NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW: WESTERN CONFERENCE

What was always the more interesting of the 2 conferences is turning out to be a bore.  But before we turn the page on the Western Conference playoffs, here are my picks for the first round:

Memphis Grizzlies v. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have amassed the best record in the West and for good reason.  I’m a little concerned with the Ginobli injury but playing against a young and inexperienced Memphis team is the perfect anecdote. With OJ Mayo regressing, I don’t think Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol can lead them past the Spurs for a whole series.  Look for the Grizz to steal a game or 2 but the Spurs should coast through this seriers

New Orleans Hornets v. Los Angeles Lakers: The surging Lakers all of a sudden have run into a wall.  Injuries to Bynum and an irate Bryant, this team looks like the lost their flow.  But let’s not forget, they’re the Lakers, they come with a lot of baggage and drama, but at the end of the day, they’re good, they’re stacked, they’re experienced.  The series with the Hornets might go to 6 but the Lakers should pull it out.

Dallas Mavericks v. Portland Trail Blazers: Can someone say upset special? True the Mavs have Dirk and Terry but is anyone ever afraid of them.  There’s something about Lamarcus Alridge and the Blazers that you don’t wanna mess with.  I’m not saying the Mavs don’t stand a chance, but if they blow home court, I don’t think they’re gonna be able to pull off a win in Portland.

Oklahoma City Thunder v. Denver Nuggets: The Thuggets have been playing better without Carmelo, but it’s time to come back down to reality. The Thunder are legit contenders to win the West and have the best chance to upend the Lakers.  The addition of Perkins (and his big mouth) have given this team a true force in the middle.  Watch for these guys to sweep the Nuggets. Sorry J.R. Smith, you know I hate it when you lose (that’s call online sarcasm).

Enjoy round 1!!!

Class Bully is About to Get Knuckleheaded!!!

Who would have ever thunk it, Darius Miles the “hot” topic in the league… Now, I use that term “hot” very loosely. This guy hasn’t made headlines until he was drafted 3rd by the Clippers in 2000. Since then, some injuries, some weed, some racial slurs and this guy has been shipped around the league.  Now he’s back, after suffering what most, especially the Blazers, thought was a career ending microfracture surgery. The Blazers released him and saved BIG on cap space, as long as noone resigned him.  I guess the Memphis Grizzlies don’t have email. It  seems that if Mr. Miles plays 1 more game, the Portland Trailblazers can take their “legal action” threat and stick it where the sun don’t shine… Good for teh Grizz for standing putting the interests of their team first. Now I was never a big fan of Darius Miles, let’s get that straight. From the moment he stepped into the league with the Clippers, he and his boys Quentin Richardson and Keyon Dooling were nothing but street ballers that didn’t play a lick of defense.  Miles never developed into, well, anything.  All he could do is dunk the ball. No outside shot.  No inside game.  And at 6’9, 235 lbs, this anorexic basketball player learned quickly that without muscle, them injuries are a comin’.  Now, the Portland Trail Blazers are on the hook, monetarily of course, if he plays 1 more game.  Tonight, Miles went off for a whopping 13 points in 14 minutes. Look, let me not be too negative. That’s not too bad, it’s actually pretty good.  He did once drop 49 in one night, god only knows how. The guy has had a tough time coming back. Maybe he’ll change his Snoop Dogg attitude this time and contribute to this young Grizzlies’ team on and off the court.  Then again, if I’m Grizzlies’ management, I don’t want this guy coming close to my young and impressionable nucleus (Mayo, Gasol, Lowrie, Gay, etc.) But on Friday, when he enters the game against the Jazz, it’s all but over for the Portland Trail Blazers and any chance of a big offseason acquisition.  Looks like it’ll be the Oden/Roy combo, or as most like to call it, Roy/Roy combo for a couple more years.