We have the 2013 playoffs here, we have the reigning champions in
the Miami Heat, and we have a couple teams in the west who could challenge
them. The Knicks could make a run at Miami, but can we be honest and understand
that this is Miami's championship to lose? I really don't see how anyone competes
with them in the east. The west is definitely another story, but we'll start in
the east to let you know what I think will happen.
Eastern Conference Playoffs
ROUND 1
#1 Miami Heat vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
Do you really want my input on this series? I got the Miami heat
in a sweep in this one, I like what the Bucks have developing with Ellis and
Jennings, but they just aren't there when it comes to Miami's strength and
defensive prowess. I see this as a really good warm up for the Miami Heat to
get to the 2nd round.
MIA 4-0
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Boston Celtics
I see this being an intriguing series and I could see Boston
making it a series early, but the Knicks will prevail eventually. Once Carmelo
starts getting to his spots and the Knicks start establishing down low, the
Celtics will have no chance. Garnett is just too old, and this Knicks team will
crush them in the post.
NYK 4-1
#3 Indiana Pacers vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
Really? Do you think I'm going to give the Hawks a legit shot in
this one? They are about as useless as any other squad who would go up against
the likes of Indiana in the first round. Indiana is a team on a mission and if
it weren't for some guy named LeBron and another in Carmelo, maybe they would
be the #1 seed in the East.
IND 4-0
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
This is actually one of the best match-ups in the entire eastern
conference playoffs that could possibly occur. The only problem is the Bulls
have been struggling recently and the Nets have just been chugging along
hanging under the radar. I think the Nets will pull this one out because they
are coming in healthy and their defense has been rather poor. I see the Bulls
pushing this series turning it into a potential seven game series, but the Nets
will adjust and dominate down the stretch.
BKN 4-2
ROUND 2
#2 NYK vs #3 IND
This is going to be a seven game series and maybe one of the most
intriguing series of the entire NBA Playoffs. If superstar power can lift a
team, then Carmelo Anthony is the man to do it in this series. The Pacers are a
team that can play with anybody they want to in this league, but can they do it
in a seven game series with a Knicks team that has the fire power they do? I
honestly could see this series going seven and I have no clue who to pick.
Considering the Pacers will be so under the radar, I think they will pull it
out because the entire world will know the entire Knicks roster by the time
this series starts and they will have all the fuel to want to dominate this
team and put a scare early in the series. As much as I say this series can go
seven, Carmelo will get special treatment and the Pacers will shock the sports
media world. IND 4-2
#1 MIA vs #4 BKN
Jay-Z, LeBron, D. Wade, and Brooklyn. This has the making of a rap
song just oozing from it's roots. The only thing Jay-Z will be rapping about is
how much Joe Johnson will get destroyed by D. Wade and LeBron. The Heat will
not lose a game in this series, they will steamroll to the Eastern Conference
Finals. MIA 4-0
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
#1 MIA vs #3 IND
Nobody matches up with what the Heat have for the Pacers. I could
see the Pacers putting a scare into Miami the first couple of games, but that
will only be a wake up call and Miami will get back on track. Nobody is
stopping LeBron from getting back to the Finals. MIA 4-1
Let's look at the Western Conference Playoffs shall we?
