duncan228
04-17-2008, 03:12 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8041870/What-we-do-(and-don't)-want-to-see-in-NBA-playoffs
What we do (and don't) want to see in NBA playoffs
by Randy Hill
The soon-to-be-unleashed playoffs are promising to inspire more interest in the NBA than any event since Ron Artest stopped throwing haymakers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Based on the regular season, the drama should be exquisite. The storylines could be unreasonably compelling. We may even witness showdowns that are slightly more contentious than that marathon battle of wits co-starring Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump.
With so much intrigue scheduled to dance in front of our peepers, we've found it necessary to separate what we really want to see from things we're hoping to avoid.
The following lists include matchups that may already have been declared and those we're simply longing for (or against):
What I want to see
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns: Since Suspensiongate wrecked the 2007 playoffs for desert patrons, citizens of Phoenix have been spoiling for revenge.
Since Shaquille O'Neal became a Sun and helped his new team to a pair of regular-season victories over the defending champs, citizens of Phoenix are just begging for the opportunity.
And now they'll get it. The teams will meet in the first round of the West playoffs.
Aside from the obvious low-block contretemps between Shaq and Tim Duncan, this matchup will provide Steve Nash vs. Bruce Bowen, Bowen vs. the Watchdogs of Dirty Play and Suns fans vs. Robert Horry.
This matchup also used to feature a collision of disparate styles, but the addition of O'Neal has allowed Suns coach Mike D'Antoni to beat Spurs coach Gregg Popovich at his own game.
We'll see if Pop and the Spurs have been waiting in the weeds with smarty-pants adjustments or should check in as simply too old for another run.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns: This intersection of franchises — which first occurred this year as Shaq's opening game as a Sun — inspired a playoff atmosphere during the regular season.
Any O'Neal-Kobe Bryant high-noon incident is sure to provoke considerable interest (not to mention pre-game acknowledgement suspense), and would be abetted by Kobe vs. Raja Bell (a nice forearm to the chops or clothesline can be expected), Amare Stoudemire vs. Pau Gasol (defense has no chance here) and D'Antoni vs. Phil Jackson.
These variables may have nothing on Suns loyalists vs. former L.A.-area residents who now live in Phoenix, still root for the Lakers and somehow like to believe that original Phoenicians lack some abstract level of hip-ness because they never lived in L.A.
New Orleans Hornets vs. Utah Jazz: With Chris Paul going against Deron Williams, the league should make this a best-of-nine.
It also doesn't stink that David West would be matched against Carlos Boozer (unless Hornets coach Byron Scott prefers having West chase Mehmet Okur out by the 3-point line).
Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowtizki taking on Lamar Odom isn't bad, but fails to measure up to Jason "I Could Have Been A Laker ... Last Year" Kidd vs. Andrew Bynum's suit and tie.
Another classic interview session or two can be expected when Jackson declares war on Mavs' owner Mark Cuban.
Lakers vs. Spurs: I promise to not include the Lakers in every must-see matchup. Anyway, this one ranks way up there because of Kobe vs. Bowen, Gasol vs. Duncan and Jack vs. Eva.
Spurs fans with long memories may experience a case of the heebie-jeebies when Derek Fisher strolls into the gym.
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons: This one seems as inevitable as Isiah Thomas vs. Severance Package.
The most interesting matchup would be Kevin Garnett vs. Rasheed Wallace, although watching Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton chase each other around screens might be fun.
Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: This wouldn't be nearly as entertaining as the previous listing, but we're pretty sure that Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James would co-star a couple of guys who are less than wild about each other.
Maybe Pierce would be seeking a measure of Beantown revenge for LBJ's controversial magazine cover with Tom Brady's woman.
Pistons vs. Cavaliers: It worked last season and would give us an opportunity to see if the Pistons are going to roll over and die again if James heats up.
Orlando Magic vs. Pistons: There will be worse things to watch than 'Sheed guarding Dwight Howard.
Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas always has something interesting to say, but LeBron could have another pithy comment near the free-throw line.
Celtics vs. Lakers: This would encourage so much nostalgia that Kurt Rambis may be tempted to take a big swing at Danny Ainge.
We'd also find out if M.L. Carr's rotator cuff has survived with enough elasticity to break out the towel.
According to cable TV insiders, the Discovery Channel has a camera crew waiting to catch the ghost of Red Auerbach making faces at Phil.
Celtics vs. Suns: For me, this might be a Finals choice 1A, and would remind the basketball world of Gar Heard.
What I don't want to see
Lakers vs. Hornets: Sure, the top two seeds in the Western Conference might generate a great series, but the Bryant-Paul MVP chatter would drive viewers (well, me) insane.
A regular-season popularity contest is no match for finding out who will be Finals MVP.
The Eighth Seed Beating the One Seed In the Eastern Conference: Seeing the Atlanta Hawks advance would mean that aliens abducted Kevin Garnett before Game 1 and replaced him with Michael Olowokandi.
The Seventh Seed Beating the Two Seed In the Eastern Conference: According to contractual fine print, if the Celtics and Pistons don't meet in the conference finals, ABC and ESPN will be allowed to broadcast reruns of The Bronx Is Burning during that time slot.
Nash vs. the Scorer's Table: It was an ugly scene the first time and not redeemed by being the only way two players can make it off of D'Antoni's bench in the second half.
Denver In Round 2: The Nuggets' commitment to avoid guarding anyone should not be rewarded by advancing.
Cavaliers vs. Spurs: We've already been witnesses to LeBron going 1 on 5.
