Darrin
04-20-2006, 12:51 AM
1.(1) Pistons v. (8) Bucks
Michael Redd and Rip Hamilton had some duels in the regular season. If this was Larry Brown or Rick Carlisle coaching, I don't think that would matter much in the postseason, but I don't know how Flip will be about two guys going after each other. It could be entertaining for that reason. However, this is my top pick only because it's the Detroit Pistons, my favorite team. I'm going out on a limb - my first sweep called in this era of Detroit Basketball - 4-0.
2.(6) Clippers v. (3) Nuggets
I love this series. It's fun that the Clippers are going to be in the postseason for the first time since 1997, but they have a legitimate chance to beat the Nuggets and advance! My favorite 1st-round series last year was Bulls-Wizards because it was two teams that would've relished just making the playoffs with a chance to make the 2nd round. I think this is the same scenario here. Part of its appeal, however, is the NBA marketers aren't going to put this series front and center. We can just watch two teams slug it out. 4-3 Clippers.
3.(3) Nets v. (6) Pacers
They put up a great series 4 years ago that ended in overtime of the 5th game. Both teams are a lot more battle-tested than that series. Nets win 4-3.
4.(4) Cavs v. (5) Wizards
Lebron v. Arenas. That alone could be worth the price of the dish, but it's more than that for me. This is the second-round matchup in the Pistons bracket. Much like the Clippers-Nuggets series, both teams are evenly matched and I don't much care who wins. That makes for entertainment for me; players in the first-round playing like they can win the Finals if they get 4 playoff wins. 4-2 Cavs.
5.(4) Mavs v. (5) Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are my dark horse, and have been all season. I like the ball this team plays, even though people may consider it a mind-numbing bore. The matchups are going to be great, and I fully expect this Grizzlies team to give Dallas all they can take. A great series for Dallas to sharpen its teeth. 4-2 Dallas.
6.(2) Suns v. (7) Lakers
For two games or so this will be fun. The Suns fun-and-gun vs. the scoring maching Kobe Bryant. However it will become infuriating watching a bunch of players stand around, laying out a red carpet to take whatever shot they want. I picking the upset here, 4-2 Lakers.
7.(2) Heat v. (7) Bulls
Yawn. Get prepared for some inflated stats by Mourning, Haslem, and Shaq. One game-winner by Ben Gordon, and at least one "cheap-shot" story about Nocioni, Heat 4-1.
8.(1) Spurs v. (8) Kings
This is nothing personal Spurs fans. I don't want to give the NBA any impression in any way that I find Ron Artest interesting; I don't. I know the outcome of this series before the ball is thrown up, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim making his first playoff series in 8 years is not enough to get me to tune in, Spurs 4-1.
What are your rankings???
Michael Redd and Rip Hamilton had some duels in the regular season. If this was Larry Brown or Rick Carlisle coaching, I don't think that would matter much in the postseason, but I don't know how Flip will be about two guys going after each other. It could be entertaining for that reason. However, this is my top pick only because it's the Detroit Pistons, my favorite team. I'm going out on a limb - my first sweep called in this era of Detroit Basketball - 4-0.
2.(6) Clippers v. (3) Nuggets
I love this series. It's fun that the Clippers are going to be in the postseason for the first time since 1997, but they have a legitimate chance to beat the Nuggets and advance! My favorite 1st-round series last year was Bulls-Wizards because it was two teams that would've relished just making the playoffs with a chance to make the 2nd round. I think this is the same scenario here. Part of its appeal, however, is the NBA marketers aren't going to put this series front and center. We can just watch two teams slug it out. 4-3 Clippers.
3.(3) Nets v. (6) Pacers
They put up a great series 4 years ago that ended in overtime of the 5th game. Both teams are a lot more battle-tested than that series. Nets win 4-3.
4.(4) Cavs v. (5) Wizards
Lebron v. Arenas. That alone could be worth the price of the dish, but it's more than that for me. This is the second-round matchup in the Pistons bracket. Much like the Clippers-Nuggets series, both teams are evenly matched and I don't much care who wins. That makes for entertainment for me; players in the first-round playing like they can win the Finals if they get 4 playoff wins. 4-2 Cavs.
5.(4) Mavs v. (5) Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are my dark horse, and have been all season. I like the ball this team plays, even though people may consider it a mind-numbing bore. The matchups are going to be great, and I fully expect this Grizzlies team to give Dallas all they can take. A great series for Dallas to sharpen its teeth. 4-2 Dallas.
6.(2) Suns v. (7) Lakers
For two games or so this will be fun. The Suns fun-and-gun vs. the scoring maching Kobe Bryant. However it will become infuriating watching a bunch of players stand around, laying out a red carpet to take whatever shot they want. I picking the upset here, 4-2 Lakers.
7.(2) Heat v. (7) Bulls
Yawn. Get prepared for some inflated stats by Mourning, Haslem, and Shaq. One game-winner by Ben Gordon, and at least one "cheap-shot" story about Nocioni, Heat 4-1.
8.(1) Spurs v. (8) Kings
This is nothing personal Spurs fans. I don't want to give the NBA any impression in any way that I find Ron Artest interesting; I don't. I know the outcome of this series before the ball is thrown up, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim making his first playoff series in 8 years is not enough to get me to tune in, Spurs 4-1.
What are your rankings???