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!!!

What Happened to the New Orleans Hornets?

Two years, ago, this team took the San Antonio Spurs to a game seven of the Western Conference semi-finals and lost.  And all everyone could think about was, this team is going to be a contender for the next 5 years, AT LEAST.  They had the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul, an up and coming emerging power forward in David West, a Peja Stojakovic who could still hit a three, and a supporting cast of Tyson Chandler, Morris Peterson, Chris “Birdman” Anderson, Bonzi Wells, Bobby Jackson, and Rasual Butler, to say the least????  What the heck happened to this team? If the playoffs started today, they’d be watching from the sidelines.  No more Tyson, no more Birdman, an injury prone Chris Paul.  Sure, they play in the powerful Western Conference but this team went from one of those scary teams on the schedule to a sorry ass, maybe sneak into the playoffs as an eight seed and one and done.  It goes to show you how hard it is to stay competitive for consecutive years, let alone 5 or 10.  Kudos to winning franchises like the Celtics and Lakers who have been winning for years, even through making trades. After losing to the Spurs at home tonight, the Hornets are now a whimpy 31-30, 1 game over .500.  I personally hope they make the playoffs so the Lakers get a first round bye, so to speak…

KOBE: “I just wanted to shoot it in his face”

??? Ok, time to get your minds out of the gutter, it was actually a quote from Kobe after he nailed a 3-pointer in the face of James Posey of New Orleans Hornets. Some KEY points to remember: Yes, the Lakers beat the Hornets 93-86 in what was their biggest test of the season. Yes, the Lakers haven’t lost a game this season, yet. Yes, the Lakers are the best team in the NBA, right now. Finally, NO, the Lakers are not going 82-0.  After watching this game, tell me Chris Paul isn’t the best point guard in the league? Kudos to the Miluakee Bucks in drafting Andrew Bynum that year and the Atlanta Hawks in Marvin Williams.  Talk about setting your franchise back a decade.  Anyway, back to Hollywood, back to LA where the weather’s not the only thing that’s perfect. Enjoy the streak while it lasts.  Looking at the Lakers’ schedule, I’m predicting November 20 at Phoenix as the day it comes to an end.  Sorry.