Sloopy45
Pimp Minister Sinister
First Round
1 Phoenix Over 8 Memphis, 4-0
I see a quick one here. Phoenix is better, hotter, and has home court.
7 Denver Over 2 San Antonio, 4-2
I like the Nuggets for three reasons: 1.) Duncan isn't 100% (noticably), 2.) Denver has plenty of quality big bodies (Camby, Nene, K-Mart) to run at him and throw him around, and 3.) Parker and Ginobli have spotty playoff reps with regards to filling a void in Duncan's absence. All of this, however, becomes a moot point if 'Melo can't pull his weight in the series.
3 Seattle Over 6 Sacra-Tomato, 4-2
Not a big fan of the Queens since the Webber trade and Divac exodus. Bibby is still a great player, and Seattle is very vulnerable if they're not hitting from the perimeter. The Sonics are virtually unbeatable if they are clicking from the outside, and I expect them to be in this series (for four games, at least).
5 Houston Over 4 Dallas, 4-2
Toin coss here. Houston has T-Mac, a true Center (Yao), and Dallas has no PG. I'm going with the Rockets.
1 Miami Over 8 New Jersey, 4-3
For some reason I see the Nets as a very tough out here. I think this series comes down to the 4th Quarter of Game 7, and Shaq & D-Wade will outlast J-Kidd & Vinsanity.
2 Detroit Over 7 Philly, 4-3
A.I. will have some big games in this series. Its in the air. The Cheesesteaks take Detroit to the wire, but fall short in the end.
3 Boston Over 6 Indiana, 4-1
The Celtics' depth will be way more than a depleted Indiana team can handle in this series. I'm giving the Pacers one game in honor of Reggie Miller's final series.
4 Chicago Over 5 Washington, 4-2
Ben Gordon might be the most anticipated attraction in the NBA Playoffs in a long time. I see Gordon having a big series and bouncing the surprising Wiz.
Second Round
1 Phoenix Over 5 Houston, 4-2
The Suns have too much firepower for the Rockets, but don't be surprised if Jeff Van Gundy comes up with a defensive scheme to slow down the Suns' running attack & T-Mac rolls out a 40 pt. game or two to make this closer than the experts think.
7 Denver Over 3 Seattle, 4-2
I think Denver's frontcourt is a little too much for the Sonics, who must have a great perimeter effort to pull this one out.
1 Miami Over 4 Chicago, 4-2
Too much Shaq, too much D-Wade, but Gordon and the Bulls give a great effort. They'll be back.
3 Boston Over 2 Detroit, 4-3
The Celtics can match Detroit's depth, have more go-to scorers, and the Pistons have missed too many games (due to suspension, injury, and Larry Brown's health) for me to pick them to go far in the playoffs. They get bounced here.
Conference Finals
1 Phoenix Over 7 Denver, 4-3
No way Denver wins three straight series without home court. No Way. The train stops here.
3 Boston Over 1 Miami, 4-2
I'm not entirely sold on Miami, because they have NOTHING outside of the Diesel and Wade. I think they're primed for an upset, and I think Boston's the perfect team to do it, similar to the Pistons over the Lakers last year.
Finals
Phoenix & Boston
TBA
1 Phoenix Over 8 Memphis, 4-0
I see a quick one here. Phoenix is better, hotter, and has home court.
7 Denver Over 2 San Antonio, 4-2
I like the Nuggets for three reasons: 1.) Duncan isn't 100% (noticably), 2.) Denver has plenty of quality big bodies (Camby, Nene, K-Mart) to run at him and throw him around, and 3.) Parker and Ginobli have spotty playoff reps with regards to filling a void in Duncan's absence. All of this, however, becomes a moot point if 'Melo can't pull his weight in the series.
3 Seattle Over 6 Sacra-Tomato, 4-2
Not a big fan of the Queens since the Webber trade and Divac exodus. Bibby is still a great player, and Seattle is very vulnerable if they're not hitting from the perimeter. The Sonics are virtually unbeatable if they are clicking from the outside, and I expect them to be in this series (for four games, at least).
5 Houston Over 4 Dallas, 4-2
Toin coss here. Houston has T-Mac, a true Center (Yao), and Dallas has no PG. I'm going with the Rockets.
1 Miami Over 8 New Jersey, 4-3
For some reason I see the Nets as a very tough out here. I think this series comes down to the 4th Quarter of Game 7, and Shaq & D-Wade will outlast J-Kidd & Vinsanity.
2 Detroit Over 7 Philly, 4-3
A.I. will have some big games in this series. Its in the air. The Cheesesteaks take Detroit to the wire, but fall short in the end.
3 Boston Over 6 Indiana, 4-1
The Celtics' depth will be way more than a depleted Indiana team can handle in this series. I'm giving the Pacers one game in honor of Reggie Miller's final series.
4 Chicago Over 5 Washington, 4-2
Ben Gordon might be the most anticipated attraction in the NBA Playoffs in a long time. I see Gordon having a big series and bouncing the surprising Wiz.
Second Round
1 Phoenix Over 5 Houston, 4-2
The Suns have too much firepower for the Rockets, but don't be surprised if Jeff Van Gundy comes up with a defensive scheme to slow down the Suns' running attack & T-Mac rolls out a 40 pt. game or two to make this closer than the experts think.
7 Denver Over 3 Seattle, 4-2
I think Denver's frontcourt is a little too much for the Sonics, who must have a great perimeter effort to pull this one out.
1 Miami Over 4 Chicago, 4-2
Too much Shaq, too much D-Wade, but Gordon and the Bulls give a great effort. They'll be back.
3 Boston Over 2 Detroit, 4-3
The Celtics can match Detroit's depth, have more go-to scorers, and the Pistons have missed too many games (due to suspension, injury, and Larry Brown's health) for me to pick them to go far in the playoffs. They get bounced here.
Conference Finals
1 Phoenix Over 7 Denver, 4-3
No way Denver wins three straight series without home court. No Way. The train stops here.
3 Boston Over 1 Miami, 4-2
I'm not entirely sold on Miami, because they have NOTHING outside of the Diesel and Wade. I think they're primed for an upset, and I think Boston's the perfect team to do it, similar to the Pistons over the Lakers last year.
Finals
Phoenix & Boston
TBA
