Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs

One of the strangest feelings in life is when you have a set routine for a long time and then it suddenly changes. For example, I go through the exact same steps in getting ready for work, from putting certain stuff in my backpack to how I tie my shoes. (Oh yeah, that’s right. I don’t tie my shoes.)

Anyways, one routine I have had for the past five months is that every Thursday night, I make some Kraft Mac & Cheese and watch the NBA on TNT games. You see, because my stupid dorm doesn’t get ESPN or Comcast SportsNet (Yes, I think it is outrageous as well), the only Association action I get to see are the Bulls games on WGN and the TNT Thursday night double-header. So I make an event of it. This may sound disturbing, nothing goes better with Mac & Cheese than the soothing sounds of Marv Albert (YES!!!).

Anyways, tonight I was all set for my normal Thursday night when I realized that TNT wasn’t showing hoops, but instead ‘King Kong’. And then it hit me….It’s Playoff Time. Of course I knew this before hand, it just hadn’t hit me until that moment. So I figured I’d bust out a playoff preview for the blog. But instead of detailing each series in the normal way, that would be by conference, I’ve decided to preview the playoffs by ranking them one through eight on how entertaining the series will be. (1=”The Fugitive” level excitement, 8= Kazaam)

8--- Boston vs. Atlanta
Let’s see, the Celtics scored more points a game, allowed less points per game, and won almost 30 more games than the Hawks did this year. Add to that Boston is hungry for a title, has three of the best 40 players in basketball and Atlanta has no fans, and I would be shocked if this is anything but a Celtic sweep. Boston in 4

7--- Detroit vs. Philadelphia
I like the 76ers collection of talent, especially Andre Igoudala and rookie Thaddeus Young (I think I’m just a sucker for guys name Thaddeus). But I don’t see anybody on Philly stopping Chauncey Billups or Richard Hamilton, and Detroit has made five consecutive conference finals. Watch out for the Sixers next season. Detroit in 5

6--- Las Angeles vs. Denver
Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Carmello Anthony are all exciting players to watch, but this series won’t be decided on the offensive end. I have questions about who on Denver will guard #24 (please don’t say J.R. Smith) and who will take a big shot if the game comes down to the wire. The Lakers are just too deep and motivated this year, plus there’s no way Phil Jackson gets beat by George Karl. L.A. in 5

5--- Orlando vs. Toronto
Chris Bosh against Dwight Howard in the post will be exciting to watch, but that’s practically a wash. I think this series will be decided by the role players, and I like the Magic’s guys better than the Raptors’. Rashard Lewis dominates whoever the Toronto small forward is (Andrea Bargnani I believe) and Hedu Turkoglu is an underrated clutch player. Orlando in 5

4---Utah vs. Houston
These two teams went seven last year, and that could happen again this season. As you all know, I’m a huge Deron Williams fan and I don’t see how the Rockets stop him. He’s too strong and too quick for Skip-to-My-Lou and even though Luther Head is my guy as well, he’s not going to stop D-Will. If Yao Ming was still healthy, maybe this would be different, but I see Tracy McGrady and co. going down once again. Utah in 6

3---Washington vs. Cleveland
This is the question every year with the Cavs: What works better in a playoff series, having the best collection of talent or having the best individual player? LeBron James can easily win games by himself, especially if he’s getting calls from the refs, but I really like the trio of Jamison/Butler/Arenas, even with Agent 0 coming off the bench. The Wizards have been sent home two years in a row by Cleveland, but I think this season it goes the other way. Washington in 6

2---New Orleans vs. Dallas
The best point guard of the last ten years, Jason Kidd, versus the best point guard of the next ten year, Chris Paul. That alone makes this series must-see-TV, but I also like a matchup in the post. Dirk Nowitzki is usually more athletic than the big men he plays against, but I don’t know if he has that advantage over David West and Tyson Chandler. Playoff experience might win a game or two for Dallas, but I like N.O.’s team from top-to-bottom more. New Orleans in 7

1---Phoenix vs. San Antonio
Are you kidding me? This is a first round series? I think with the addition of Shaq, Phoenix finally can match up with Tim Duncan. I think Amare Stodumire will snap for at least one 40 point during this series. I think the Spurs have struggled to turn it on all year. And most of all, I think this will get to the physical level that last season’s series did. Finally, after two previous times, the Suns get by the Spurs. Phoenix in 7



Also, I saw the comment on the last post. Ramon, you need to contact the Service Employees International Union Local 1 based in Chicago. They will let you know what the next steps are. Thanks for reading.