Western Conference Playoffs
ROUND 1
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Houston Rockets
Analysis? Why do you need that? This series is too easy to call. I
see Houston waking up the Thunder for one game, other then that nothing. OKC
4-1
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers
O.K. this series scares me a bit as a Spurs fan but I think the
Spurs can get it done. The main reason is because we really don't have anybody
physical enough to stop Dwight Howard in the post and if he gets in position,
we are toast. Other than that, we have them beat at
the guard position, and our bench will shred them. If the Lakers get
hot and play a brand of basketball where Steve Nash can operate by slinking
into the lane and bring back some youthful days of his great Suns days, we
could be in for some trouble. I see a good series but not a seven game series. SAS 4-2
#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Golden State Warriors
Denver is a really good team and the only reason I see them
winning this series is because they have the Manimal in Kenneth Faried. I could
see Golden State making this a series, but I just don't think it's their year
to make a statement. They will be more well known after this series as they
will push the Nuggets for a couple games. DEN
4-2
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies
Is it just me, or is this the series that reminds everyone how
average the Grizzlies played the second half of the season, while the Clippers
and "lob city" haven't really done anything else to prove they could
make a run in the postseason? Yes, the Clippers are an entertaining team, but
can they really handle the team mentality of the Grizzlies? This will be the
best first round match-up in the playoffs and it will prove whether team play
or athleticism will win. I think the Grizzlies have put themselves into a large
dark horse role, especially with the way they have played this second half of
the season, but the Clippers are the spice of the year. I see this going seven,
and I'm picking because somebody has to win. LAC
4-3
ROUND 2
#1 OKC vs #4 LAC
Lob city vs Thunder Buddies for life? Wow the match-ups in this
are actually pretty intense. I think the Clippers have a legitimate shot at
doing something pretty miraculous in this... Hold on, Thunder Buddies for Life?
Durant will go off in this series and get your popcorn ready for the best point
guard match-up we may ever see in NBA history. CP3 and RW0, how could you ask for
anything more? The only difference I could see the Clippers having is their 6th
man with Jamaal Crawford who is the best 6th man in the game. If he lights it
up, the Thunder could actually have a problem on their hands. Other then that,
this one is in the bag for Oklahoma City. OKC
4-2
#2 SAS vs #3 DEN
This will be a high scoring series, but I think the Spurs are just
too good and the Nuggets are 1 year away. If this series were next season, I
would reconsider my choice but I think the Spurs will lock it up in what will
be a great entertaining series. I could see either team advancing in this one
but I think the chemistry of the Spurs is just too much this year and the
Nuggets will be a legitimate team heading into next season. I'm just weary
on picking them this year over the Spurs. 2014, it will be a different story. SAS 4-3
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
#1 OKC vs #2 SAS
So... We meet again. A year has past and all that has happened is
teams have flip-flopped from a year ago, Tim Duncan is looking like Timmy of 10
years ago, and the Spurs have only gotten better on their bench. This is the
year I could see the Spurs taking a serious stab at the Thunder. Last year the
Spurs did it on the starting five and would burnout in the second half and they
did that in the last 4 games of the series which they lost every single one.
The Spurs this year have incorporated their second team so much into the way
they run their organization that it is almost as if drones come off the bench
to put up the same production. I think this season will be a reversal of last
season. I see the Thunder coming out strong, and I could see the Spurs bench
creeping in on the Thunder over the remainder of the series. This series will
be all about the Spurs bench for we know what may happen to their starting five
if they repeat what happened last season. If their bench steps up, which I have
full confidence in them doing, this series will be done in San Antonio.
SAS 4-2
And now... We move onto the NBA Finals where it shouldn't shock
you as to who I have winning it all. I think this is a year similar as to what
the Kentucky Wildcats had a year ago as we all knew going into the tournament
that they were the best team in college basketball.
2013 NBA FINALS
EAST - Miami Heat vs WEST - San Antonio Spurs
The Heat are just too good. If the Spurs had home court I would
think other wise, but the only way this is going past five games is if the
Spurs steal one on the road. If the Heat win the first two games, this series
is over and the Miami Heat will hoist the trophy in San Antonio. Duncan will be
burned out by this point, Parker can only do so much, and LeBron will destroy
whom ever the Spurs put on him. Team play can only go so far and I will be very
excited if the Spurs make it to the Finals, but if LeBron is waiting, you won't
hear anything from me saying we could win it all.
MIA 4-1 (LeBron
MVP, duh)
Those are my predictions for the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Enjoy the
Playoffs everybody!
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