Pistons vs. Spurs: Some of us might actually enjoy this championship series if we didn't have to hear the rest of you bellyaching about it.
What we do (and don't) want to see in NBA playoffs
by Randy Hill
The soon-to-be-unleashed playoffs are promising to inspire more interest in the NBA than any event since Ron Artest stopped throwing haymakers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Based on the regular season, the drama should be exquisite. The storylines could be unreasonably compelling. We may even witness showdowns that are slightly more contentious than that marathon battle of wits co-starring Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump.
With so much intrigue scheduled to dance in front of our peepers, we've found it necessary to separate what we really want to see from things we're hoping to avoid.
The following lists include matchups that may already have been declared and those we're simply longing for (or against):
What I want to see
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns: Since Suspensiongate wrecked the 2007 playoffs for desert patrons, citizens of Phoenix have been spoiling for revenge.
Since Shaquille O'Neal became a Sun and helped his new team to a pair of regular-season victories over the defending champs, citizens of Phoenix are just begging for the opportunity.
And now they'll get it. The teams will meet in the first round of the West playoffs.
Aside from the obvious low-block contretemps between Shaq and Tim Duncan, this matchup will provide Steve Nash vs. Bruce Bowen, Bowen vs. the Watchdogs of Dirty Play and Suns fans vs. Robert Horry.
This matchup also used to feature a collision of disparate styles, but the addition of O'Neal has allowed Suns coach Mike D'Antoni to beat Spurs coach Gregg Popovich at his own game.
We'll see if Pop and the Spurs have been waiting in the weeds with smarty-pants adjustments or should check in as simply too old for another run.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns: This intersection of franchises — which first occurred this year as Shaq's opening game as a Sun — inspired a playoff atmosphere during the regular season.
Any O'Neal-Kobe Bryant high-noon incident is sure to provoke considerable interest (not to mention pre-game acknowledgement suspense), and would be abetted by Kobe vs. Raja Bell (a nice forearm to the chops or clothesline can be expected), Amare Stoudemire vs. Pau Gasol (defense has no chance here) and D'Antoni vs. Phil Jackson.
These variables may have nothing on Suns loyalists vs. former L.A.-area residents who now live in Phoenix, still root for the Lakers and somehow like to believe that original Phoenicians lack some abstract level of hip-ness because they never lived in L.A.
New Orleans Hornets vs. Utah Jazz: With Chris Paul going against Deron Williams, the league should make this a best-of-nine.
It also doesn't stink that David West would be matched against Carlos Boozer (unless Hornets coach Byron Scott prefers having West chase Mehmet Okur out by the 3-point line).
Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowtizki taking on Lamar Odom isn't bad, but fails to measure up to Jason "I Could Have Been A Laker ... Last Year" Kidd vs. Andrew Bynum's suit and tie.
Another classic interview session or two can be expected when Jackson declares war on Mavs' owner Mark Cuban.
Lakers vs. Spurs: I promise to not include the Lakers in every must-see matchup. Anyway, this one ranks way up there because of Kobe vs. Bowen, Gasol vs. Duncan and Jack vs. Eva.
Spurs fans with long memories may experience a case of the heebie-jeebies when Derek Fisher strolls into the gym.
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons: This one seems as inevitable as Isiah Thomas vs. Severance Package.
The most interesting matchup would be Kevin Garnett vs. Rasheed Wallace, although watching Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton chase each other around screens might be fun.
Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: This wouldn't be nearly as entertaining as the previous listing, but we're pretty sure that Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James would co-star a couple of guys who are less than wild about each other.
Maybe Pierce would be seeking a measure of Beantown revenge for LBJ's controversial magazine cover with Tom Brady's woman.
Pistons vs. Cavaliers: It worked last season and would give us an opportunity to see if the Pistons are going to roll over and die again if James heats up.
Orlando Magic vs. Pistons: There will be worse things to watch than 'Sheed guarding Dwight Howard.
Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas always has something interesting to say, but LeBron could have another pithy comment near the free-throw line.
Celtics vs. Lakers: This would encourage so much nostalgia that Kurt Rambis may be tempted to take a big swing at Danny Ainge.
We'd also find out if M.L. Carr's rotator cuff has survived with enough elasticity to break out the towel.
According to cable TV insiders, the Discovery Channel has a camera crew waiting to catch the ghost of Red Auerbach making faces at Phil.
Celtics vs. Suns: For me, this might be a Finals choice 1A, and would remind the basketball world of Gar Heard.
What I don't want to see
Lakers vs. Hornets: Sure, the top two seeds in the Western Conference might generate a great series, but the Bryant-Paul MVP chatter would drive viewers (well, me) insane.
A regular-season popularity contest is no match for finding out who will be Finals MVP.
The Eighth Seed Beating the One Seed In the Eastern Conference: Seeing the Atlanta Hawks advance would mean that aliens abducted Kevin Garnett before Game 1 and replaced him with Michael Olowokandi.
The Seventh Seed Beating the Two Seed In the Eastern Conference: According to contractual fine print, if the Celtics and Pistons don't meet in the conference finals, ABC and ESPN will be allowed to broadcast reruns of The Bronx Is Burning during that time slot.
Nash vs. the Scorer's Table: It was an ugly scene the first time and not redeemed by being the only way two players can make it off of D'Antoni's bench in the second half.
Denver In Round 2: The Nuggets' commitment to avoid guarding anyone should not be rewarded by advancing.
Cavaliers vs. Spurs: We've already been witnesses to LeBron going 1 on 5.
Pistons vs. Spurs: Some of us might actually enjoy this championship series if we didn't have to hear the rest of you bellyaching about it.