 5 spot, so I guess that makes my prediction pretty accurate.

5. Charlotte Bobcats - "Is Jason Richardson really the go-to guy they were looking for? In my opinion, no"

Then: Out of the Playoffs
Now: Out of the Playoffs

For stretches during the season, we've seen Jason Richardson perform otherworldly. However, he hasn't been able to do it consistently, and he certainly hasn't elevated his team into postseason contention. And considering how wide open the East is, to not even be in the Playoff race is downright embarrassing. I have to be admit, though, it's unfair to put the blame on JRich alone. The firing of Bernie Bickerstaff might be the biggest reason for this lost season.

6. Washington Wizards - "First off, I just want to wish Etan Thomas a speedy recovery"

Then: # 3 in the East
Now: # 5 in the East

Really. I wrote my preview before Gilbert missed almost the entire season, so I guess that renders my prediction as pointless. In fact, it may have made my preview look even worse. For them to lose their best player and still be, record-wise, better than Toronto? Crazy. I guess it's time to move Caron Butler to elite status. And no, I'm not forgetting Antawn Jamison at all. I will be honest, though. I really thought Andray Blatche would contribute more than he did this year. Too bad.

7. Chicago Bulls - "Welcome to Kobe Bryant's next home!!!!"

Then: # 1 in the East
Now: Surprisingly eliminated from the Playoffs

OUCH. With a single team preview, all my credibility was lost. But really. Too horrible predictions in one team preview? Damn, man. How can I recover from that. First, I boldly predict Chicago as Kobe's next home. Then, just to sweeten things a bit, I state to the world that I believe that Chicago would be # 1 in the East. Once again, OUCH! I'm not really sure if my prediction was made with Kobe Bryant wearing red and black in mind, but still it was terrible. As punishment, feel free to laugh in my face the next time you see me on the street.

8. Orlando Magic - "Jameer Nelson is a good point guard, but a part of me thinks this is as good as he can get"

Then: # 8 in the East
Now: # 3 in the East

Hell, we could even say Jameer got worse! Really, he has just been terrible this year, so I guess I was correct in thinking that he has maxed out. The other thing was Rashard Lewis. It was evident from the start that he would never live up to his contract, but to be outplayed by Hedo Turkoglu is surely depressing. At least, Dwight Howard is playing above his contract. This time, I feel happy to be proven wrong. 8th was just too damn low. Sorry, Superman.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers - "It's still all about LeBron"

Then: # 6 in the East
Now: # 4 in the East

Truer words have never been said. The Cavs are really still all about the King, but at least now, things seem to be improving. I still can't get over the fact that they stole Delonte West from Seattle, and nabbing Ben Wallace and Wally World are solid additions. I also said before that the Devin Brown signing was good, and so far, I'm right. It's far too early to tell if the trades they made will be enough, but they sure made them better.

10. Indiana Pacers - "Seriously, though, I don't really know what direction they're going"

Then: Out of the Playoffs
Now: Praying (hard) for the 8th spot

I still don't know what direction they are heading. I thought they would trade JO this season (pre or mid, I didn't care), but they didn't, and they are basically the same team they were last year. Danny Granger has been good, but we still don't know what he's made of. It's been a terrible year in Indiana, with attendance issues, injuries, and other stuff distracting the team. It's time to decide, Mr. Bird.

11. Atlanta Hawks - "This would be a very good team if only they had a Point Guard"

Then: Out of the Playoffs
Now: # 8 in the East

Well, it's a mixed bag. The Hawks played pretty well early in the season, staying above .500. However, they somehow lost a step, and even Mike Bibby's arrival didn't initially produce great results. Lately, though, they have been playing much better and just might be considered a lock for the # 8 spot. It's a start, but they still haven't signed Josh Smith long-term, so they could be back to futility in the near future.