Post by dajason on Jan 18, 2008 19:41:38 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Preview[/glow]
#1 Charlotte Bobcats VS #8 Indiana Pacers
Bobcats: Is it possible for a 2nd year player to win comeback player of the year? Cause if it is Derrick Rose would be the clear favorite for the award. From 7.8 points per game last season to a whopping 27.4 this year, Derrick finished 8th in the league in scoring. Add Rose with one of the best big men in the league In Emeka Okafor, who averaged nearly 4 blocks per game and a great up and coming point guard in Raymond Felton, and its easy to see why the Bobcats had the best record in the East this year.
Pacers: A team that just squeaked by to get into the playoffs. Lead by a competent foursome of Brandon Roy, Jerryd Bayless, Carlos Boozer, and Andre Bogut, the Pacers have some nice quality, but no real superstar. With the possibility of losing most of their team to free agency and no first round draft pick, this could be the last year for the Pacers to do anything.
Prediction: The big three of Charlotte should have very little trouble with the Pacers. Rose in nearly unstoppable and that’s all Okafor does. Bobcats in 5.
#2 Boston Celtics VS #7 Chicago Bulls
Celtics: Three years after the big off season that brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the greater Boston area, the Boston Three Party are still at it. All three averaging over twenty points per game, and receiving a nice contribution from Rajon Rondo, this could very well be the year of the Celtics. If its not, then it could be a long rebuilding process. They only have two players signed after this season. Which means with the fantastic free agent crop up coming, they could be big spenders and outbid anyone. I don’t think they can buy a whole team though.
Bulls: If a team could upset the Celtics this year, Chicago might be the team to do it. With three great young players in the lineup, led by dark horse MVP candidate Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls have the firepower to keep up with the Celtics. However, one time great defender Ben Wallace and up and coming Joakim Noah will have to be a presence on the inside to stop KG from dominating in the paint.
Prediction: This may not be Boston’s year, but it is for sure their round. Celtics in 5.
#3 Miami Heat VS #6 Toronto Raptors
Heat: Who would have thought a Wadeless Heat team would been tied for the 2nd best record in the East? A nice overall team, they spread the scoring out amongst all 5 starters. Led by possible Rookie of the year Eric Gordon, a smooth 21 points per game, coupled with the inside presence of Jermaine “Im not Shaqs brother” Oneal have led to a team built to win a title. AK47 can bring a nice defensive presence to the team.
Raptors: The Gmless Toronto Raptors screwed themselves royally this year by going over the salary cap and losing their 1st round draft pick. Its not a bad thing, the GM was horrid anyway, as we all know, you never trade Chris Bosh, period. As for the teams chances in the playoffs, they still TJ Ford dishing the ball and a gluttony of power forwards all playing out of position.
Prediction: No way the Raptors upset the Heat. Miami in 4.
#4 New York Knicks VS #5 Philadelphia 76ers
Knicks: New York, flirting dangerously with the league hard cap boast a fantastic young lineup. The Knicks, or as we like to call them Orlando North, owe much of their success to Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard. With Howard putting up outstanding numbers, 26 ppg 12.2 rpg 2.5 bpg, if he is on the team will succeed.
76ers: What a great young team. Dominic James has developed into more of a shoot first, pass second point guard. Andre Iguodala leads the team in point per game and is a defensive stalwart. Along with Chinese sensation Yi Jianlian the sixers have what it takes to go all the way.
Prediction: In a slight upset, I think this could be Phillies year. Philadelphia in 7.
#1 Charlotte Bobcats VS #8 Indiana Pacers
Bobcats: Is it possible for a 2nd year player to win comeback player of the year? Cause if it is Derrick Rose would be the clear favorite for the award. From 7.8 points per game last season to a whopping 27.4 this year, Derrick finished 8th in the league in scoring. Add Rose with one of the best big men in the league In Emeka Okafor, who averaged nearly 4 blocks per game and a great up and coming point guard in Raymond Felton, and its easy to see why the Bobcats had the best record in the East this year.
Pacers: A team that just squeaked by to get into the playoffs. Lead by a competent foursome of Brandon Roy, Jerryd Bayless, Carlos Boozer, and Andre Bogut, the Pacers have some nice quality, but no real superstar. With the possibility of losing most of their team to free agency and no first round draft pick, this could be the last year for the Pacers to do anything.
Prediction: The big three of Charlotte should have very little trouble with the Pacers. Rose in nearly unstoppable and that’s all Okafor does. Bobcats in 5.
#2 Boston Celtics VS #7 Chicago Bulls
Celtics: Three years after the big off season that brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the greater Boston area, the Boston Three Party are still at it. All three averaging over twenty points per game, and receiving a nice contribution from Rajon Rondo, this could very well be the year of the Celtics. If its not, then it could be a long rebuilding process. They only have two players signed after this season. Which means with the fantastic free agent crop up coming, they could be big spenders and outbid anyone. I don’t think they can buy a whole team though.
Bulls: If a team could upset the Celtics this year, Chicago might be the team to do it. With three great young players in the lineup, led by dark horse MVP candidate Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls have the firepower to keep up with the Celtics. However, one time great defender Ben Wallace and up and coming Joakim Noah will have to be a presence on the inside to stop KG from dominating in the paint.
Prediction: This may not be Boston’s year, but it is for sure their round. Celtics in 5.
#3 Miami Heat VS #6 Toronto Raptors
Heat: Who would have thought a Wadeless Heat team would been tied for the 2nd best record in the East? A nice overall team, they spread the scoring out amongst all 5 starters. Led by possible Rookie of the year Eric Gordon, a smooth 21 points per game, coupled with the inside presence of Jermaine “Im not Shaqs brother” Oneal have led to a team built to win a title. AK47 can bring a nice defensive presence to the team.
Raptors: The Gmless Toronto Raptors screwed themselves royally this year by going over the salary cap and losing their 1st round draft pick. Its not a bad thing, the GM was horrid anyway, as we all know, you never trade Chris Bosh, period. As for the teams chances in the playoffs, they still TJ Ford dishing the ball and a gluttony of power forwards all playing out of position.
Prediction: No way the Raptors upset the Heat. Miami in 4.
#4 New York Knicks VS #5 Philadelphia 76ers
Knicks: New York, flirting dangerously with the league hard cap boast a fantastic young lineup. The Knicks, or as we like to call them Orlando North, owe much of their success to Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard. With Howard putting up outstanding numbers, 26 ppg 12.2 rpg 2.5 bpg, if he is on the team will succeed.
76ers: What a great young team. Dominic James has developed into more of a shoot first, pass second point guard. Andre Iguodala leads the team in point per game and is a defensive stalwart. Along with Chinese sensation Yi Jianlian the sixers have what it takes to go all the way.
Prediction: In a slight upset, I think this could be Phillies year. Philadelphia in 7.
