(2) Detroit Pistons vs (3) Orlando Magic
Pistons lead the series 3-1 (My Pick - Orlando over Detroit in 7 games)
- How do you really call this one? You had the shot that happened but shouldn't have counted. Chauncey Billups went down and the Pistons won anyway. Detroit flat out won Game 1. This series could go either way still.
- Jameer Nelson has said something that's usually reserved for Rasheed Wallace.
- I don't think the Magic have their "point guard of the future" on their current roster.
- This is Detroit's last deep run with this current group. Maybe they add somebody but I can see a trade coming in the near future. Joe Dumars is always ahead of the curve.
- Dwight Howard flashes but cannot yet sustain dominance for long stretches. He will eventually though.
- The Magic need to pay Turkoglu. 3 years/$30 million sounds about right. But his agent will look at his production vs the production of Rashard Lewis. Then he'll look at the contract the Magic gave Lewis. Turkoglu will cost the Magic the luxury tax if they keep him.
Celtics lead the series 2-1 (My Pick - Boston over Cleveland in 5 games)
- LeBron is on his own. If he's gonna be Batman he needs some help. His Batman would ride a mountain bike, have a Swiss Army Knife as his main weapon and his only sidekick would be a 12 year-old Batgirl. At least Larry Hughes could resemble a heroin-addicted Robin when he was on.
- All that being said I like Delonte West. He'll most likely never play in an All-Star Game but he'll be a solid player in the league for the next decade.
- Will the Cavs offer Ben Wallace a buyout this summer?
- Sam Cassell can still do it. Rajon Rondo is playing excellent basketball but Cassell is a born closer. He's made Ray Allen an ancillary player at this point.
- Don't forget, Ray Allen is Jesus. Jesus Shuttlesworth.
- I don't think Paul Piece misses Antoine Walker. Does anybody?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) New Orleans Hornets vs (3) San Antonio Spurs
The series is tied 2-2 (My Pick - San Antonio over New Orleans in 7 games)
- New Orleans came out strong and San Antonio took their sweet time to get going. No shit huh? This is vintage Spurs basketball. Let's hope New Orleans didn't blow their load too early.
- Manu Ginobili is a game-changer. Nice move by Popovich to stick him in the starting lineup to change things up. Ginobili just has so much energy on both ends of the court that makes his teammates better. Similar to the KG Effect on the Celtics.
- Chris Paul is the future. He and Deron Williams are going to have battles for the ages. Imagine if LeBron and D-Wade ended up in the West.....
- David West is another underrated guy. If he just continues to develop a bit each year he'll be a 20-10 guy without a problem. And I mean a REAL 20-10 guy who's a threat in the post and a legitimate beast on the glass. Not just a guy who grabs some long rebounds and scores some garbage time points.
- Tony Parker continues to be rock-solid. While rarely spectacular he makes very few mistakes and his jumper gets a little better every year. Plus he's always come to play in the playoffs. He's Tim Duncan's perfect setup man.
Series is tied 2-2 (My Pick - Utah Jazz in 7 games)
- If Kobe's back is really hurt the Lakers are in too deep. Neither Gasol or Odom do well as the primary offensive option. Kobe keeps defenses honest. If he can't hit his outside jumper or get to the hole at will as he normally does, the Jazz can sag off of him in their defense.
- Deron Williams has bad luck. If it weren't for Chris Paul he would get a lot more publicity. He makes the Jazz go.
- It just doesn't feel like it's time yet for the Lakers. Gasol has worked out very well but give Phil Jackson one more season. I fully expect the Lakers to be the #1 seed again next year.
- If you had to pick right now which Dukie would you want, Carlos Boozer or Elton Brand? Cleveland really screwed the pooch on that one didn't they?
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