More playoff picks

I wasn't able to preview the NBA conference semi-finals because some series' started before others were set. Thankfully, that didn't happen again, so now I can make the picks for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.

East

KG vs. Rasheed Wallace will be fun to watch, as will Paul Pierce vs. Tayshaun Prince. Rajon Rondo isn't as bad of a matchup against Chauncy Billups now as he was earlier this season, and both benches are equal. And Doc Rivers against Flip Saunders means no team (or fan) has an advantage. But the real difference is at shooting guard. Rip Hamilton runs off more screens and than anybody else in the leage and loves to post up smaller guys. On the other hand, Ray Allen is slow and weak and has showed nothing during these playoffs. Unless Boston is going to go small, putting KG at the 5, James Posey and Leon Powe up fromt with Pierce and Rondo in the backcout, I don't see how they slow down Hamilton. Add Detroit's expereience and rest, and its too much Motown.

Pistons in 6


West

Everybody is sick of the Spurs. Lots of people love the Lakers. So we know who the general public, as well as the NBA and ABC, are rooting for. But this series will come down to matchups. Can Bruce Bowen guard Kobe for 45 minutes a night? Will Derrick Fisher stay with Tony Parker? Who takes Tim Duncan? There's about five more of these, and because the sports two best coaches are involved, I'm guessing each question will have about six responses thanks to all the adjustments. This has the look of a classic, 7 game war. (Then again, I said the same thing about Spurs-Suns) In the end, I think the Lakers pull it out, but just barely. And I reserve the right to change my pick if KB-24 goes back to his old slef and doesn't share the ball with his teammates.

Lakers in 7